BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Guys, check those tires. Mine were seriously low due to "normal leakage" and I promptly tended to them. I'm good at checking them in the Summer but lax in the Winter. Low tires can hurt you badly. Check them.

Sure, every 2-3 weeks in order to insure a good ride...

44

Always good to change that cold winter air out with fresh warm spring air this time of year. Tires warm up much faster.

Wayne

I would add a little air freshener as well and inflate to 100 psi, you'll double your mileage........

44

Actually I prefer to use methane in my tires. Around where I work it's available in abundance. Lighter than air and improves my fuel milage by a good 20%. Plus you can easily detect a leak.

I always check pressures before any ride longer than just running around town and usually have to top it up every fourth or fifth ride. I check real regularly in case I pick up a nail, catch a pothole and ding a rim, whatever, that could be causing a slow leak. It's also a good excuse to be squatting down next to the bike to make sure nothing else has gone awry.

Air leakage can be a real problem. I experience it after a good meal of baked beans and deviled eggs....

Now about those tires. A quick pressure check will save your hide. I took off once without checking and the bike rode like it was drunk. I got off and checked the rear tire about a block from home and it was down to 10lbs psi. Turns out it had a hole in it from something sharp I ran over and didn't stay in the hole. I had just ridden it the day before and thought rather recklessly I didn't need to check them since I had just ridden recently. Sometimes I get in a hurry and forget, but then I take off and worry for 2 miles or so. It just pays to be on the safe side. Make a habit of it with the same gauge and it becomes a routine necessity.

Ya know, I saw this thread the other day and I went and checked my tires pressures. 32F/36R.

It has been exactly the same for the past 3 months and I haven't added any air. At first I thought my gauge was wrong, but I checked with another one and it gave the same readings.

Odd.

32F/36R.

Hmmm, the dealer told me 40F/42R. I adjusted mine to 32F/36R per your posting and will see if it rides any different tomorrow.

Thanks much.

Jeremy



2003 R1150R
My first BMW motorcycle

I'm glad to see someone else uses the BMW factory air in their tires. I was feeling like the only one.

JeremyV wrote:32F/36R.

Hmmm, the dealer told me 40F/42R. I adjusted mine to 32F/36R per your posting and will see if it rides any different tomorrow.

Thanks much.

Jeremy



2003 R1150R
My first BMW motorcycle

Generally, higher pressures will give you better mileage; gas and tire mileage. Lower pressures allow more tread sqirm, which wears a tire. The exception is high speed riding (track speeds) where you want your tires to build up heat and you want maximum contact patch, so you use lower pressures.

My main wear is the centre of the rear tyre. Will running at the higher pressure help that?

I use the pressure in the manual, I forget what.

Running higher pressure will foster more wear in the crown (center) of the tire. Will also tend to minimize the amount of tread in contact with the road. (not a good thing) Running too low a pressure as mentioned above makes the tire squirm somewhat and builds heats and affects handling and will ultimately shorten the life of the tire (not to mention potentially shortening yours). A happy medium needs to be found -- hence the manufacturer's and BMW's recommendations.

Wayne
04r

Oh and by the way -- I take my bike to the local HD dealer and use their air to inflate my tires. The abundance of methane in their air makes my tires lighter both front and rear. Since methane is lighter than air I realize a combined weight savings of around 22 lbs. Increases my fuel milage a good 14%.

Just trying to do my part to be ecologically correct and conserve our dwindling fuel reserves. We all have to work together to ensure a brighter future for our children!

Not only should you change air regularily (using the BMW brand), I would recommend using the synthetic variety, as well. And, don't forget to clean and service the valve stem cap o-ring seals.

55

Check the tire manufacturer's recommendations maybe although I don't suppose they all give the required data.

I run Metezeler Z6s and their website recommends 2.5 bar/36 psi front and 2.9 bar/42 psi rear.

I now realise I use the middle figure in the owners manual which is 36F 38R. Heavyish rider plus 3 piece luggage, usually emptyish. Handles fine.