Tire Pressure

[Powerslave]

Originally Posted by Cappu

I'm a little surprised no one mentioned going to the tire manufacturer's websites to check what their engineers recommend. The tire brand mounted by the motorcycle producer should be considered OEM and run at the "sticker pressure," but I'm going to ride with the Avon engineer's suggestion in my Venom skins.

That would not matter, since there are people that belong to the church of tiredom, and will still preach the gospel of pressure. The the MFG has the MAX pressure printed on the tire itself, so we'll see if it matches what they say at their sites and what not. I don't like how it feels with lower tire pressure than what I put in COLD. It says what it says on the tire, as a MAX, not what the dealer specifies, but, TO EACH HIS OWN. Unless I collide with one of the preachers here, I could care less...

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Cappu

I'm a little surprised no one mentioned going to the tire manufacturer's websites to check what their engineers recommend. The tire brand mounted by the motorcycle producer should be considered OEM and run at the "sticker pressure," but I'm going to ride with the Avon engineer's suggestion in my Venom skins.

That's a good option, when it's available. There's always an acceptable range of reasonable pressure allowing for personal needs and taste. There usually isn't much variation, though.

Originally Posted by Powerslave

I could care less...

I'd be willing to bet you could NOT care less.

[Copronymous]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

I'd be willing to bet you could NOT care less.

indeed

[Powerslave]

Actually, it's I DO care less, a LOT less, in fact, so less that it's lesser than less, it's less than nill really...

[SNAFU]

In my best Horatio Cane voice.

"In the beginning we're talking about tire pressure .......... and then someone lets the air out."


YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!

[captjaneway3]

Generally how many miles can you go on a set of stock tires before replacement is needed?

[Powerslave]

Originally Posted by captjaneway3

Generally how many miles can you go on a set of stock tires before replacement is needed?

My uncle has a 2004 Volusia, and he is well over 14K, I know that, and he is still on his original tires. The REAR tire will go first. You can run the front tire for a LONG time, but it will dry-rot before it wears to a failing point, in most cases. That's not safe... IF you have dry-rot that is unsafe, worn or not, it needs replaced. I had a vulcan, and the lady who had it ran the rear tire TOO high in air pressure and it wore down the middle. I had to replace it with under 9000 miles, that sucked.

[tbone57]

?????? Too many questions-so little tread. I too was confused as were others as you can see in this thread, so I asked the Metzeler rep. at
a show in Novi, MI about a month ago on the straight scoop of correct tire pressures for the 880's, since I recently replaced the oem tires (12,200 miles) with 880'sww. TIME TO MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE CONFUSING. He said, "on a liability standpoint the owners manual is correct to a degree, however, for the best Metzeler tread life, performance, and safety, use Metzelers at or near the maximum recommended pressures that appear on the tire tread itself, and also shown in their fitment brochure, (ie) about 36-42 front, 40-42 back, per page 42 of Metzelers own brochure. However, here we go again. On page 22 of the same guide, Metzeler suggest fronts at 38-42 for various riding weights and 40-42 for the back on the stock size tire. Looks like about 40 in the front and 41 in the back and the Metzeler will be happy for many miles. I'll let you know since the oem tires performed quite well for the first 12,000+, and the cost justification of the Metzeler has yet to be realized. It is a very good tire, but not-that-much different than the oem tire, just a little bit better in handling the tar snakes. I have about 1,000 miles on the 880's so far--- Worth the extra $$$$$, stay tuned.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by tbone57

I asked the Metzeler rep.

He said, "on a liability standpoint the owners manual is correct to a degree,

In the first place, the Metzeler "rep." is just a salesman. How many times in the past has a "salesman" lied to you WITH CONVICTION just because he didn't know the correct answer?? Answer: Probably more times than you realize.

I don't suppose you asked him what the hell the above statement means??

[Copronymous]

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by Copronymous

I think we've worn out the stick!

[tbone57]

Yes he is a rep. for Metzeler, but the tire guide spells out the liability issue, (ie)
"if you want the most from the tires, follow Metzelers guidelines", if you have a problem, then you probably should have followed the label on your bike, if you
are one of those that thinks an attorney can answer the tire pressure issue in
court, it looks like Metzeler and Suzuki both have it covered in their own ways.
Decide for yourself, for me I'll take Metzelers advice on tires over Suzuki's.

[Clint]

The fact that he implied that traction, tire life and pressure are directly related raises a flag for me.

I don't trust any one particular source, but a collection of information I've accumulated over the years. You have to be able to filter the b.s. and the deceptive marketing.

[Easy Rider]

Originally Posted by tbone57

but the tire guide spells out the liability issue, (ie)
"if you want the most from the tires, follow Metzelers guidelines", if you have a problem, then you probably should have followed the label on your bike,

Listen I'm not arguing that you (or Metzeler) is necessarily wrong here because a couple of pounds one way or another is not likely to make a BIG difference in any aspect of the tires use.

What does bother me is that you seem to be so dead set in your claim that Metzeler HAS to be right and Suzuki's specs. just don't apply to this particular tire.

You do what makes you feel good and I'll do the same; just don't try to tell me that I am wrong and you are right because neither one of us knows for sure.

Then there is the quoted statement above. Have you actually thought about what it says?? If you want to get the most WHAT from the tires, traction, handling, wear.......different pressures (usually) give you more of one at the expense of less of something else. The bike maker's recommendations are usually a compromise of all three (or more factors). If the tire people don't tell you what their spec. is optomized for, how do you know???

And lastly, the liability statement is just plain ridiculous. In effect it says: Do what we tell you BUT if you do that and it causes a problem, then you were obviously stupid for listening to us in the first place and we claim to have no liability. Total BS.

I quit. This is the place where men of good will can agree to disagree.

[tbone57]

Have read your post at least 3 times and completely agree with everthing you have said, hope others do the same.

[wildwolf]

Originally Posted by Powerslave

That would not matter, since there are people that belong to the church of tiredom, and will still preach the gospel of pressure. The the MFG has the MAX pressure printed on the tire itself, so we'll see if it matches what they say at their sites and what not. I don't like how it feels with lower tire pressure than what I put in COLD. It says what it says on the tire, as a MAX, not what the dealer specifies, but, TO EACH HIS OWN. Unless I collide with one of the preachers here, I could care less...

The MFG websites will generally indicate what you should run under normal conditions AND under maximum load. If you're not operating under max load, then, IMHO, you're an idiot for running the pressures at max load ratings. You say your tread is fine, but how many miles have you actually put on those tires?

Originally Posted by Powerslave

My uncle has a 2004 Volusia, and he is well over 14K, I know that, and he is still on his original tires. The REAR tire will go first. You can run the front tire for a LONG time, but it will dry-rot before it wears to a failing point, in most cases. That's not safe... IF you have dry-rot that is unsafe, worn or not, it needs replaced. I had a vulcan, and the lady who had it ran the rear tire TOO high in air pressure and it wore down the middle. I had to replace it with under 9000 miles, that sucked.

I've never owned a set of motorcycle tires last lasted long enough to dry rot. I guess I put too many miles and ride the twisties too hard for the tread to last long enough. I average 12,000+ a year on the bike and generally end up putting a new set on in the spring.

[UpstateM50]

Just out of curiosity, how much of a role does the weight of the rider play on the tire pressure. I am 285 lbs. Would I need a little more air in my tires? I know the sticker gives the specs for air, but lest we not forget about the pressure rating on the Ford Exploders...I mean Explorers was off a bit and caused some serious problems.

[tbone57]

I am note quite sure why this post has re-surfaced but there must have been some more activity on the questions of tire pressures, of which, I am a firm believer that the manufacturers of individual components will generally give you a straight answers, since their own warranty is often at a greater risk to pay on than Suzuki's, (ie ask Firestone or ask Ford) in my case Metzeler 880's. And to those that think Suzuki would never suggest things that plain old common sense would take care of, let me point out Suzuki's own owner's manual suggest oil filter changes at every 3rd oil change or 10,600 miles, (page 7-4 owners manual)!!! Yes, they suggest NOT to change the filter at every oil change. To me, as a former mechanic, the small cost of a oil filter should be changed every time the oil is changed, so Suzuki and I differ on this, so will most others I believe. Bottom line is to use common sense and always consider the source for the best answers. When a replacement battery goes bad, the battery manufacturer handles claims, and when Ford had the Firestone issue, it was later discovered that Ford's own "suggested tire pressures" caused much of the problems that Firestone was initially blamed on. And to those that don't buy that, ask yourself why Ford changed their little sticker on the door to reflect the manufacturer suggested psi, and backed away from their (we are right attitude). In closing, I read the tires, and I change my oil filter every oil change, just good ole common sense.

[Clint]

So you set your tire pressure to the MAXIMUM allowable stamped on the tire? Is that what that long rant said?

Mmm-kay.

[tbone57]

No long rant, I never said to set it to maximum, said I would read the specs on the tire, and just use good ole common sense as to temp. weight and so forth, same goes for those that elect not to change their oil filter at every oil change, and I thought this forum was to inform others as to various thoughts on solving problems, hope you remain open to others that may have experience and history that may cause others to think about their options, instead of putting down those that may have more than your experience in these situations, and if your satisfied changing your oil filter every third oil change, you will be complying with the Suzuki manual, go for it!