Higher Tire Pressure = More Suspension Compliance?

[VicsCB1100_imp]

Bike manufacturers, tyre companies and others all recommend using the published OEM pressures. After all their R and D budgets and thousands on man hours of testing are way above our pay grades or resources.

Changing tyre pressure to chase suspension issues is not a safe way to go. Both high or low pressures may change or even diminish the contact patch and tyre charecteristics which in the case of a motorcycle is all we have to keep us up right. Increased wear, handling, tyre damage are also issues.




Many of us probably dont check tyre pressure often enough. So consider this. A few PSI different doesn't sound like much but is actually a big % change from OEM spec. Eg. Only running 36 PSI in the rear is already 17% too low . Factor in a perhaps a couple of weeks between checks, a cheap guage or pump and another 2 -3 pounds less air and you are already 20% underinflated. The tyre will be too soft, run hotter, wear faster, have less traction etc, etc.

As per the owners manual 36 / 42 works well and Honda have their stamp of approval on the numbers. 1 or 2 up there have been no issues.

There are many online resources that deal with this that try to explain the science in layman's terms. Some are below for reference.

http://motorbikewriter.com/correct-motor...pressures/

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/maintenan...-tyres.htm

http://motorcycle.michelin.com.au/advice...-pressures

http://rideapart.com/2013/11/5-things-yo...-pressure/

[Cormanus]

Although it's slightly off topic, [url=http://motorbikewriter.com/break-new-set-motorcycle-tyres/]this article is a good read for those breaking in new tyres.

[simplest2remember_imp]

I've just spent a while checking out what new tyres will fit the CB11, this took longer because most won't - unless the bike will accept all 160/60 tyres??? I don't want to keep the Vi Rubber front on because I don't trust it and besides, I had one or two 'moments' with them and I'm not talking quite peg scraping moments, where grip was found wanting.

Remember I'm in Vietnam, so I need to be flexible, but it seems any of these should be ok (assuming the 160/60 will fit with no modifications?)

METZELER ROADTEC Z8 INTERACT
FRONT 110/80 ZR18 M/C (58W) TL
REAR 140/70 ZR18 M/C (67W) TL

Pirelli Angel GT's
FRONT 110/80 ZR18 M/C (58W) TL
REAR 160/60 ZR18 M/C (70W) TL

Michelin Pilot Road 3
FRONT 110/80 R 18 M/C (58V) F TL
REAR 140/70 R 18 M/C (67V) R TL

[Pterodactyl_imp]

I am using the Pirelli Angel GTs as you have described above. They replaced very worn, and long lived, Michelin RP3s in 110/80/18 and 160/60/18. I would recommend both Michelin or Pirelli. They have a slightly different feel to each other. Availability and price would influence me. There are a number of threads you can search if you want more detail.

Cheers

[4 Paws_imp]

I'm anal about tire pressure - comes from hanging around with an engineer for Goodyear. Check my pressure too frequently, and always use the same gauge so it's consistent if not accurate.
I start at mfg recommended pressure then adjust up or down by a pound each time till I find what works well for me then write that down and use it.
Each of my bikes differs a bit from what manual says but not by much. Some bikes way more sensitive than others - my Ural a prime example. Check every time I ride. Dyna Beads a disaster! Heck of a day.
Find what works best for you. Check frequently, cheap insurance.