Tyre Pressures for Solo or Two-up

[David.]

It's interesting that the BMW Rider's Manual for the LC only lists one set of tyre pressures, Front 36 & Rear 42 psi.

For the Twin Cam, two sets of pressures are quoted, Front 32 & Rear 36 psi for Solo and Front 36 & Rear 42 psi for Two-up and/or with luggage.

(My VFR also only had one set of tyre pressures, irrespective of the load on the bike.)

I don't understand why one RT has two sets of tyre pressures & the other only one, when for example, the Metzeler Z8 tyre is recommended for both.

Any ideas why & what pressures/tyres do you run with?

I go by the Rider's Manual and adjust the tyre pressures for the load on the bike, with Bridgestone BT 021's fitted.

[guest2360]

36 front (2.5) 42 rear (2.9) All the time loaded or unloaded.

[Levisp]

36 front (2.5) 42 rear (2.9) All the time loaded or unloaded.

Doesn't seem logical a bit like the dynamic preload settings




One Up


One Up with luggage


Two Up ( with luggage )


What happened to two up without luggage. Must be German logic or am I being pedantic  

[David.]

In 2010, I sent this e-mail to BMW Customer Services:-

"The ESA has 3 load status settings, One-up, One-up with luggage and Two-up (with luggage), are there any recommended weight guidelines for these settings?

There are two sets of tyre pressures quoted, One-up and Two-up and/or with luggage, again, are there any recommended weight guidelines for the different tyre pressures?"

Had a phone call from BMW Customer Services, their weight guidelines are based on a rider or pillion being between 8st. and 13st., using an average of 11st.

They suggested following the guidelines set out in the handbook based on the above weights.

[Levisp]

LC max payload is 221 kgs.

[David.]

The Twin Cam Maximum payload is 232 kg.

I tend to use the ESA as follows,

"One-up" for Solo,

"One-up with luggage" for Two-up,

and "Two-up (with luggage)" for what it says on the tin.

I switch the tyres pressures between 32/36 for Solo & 36/42 for Two-up (with or without luggage).

[guest2360]

My head is starting to hurt.

[Firenailer]

I've been running 36-42 and experimented with 38-42 after the Dealer recommended it to extend tire wear.


It seems to handle fine and is the first time I've gone over 6000 miles without the front cupping or squaring off. I've got 7200 on my P3's now and they are starting to show signs of that ridge / squaring so I'll probably change them both and start the season fresh.

[richardbd]

36 front (2.5) 42 rear (2.9) All the time loaded or unloaded.

ditto

[rglassma]

For pr4s I have had great results with 42 front and 42 rear. . Handles great and gets better torte wear.