Tyre Pressures

[Ade]

Hello...recently brought the bike (1st one of these I've had) and really enjoying it but the tyre pressures never quite feel right.  It's a 1995 model.  Can anyone advise what tyre pressures they use (for standard sized tyres) please.

Ta,

[TheGoodGuy]

33 psi front
36 psi back (single)
41 psi back (double).

I put mine at 38 rear and 34 front.

[dmp221]

...and remember, tire pressure is measured "cold", meaning no more than 5 minutes or so of moderate riding before taking pressure.

[JohNLA]

I hope your not running stock tires from 95

[TR]

I just bought the Metzeler Z4/Z2 combo and regardless they aren't installed I'm wondering if stock tyres presures is the same for these radials? Any idea?

[gsJack]

I just bought the Metzeler Z4/Z2 combo and regardless they aren't installed I'm wondering if stock tyres presures is the same for these radials? Any idea?

Metzeler reccommends the same tire pressures for both radial and bias ply tires and they are a bit higher than Suzuki specs.  See:

http://members.aol.com:/jcprrp/MetzPSI.jpg

I like my Z4/Z2's at about 36 front and 38 rear for all around use.  Both could be a couple psi higher for a day in the mountain twisties.  I weigh about 240#, kinda like 2 up light.   :lol:    

[rjsjr]

I like my Z4/Z2's at about 36 front and 38 rear for all around use.  Both could be a couple psi higher for a day in the mountain twisties.  I weigh about 240#, kinda like 2 up light.

Higher for riding twisty roads?  I would have thought it would be the other way around (not that I'm any kind of tire expert).  That is, go with less tire pressure for more carcass on the road when riding in the corners, but higher pressure for less rolling resistance when riding along the highway.  Is that not right, or what does a higher tire pressure improve in cornering that you wouldn't want for cruising?

I pretty much tend to run about 34 front / 36 rear on my MEZ4/2s most of the time, a little higher with load or long cruises.

[gsJack]

I like my Z4/Z2's at about 36 front and 38 rear for all around use.  Both could be a couple psi higher for a day in the mountain twisties.  I weigh about 240#, kinda like 2 up light.

Higher for riding twisty roads?  I would have thought it would be the other way around (not that I'm any kind of tire expert).  That is, go with less tire pressure for more carcass on the road when riding in the corners, but higher pressure for less rolling resistance when riding along the highway.  Is that not right, or what does a higher tire pressure improve in cornering that you wouldn't want for cruising?

I pretty much tend to run about 34 front / 36 rear on my MEZ4/2s most of the time, a little higher with load or long cruises.

That's all true rj.  If you look at a Metz application chart you will see they show 34 front and 36 rear for the GS500 same as you are running and about the same as Suzuki's 33/36 recommendation for 1 up.   If you look at the Metz chart I linked above, there is more detail regarding load and rider weight.  The give 34-36 front and 36-38 rear for 1 up weighing about 170#.  They show 36-38 front and 38-40 rear for 2 up light and higher for 2 up heavy.

I found the 36/38 max for 1 up and min for 2 up light to be about right for all around use for me weighing about 240#.  I ran the lower 33/36 pressures last year and the front Z4 beveled rather badly.  I used the 36/38 this year and increased it a bit for the days in the mountain twisties and found the tires wore more evenly and handled as well if not better than the lower pressures.  I'm talking about running roads like the BRP at 60-70 mph speeds.

I think the higher pressures will give better tire life with more even wear, but it is a trade off for comfort.  The 36/38 is a bit more comfortable for a 400-500 mile day at 70-80 mph down the interstate to get there and for everyday riding around in a less competitive manner.  And it is quite high enough for the temp control of the high speed flexing.  Everything in life is a tradeoff.   :lol:  :lol:

And of course all of the above is just theoretical talk since I never exceed the posted legal speed limits anywhere.  

[TR]

Thanks you all guys...

I agree with GSJack, enough presure to hold the tyre profile is needed otherwise the carcass bents un-uniformely and unpredictably...

[Kerry]

[...]
I'm talking about running roads like the BRP at 60-70 mph speeds.
[...]
And of course all of the above is just theoretical talk since I never exceed the posted legal speed limits anywhere.

Uhhhh, and just what is the posted limit on the BRP?  I've never done it, but I thought it was in the 40's?  

[gsJack]

[...]
I'm talking about running roads like the BRP at 60-70 mph speeds.
[...]
And of course all of the above is just theoretical talk since I never exceed the posted legal speed limits anywhere.

Uhhhh, and just what is the posted limit on the BRP?  I've never done it, but I thought it was in the 40's?  

Speed limit is 45 mph on the BRP.  Not slowing for the turns and just trying to keep it at an honest steady 50mph (about 55 indicated on a GS speedo) for miles can be a blast on the lower 200 miles of the BRP.  Relatively safe LEO wise too.  Speeds laws are strictly enforced if they catch you going much more than that.