I found a good thread here the other night regarding proper tire pressure and if I remember correctly, many were running higher psi than recommended on bike instructions. I tried the search here, but for the life of me cannot find it again. My front tire should be 29 and it reads 30, so fine. Back shows solo psi should be 33 and it reads 30, so I need to add a little. Any tips on finding this post/thread?

Tire pressure ain't all that precise... don't worry too much...
As long as you're between 26 an 34lbs, you're in the park...  (higher for 2-up, or if you're a big fella',... lower if you're a scrawny rat)...
Mine gets down to below 20lbs before I catch it... then I bump it up to 32lbs, and let the process begin again...

Car tires are more critical... they are designed to run with air pressure that  lays the tread flat...
Bikes don't ... the tread is on a curve... the center always wears out before the the sides...
Air pressure only reduces sidewall flex... if your load weight is making the tire squirrly in corners... you need more air

Less air, gives more traction... and a softer ride... less chance of a blowout...
More air,... will give better mpg's... and less unsteadiness in a corner... less heat, but less traction...

All this matters... if you are Rossi... or pretend to be...
Otherwise it ain't that crucial... it's what feels comfortable for you... (the darn bike tires are going to wear out way too fast anyway)....

JMHO... ...

I've found tire pressure to be an important factor in handling. For me more than a pound either way from optimum and things start to feel iffy. Generally being a bit high is better - makes for smoother more progressive slipping rather than the freckle-clenching slides you get with lower pressure. Unless you're a trials rider and you want that sort of thing.
But no one can really tell you exactly what your best pressures will be - there are too many variables. So I 'd start at manufacturer's recommendation and work out from there. And:

• Always use the same tire pressure gauge - doesn't have to be good, you just want consistent readings.

• Always measure pressure when tires are cool - once you've been riding for a while and tires have warmed up pressure will rise by 10-15 percent.

I run higher pressure than what the manual states but I am also running Metzler 880 tires on my S40. Brand/type of tires have some to do with how much air pressure to run. I have found that the Metzler 880 tires like to be ran at the upper PSI stated on the sidewalls for good traction/tread life. I have 16,000 miles on the back tire with plenty of tread life left.

Arnold wrote on 06/18/13 at 07:18:35:




when the green goes away it's time to inflate.


Yea,, my billfold is like that..

I always go by the MAX PSI that is stamped on the sidewall of the tire, not what the manual specifies. I'm usually within a lb or 2 for MAX PSI cold, if after a ride checking the tire and pressure is higher than MAX PSI, then I will lower by one lb increments when cold. I've always gotten best mileage and handling by maintaining close to MAX PSI. I think people tend to run underinflated and the wonder why they need new tires so soon.

Rogue_Cheddar wrote on 06/18/13 at 12:24:51:


That number on the sidewall is mostly irrelevant.  It's just a number the nanny-state requires and has nothing to do with the optimum pressure for your bike, your load, your desires for performance, etc.  All it means is that at some arbitrary pressure, the tire can safely carry the load shown on the tire.

Usually those numbers are a lot higher than what the bike needs for good handling and performance.  

The only way you'll know optimum pressure is to find it out for yourself.  
-- A good starting point is Suzuki's recommendations.  They put a lot of engineering and testing into those recommended pressures.  
-- Use those numbers for starters, then go up and down in small increments until you find a pressure where the bike sticks the best.
-- If you are carrying a heavier than normal load, increase the rear pressure 4 pounds or so.

The only good thing about those sidewall-stamped pressures is that they keep a lot of folks driving around and riding around on tires that are overly hard, but have less rolling resistance so the nation uses less gas.  I wonder if the cost savings balances out with the increased accident rate?