Lower tire pressures

[Einar]

I've been collecting specs on various bikes to compare to their OEM-recommended tire pressures.

I suspect the compound used in the tire is a big part of the equation, but I have no good source for that data. Of what I do have, GAWR and tire load rating have the best, albeit still weak, correlation with recommended PSI.

The tendency toward 36 and 42 PSI, specifically, reeks of human rounding rather than purely data-driven recommendations.

Front tires are in red and rears in blue. The Rocket 3's labels are underlined.

 

[stingray]

Higher pressure also reduces rolling friction, so most manufacturers have gone to maximize mpg. Dropping down improves comfort and traction but costs more.

 

[2023R3GT]

how much do you weight?

155lb / 70kg. I use the same pressure with pillion of the similar weight.
Working temperatures go up to 40/42 psi respectively, they also become hot and sticky. I have 11k km on them and the are good many more.

 

[vsteel]

I run mine 40/40 psi, but not sure how many miles I can get out of a set of tires. I had 13K on mine when I replaced them to get ready to run on the Salt Flats. I would say they were 3/4 worn so I think I could have got 15K out of them. They were the factory Cobra Chrome tires.

 

[papanorm]

Anyone ride a road bicycle? The trend now is towards tubeless tires and lower pressures. I used to ride with my tires pumped to a hard 110 lbs. and now with tubeless my tires are at 65 front and 70 rear. The bike feels marvelous, able to absorb more road shock and handling is wonderful. Plus I don't feel and loss in speed.