[Bevo]

Totally agree with the vid. via check your tire pressures at least every other week.

I check mine once a week on both bikes. There's always a bit of loss if the ambient temperature stays the same. If the ambient temp is higher than when last checked, you might not have to add any air. If ambient temp is lower, then you will definitely have to add air after a week.

 

[Bevo]

Does anyone use the lap timer data logging functionality on the street? I did just for fun and the bike says I hit a max lean of 52 deg RH bank and 49 deg LH bank. Honestly I don't buy it!

I use it. However, it doesn't account for any banking that the road may have. The measurable limit is 90 degrees. So if you could find a track with a 90 degree banked turn and go through it at a speed where you were perpendicular to the turn surface, you would get a reading of 90 degrees even though you wouldn't be leaning in relation to the turn.

 

[Bevo]

The "recommended" pressures are useless.

On my 18 blade with stock S21's I've found dropping the front to 32 psi and having the rear at 33 psi works pretty well on warm socal days.

Does anyone use the lap timer data logging functionality on the street? I did just for fun and the bike says I hit a max lean of 52 deg RH bank and 49 deg LH bank. Honestly I don't buy it!

I've been riding longer than I care to admit and even on spirited rides I inflate my tires per the recommended cold pressures on the swingarm. Under inflation of the front tire can lead to cupping. I can get my knee down on the street and can easily get power wheelies in 1st and 2nd on a cold Bridgestone S22 190/50ZR17 (80 degree ambient temp).

 

[Bevo]

This would register 90 degrees of lean angle on a 2017-2019 CBR

 

[Bevo]

Don’t ask me why, but there is a variance on the data sticker between the models, for some reason the SP doesn’t specifically say max, maybe because it’s implied, and the fact the SP isn’t supposed to have pillion weight factored in. They are max values for safe continued operation of the tire. Recommended tire pressures vary on numerous factors (ambient temp, weight of rider, road conditions operating on, etc), so what psi is recommended for one rider may not be the same for another rider on same bike in different conditions. Eitherway, on the base/ABS version it does say “up to max capacity” so take that for what its worth.

The recommended pressure doesn't vary. The max load weight varies. The standard models can carry up to 366lbs while max load for the SP is 243lbs. Years ago Honda swingarms listed recommended pressures for solo riding and when carrying a passenger. Tire technology has changed over time and that may be the reason the recommended pressures are now the same.

 

[Bevo]

So the Bridgestone S22 is a sport bike tire with a max pressure rating of 42 psi. Does any bike manufacturer recommend a max pressure of 42 psi for the front on a sport bike? If not, why would Bridgestone use 42 psi as max pressure on a sport bike front tire?

 

[Bevo]

I don’t believe the front is recommended at 42. My bike does not have that tire, but mine is recommended at 36. My Ninja 1000SX came with the S22 and they recommend 36/42.

That's the point of my post. Pretty sure manufacturer recommended cold front tire pressure is universally 36 psi for sport bikes. So why does Bridgestone produce a sport bike front tire with a max pressure rating of 42 psi? It's embossed on the sidewall.

 

[Bevo]

It's really very simple. For gov't DOT rated tires, ALL tire OEMs must list the MAXIMUM cold pressure for the tire to perform at the MAXIMUM rated speed while carrying the MAXIMUM rated gross load without fail for at least 1 hour. Actual racing-only tires (slicks and non-DOT rated) do not need to follow the strict DOT guidelines as there is no warranty or liability expressed or implied.

The vehicle OEM recommended pressure for the OEM tires is also determined by the maximum gross weight and speed capability of the vehicle. This recommended pressure is usually pretty close to the tire max pressure, but never exceeds it. The vehicle OEM selects the tire (brand and size) they want for their vehicle.

My Focus RS OEM tire pressure FOR THE OEM TIRES is 46psi front and rear (~3700lbs & 165mph). My early Miata OEM tire pressure FOR THE OEM TIRES was 26 psi front and rear (2500lbs & 100mph). If you change tire sizes (even with same load rating), lighten the vehicle, or otherwise operate the vehicle under the maximum weight/speed most of the time, then the OEM tire pressure is too high for best traction, handling, and longevity.

The ONLY time the maximum pressure is actually needed/required is when the vehicle is loaded to the maximum gross weight allowed AND operated at the maximum tire speed rating. This information as basic as it comes for knowledge of operating ANY vehicle. It should be included in the testing required world-wide for a driver's license.

People who run their bike (or car) tires at the maximum pressures without maximum load AND speed will wear them out in the center first and have skittish handling at the limits of traction.

There is so much misinformation spread around about this topic, such that its ridiculous.

So even though the manual for the SP forbids carrying a passenger and there is no passenger seat or pegs, if you inflate your rear tire to 42 psi you're doing it wrong? On some bikes Honda gives or gave two sets of pressure recommendations for the rear tire depending on solo, two-up, or cargo. Why don't they give two settings on the standard bike for solo and passenger?

You know the lower the cold tire pressure the hotter the tire temps. Temps have a direct affect on tire life.

 

[Bevo]

My point in adding to this thread was my complete surprise that a 350-plus kilo tourer (Pan Euro) had recommended tyre pressures exactly the same as our 185 kilo Blades. For the man in the street, it defies logic, although I do accept the foregoing posts about regulations/user choice/ etc, etc.

Right, but Bridestone also makes two versions of the same rear tire on some tire models. For example there's the T31 and then the T31 GT for heavier bikes. So just because the recommended tire pressure is the same doesn't mean the tire maximum load is the same.

 

[Bevo]

I misunderstood you. Sorry.

I've always heard that the number on the tire is unrelated to the bikes recommended pressure. One is the max pressure Bridgestone says the tire is designed to meet the tires construction, the Honda recommendation is what they think is the best pressure for the balance of properties the specific motorcycle is set up for.

Cars are the same way. I've never seen both numbered the same.

Except for many sport bikes the rear recommended tire pressure and max tire pressure is often the same. No matter what's written on the tire, as long as it's the correct tire for the application, you're supposed to follow the recommendation posted on the swingarm or in the driver's door on a car.

 

[Bevo]

Remember folks we're talking about Tire Pressure for the Street. Pretty sure anyone asking for recommendations is not aggressively late trail braking nor aggressively accelerating at maximum lean angles. If you want the best compromise between handling and tire life on the street, then follow the manufacturer's recommendation.

 

[Bevo]

Sorry but this is just not true.

Well I'm just a noob that's been riding for decades all year around in anything from triple digit temps to just below freezing. Weird that I can get my knee down on the streets using manufacturer's recommended pressures when others say no way. "You can't enter a 40 mph turn at 80mph in the winter." Really? Come follow me.

 

[Bevo]

I don't know who's dumber. Honda, or the folks that buy their products?

 

[Bevo]

Hydroplaning is an effect of the tire tread not being able to move water out from under the tire fast enough which allows a layer of water between the entire tire contact patch and the driving surface. The wider the tires the more likely they will hydroplane due to more water to move out of the contact patch area.
Street bike tires really don't come into play in this scenario, at least to no where near the extent of a car tire. Speed also plays a huge factor in a hydroplaning scenario and although most of us may drive too fast in the rain while behind the wheel of a car most will not on a sport bike

Welp, the freaking OEM rear tire that came on the 2017 SP sucked ass in the rain when BRAND NEW. Ask me how I know.

 

[Bevo]

Once again the Honda recommended tire pressure setting is a one size fits all RECOMMENDATION to cover all possible scenarios and uses for the bike to cover their ass and the tire manufacturer from liability

So how are they covering their ass by recommending the user inflate the rear tire to the maximum pressure but not the front tire to the maximum pressure? I'd like to see a statement from any tire manufacturer that informs users not to follow the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations. Must be a conspiracy between all tire manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers to sell more tires. I wonder who gets the longest tire life, folks that follow manufacturers's recommendation, or those that think pressures for slicks somehow translate to street tires.

 

[Bevo]

Yeah some do. The OEM tires on my 2015 were sketchy AF when it got anywhere under 50 degrees out. It was like riding on iceskates. Rain I never even attempted or got caught in luckily with those tires.

Been in a white out downpour on the expressway at over 80mph on the current Pirelli D.R. III's with some flooding water belly pan deep with no hydroplaning or even a bit of instability noticed.

I commuted on a all brand new 2009, 2010, and 2012 CBRs and a 2014 CB1000R on OEM tires in near or just below freezing temps at recommended pressure and never had a slip leaned over on elevated ramps giving enough throttle, through the entire turn, to keep slack out of the chain.

 

[Bevo]

I don't think you are grasping the full scope.
You are leaving out critical data, load capacity. No where, anywhere, on any tire, bike, or anywhere else EVER has there been a tire pressure recommendation by a tire manufacturer or bike manufacturer that does not include the words "maximum" and "load" with a weight specified.
The max pressure per max load limit.

Welp, the label on the swingarm of my SP doesn't say shit about any weight. Would you like me take and post a pic?

 

[Bevo]

Try the service manual OR the side of the tire. Not sure the swing arm sticker is the tire pressure Bible! I'm assuming Honda assumes anyone riding a sport bike would have enough common sense to dig a little deeper into it by reading the owners manual. They do give you one with the bike afterall

Jesus Christ, there's a reason why the government requires labels on the swingarm and inside the driver's side door. Just admit you're scared to lean a bike over on tires at recommended pressures at temps below 50 degrees Fahrenheit because you're under the belief that it's dangerous.

 

[Bevo]

That’s cause the SP isn’t “supposed to” have any pillion weight so shouldn’t possibly hit max load capacity. The base model sticker is different cause it does have that factor considered since it was designed to carry pillion weight.

Yup, and the recommended tire pressure for the 2017 SP is 36psi front, 42psi rear.

 

[Bevo]

I'm scared

You should give it a shot. I promise if you enter a turn using maintenance throttle and without dragging hard parts you'll come out the other end just fine using recommended cold tire pressure, unless the road is wet, covered in oil, sand or gravel.