Hi Everyone,
Perhaps a couple of boring subjects but, necessary and useful ones.
I have a Ducati Monster 400cc (special bike made only for the japanese market) Im looking at what is the exact tire pressure I should have on my tiers..
I guess that depends on the brand of tire and tread that you have on the bike regardless of the bike engine, because I read this website database which I assume is basing the info off of the stock tires: http://www.drivegreen.com/Motorcycle_Tire_Pressure_ducati.htm (http://www.drivegreen.com/Motorcycle_Tire_Pressure_ducati.htm)
I have the following tires, which Im sure are not the stock factory tires: DUNLOP 120/60 R
photo attached:
(http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh504/vivianov/IMG_0330.jpg)
tire pressure should be in your owners manual, you can download them from ducati back to 2000
i run 32 front, 34 rear
I've always followed the pressures in the owners manual or info stickers in my bikes and cages.
Manual is in Japanese :(
But I would expect it would not make sense to follow the manaual if the tires are not stock right?
because the previous owner could have put on some thicker or thinner tires no?
v
I think the pressure is on the frame sticker too.
Don't think tire thickness matters. Just follow the sticker or manual
Per the manual
2.1 bar - 2.3 Kg/sq cm (5.07 lb/sq cm)
Rear pressure:
2.2 bar - 2.4 Kg/sq cm (5.29 lb/sq cm)
Owners manual in English is here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CEAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediafire.com%2F%3F4m32t3wazfjkne2&ei=P0kQUJCjFcfk0QHPxICgDw&usg=AFQjCNGBVKVmh7oaee9_wt5OCZP9ajCXJQ (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CEAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediafire.com%2F%3F4m32t3wazfjkne2&ei=P0kQUJCjFcfk0QHPxICgDw&usg=AFQjCNGBVKVmh7oaee9_wt5OCZP9ajCXJQ)
If that doesn't work I can download it and email it to you
I understand the perspective of going by the manual, but don't different tire brands and styles operate differently from one another with pressures?
What about rider weight?
What about riding style (track vs straight road vs sport road)?
I'm just curious as to others' opinions on the matter.
Quote from: Autostrada Pilot on July 25, 2012, 02:50:40 PM
I understand the perspective of going by the manual, but don't different tire brands and styles operate differently from one another with pressures?
What about rider weight?
What about riding style (track vs straight road vs sport road)?
I'm just curious as to others' opinions on the matter.
The method to my madness: hot TP should be Cold TP + 10%. With each bike/set of new tires I mount, I start with OEM recommendations and work towards the 10%. With my current combo (Michelin Pilot Power 2ct) it eorks out to be 36f/42rr.
Tyres nowdays vary in construction enough to warrant checking with the tyre manufacturer. Stiffer sidewall construction on some tyres require lower pressures than you would expect. The opposite is true (eg, Pilot Pure). Also, bike weight, rider weight, etc do come into play.
Check with the tyre manufacturer.
Quote from: dlearl476 on July 25, 2012, 03:11:07 PM
The method to my madness: hot TP should be Cold TP + 10%. With each bike/set of new tires I mount, I start with OEM recommendations and work towards the 10%. With my current combo (Michelin Pilot Power 2ct) it eorks out to be 36f/42rr.
I have also heard: hot TP = cold TP + 10% Front, cold TP + 20% Rear. Because the rear tire works harder.
I have not seen a tire in which the manufacturer did not have the inflation range on the tire.
Quote from: scduc on July 25, 2012, 04:55:14 PM
I have not seen a tire in which the manufacturer did not have the inflation range on the tire.
What is on the tire is MAXIMUM tire pressure for that tire. For most tires, use what the bike manufacturer recommends. Do look on the tire manufacturer's website and see if they do recommend different pressure for the tire on that bike, as koko said. I run my Pilot Powers at a higher pressure than I ran on other brands.
You sure about your tire size? You should have a 120/60 17 front, 160/60 17 rear.
Quote from: koko64 on July 25, 2012, 03:20:11 PM
Tyres nowdays vary in construction enough to warrant checking with the tyre manufacturer. Stiffer sidewall construction on some tyres require lower pressures than you would expect. The opposite is true (eg, Pilot Pure). Also, bike weight, rider weight, etc do come into play.
Check with the tyre manufacturer.
If you call the tire manufacturer they'll tell you to follow the vehicle manufacturers recommendations.
I tried it. ;)
So I dropped 2 lbs out of my front last night down to 32.
I figured I'd give JeffH's pressures (32F/34R) a try and see what I thought.....but then I didn't ride into work today. It will have to wait until tomorrow.
I always wondered why Ducati suggests 32F/34R (independent of tire manufacturer; Bridgestone on my M695 or Pirelli on the 848) while I hear it's much higher for the Japanese bikes.
Anyone an idea about that? Is it the difference in motor characteristics (I4 vs. twin)
Quote from: ducpainter on July 26, 2012, 07:28:12 AM
If you call the tire manufacturer they'll tell you to follow the vehicle manufacturers recommendations.
I tried it. ;)
[laugh]
That'd be right, I've had the opposite experience.
If the tyre manufacturer won't give you the info, try a tyre outlet as they often get good data from the factory. If the tyre manufacturer won't tell you (maybe ass covering), they might tell the people selling and fitting the tyres.
I get good info from some stores that have good factory contacts. Info like the pressure for the weight of the bike, how it will be ridden, solo, pillion, rider weight, tyre size and profile, etc. You need a store with knowledgable, motivated people. May years ago, before I knew better, I had Michelin sport/race compound tyres inflated to 41 psi by some idiot. I was skating around til I got home from the tyre dealer. I always set my own pressures now after consulting someone with legit info.
You have a light, low powered bike so the suggestion of 32/34 is a decent starting point. You may adjust the pressures a little over time to suit your preference, so you feel confident with how the bike feels to you.
Quote from: dlearl476 on July 25, 2012, 03:11:07 PM
The method to my madness: hot TP should be Cold TP + 10%. With each bike/set of new tires I mount, I start with OEM recommendations and work towards the 10%. With my current combo (Michelin Pilot Power 2ct) it eorks out to be 36f/42rr.
Jesus! 36/42 psi??? That is way too high. I ride Michelin Pilot Powers and 2CTs and have been advised by Michelin reps at track days that 32/30 was a good track setting for the Pilot Powers. Street should be 32/32 or 32/34 (the latter I personally prefer) Although I don't really notice a difference on the street until the front is below 25psi. The bike feels vague and unsettled in the corners at or below that pressure on the front. If it gets low on the rear, it just feels like the bike does not want to turn in at all.
34/36 for me. I've ran 32/34 and i get a more balanced wear and better life out of my tires from 34/36
Quote from: BastrdHK on July 27, 2012, 12:55:05 AM
Jesus! 36/42 psi??? That is way too high. I ride Michelin Pilot Powers and 2CTs and have been advised by Michelin reps at track days that 32/30 was a good track setting for the Pilot Powers. Street should be 32/32 or 32/34 (the latter I personally prefer) Although I don't really notice a difference on the street until the front is below 25psi. The bike feels vague and unsettled in the corners at or below that pressure on the front. If it gets low on the rear, it just feels like the bike does not want to turn in at all.
I stand corrected. After a trip to ECS for some work this week, I not only found my stick (a good WURTH one) was reading 6psi low, but recommended 32/34 makes for a much smother ride. They're crap when cold, and seem WAAAY under-flated, but when they get up to temp they're just right.
FWIW, 36/42 is the recommended TP for my Sprint St, and when I first mounted Michelin's on the Monster, anything less sucked. Plus they went up about 20% when heated.