tire wear life for fat people

[pb3]

hi all,

i'm 270 lbs. my '09 stock (rear) IRC's wore the middle down in 4.5k miles. the replacment BT045s wore in 4k miles.
whereas the IRC's developed a big flat spot from no twisties, the BTs had more equal wear.

do others have the same issue? PSI is kept 30 front / 34 rear.

tia,
parker

[Alex]

I'm a bit lighter, but have worse wear on both the GT501's the bike came with, and Pirelli Sport Demons (about 3k - 4k max on the rear). Weight plays a part, but acceleration, speed, and type of roads one enjoys all play a part as well. I'm running the same 30F/34R lately as well. Used to run 28/32, but found some credible info that Pirelli likes things a bit higher.

[highpsiguy]

I am 275 plus gear... 5k on my Kendas and looks like new.

[Momaru]

Originally Posted by Alex

I'm running the same 30F/34R lately as well. Used to run 28/32, but found some credible info that Pirelli likes things a bit higher.

Do I need to use the search function? I've been running 28/30 fo evah and have been fairly happy, but was thinking about uppin' the pressure a little for all my highway miles this summer.

As a lighter rider, I've gotten almost 8,000mi out of my rear GT501, as well as each of my sport demon rears. That said, definitely saw a flat spot in the center of all of 'em and many of the roads I ride on are in pretty good condition, so not too much robber being left behind.

[LoneRonin]

how you guys get around when you're packing more than a pound per cc...??
I'd imagine you feel like its a scooter...

[highpsiguy]

More pounds than cc. Now that IS funny. I like that. Truth is the little 250 zings me around really good. I don't feel like my weight handicaps performance in the least. I think the weight limit is around 300lbs or so. So, with me, gear and carry on I know I must be flirting with it. I never ride 2 up. I installed a ninja 500 rear shock and my mechanic stiffened up my front forks. Handling is terrific, power keeps it fun. Granted if I raced it I am sure it would be a handicap, but on the street no problemo. I know I do look like a gorilla riding a football though... truth is I don't look "right" on nothing but a Goldwing.

[Jinx250]

Heavier riders need a higher PSI on both ends. Anyone that says different isn't a heavy rider. I've run diablo scoots into a square tire in the rear in under 3k miles on 32PSI. I got nearly 6k out of one at 36PSI.

[pb3]

do you have a "rule of thumb" or formula you go by? xx addititonal lbs = +xx psi?

[highpsiguy]

I am the guy on the right. 6ft 4 275lbs plus gear... don't think I look fat, but I commented on thread anyway

Guy on left is 6 ft 235.

[highpsiguy]

Originally Posted by Jinx250

Heavier riders need a higher PSI on both ends. Anyone that says different isn't a heavy rider. I've run diablo scoots into a square tire in the rear in under 3k miles on 32PSI. I got nearly 6k out of one at 36PSI.

You may have something there that has helped my tread to do so well. I think I run 34/35 lbs rear. My Kendas show almost NO wear at 6k.

[Jinx250]

Originally Posted by pb3

do you have a "rule of thumb" or formula you go by? xx addititonal lbs = +xx psi?

Nope, it's mostly from experience. But a tire guy once told me that if your tire pressure increases more than about 10% between hot and cold, then the cold pressure is too low.

[CZroe]

Perhaps this is why I get so few miles out of GT501s at over 230 lbs. That said, I don't think I'd trade less traction for more tire life especially when the momentum of my weight is more likely to break traction in a turn.

[NJ Ninjette]

Also a wide body here and there is a sweet spot though. I tried out 28 / 32 and liked it at first, but felt the tires squirming around a bit when pushed. After a week I swear I could see the wear in the tires, went up a few pounds and now it's just about right.

[Jinx250]

Originally Posted by CZroe

Perhaps this is why I get so few miles out of GT501s at over 230 lbs. That said, I don't think I'd trade less traction for more tire life especially when the momentum of my weight is more likely to break traction in a turn.

Actually, you are arguably going to get better traction, since an underinflated tire is going to overheat and get squirmy. As long as you have good tires, you don't lose anything WRT traction by having it inflated to a pressure appropriate for your weight.

[thomason2wheels]

Originally Posted by Jinx250

Actually, you are arguably going to get better traction, since an underinflated tire is going to overheat and get squirmy. As long as you have good tires, you don't lose anything WRT traction by having it inflated to a pressure appropriate for your weight.

0this is totally true. In fact, if you have make an error in tire pressure, the penalty for too much is less than for too llittle. Pump em up and keep em hard. seriously...been running one size oversize on my vstrom with 40 front and 50 rear forever. Got over 12000 on the last rear and over 20k on the front. Try it u like it

[Alex]

50 PSI on the rear tire? I can't imagine how little traction that leaves available. Clearly it must be working for you to this point, but I have to wonder what type of lean angle or corner speed remains when configured like that.

[choneofakind]

50 psi?

dude, the manufacturer suggests a max pressure that's a lot lower than that. I know there's a margin of safety built into their suggestion, but damn. Take out at least 10 psi

[geeker]

Max pressure is also in relation to tire temperature. Set your tire to the recommended cold pressure and then warm up your tires in your favorite twisties and then check your pressure again. Running in excess of the max psi on the sidewall can be very bad.

[thomason2wheels]

Originally Posted by Alex

50 PSI on the rear tire? I can't imagine how little traction that leaves available. Clearly it must be working for you to this point, but I have to wonder what type of lean angle or corner speed remains when configured like that.

Ok, for the skeptics....i have never had the rear tire step out except for the one time i was 2up and dragged the pegs hard in v a turn banked the wrong way. That was a true oshit moment. The tires are metz me880 front and rear. Having said all that, idont usually push gthe bike that hard, i want to live and want the bike tolive too.

[Alex]

50 psi on ME880's? Might as well just roll some melted iron a couple times around the wheel and make sure it cools in a round shape. Similar grip & "tire" life.

I assure you, the traction you are getting with that combination is a far cry from what the bike is designed for or capable of. If you can keep it within those traction limits for the life of the bike, and enjoy yourself while doing so, more power to you.

[choneofakind]

Just lower the tire pressure.

Tire pressure that is excessively high can lean to tire wear that is just as bad/uneven as tire pressure that is too low.

[thomason2wheels]

Originally Posted by Alex

50 psi on ME880's? Might as well just roll some melted iron a couple times around the wheel and make sure it cools in a round shape. Similar grip & "tire" life.

I assure you, the traction you are getting with that combination is a far cry from what the bike is designed for or capable of. If you can keep it within those traction limits for the life of the bike, and enjoy yourself while doing so, more power to you.

To be completely fair, the 40 and 50 psi setting were recommended for commuting by riders in calif. If the roads in va were not so abrasive, i dont believe i could get away with those pressures. On good roads it is quite possiqble to drag pegs with that setup.

[CC Cowboy]

Originally Posted by highpsiguy

I am the guy on the right. 6ft 4 275lbs plus gear... don't think I look fat, but I commented on thread anyway

Guy on left is 6 ft 235.

I love that old Sporty. Looks like a 83 Limited/Anniversary (they came in burgundy and silver new). I bet it sounds sweet with those pipes. I used to use those pipes on most of my Sporties.