Tyre pressures

[Mark]

Hi all

I've just had a pair of Avon Distanzia's fitted to my XT600E. Avon's web site recommends 2.3 bar front, 2.5 bar back.

Yamaha recommends 1.5 bar front and 1.9 bar rear for the original fitment tyres, which is considerably less.

Does anyone know which I should use, or is it a matter of trying different pressures and seeing which feels right?

Thanks for any advice

Mark

[FredXTZ]

Where does Yamaha recommend this? Probably not in the book of your bike. Can you check that?
I would personally recommend 2 bar front and 2,2 bar rear.

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Fred, XTZ660, Holland.

[Mark]

Thanks Fred

The Yamaha figures are on the sticker on the bikes swing arm, and in the owners hand book.

But I do wonder if the original tyres had a different construction to the ones I have now fitted

Mark

[braindead]

The new tyres are a road orientated design so need the higher pressuers for heat disapation. I would run at the manufactures recommended pressures as the tyres will have been tested for performance on that bike at those settings.

[Boxer]

I'm running Distanzias on tarmac. I like them - I run front at 22psi and back at aroung 24 psi. The bike handles fine but even at those lower pressures the centre of the back tyre has gone in 5500 miles of moderately lively riding. Higher pressures would, I think, wear the centre of the tread very quickly.
I used them at these pressures in Scotland a few weeks ago in rain and wind (and a bit of wet snow). I felt very confident in the wet, but there again the Highland roads are immensely rough and grippy. Hope this helps.

[Mark]

Thanks for the replies.

It's reassuring to know you've run at the lower pressures with no probs, Boxer. I've done about 100 miles at Avon's recommended pressures but the bike did feel less attached to the road than I'm used to. I'll try letting some air out!

I am concerned though that going as low as 24 will lead to more rapid wear due to flexing of the tyre causing it to run hotter - so I might not go down quite that far.

Cheers
Mark

[DAVSATO]

i would stick to what Avon say, because they test the tires for the best fuel economy, grip, and tire wear, all affected by pressure.
off road tires always run at lower pressures than road tires.

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dave

[Grant Johnson]

Older bikes were designed for older tires - which all ran lower pressures than modern tires do, so it's best to run at the TIRE manufacturers recommendations.

Having said that, their recommendations are based on standard conditions - one rider at normal road speeds with minimal or no load.

When adding weight and speed - over 100kph - always wise to do a test. Check the pressure cold, then drive an hour or so and do another check.

If the pressure rises more than about 7 psi, it's too soft, (therefore flexing more and generating more heat) so add a couple of pounds as seems appropriate (depending on how much the pressure rose) when COLD and test again.

If the pressure rises only a couple of psi, it's too hard - drop the pressure. 4-5 psi is ideal rise, anywhere in the 2-7 range is fine.

Also note that most tires have a load rating at a maximum pressure allowed. e.g. My Metzeler ME88 rear is rated at 720 pounds at 49psi. That means a maximum pressure of 49 psi, and a max load of 720 pounds. Most tires are rated lower than that, so take care not to overload the tire.

For reference: 14.5 psi = one bar = one atmosphere. (I like psi because I'm used to it and it's much more exact)

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[gwel]

Hi there,
Ive 2 distanzia since october last year and have done around 8000 km mostly in the wet (thanks Ireland) on my xte 600 98..
since then I put 22 psi front and 23/25 psi rear and the tyres seems like I' ve bought them.
I think the grip is excellent a that pressure when the conditions are wet. The bike is much more comfortable too ...
I had michelin before and they never last very long...

[Mark]

Hi All

Thanks for all the replies

I've decided to stick with 22psi in the front, anything more just doesn't feel right. Rear doesn't seem so critical, using 30psi.

Tried Grants suggestion of comparing cold and warmed up tyres tyre pressure. Rear rose by about 4psi, but front only 2. However, surly the rear tyre flexis (and hence heats up so increasing its pressure) far more than the front as the engine turns it round, the front only coasting if your not braking like a racer.

Mark