Tire Pressure

[jwells500]

What's the best tire pressure to prevent tire wear on Metzler 880's on my K1200LT?:doh

[Motor31]

Zero pressure will preserve your tires indefinitely. You won't ride it so the tires could last almost forever. :stick

[OfficerImpersonator]

On a car, the correct tire pressure is printed on a sticker, usually on the driver's side door jamb. Unlike a car, on a motorcycle, the correct tire pressure is listed on the tire.

[mikeinpittsburgh]

It was recommended to me to run 42 front and 48 rear
check this website for all things K1200LT

http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/cmps_index.php?

[widebmw]

On a car, the correct tire pressure is printed on a sticker, usually on the driver's side door jamb. Unlike a car, on a motorcycle, the correct tire pressure is listed on the tire.

The maximum cold pressure is on the side of the tire.
The correct pressure can be lower depending on the load.

[roy]

What's the best tire pressure to prevent tire wear on Metzler 880's on my K1200LT?:doh

Jwell,

tire pressure depends on some variables.

Weight being carried on the bike. I.e solo rider or two-up full gear

Type of riding. Canyon carving or super slab running.

Most of the people on the BMWLT site recommend running a minimum of 42F 48R

Some run 48F 52R

Up to a certain point. The higher the pressure the longer they wear. I.e. less flexing.

NOTE: Over pressure in tires also reduces traction and bump absorption capabilities.

[klrobins]

On a car, the correct tire pressure is printed on a sticker, usually on the driver's side door jamb. Unlike a car, on a motorcycle, the correct tire pressure is listed on the tire.

Not necessarily true. On my Honda VFR the correct tire pressure was also listed on a sticker on the chain guard and was different than the pressure listed on the side of the tires. The pressure on the side of the tire is the tire maximum pressure. The pressure you "should" fill the tire to is dependant on the weight of the vehicle. I just picked up my 1200GS and was surprised to see that the tire pressure sticker wasnt there... would this info not be listed in the owners manual?

I'm sure there's no issues running to the pressure printed on the tire, but that is not necessarily the "correct" pressure in all cases. If its not in the manual, just contact a local dealer... the correct numbers have to be somewhere.

[OfficerImpersonator]

Let me clarify my initial advice.

On a new bike, with factory tires, follow the recommendations in the owner's manual or affixed to the bike.

Once you replace your stock tires, the recommendations made in the manual no longer apply, unless you're using exactly the same tire.

So, if you're running a different tire than what came stock with the bike, you'll want to follow what's printed on the side of the tire. Of course you can make small adjustments to this number to compensate for heavy loads, achieve better traction, provide better cushioning, etc. - but I've always been taught that the number printed on the tire is the pressure you should run.

After all, that number was devised by the people who designed, engineered and built the tire - if anyone should know the optimal pressure, it would be the manufacturer.

[klrobins]

So, if you're running a different tire than what came stock with the bike, you'll want to follow what's printed on the side of the tire.

Really? I find that interesting... If I got new tires for my car, even if they werent the same tires I would still follow the car recommended pressures... is a bike somehow different? I think I'll investigate this more (not that I dont believe you, just because I find it interesting)...

[OfficerImpersonator]

I was taught that motorcycle tires are different from car tires in exactly that respect.

Follow the sticker on the door jamb/glove box/owners manual for car tire recommended pressure, follow the number embossed on the side of the tire for motorcycle tire recommended pressure.

My 'wrench tells me this, and I remember being told this in my MSF basic rider's course.

[JPK1100]

I would still go with the recommendations in the manual.

Maybe I am wrong, but those on the tire are maximum.

Respecting what is in the manual... I have done almost 12000 miles (20000 km) on a set of Metzeler on a K1100LT

JPK1100 somewhere in Canada

[dlearl476]

I was taught that motorcycle tires are different from car tires in exactly that respect.

Follow the sticker on the door jamb/glove box/owners manual for car tire recommended pressure, follow the number embossed on the side of the tire for motorcycle tire recommended pressure.

My 'wrench tells me this, and I remember being told this in my MSF basic rider's course.

They, and you, are all wrong. The number on embossed on the side of the tire is, once again, the MAXIMUM cold tire pressure.

The best answer to this question, if I may borrow a phrase from a friend, "How long is a piece of string?"

Optimum tire pressure changes as conditions do. "Your" tire pressure is going to be different for a fully loaded bike or a naked one, different for Metzlers or Michelins, or Avons.

The best method I've found is to start with the recommended pressures from the manual with cold tires. Ride several miles, at least 10, until tires come up to pressure and measure them again. The "hot" temperature should be the "cold" temp + 10%. If it's higher, raise the pressure to lessen the rolling resistance and rubber flex, which is what causes the temperature ( and pressure) increase. Conversely, if it's lower, raise the PSI a bit until you find the magic 10%.

Do this for a few varying loads, then you have a range for you, your bike, and a given load. I've found this magic number can vary as much as 4 psi from one manufacturer to another, for the same bike and load. (Triumph SprintST and Dunlop to Michelin, to be specific.)