Hi,
From my experience, the pressure issue depends on the type of tyre, terrain and front/back wheel.
Using Trials tyres (Michelin MT43) and an 18inch rear wheel on my XT600, I happily run the back at 10psi (0.69 bar) and the front at 18psi (1.24) - the thing grips like glue on the trail and is safe up to ~ 100kmh on the road, both wheels obviously have rimlocks fitted. For extended road sections I'll blow up the rear to 20psi (1.4 bar). The trials tyres are extremely high profile and are therefore not prone to pinch flats. I get ~1600kmh out of a rear trials tyre, but as my riding is mainly offroad it's definitely worth it.
On more 'roady' trips with a 17inch rear and Metzeler Enduro 3, Trailwings or Continental Twinduro's I've a run higher pressures of ~18psi (1.24bar) both ends with no problem - on an XT600 it doesn't seem to make much difference on the road handling.
On extremely rocky sections the most critical thing seems to be a high enough front tyre pressure - too low and a pinch flat puncture is easy to pick up, as XT's aren't exactly a light weight!
Cheers
Bish
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