What tire pressures are you running?

[Rembrant]

I agree with this. I think even 42 psi is too much in the front. I have not heard or read of any reason why the C14 should be different and I suspect the only reason for the 42 psi front spec is because the crappy front oem tire would wear out in 2000 miles at anything lower.

A lot of it has to do with the weight of the bike as well. Sportbikes are an entirely different story...I've done track days and often ran low pressures on the street as well. Down into the mid 30's even.
Can't do that on the C14. If I run less than 42 in the front or rear of my C14, it destroys the tires.
I ruined a set of C14 tires in under 3000 miles because the pressures were to low @ 39 PSI.

I suppose it depends a lot on how you ride too. I've read about people getting 15,000 miles out of a rear tire. I'm lucky to get 5000 miles out of a rear tire...if I get even close to 6000, I get a giddy as a school girl.

As for running higher pressures...I got that right from the manufacturer engineer (Avon). I spoke to them after a couple rapid rear tire failures, and he told me that the tires were never meant for the weight (and power) I was putting them through. He suggested I bump the rear tire pressure up to 45 psi when fully loaded, and it seems to stand up better that way.

YMMV;).

[lather]

I agree more pressure=more miles. But also more miles=less traction. The Shinko verge is a heavy tire with a stiff carcass. The hardest tire to mount out of 8 or 9 I have tried on the Connie. I might bump my front up a pound and a half and see if I can get more miles.

[Rembrant]

I agree more pressure=more miles. But also more miles=less traction.

Yes, I agree, but that statement is only true if all other variables don't change. You alone on the bike for a weekend ride...less pressure will be better for traction, and more pressure will give less traction, a little longer life. However, if you go from 'normal' pressure, and add a passenger with full gear, a full 55L top case, and two full side cases...you're adding 2-300 lbs to the bike, and will deform the tire. (My wife only weighs 110 lbs, but add her gear, and the weight of the top case and all the gear in all the cases, and I'm adding well over 200 lbs to the bike).

Increasing the pressure in this situation doesn't result in less traction...it results in the tire staying closer to it's proper form...otherwise it will deform under the extra weight, and it just self destructs. I've done it, a couple times.

Riding solo with nothing else, or my wife with the bike fully loaded, I still ride to the same lean angle on my tires, and they always perform the same...providing I adjust the rear pressure for the added weight.

I had several lengthy discussions with a tire engineer over this...he even had me calculate the total weight when riding solo, and when loaded down. The tires do behave differently in each situation.

Just my 2 cents worth;). YMMV.

[JhVenezuela]

That's nothing. When I picked up my bike and got her home, I checked the tire pressures before I took her out again. 36 front 80 rear! I called the dealer and said WTF? He said that their tire machine must have malfunctioned and thanks for bringing it to their attention. I could bring the bike back and they'll adjust it. Um, thanks but I did it myself. I don't think that it was the tire machine that had the malfunction...

42 front and rear for me.

 

I always check the tire pressure by myself !!!!
Full load no more than 45 rear tire
front tire between 40-42

[PH14]

As for running higher pressures...I got that right from the manufacturer engineer (Avon). I spoke to them after a couple rapid rear tire failures, and he told me that the tires were never meant for the weight (and power) I was putting them through. He suggested I bump the rear tire pressure up to 45 psi when fully loaded, and it seems to stand up better that way.

YMMV;).

It all depends on the particular tire. Maybe the Avon can handle higher pressures. If it says MAX 42 psi, I won't go over it. As long as Avon says it is okay it's fine. The answer I got from Shinko was don't do it with the Verge.

Also, I wasn't implying Shinko is a bad tire, I know some here have had great luck with the Verge. The prevailing attitude though has been that they aren't great tires. Shinko has come a long way since that attitude was formed.

Now back to the regularly scheduled tire pressure debate.

[Conrad]

That's nothing. When I picked up my bike and got her home, I checked the tire pressures before I took her out again. 36 front 80 rear! I called the dealer and said WTF? He said that their tire machine must have malfunctioned and thanks for bringing it to their attention. I could bring the bike back and they'll adjust it. Um, thanks but I did it myself. I don't think that it was the tire machine that had the malfunction...

42 front and rear for me.

I always check the tire pressure by myself !!!!
Full load no more than 45 rear tire
front tire between 40-42

That's exactly what I did once I got my brand new bike home. Stupid me for assuming that the dealer would be able to set the air pressure correctly.

[feelergaugephil]

42 maybe 43 if slabbing...will drop down to 38-39 if hitting a heavy twisty road like the Tail of the Dragon

THANK F**K someone around here knows what he's talking about.....
I Run mine at 36F and 38R  on Pilot 3's.
I run hard, maybe 4K out of rear tire on a good day.
Those that get 8K +  must be twice as old as me or live in a police state....lololol.
No seriously though, I do ride hard and run at those tire pressures because thats what suits me.
Swings and roundabouts (if your familar with that)

[feelergaugephil]

I often see people saying they run more than 42 psi in their tires. Be careful with that, most of the tires available for the Concours are rated for a max of 42 psi. Unless you are carrying two 400 pound passengers and 150 pounds of gear you don't need to use more than 42 psi. If you need more than that, you need different tires and probably a truck.

Take for example a tire that many would consider a low end tire, the Shinko 001 Verge, it calls for a max of 42 psi with a max load of 520 lbs front, and 805 lbs rear. The curb weight of the Concours is approx 679 lbs. Extrapolate from there.

I got those figures by emailing Shinko to ask when someone posted a while ago saying they use more than 42 psi on those tires. To use more than 42 psi puts you at risk. You have a smaller contact patch and the tire won't flex enough to remain in contact with the road, not to mention the tire simply isn't designed for higher pressures.  Why try to out-think the engineers who designed the tire and the motorcycle?

Well and truly stated....

[VirginiaJim]

I often see people saying they run more than 42 psi in their tires. Be careful with that, most of the tires available for the Concours are rated for a max of 42 psi. Unless you are carrying two 400 pound passengers and 150 pounds of gear you don't need to use more than 42 psi. If you need more than that, you need different tires and probably a truck.

Have you seen any of us?  I run 42.  Does that tell you something and be kind when responding?    The armour alone weighs close to 100lbs.

[rhhall]

the answer to life the universe and everything

Douglas Adams has the answer
Don't panic

[VirginiaJim]

Too late for that...

[twowheeladdict]

That's exactly what I did once I got my brand new bike home. Stupid me for assuming that the dealer would be able to set the air pressure correctly.

When I went to pick up my bike 500 miles from home, I had the tech check the air pressure while I watched. I didn't want to get down the road and then have to stop and change the air pressure. 

Trust, but verify.  Because, you get what you inspect, not what you expect.

[PH14]

Have you seen any of us?  I run 42.  Does that tell you something and be kind when responding?    The armour alone weighs close to 100lbs.

I see nothing! 

[VirginiaJim]

Quite!

[maxtog]

When I went to pick up my bike 500 miles from home, I had the tech check the air pressure while I watched. I didn't want to get down the road and then have to stop and change the air pressure. 

I set the computer to tire pressure ALWAYS after I start the bike and will know the pressures moments after I start moving so I will never start any trip without knowing pressures are OK.  Then I turn it to temp (I seem to always be interested in the temperatures).

When the dealer dropped off my new bike (was trucked from another far dealer as an intra-dealer transfer), the pressures were WAY off.  And the headlights were pointed straight into the ground.

[VirginiaJim]

And the headlights were pointed straight into the ground.

Same guy did mine as well...

[twowheeladdict]

I set the computer to tire pressure ALWAYS after I start the bike and will know the pressures moments after I start moving so I will never start any trip without knowing pressures are OK.  Then I turn it to temp (I seem to always be interested in the temperatures).

When the dealer dropped off my new bike (was trucked from another far dealer as an intra-dealer transfer), the pressures were WAY off.  And the headlights were pointed straight into the ground.

When I start the bike it is on temp because that is what it is mostly on while I ride.  When I get moving I switch to air pressure, then back to temp once I know the pressure.

Mine were pointed down, but I didn't notice until the first time I tried riding at night and was overriding my headlights.  I had to adjust them on the fly and then do a measured adjustment when I got it home in my shop.

[pcaddict66]

44/44 per the manual written by the engineers that designed it.

[maxtog]

44/44 per the manual written by the engineers that designed it.

Except the manuals call for 42/42

[Conrad]

44/44 per the manual written by the engineers that designed it.

Where you just checking to see if we were paying attention?