Tire pressure

12131 Views 47 Replies 25 Participants Last post by aquarius, Dec 18, 2007

calgary2800

Discussion Starter · Dec 25, 2005

I just check my pressure and the dealer delivered the bike to me quite a few pounds under what Yamaha suggest for tire pressure. :evil: I thought they were suppose to check all that stuff before that gave the customer the bike.

No wonder for the last 135 miles I felt the bumps so much more.

I just inflated them to Yamaha recommended specs in the garage and wonder who follows what Yamaha suggests?

For my sportbike I run it well below what Kawasaki says since its well known to bikers running stock psi will lead to a serious accident. I am using 33/35 on the bike while Kawa suggests 39/42 which is insanity.

Since I am very new to the scooter world how safe is stock which is 29/36? Its been raining too much for me to test it out.

1 - 20 of 48 Posts

Blexcroid

· #2 · Dec 26, 2005

For the first several months, keep a close eye on the tyre pressure, the nuts that hold the mirrors on, etc. My Majesty was delivered with a tyre that wasn't quite seated properly. It had a slow leak and my control of the bike was terrible. Once it was fixed, it was like a different bike. With the Houston heat in the summer, motorcyclists nominally need to monitor their tyre pressure. The heat will open the pores on the rubber and allow air out.
I also had problems with my mirrors coming loose the first month or so. Once they got seated, they haven't been a problem since. Just those few nits to monitor.

Welcome along to the forum!

calgary2800

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 26, 2005

My mirrors werent set up right either! On my first ride, the mirrors shook like crazy. I had to adjust them myself on the road. They werent twisted on tight enough.

And get this most shops charge hundreds for freight and set up. Yeah set up!!

Sirdash

· #4 · Dec 26, 2005

Tires lose air normally through the process of permeation. Changes
in outdoor temperature can affect the rate at which your tire loses air.
This change is more pronounced in hot weather. Generally speaking, a
tire will lose one or two pounds of air per month in cool weather, and
even more in warmer weather. Underinflation is the leading cause of tire
failure, so check inflation pressure regularly.
Never "bleed" or reduce air pressure when tires are hot. It is
normal for pressures to build up as a result of driving.

lclem

· #5 · Dec 29, 2005

Run the tire pressure that's on the sidewall, not the motorcycle operator's manual. And be sure to check the pressure when the tire is cold, never after having ridden it.

HiFlight

· #6 · Jan 10, 2006

lclem said:
Run the tire pressure that's on the sidewall, not the motorcycle operator's manual. And be sure to check the pressure when the tire is cold, never after having ridden it.

The pressure stamped on the sidewall of a tire is the MAX cold inflation pressure for that tire, it is NOT the pressure that is recommended for your particular machine. Keep in mind that your particular tire is often used on other makes and models of cycle/scooter, and will have varying recommended pressures as determined by the manufacturer of your machine.

Any pressure that differs from that recommended by the manufacturer of your scooter or cycle should be avoided as it can adversely affect the handling/cornering/wear characteristics of your tire.

The suspension engineers of your machine are NOT dummies!

Rubble

· #7 · Jan 10, 2006

I agree with Ron.

letmedance

· #8 · Jan 10, 2006

Ron,
I must disagree about our suspension designers. My Majesty rides like a hardtail harley. Adjustable pre load on the rear would be a good aftermarket for this machine.
John

texascycle

· #9 · Jan 17, 2006

I have ridden with various pressures on both front and rear and didnt really feel any difference. I think if you keep it close to what Yamaha recommends you will be just fine ... this is not a high performance machine where 2-3 psi will help or hurt anything.

HiFlight

· #10 · Jan 18, 2006

..................................snip............................... For my sportbike I run it well below what Kawasaki says since its well known to bikers running stock psi will lead to a serious accident. I am using 33/35 on the bike while Kawa suggests 39/42 which is insanity. Since I am very new to the scooter world how safe is stock which is 29/36? Its been raining too much for me to test it out.[/quote said:
It is NOT a well-known fact that you should disregard the tire pressures that are recommended by the manufacturer unless you are in a hurry to put a down-payment on a casket.

Running tires below the recommended pressure is the number one cause of tire failure!

Your life rides on just 2 small patches of rubber that need to be treated properly!!!!!

HiFlight

· #11 · Jan 18, 2006

letmedance said:
Ron,
I must disagree about our suspension designers. My Majesty rides like a hardtail harley. Adjustable pre load on the rear would be a good aftermarket for this machine.
John

Yamaha, for whatever reason, chose to use progressively wound shock springs instead of variable preload, resulting in about the same end result as far as ride comfort is concerned.

You may have some other issues contributing to your hard ride, as both of my Majesties ride and corner as well or better than my other bikes. Ride comfort is about the same as my FZ1 and better than my ST1100 was, at least until the rear shock was due to be replaced.

Ishabaka

· #12 · Mar 13, 2006

My Majesty came from the dealer with significantly underinflated tires and a loose left hand mirror.
I agree - it rides like a hardtail Harley. A bumpy road really upsets the suspension. Maybe this is because it was designed for the Japanese market and not 193lb. people like me.
The only way to soften the suspension i can see is to change the fork oil for 10 weight to 5 weight but since there is not a fork oil drain bolt at the bottom of the forks this would be a lot of work.

calgary2800

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 14, 2006

Same here, Mine was way underinflated when the delivered the bike and I had a one mirror shaking because they didnt screw it on tight enough. :roll:

Thats why with vehicles it best to double check their work. And get this the dealer now charges 70 to 80 bucks an hour.

Larry Newman

· #14 · Mar 27, 2006

I've been riding with 3-4 # over...but I was told to cut it back to the recommended psi by the dealer.

DougThompson

· #15 · Mar 27, 2006

When I first got my Majesty, I (foolishly) neglected to check the tire pressure. The bike handled sort of "mushy" in a long turn and felt scary. THEN I checked the pressure and found the front tire low. I aired the front to 29 and rear 36 and the bike has handled like a dream since. Tire pressure is eaisly overlooked, too much trouble, ah, it should be ok, etc etc.

DougThompson

llcj2112

· #16 · Mar 30, 2006

I double-check (as much as possible) any work done to my vehicles, especially related to tire pressure.

I just picked up a nail in a tire on my Mazda3, took it back to the tire shop to have the hole patched under the "road hazard" agreement, and the knucklehead who did the repair pumped the tire up to 47 psi! The recommended pressure is 32 and I run them a couple of pounds higher than that. But 47? Was he not thinking? Not paying attention? Doesn't give a sh!t? It is not acceptable and the store manager heard about it.

YOU are responsible for your safety. Check tire pressure, lug nuts, etc. to make sure the work was completed properly. Don't mean to sound so serious, but your life depends on it.

Ride safe,

Larry

calgary2800

Discussion Starter · #17 · Mar 30, 2006

I know what you mean about getting work done on tires and having improper tire pressure. I changed all 4 tires on my Accord recently and all 4 were supposed to be 35psi but 3 were 34 and one was 30 psi.

Jay

· #18 · Apr 7, 2006

Both the Majesty's owner's manual and the sticker under the seat show the same recommended tire pressure for two load weight categories: 0-90 kg (0-198 lb) and 90-196 kg (198-432 lb).

On all the motorcycles I've owned, the recommended tire pressure for heavier loads is always greater than for lighter loads. Why is the Majesty different in this regard? And since the recommended pressure is the same regardless of load, why are two weight categories shown in the manual?

hotshoetom

· #19 · Jun 27, 2006

When my bike was delivered, the mirrors were loose, the air pressure in the tires was WAY low...20 lbs in the front and 24 rear. Dealer preP??? Yeah, right! I am suprised the tires were there at all.. :roll:

hotshoetom

· #20 · Jun 27, 2006

I tried running stock pressure, and found that over the course of a week or so, I would lose a pound or sometimes two, especially in the warmer weather. So I check em once a week and run the back at 39 and the front at 32. I has a very firm ride like that but handles very well and there is no wallowing, even with the wife on the back. Since I started setting the pressure that high, I have never found the pressure under the recommended amount. Tire grip and transient response goes away more quickly with underinflation than it does with overinflation. If I have to err on one side or the other from ideal, overinflation is the way to go.

Another little trick...tire grip in the rain is actually improved slightly with more air in the tires...it reduces the contact patch and makes it easier to force the water from under the tires so the tire can actually contact the pavement...we used to do this routinely in SCCA racing with good results.

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