Motorcycle Tire Pressure Recommendations
The joy of riding is a euphoric feeling that anyone with a motorcycle knows all too well. While few experiences can measure up to the freedom of riding a motorcycle, safety is essential for a successful ride, and along with proper gear and responsible riding habits, having your tires filled to the proper air pressure is an important part of motorcycle safety.
The correct tire pressure depends on a few factors, and your best bet is to follow the recommendations made by the manufacturer. Keeping your tires in the psi sweet spot will improve handling and make for a safe and fun ride.
In this article, we will take a look at how air pressure affects handling, some different types of tires and their recommended pressure ratings, as well as the different units that are used to measure air pressure and the tools required to do so. If you’ve ever wondered about air pressure, read on.
Air Pressure and Handling
What’s so important about air pressure?
Well, think about it: your tires are the only points of contact when you’re hurtling down the road, so any problems there can spell serious trouble. Regularly checking your tires and keeping them pumped up to the correct pressure is a sure-fire way to stay safe and get the most out of your rubber.
If your tires are running a bit low on air you may find the handling to be sluggish and unresponsive, a situation that is not helpful when you’re zipping through city traffic. Over-inflated tires, on the other hand, can make your handling feel a bit squirrely and can make for some scary moments if you hit a stretch of uneven road or a patch of gravel.
Incorrect air pressure will also affect how your bike stops, the mileage your get out of your gas, and can reduce the life of your tires.
Different Tires and Different Air Pressure
Different circumstances require different tools, and motorcycle tires are no different.
Motocross tires are built to handle low pressure to give them a wider contact area that provides greater traction on uneven surfaces. Recommended air pressure for these tires is usually between 6-18 psi, although 12psi is the most common pressure rating.
Specialized trials bikes can run even lower, with many riders only pumping their tires up to 4 or 5 psi, however, these tires are specifically designed for these low pressures and are not suitable for other purposes.
For your average road bike, you will likely want to keep your tires around 28-40 psi range, as this will give you the best balance between traction, highspeed stability, and optimal handling.
Once again, refer to the pressure rating from the manufacturer but don’t be scared to experiment with different psi to find the right fit for your riding style. However, be careful and make small adjustments; even one or two psi above or below the recommended rating can have significant impacts on how your bike handles. When it comes to tire pressure, don’t act in extremes, and keep track of your adjustments to find the perfect fit.
Different Pressure Units
Depending on where you live and where your tires were manufactured, you will see different units for measuring air pressure. Pounds-per-square-inch is labeled as psi, while kilopascals are abbreviated to kPa. Another unit of measuring air pressure in your tires is the bar, which refers to atmospheric pressure.
There isn’t any real need to know the exact ratios from one to the next, as there are dozens of free conversion charts and digital converters available online. Just be sure to know which scale you are using and make sure you have a pressure gauge that measures in the same units that are listed on your tires.
Necessary Tools
Now you know why keeping your tires at the correct air pressure is important, and you are about to go for a nice, long ride, so you go to check your tires…but with what?
Well, you’ll need an air pressure gauge. There are a variety of different options available, that range from cheap plastic, pen-shaped units to multi-component tools that are more suited to sitting in your garage, or a portable tool bag. Your best option is to keep a good quality metal, pen-shaped pressure gauge in the pocket of your riding jacket and get in the habit of checking your tires regularly.
Ok, so you’ve got your pressure gauge and you go out to check your tires before a ride and they’re way too low to hit the highway, now what?
Knowing that your air pressure is low doesn’t do much good without a way to fix the problem. That’s why it is a good idea to have some sort of air compressor in your garage. These machines come in all different sizes and styles that can suit the needs of industrial workshops as well as DIY home workspaces. There are even small air compressors that can be packed up and taken on tour, and while they may not be powerful enough for other applications, they are perfectly suitable for keeping your tires inflated.
For anyone that regularly rides, having an air compressor at home will save you many headaches and keep your bike ready to roll. If you’re not sure how to use a home air compressor to inflate tires, check out our guide.
Additional Factors
When it comes to air pressure in your motorcycle tires, it is also important to consider the load you are carrying. Most tires will have different ratings based on the weight of gear and passengers you are hauling. If you are going on a tour with a full tank bag, panniers, and an adult passenger, don’t expect the bike to handle the same as if you are riding solo, and part of this can be chalked up to tire pressure.
Make sure to double-check recommended air pressure levels for maximum loads when you are carrying extra weight.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are out ripping trails on a tuned-up Husqvarna or cruising down the highway on a Goldwing, keeping your air pressure on point is the key to a safe and successful ride. With a few minutes and a couple of tools, you will be ready to face whatever the road throws at you and most importantly, keep the rubber side down.