Tire Pressure

L

Libbles1233

New member
Just bought an 05 C50 w/1600 miles.
The front tire seemed to be a bit low. When I checked the pressure it read 15 lbs. I have no owners maual to refer to, but both the front and back tire have 41 lbs Cold stamped into the tire... is that correct? seems a bit odd to have 41 lbs. But then again I'm a nube.

Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Noooooooooooooooooo! The correct pressure for a vehicle is NEVER stamped on a tire. That goes for cars, too. It's on a sticker on the swingarm or frame somewhere. The pressure listed on a tire is the MAXIMUM allowable cold pressure, and is almost never appropriate for a given vehicle and load.

Welcome to M-J.
 
find a sticker on the bike that says what the tire pressures should be. don't look at the tire markings - look for a sticker. somewhere on the frame or swingarm.
 
15 PSi is dangerously low- I run mine at 38 PSI. The PSI stamp on the tire is the PSI where the tire has the maximum load rating, not necessarily the PSI where it performs best.

As for the sticker on the swingarm, it only is valid if you use the OEM tires. Different tire companies use different rubber compounds, and thus they have different PSI recommendations. For example, if you use Metzeler ME880 tires you should keep them at 2 PSI more than the stock Bridgestones.
 
Found the sticker. 29lbs front and 36lbs rear.
They are stock tires, bike only has 1600 miles on it.

Just watched the debaffeling video, gonna give it a try tomrrow.

Thanks for the info
 
Very true but whatever it specifys is bound to be better than 15 ! :roll:

Are you a Suzuki doctor, Dr. Bob?
I plan to be in Decatur the middle of July.
With any luck, it will be ON my GZ.:bluethum:
 
The manual says 32 front and 36 rear if you have a wind shield. For some reasion they figure that the extra wieght of the windshild makes it need more air in thr front.
 
Maybe because of the shape and orientation of the windshield - it makes some downforce causing the front tire to see more weight applied? :bluethum:
 
But what about aftermarket tires? Shouldnt you run them at the recommended pressure listed on the tire, and not whats on the bike frame? My Pirellis are listed on thier website at 32 -42 front, 38- 42 rear.
 
Unless you have a reliable source of alternate information, yes. Technically, all tires are aftermarket, and the bike manufacturer attempts to plan for that. It would be foolish and unreasonable for them to assume you'll run the same tire for the life of the bike.
 
Hello
I have a 1500 Lc same as a C90 the tire pressure should be the same, Frt 29PSI, Rear 36 PSI. If in doubt chech with your dealer or go to the C90?1500 web site and you will get all the info you will need. Take care and stay safe Doug
 
Hello again If you laood at the left swing arm, on the drive shaft cover it will have a sticker with a chart indicating all tire pressures. Hope this helps Doug
 
For my 91-750 NightHawk I use 32 front and 36 in the rear. The tire pressure will change depending on if you are carrying a passenger or not, so I just sort of split the difference.

dan
 
The pressure stated on the swing arm is the best pressure. I discovered that the hard way. I thought I would add a few pounds to make it handle better, but not true. It cornered easier, but when getting it up to high speeds, it vibrated terribly. I put the pressure back down to recommended, and it straightened right out. (I have a new C90T, formerly 1500 Intruder)
 
I gotta say, mine also say; right on the tires 41Psi cold. They are the tires that came with the bike, SO, that is what I use, and have been since I bought it new. If you overfill, you wear the center of the tire faster... So, whatever, I put in it what the specs on the tire say.
 
Powerslave, listen carefully: Before the number 41 on your tire are the words MAX COLD PRESSURE. That is an indication of the maximum pressure at the maximum load for that tire, NOT THE PROPER PRESSURE FOR YOUR VEHICLE. Every tire manufactured has a similar tire and they're often much higher than necessary or recommended.

I've said it twice now in this thread alone, and so have others. Take it or leave it.

Edit: In case you don't believe me...
Care and Feeding of Motorcycle Tires

How to Locate Proper Tire Pressures for Your Vehicle and Properly Inflate Your Tires | eHow.com

Motorists Clean Cars More Often Than Properly Check Tire Pressure : Car Maintenance
 
:plus1: On what Rowdy said............again.

Consider this: The sidewall spec. is for MAXIMUM load. So if you don't have maximum load, you are overfilled, by quite a bit.

Unless you are a HUGE person, the bike and a single rider only accounts for 60-70% of the max. rated load.
 
Well, I have had it this whole season, and have been keeping around 40PSi like the tire says, and I am fine. No, I weigh like 185lbs, so I am not a load. I have no problems with it, so I will continue to use around 40PSi in both tires, suits me fine, and, there is the saying "To each his own."
 
Back
Top