Best tire pressure ...

Davis937 · June 17th, 2011, 10:28 PM

Hey Everyone:
... and Happy Weekend to all of you! I know this topic has come up previously, and I do know that correct / best tire pressure has been a continuous subject of debate. Anyway, a lot of good experience here so I'll throw this out. I just purchased a pair of Pirelli Sport Demon tires ... have had them for just a few days. As recommended by you all, I "broke" the tires in for the first 100 miles or so and rode pretty conservatively. I'm very pleased with the tires ... bike handles really nicely, corners better, and the tires just feel great (haven't had the opportunity to see how they handle a wet road yet ... please chime in if you've had some experience). Anyway, to my question ... I checked the tire pressure for both front and rear tires (yeah, tires were cold). Both tires had a reading of 27 psi (I triple checked the reading). I'm thinking that this is probably not the best pressure for the tires (possibly, too low?). Also, I always thought that the rear tire should be about 3-4 psi higher than the front. Please help ... what's a recommended tire pressure for these Pirelli tires? Thanks in advance for your comments and help ...

Alex · June 17th, 2011, 10:29 PM

28f/32r (measured cold) is a good starting point, adjust to taste.

/moved to pre-gen tech area

kkim · June 17th, 2011, 10:31 PM

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...2&postcount=21

DaBlue1 · June 18th, 2011, 05:20 AM

According to Pirelli the min tire pressure is 32F/42R. I would start there then make adjustments as necessary.

Alex · June 18th, 2011, 08:22 AM

What is that doc, Blue? Is the full version available anywhere? 42 on the rear seems unbelievably high for such a light bike, and is so far off the recommendation on the OEM tires, that it's very surprising to me.

Davis937 · June 18th, 2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

28f/32r (measured cold) is a good starting point, adjust to taste.

/moved to pre-gen tech area

... thanks, Alex!

Davis937 · June 18th, 2011, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...2&postcount=21

Aloha, Kelly ... mahalo!

Davis937 · June 18th, 2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

According to Pirelli the min tire pressure is 32F/42R. I would start there then make adjustments as necessary.

... thanks, Blue! Wow ... those numbers, especially rear tire, do seem high. Do you own Pirelli tires?

Pirelli tire owners please chime in!

Davis937 · June 18th, 2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

What is that doc, Blue? Is the full version available anywhere? 42 on the rear seems unbelievably high for such a light bike, and is so far off the recommendation on the OEM tires, that it's very surprising to me.

Hey, Alex ... yeah, I hear you and I agree!

DaBlue1 · June 18th, 2011, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

What is that doc, Blue? Is the full version available anywhere? 42 on the rear seems unbelievably high for such a light bike, and is so far off the recommendation on the OEM tires, that it's very surprising to me.

The doc is from Pirelli. It is the fitment guide. Let me correct that- 32 psi is the min for the front 42 is the max. 36 psi is the minimum for the rear, 42 is the max. Sorry fro the confusion was rushing try to take care of wifey's request.

http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/brow...LI_FULL_07.pdf
http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/brow...elliDealer.pdf

Davis937 · June 18th, 2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaBlue1

The doc is from Pirelli. It is the fitment guide. Let me correct that- 32 psi is the min for the front 42 is the max. 36 psi is the minimum for the rear, 42 is the max. Sorry fro the confusion was rushing try to take care of wifey's request.

http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/brow...LI_FULL_07.pdf
http://www.us.pirelli.com/en_US/brow...elliDealer.pdf

Hey Blue ... thanks for the information -- certainly appreciate it.

Again, thanks also to the rest of you!

fast1075 · December 26th, 2013, 03:23 AM

I run 36 front / 38 rear on mine. With the front lowered 3/4", it has REALLY good turn-in. At 2000 miles on mine, the wear is very good.

I would go down on pressure a bit for a track day, but the tires stick well during SANE street riding, and the higher pressure helps slow down center tread wear.

kirk595x · December 30th, 2013, 12:29 AM

They handle rain very well.

Binnie · December 30th, 2013, 12:50 AM

in general pirellis have a softer carcass than dunlops/bridgestone, so pressures need to be a little higher than usual, but 42R does seem a little high for the light bike unless you weigh like 100kg.

I would probably start with around 30f/32r and go from there, Its all based upon how the bike feels to you, and the tyre wear you're seeing.

fast1075 · February 17th, 2014, 04:12 AM

I'm at 4,000 miles now with my Sport Demons. The center is just beginning to show flattening, but not very noticeable yet. The traction is remarkable, and I have not had a single instance of bad behavior from the tires.

The only thing I would change if possible would be the aspect ratio. With an aspect ratio of 90, the tire is a bit pinched. When I finally wear these tires out, I may try the Pirelli MT-75, though I fear they will not last nearly as long.

Anyways, Sport Demons on a 250 = Performance equal to Q3 on a Buell XB12s. (or better since I can toss the 250 into corners MUCH harder than the Buell)

Pirelli Sport Demon - Highly Recommended!

quarterliter · February 17th, 2014, 11:48 AM

The MT75s won't last long. I've got 1500 miles on my set and the rear is flat spotted.

fast1075 · February 17th, 2014, 12:40 PM

Guess the cheaper cost is false economy. They wore out pretty quick on my Blast too. But I figured it was because of the bore kit, cams, mikuni, and my less than gentle riding.

quarterliter · February 17th, 2014, 02:25 PM

It's all in how you ride. If you cruise around I'm sure the tires will last much longer.

June 17th, 2011, 10:28 PM	#1
Davis937 ninjette.org member Name: Rollo Location: Oahu Join Date: Mar 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja 250r (silver) Posts: 83	Best tire pressure ... Hey Everyone: ... and Happy Weekend to all of you! I know this topic has come up previously, and I do know that correct / best tire pressure has been a continuous subject of debate. Anyway, a lot of good experience here so I'll throw this out. I just purchased a pair of Pirelli Sport Demon tires ... have had them for just a few days. As recommended by you all, I "broke" the tires in for the first 100 miles or so and rode pretty conservatively. I'm very pleased with the tires ... bike handles really nicely, corners better, and the tires just feel great (haven't had the opportunity to see how they handle a wet road yet ... please chime in if you've had some experience). Anyway, to my question ... I checked the tire pressure for both front and rear tires (yeah, tires were cold). Both tires had a reading of 27 psi (I triple checked the reading). I'm thinking that this is probably not the best pressure for the tires (possibly, too low?). Also, I always thought that the rear tire should be about 3-4 psi higher than the front. Please help ... what's a recommended tire pressure for these Pirelli tires? Thanks in advance for your comments and help ...

June 17th, 2011, 10:29 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	28f/32r (measured cold) is a good starting point, adjust to taste. /moved to pre-gen tech area __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

June 18th, 2011, 08:22 AM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	What is that doc, Blue? Is the full version available anywhere? 42 on the rear seems unbelievably high for such a light bike, and is so far off the recommendation on the OEM tires, that it's very surprising to me. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

December 26th, 2013, 03:23 AM	#12
fast1075 ninjette.org guru Name: harry Location: Central Florida Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250, 2004 Buell XB12s, Honda 110 Elite Posts: 332	I run 36 front / 38 rear on mine. With the front lowered 3/4", it has REALLY good turn-in. At 2000 miles on mine, the wear is very good. I would go down on pressure a bit for a track day, but the tires stick well during SANE street riding, and the higher pressure helps slow down center tread wear. __________________________________________________ "They don't pay me enough to ride this thing!" Kenny Roberts after winning the Indy Mile on the TZ750 powered Grand National bike.

December 30th, 2013, 12:29 AM	#13
kirk595x ninjette.org guru Name: Robbie Location: Sacramento Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 03' Ninja 250ex Posts: 333	They handle rain very well. __________________________________________________ Perform Random Acts of Coolness!!ATGATT

June 17th, 2011, 10:31 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showp...2&postcount=21

December 30th, 2013, 12:50 AM	#14
Binnie ninjette.org member Name: Kane Location: Adelaide, Australia Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): GPX250, 2000 R6 Posts: 15	in general pirellis have a softer carcass than dunlops/bridgestone, so pressures need to be a little higher than usual, but 42R does seem a little high for the light bike unless you weigh like 100kg. I would probably start with around 30f/32r and go from there, Its all based upon how the bike feels to you, and the tyre wear you're seeing.

February 17th, 2014, 04:12 AM	#15
fast1075 ninjette.org guru Name: harry Location: Central Florida Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250, 2004 Buell XB12s, Honda 110 Elite Posts: 332	4,000 mile report I'm at 4,000 miles now with my Sport Demons. The center is just beginning to show flattening, but not very noticeable yet. The traction is remarkable, and I have not had a single instance of bad behavior from the tires. The only thing I would change if possible would be the aspect ratio. With an aspect ratio of 90, the tire is a bit pinched. When I finally wear these tires out, I may try the Pirelli MT-75, though I fear they will not last nearly as long. Anyways, Sport Demons on a 250 = Performance equal to Q3 on a Buell XB12s. (or better since I can toss the 250 into corners MUCH harder than the Buell) Pirelli Sport Demon - Highly Recommended! __________________________________________________ "They don't pay me enough to ride this thing!" Kenny Roberts after winning the Indy Mile on the TZ750 powered Grand National bike.

February 17th, 2014, 11:48 AM	#16
quarterliter ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Madison Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 465	The MT75s won't last long. I've got 1500 miles on my set and the rear is flat spotted.

February 17th, 2014, 12:40 PM	#17
fast1075 ninjette.org guru Name: harry Location: Central Florida Join Date: Sep 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250, 2004 Buell XB12s, Honda 110 Elite Posts: 332	Guess the cheaper cost is false economy. They wore out pretty quick on my Blast too. But I figured it was because of the bore kit, cams, mikuni, and my less than gentle riding. __________________________________________________ "They don't pay me enough to ride this thing!" Kenny Roberts after winning the Indy Mile on the TZ750 powered Grand National bike.

February 17th, 2014, 02:25 PM	#18
quarterliter ninjette.org guru Name: Kevin Location: Madison Join Date: Apr 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 465	It's all in how you ride. If you cruise around I'm sure the tires will last much longer.

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