Tire Pressure

[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.

[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)

[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.

[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.

[riceburner]

the Tire manufacturer's recommended pressue?...

Bingo.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[Boxer]

And don't forget to change out the air every 5,000 miles. Old air gets hotter...believe me.

[wncbmw]

Somewhere on this board on another tire thread (one of only 1,248! ) 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.

[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.