Page 1 of 1

Tire Pressure

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:39 pm
by gerzinam
Dumb mistake on my part but the manual, page 71, for my 2002 shows 14.5 psi (2.20 bar) for front tire pressure one up riding. Unfortunately 2.2 is 32 psi. Did anyone else notice this? BMW probably won't care but it sure wears the tire in a few miles.

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:46 pm
by hawkdad
No... I have the '03... and it says 32... probably a typo.... besides.... is it better to follow BMW's recommendations... or the Tire manufacturer's recommended pressue?...

Got a buddy at work who followed the tire rec's... and ended up with sidewall cracks.... but he has a HD Ultra Classic...(big heavy baah... stard)

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Fri Sep 19, 2008 9:29 pm
by Biff's R
I run 38 front and 40 rear.

Most people tend to run 36-40 front, and 38-42 rear. It seems to give good grip, and even tire wear.

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 8:14 am
by boxermania
I'm marketing size and always ran 36-40 psi front, depending on the ride and road surface and 42 psi rear. The bad roads in LA are really bad and the good ones are about average.

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 5:50 pm
by riceburner
hawkdad wrote: the Tire manufacturer's recommended pressue?...
Bingo. ;)

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 10:24 am
by Darius
If bikes are like cars then NEVER set pressure according to the tire as that is the maximum that the tire can handle. The technicians at my BMW shop have a chart on the wall listing the recommended pressure for each model bike, based on experience factoring in performance/handling in all riding temperatures along with tire wear. The r1150r recommendation is front: 38, rear: 40.

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 6:10 pm
by gerzinam
The dealer wouldn't look me in the eye but suggested I follow the max tire pressure as technology has changed in 6 years as over inflation was better than under inflation (within reason). BMW responded with nonsense about not being able to respond to the question in an email. The bike sure handles much much better than it did before.

Thanks

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Wed Sep 24, 2008 7:08 am
by Darius
Over inflation is better than under in terms of tire wear, fuel economy and sidewall blowout prevention. If my auto tires are a pound or 2 over I don't worry. The downside of over inflation is less tire in contact with the road so handling suffers. Not good on a bike. I check inflation before each significant ride and strive for a constant 38/40.

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:44 am
by gregor
I take it back. The Bridgestone recommendations for tyre pressures on the Battlax BT021 of 36psi front and 42psi rear feel fine. Had a cool cool run to work on some challenging roads today and they felt very comfortable and secure.

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:47 am
by Boxer
And don't forget to change out the air every 5,000 miles. Old air gets hotter...believe me.

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:10 am
by wncbmw
Somewhere on this board on another tire thread (one of only 1,248! :lol: ) the best advice I read was check tire pressure cold then go for a ride. Hot tire pressure should not rise by more than 10%.

36 front, 42 rear keeps mine in that range and makes it feel like it handles well.

Re: Tire Pressure

Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:01 am
by mcollect
check tire pressure cold then go for a ride. Hot tire pressure should not rise by more than 10%.
so thank you Vann. It worked great for racing in the 70s and it still works today. We all weigh different amounts and ride in very different styles doing it this weigh adjusts for those differences.