Dropped Tire Pressure to Improve Ride

HarryBo

HarryBo

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Dec 13, 2023
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Ride
'25 Rocket 3R Storm
'25 R Storm - followed Col & Zig's suspension set up last year a soon as I bought bike. Ride wayyyy better. This spring, put both tires to 40 lbs (42 lbs recommended), and found bike was like riding a brick. Set tires down to 36 lbs. night and day difference -far more comfortable, control remains great, and just right cushion. I leave in sport mode most of time. I'm 5'10" 175lbs, and the Cobra tires set at 36 works best for me.
 
HarryBo said:
'25 R Storm - followed Col & Zig's suspension set up last year a soon as I bought bike. Ride wayyyy better. This spring, put both tires to 40 lbs (42 lbs recommended), and found bike was like riding a brick. Set tires down to 36 lbs. night and day difference -far more comfortable, control remains great, and just right cushion. I leave in sport mode most of time. I'm 5'10" 175lbs, and the Cobra tires set at 36 works best for me.
Click to expand...
Every bike I've ever owned seems to have a tyre pressure sweet spot of 38 psi rear and 34 front.
Supernakeds, big adventure bikes, the Rocket and even my Harley. Recommended pressures were always too high and made the tyres feel wooden. I've experimented with pressures on all my bikes and they always end up at 38R/34F.
 
I have seen too many vids where bikes take a sharp 90 degree turn and the rear tire seems to slide out from under them, and it is not over application of brake. Sure, in some vids, people give too much throttle, where the tire over-spins, losing traction. But some vids are just unexplainable, as there seems to be no over-throttle or over-braking. I attribute it to bad tire pressure. Some people never check it. They ride, fuel the tank, wash the bike, change oil, etc. But tire pressures don't get checked.

Thus, coming from seeing these crashes, I'd like my tire to be filled to manufacture's spec. I don't think I know enough what goes into choosing a "safe" pressure and would rather not learn on my own skin. I put in electronic FOBO sensors and check weekly for that safe ~42psi.
 
imcool said:
wont lower tire pressure eat tire way faster than higher tire pressure?
Click to expand...
You'll see the center wear out faster at higher pressures. The sides at lower pressure. Lower pressure increases traction. Look at Moto GP. They have minimums you must run.

An overinflated tire is more prone to lose grip and wears faster.
 
stingray said:
You'll see the center wear out faster at higher pressures. The sides at lower pressure. Lower pressure increases traction. Look at Moto GP. They have minimums you must run.

An overinflated tire is more prone to lose grip and wears faster.
Click to expand...
Correct. Plus race bike tyres get extremely hot which effectively increases pressure. Road riders take pressure readings when cold. Track riding pressures are calculated on running temperatures when racing.
If you put 42 psi in your tyres in the cool of the garage, after a vigorous ride it'll be more like 52 psi. Hence my 38/24 will be more like 40/38 when ridden.

Plus, manufacturers pressures are an average to cover all bases: solo riders, heavy riders, riders with luggage, riders with pillions. IMO you need to match your pressures to your type of useage and style of riding.
 

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