Tyre pressures

[Doctor T]

Hi, chaps. I will start i have pilot road 4 on my 2007 RT. I set the pressures as stated in the manual and the front felt like i was running on a flat tyre. I've been trying different pressures front and back and now ive settled for 38 front and 40 rear. These pressures seem to transferred the handling by 90% but the ride feels very hard now. Its funny how a recommended tyre doesn't coincide with the pressures BMW recommends. All of the other bikes and makes ive owned over the last 40 odd years seem to run perfectly with what their handbook recommends.
what pressure do you use?

[hammo]

I had road pilots on my 2019 bike excellent Tyres i ran them 2.5 bar front 2.9 rear and found them very good .

[Doctor T]

So you are running 36 psi front and 42 psi rear. At 36psi. I found the bike dropped into corners at 36psi hence why i went 38psi front.

[David.]

For Hexheads (2007) and Camheads (2012),  BMW recommend two different sets of tyre pressures depending on the loading on the bike. One-up 32/36 or, two-up and/or with luggage 36/42.

On Wetheads (1200) and Shiftheads (1250),  there is only one set of recommended tyre pressures 36/42, irrespective of the loading on the bike. I've never understood why.

For solo riding, I use 32/36, after riding two-up, I did try leaving them at 36/42 but found the ride too hard.

I'm using Michelin Pilot Road 2 as recommended by BMW for a Camhead.

[Doctor T]

I may try to lower the rear to 38psi to see it soften up a bit. When the bike was delivered it was set up at 36/38 and it would drop into corners like it was running flat tyres. Perhaps if i lost some weight it might help

[David.]

I've just remembered that some time ago, I sent this e-mail to BMW Customer Services:-

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

Had a phone call back 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.

[Doctor T]

Being a 15 stone fat git, am out of their weight range. You seem to have a wealth of knowledge of the bikes David

[Stu]

36 front and 42 rear for me


Tyre pressures are a funny thing!


When I had my old TL1000s the book said 36F 36R upon fitting a set of Michelin pilot power 2CT's I was getting a bit of movement on the rear tyre in corners!


I fired an email to Michelin and had a good conversation with them about it all and their advice was to increase the pressure 2psi at a time until the movement stopped and do not exceed 42psi for the front or the rear!


They basically said that pressures are a personal thing and 36-42 range was what you need to be aiming for until you are happy I ended up running 36/38 as thats what felt best


On my FJR the book stated 36/42 but I ended up running 40/42 as it was so much better at those pressures

[Doctor T]

That brings back memories. I owned a TL1000 when they first came out. Bright yellow. I had the biggest tank slapper ive ever had. Within 6 months Suzuki recalled them and fitted a steering damper. Loved the bike until some git nicked it. Then for some unknown reason, i bought an Orange Jota which i hated within 2 weeks. Done a straight swap for a brand new Guzzi 850 le mans MK2 and kept that for 20 years.
Sorry went of pest

[simbo]

You seem to have a wealth of knowledge of the bikes David

He's like the Google of the RT world don't you think  :D   

[David.]

I have pilot road 4 on my 2007 RT.

Are they the GT version.