Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Kawasaki Tech
Kawasaki Tech Kawasaki Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Kawasaki riders only.
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 5 May 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 106
KLE Front Tyre Pressure

I notice in the manual it suggests 21psi. I have been running mine at 30psi since I got it. Anyone actually keep theirs at 21? Seems very low.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 6 May 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 27
I run about 28, 21 is WAY too low.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 May 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney - Australia
Posts: 39
Have been running my 2007 KLE on 21 front & 28 rear for 3 years now without a problem. That's what the owners manual says and I'm no expert on the subject but also have no complaints about tyre performance both on and off-road.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 May 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 32
If you have a knobby front (or semi-knobbie) you do not need high pressures. I have run 22psi on front for 15 years of dual sport riding over every type of terrain and on tar, and it always gets the best grip both on and off road and best tyre life. High pressures on a knobbie tyre will just wear the middle of teh tyre quicker and will result in a rougher ride.

I run 22psi front, 24 psi rear using Dunlop D606's and its perfect with gear or without. I may run 26 in the rear and 24 front if it was super loaded with gear. I run the same with Dunlop 605's.

Knobby (or tyres with many blocks of tread) wiggle around alot and generate heat. But a more road like tyre wont generate that extra heat because it has less friction with the road - hence quieter.

That being said, if your tyre looks like a road tyre (eg 80% road) then by all means I would run more pressure. But given the low weight of the kle I still would'nt run any more than 24-26psi on the front.

A good idea is to check the tyre manufacturers website as they often refer to what the tyre was designed for normal operating pressure - but they are not always right as they maybe referring to heavier bikes.

Hope it helps
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 6 May 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 27
Thats interesting Jimmy, I didn't know that. I'll adjust both front and rear pressures down and see how they go as my bike is still on its original tyres.

cheers
Tracy

Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmy101 View Post
If you have a knobby front (or semi-knobbie) you do not need high pressures. I have run 22psi on front for 15 years of dual sport riding over every type of terrain and on tar, and it always gets the best grip both on and off road and best tyre life. High pressures on a knobbie tyre will just wear the middle of teh tyre quicker and will result in a rougher ride.

I run 22psi front, 24 psi rear using Dunlop D606's and its perfect with gear or without. I may run 26 in the rear and 24 front if it was super loaded with gear. I run the same with Dunlop 605's.

Knobby (or tyres with many blocks of tread) wiggle around alot and generate heat. But a more road like tyre wont generate that extra heat because it has less friction with the road - hence quieter.

That being said, if your tyre looks like a road tyre (eg 80% road) then by all means I would run more pressure. But given the low weight of the kle I still would'nt run any more than 24-26psi on the front.

A good idea is to check the tyre manufacturers website as they often refer to what the tyre was designed for normal operating pressure - but they are not always right as they maybe referring to heavier bikes.

Hope it helps
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 May 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Ireland
Posts: 106
Quote:
Originally Posted by tracyprier View Post
I'll adjust both front and rear pressures down and see how they go
Me too.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 20 May 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 14
Hi,
I found 22 to max.of 23 psi for our KLE(2006) for the front tyre best suitable for all the conditions we ride in.
At around 6.000ks we got rid of both original tyres, and replaced them with Michelin Sirac. Not looking back. Very good tyres, suit 80% road use and 20% unsealed road use. Longer lasting and not only better in the dry, but also better in wet conditions (sealed road).
I found if you put more pressure in the front one, it can loose a bit of grip while cornering if road surface is not spot on, so to say on the rough side.
Best thing to do with the KLE is to spend a couple of $ and get her progressive fork springs (eg.Wilbers Racing), in combination with the Michelins very hard to beat and a very cheap solution to make it a safer bike. The bike's ride becomes more predictable, more direct.
Cheers Michael

Last edited by m2catter; 20 May 2010 at 01:16. Reason: ...
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 21 May 2010
muthaf9cka's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London
Posts: 124
I've done some leg work on this. The tyre pressure quoted in the manual is for the OE tyres the bike was sold with - in my case Dunlop Trailmax (not necessarily the same as aftermarket Trailmax either). Having run other tyres at 21psi since, I've noticed that I've been getting very low tyre life which on many occasions meant replacing the front before the rear had worn out. I have since run the tyres at the tyre manufacturer's recommended pressure (not always easy to find) and found tyre life much improved.

At the moment, I have Avon Road Riders (a pure road tyre) and they are run at 29psi front and 32psi rear.
__________________
"On that? You're nuts!" - My cousin's boyfriend

Current Bikes - Kawasaki KLE500 '05 (May 06)
Previous Bikes - Hyosung GF125 (Oct 05 to May 06)
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
XTZ660 Tyre pressure sbh1953 Yamaha Tech 1 20 Oct 2009 14:36
Tyre Pressure c-chaos Equipping the Overland Vehicle 1 24 Mar 2009 15:08
Tyre pressure royzx7r Kawasaki Tech 3 18 Apr 2008 10:14
tyre pressure bigbrummer Yamaha Tech 2 10 May 2004 00:25
Offroad tyre pressure? AnteK Yamaha Tech 7 21 Jan 2004 18:41

 
 

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 09:52.