How much PSI should i add?

[vemonstorm]

Hi. I'm riding a KR150 and using Battlax BT-39 tires. Can anyone tell me how much PSI is correct for front and rear tires?

[Mr. White]

normally 200kpa for both tires. but if u always have a pillion den pump the rear tire higher by 25kpa. u should also check ur bike manual or the side wall tire markings, they might indicate differently.

[Dag Loke]

I'm using same tires as you. What's the profile? Mine's 90/80. Mech tells me to pump front 240, rear 260 (280 if pillion)

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

You are recommended to always follow the bike manufacturer's recommended pressure settings.

 

Some bikes use tyres rated for a higher class and speed due to their design.

 

For instance the Phantom TA150/200 uses -huge- tyres which can support 260-280 kpa no problems and "experienced" mechanics everywhere love to pump them up to the fullest... because the bike and tyres look big?

 

This causes a wide variety of handling problems ranging from understeering, skidding in the wet and a bone shaking ride, because the Phantom has a surprisingly low dry weight of 160kg. Dropping the pressures down to the Honda manual recommended 200kpa solves all the problems with maneuverability and wet weather safety.

 

@Dag Loke may want to check the Yamaha FZ150i user manual and see if the pressures are acceptable to the bike, otherwise handling and safety may be compromised just like the well known Phantom example - issues with skidding in the wet due to insane tyre pressures.

 

It's never the question between tube or tubeless, type of bike or payload.... but rather what's the size of the contact patch given vehicle weight vs tyre profile.

[Dag Loke]

Hey kitten, am aware of effects of high tyre pressure but the bike manual states a psi for the tires they are using. But when we are no longer using the same tires, there will be a difference in tire pressure too right? If we go on those tire company sites, they actually have a recommendation of kpa for each tire, though I know pressure is also dependent on the weight it's carrying