aftermarket tire pressure question

Sound Wave · April 27th, 2010, 03:12 PM

i don't have my 250 anymore, but i got a question about aftermarket tire pressure for my bike.

i would think that different motorcycle tire companies may recommend different pressures for their particular tire.

i switched out my tires from metzlers to dunlops. if i don't have the recommended specs, would it be fine if i were to use the oem tire pressure recommendation that is in my owner's manual? the tires are the same ratio as before.

that is what i am currently doing, i am thinking it is ok but i just wanted to make sure. thanks and i hope everyone is doing well.

kkim · April 27th, 2010, 03:17 PM

when I switched tires on the 250 from stock bias ply to radials, I stayed with the pressures I had settled on when the bias ply tires were on the bike. start there as a base and play with the pressures by a few lbs either way to see how it affects the bike's handling.

good to see you posting.

Sound Wave · April 27th, 2010, 08:12 PM

thanks kelly. i will do that with my tires then.

seems like "old times". me asking some newbie question and you coming to my aid.

kkim · April 27th, 2010, 09:51 PM

you been riding much? some new members from Hawaii on the board.

Sound Wave · April 28th, 2010, 12:03 AM

i ride about once or twice a week, except for when i am on call. bike is great. it makes me feel like a better rider than i actually am. it just has so much grip with the new tires. still gotta work on some of my lines, especially on those near full-circle on/off ramps.

headshrink · April 28th, 2010, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

when I switched tires on the 250 from stock bias ply to radials, I stayed with the pressures I had settled on when the bias ply tires were on the bike. start there as a base and play with the pressures by a few lbs either way to see how it affects the bike's handling.

good to see you posting.

Radials huh, how do they handle? Do they last a bit longer?

kkim · April 28th, 2010, 01:24 AM

just read reports of the bt040s and bt016s... they are radial tires. because they are gripper tires with softer rubber compounds, they wear faster.

the bias ply bt45s that came stock on the bike were great tires as well.

headshrink · April 28th, 2010, 01:39 AM

I drank the Sport Demon Kool Aide myself. I like them, so I probably won't try anything else unless I have a really good reason... I'm curious about other tires, but usually like to buy what I know works.... especially when they are $100+ a pop.

kkim · April 28th, 2010, 01:43 AM

Komohana has demons on his and he loves them. Just be thankful there are so many good tires to choose from for our bikes. If what you have works for your needs, stick with it and just enjoy the ride.

headshrink · April 28th, 2010, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

Just be thankful there are so any good tires to choose from for our bikes.

You make a good point here. Being that there are lots of aftermarket companies that do choose to ignore our bikes, we are fotunate to have a selection of really good tires to choose from. I don't have much to compare it to, other than stock, but this is what it looks like to me.

Thrak · April 28th, 2010, 07:02 PM

Tire pressures are very important. It would be wise to ask your tire vendor, or at least someone at a shop, what pressures are reccommended. The differences can be drastic.

For ex. some Pirelli's like to be over 30psi, while Michelins need to be in the low 20's!

headshrink · April 28th, 2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thrak

Tire pressures are very important. It would be wise to ask your tire vendor, or at least someone at a shop, what pressures are recommended. The differences can be drastic.

For ex. some Pirelli's like to be over 30psi, while Michelins need to be in the low 20's!

Interesting that you say that.... I have always kept my tires spot on at Kawi's recommended psi (28 & 32psi).... and I am a Nazi about checking it. However, I have felt off and on this past year that sometimes it just doesn't feel right.... it is difficult to articulate, even in my head, but it is somewhat squishy, or mushy... like I am riding in tar-snakes. I'm using Sport Demons. About a week or two ago, I added ~.5 - 1.0 psi. This actually seems to have made my bike happier, and more predictable.

Sound Wave · April 28th, 2010, 07:44 PM

well, after some more hunting on the dunlop website, i found the tire application guide for each specific bike.

turns out that the dunlops recommend the exact same tire pressure as what the owner's manual stated for my stock tires. so, all worked out. i think i will try to experiment a bit though with maybe letting a pound or two of air out and see how that goes.

April 27th, 2010, 03:12 PM	#1
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	aftermarket tire pressure question i don't have my 250 anymore, but i got a question about aftermarket tire pressure for my bike. i would think that different motorcycle tire companies may recommend different pressures for their particular tire. i switched out my tires from metzlers to dunlops. if i don't have the recommended specs, would it be fine if i were to use the oem tire pressure recommendation that is in my owner's manual? the tires are the same ratio as before. that is what i am currently doing, i am thinking it is ok but i just wanted to make sure. thanks and i hope everyone is doing well.

April 28th, 2010, 01:43 AM	#9
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	Komohana has demons on his and he loves them. Just be thankful there are so many good tires to choose from for our bikes. If what you have works for your needs, stick with it and just enjoy the ride. Last futzed with by kkim; April 28th, 2010 at 01:10 PM.

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April 27th, 2010, 03:17 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	when I switched tires on the 250 from stock bias ply to radials, I stayed with the pressures I had settled on when the bias ply tires were on the bike. start there as a base and play with the pressures by a few lbs either way to see how it affects the bike's handling. good to see you posting.

April 27th, 2010, 08:12 PM	#3
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	thanks kelly. i will do that with my tires then. seems like "old times". me asking some newbie question and you coming to my aid.

April 27th, 2010, 09:51 PM	#4
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	you been riding much? some new members from Hawaii on the board.

April 28th, 2010, 12:03 AM	#5
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	i ride about once or twice a week, except for when i am on call. bike is great. it makes me feel like a better rider than i actually am. it just has so much grip with the new tires. still gotta work on some of my lines, especially on those near full-circle on/off ramps.

April 28th, 2010, 01:24 AM	#7
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	just read reports of the bt040s and bt016s... they are radial tires. because they are gripper tires with softer rubber compounds, they wear faster. the bias ply bt45s that came stock on the bike were great tires as well.

April 28th, 2010, 01:39 AM	#8
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	I drank the Sport Demon Kool Aide myself. I like them, so I probably won't try anything else unless I have a really good reason... I'm curious about other tires, but usually like to buy what I know works.... especially when they are $100+ a pop.

April 28th, 2010, 07:02 PM	#11
Thrak ninjette.org member Name: None Location: Atlanta Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): Lots Posts: 55	Tire pressures are very important. It would be wise to ask your tire vendor, or at least someone at a shop, what pressures are reccommended. The differences can be drastic. For ex. some Pirelli's like to be over 30psi, while Michelins need to be in the low 20's!

April 28th, 2010, 07:44 PM	#13
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	well, after some more hunting on the dunlop website, i found the tire application guide for each specific bike. turns out that the dunlops recommend the exact same tire pressure as what the owner's manual stated for my stock tires. so, all worked out. i think i will try to experiment a bit though with maybe letting a pound or two of air out and see how that goes.