Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: I S T
Posts: 655
Thumbs up Tire pressure for different surfaces !

I am not sure if it is the correct branch for this post ! ?

Hello dear riders,

Would like to hear your experinces and want to find the final truth about "correct tire pressure for different surfaces" like:

(percent of normal air pressure)
* tarmac 100 %
* unpaved 90 % ?
* off road 80 % ?
* gravel 80 % ?
* sand 60 % ?
* mud 80 % ?
* rock/stones 70 % ?
* snow 80 % ?
* ice 70 % ?
* . . .

Especeially experienced riders with different surface ridings, please contribute...

Ride well

Samy
__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Nov 2008
Big Yellow Tractor's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: England
Posts: 649
I'm not sure you will be able to come up with a definative answer. I used to run 18psi front and 12psi rear on all surfaces. That's a road legal MX or enduro tyre on a DRZ400e with rim-locks.

I run mouses these days and I think the rear is so tired that it would equate to about 8psi. (yes, the back end does squirm around a bit on tarmac but it doesn't bother me)

Be careful not to give yourself too much to worry about.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Nov 2008
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,822
So much depends on what bike, the load, type of tire and lastly, road or trail conditions.
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 20:37.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Nov 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Quote:
Originally Posted by Samy View Post
"correct tire pressure "
Correct for what?

Maximum grip?
Maximum tyre life?
Maximum comfort?

Most people who talk/do this are only intrested in grip. They don't care about tyre life or damage.

-------------------
I usually run 100% sealed surface tyre pressure every where .. saves going up and down all the time. I only drop pressure where I really have too (I'm stuck or would be if I didn't).

Reducing the pressure means if you do come across a sharp large surface the rim could be damaged .. increased pressure reduces this risk.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 28 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: I S T
Posts: 655
Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Warner View Post
Correct for what?

Maximum grip?
Maximum tyre life?
Maximum comfort?

Most people who talk/do this are only intrested in grip. They don't care about tyre life or damage.

-------------------
I usually run 100% sealed surface tyre pressure every where .. saves going up and down all the time. I only drop pressure where I really have too (I'm stuck or would be if I didn't).

Reducing the pressure means if you do come across a sharp large surface the rim could be damaged .. increased pressure reduces this risk.
Of course grip and better riding. not tyre life. It's about riding control...
__________________
"where the traveller goes, nobody knows ! "
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 28 Nov 2008
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
To get better grip it often helps to reduce air-pressure, but it will reduce tire-life, increase risk for punctures and it’s easier to dent the rims. But your bike has very sturdy rims.

Personally I always use 37 PSI unless I there are real troubles. Last time is a few years ago so it’s not often.
The exception is snow/ice where I use around 20-30 PSI.

Racing is a different matter. Around here most people use Mousse anyway so they are not able to adjust.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 29 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Cyprus
Posts: 168
All valid points.
Different tyres do need different pressure. Trail riding in cornwall, the rear tyre of choice is a pirelli MT43 trials tyre. They have such a high profile that they happily run at 8 psi to give maximum grip on slimey broken slate trails without risking rim damage. The lowest I ever ran one was 2 psi which gave fantastic grip but was squirmy on the road; that was from a slow puncture though, not intentional. Try that with a standard enduro tyre and you would end up with a pinch flat and dented rims very quickly.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 29 Nov 2008
mollydog's Avatar
R.I.P.
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: california
Posts: 3,822
Trials tires have gotten very popular
__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Last edited by mollydog; 26 Mar 2009 at 20:37.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 29 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
Its whatever the tyre maunufacturer specifies for their tyre fitted to a bike/rider combination of xx kgs on a specific surface.

They've just spent a few $million on developing a tyre so you'd have to expect them to know whats best.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 3 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 166
depends, again.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Samy View Post
Of course grip and better riding. not tyre life. It's about riding control...
yes but if you get good life, you'll have good grip for longer. i'll sometimes go 110% on a good surface to help in this aim.

road temperature and of course the bike's load also influence my decision - on really hot asphalt i'll go higher than recommended, as the tyre then flexes less and hence builds up less heat.

and on soft, deep, especially hot sand, i've had them down so low that the pressure doesn't read on my pocket gauge.
__________________
www.outforaspin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 19 Dec 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Alberta
Posts: 8
Can't really agree with extending tire life by over-inflation. Long tire life might save you a few bucks, but there will come a time when you need ALL of the available traction that tire has to offer. If you shaved off even 5% just so you could log an extra few clicks, that might be enough to wreck you. The aim with tires should always be maximum traction, not maximum life.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 27 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Burton On Trent England
Posts: 134
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitchface View Post
The aim with tires should always be maximum traction, not maximum life.

surely not? or we'd all be running race tyres on road bikes for max grip. where as most people run touring tyres for nearly as much grip but a vastly longer life.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 27 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
I think we're just talking about tyres that are designed for on and off road use but even then you have three basic categories: Road tyres like TKCs which have a rigid sidewall so when the tyre pressure is dropped from the recommended the tyre only deforms by a relatively small amount allowing the tyre to become flatter and give better traction in sand and mud but only to a point. If you drop the pressure too much the tyre will just overheat and the sidewall will break up. Enduro tyres like Michelin Comps are more flexible so you can run then down to less than .5 bar if conditions need it but they are horrible on a paved road at that pressure and wear very quickly. Also, obviously, need rimlocks. Trials tyres are very flexible and are designed to be run almost flat but again feel bad on paved roads at low pressures and still tend to overheat and wear very rapidly. As with everything dual purpose, tyres are a compromise. True road tyres grip the road in a completely different way to the way in which a full motocross tyre finds traction on muddy terrain.

I use 1.5 bar (23psi) front and rear in the TKCs on my GS (no rimlocks) on all surfaces but wouldn't go anywhere near some of the mud I go through on my KTM Exc fitted with Michelin comps 1 bar in the front and .6/.7 bar at the rear.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Oil-pressure R80GS AliBaba BMW Tech 10 12 Nov 2008 20:01
Tire Pressure biloo Yamaha Tech 5 17 Jan 2008 22:32
r100gs oil pressure paulc BMW Tech 11 24 Feb 2007 21:54
tire pressure r1150gs? wyomex BMW Tech 5 29 Sep 2006 10:10

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:59.