Sburke
Junior Member
I have a 06 fz6 with conti motions, the temps are above 70 here and unsure what the proper tire pressure should be. Any help would be appreciated.
Proper tire pressure?
- Thread starter Sburke
- Start date
From the manual *ahem*:
Tire air pressure (measured on cold tires)
Loading condition*
0–90 kg (0–198 lb)
Front
225 kPa (33 psi) (2.25 kgf/cm²)
(2.25 bar)
Rear
250 kPa (36 psi) (2.50 kgf/cm²)
(2.50 bar)
Loading condition*
90–189 kg (198–417 lb)
(FZS6WC)
90–190 kg (198–419 lb)
(FZS6W)
Front
250 kPa (36 psi) (2.50 kgf/cm²)
(2.50 bar)
Rear
290 kPa (42 psi) (2.90 kgf/cm²)
(2.90 bar)
High-speed riding
Front
225 kPa (33 psi) (2.25 kgf/cm²)
(2.25 bar)
Rear
250 kPa (36 psi) (2.50 kgf/cm²)
(2.50 bar)
Maximum load*
189 kg (417 lb) (FZS6WC)
190 kg (419 lb) (FZS6W)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo
and accessories
Edit: This is for the 2007 but it's probably applicable.
Tire air pressure (measured on cold tires)
Loading condition*
0–90 kg (0–198 lb)
Front
225 kPa (33 psi) (2.25 kgf/cm²)
(2.25 bar)
Rear
250 kPa (36 psi) (2.50 kgf/cm²)
(2.50 bar)
Loading condition*
90–189 kg (198–417 lb)
(FZS6WC)
90–190 kg (198–419 lb)
(FZS6W)
Front
250 kPa (36 psi) (2.50 kgf/cm²)
(2.50 bar)
Rear
290 kPa (42 psi) (2.90 kgf/cm²)
(2.90 bar)
High-speed riding
Front
225 kPa (33 psi) (2.25 kgf/cm²)
(2.25 bar)
Rear
250 kPa (36 psi) (2.50 kgf/cm²)
(2.50 bar)
Maximum load*
189 kg (417 lb) (FZS6WC)
190 kg (419 lb) (FZS6W)
* Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo
and accessories
Edit: This is for the 2007 but it's probably applicable.
Kingwu
Member
Can you explain what "Loading condition" means?
From the manual:
Loading condition = Total weight of rider, passenger, cargo and accessories.
So if you're going on a trip, since most adult males weigh ~180, it makes sense to get closer to the 36/42 number to account for cargo. I am a featherweight at ~150 so even under load I hover between 33/36 and 36/42.
Kingwu
Member
Ok thanks. I weigh 180, only commute to work and near-by stores(for now). I only bring a backpack that weighs like 7 lbs. I should be good with 33/36.
nivag
Junior Member
I run 33/36 on mine, even loaded up I rarely change the pressures.
I was about to start yet another thread on this topic and I may. The interwebs are so full of opinion but lack fact. Other than my own data collected on hot vs cold temps I have little to add.
What I have learned over the years is this:
Tire temp cold is Ambient temp after sitting for 2+ hours. That is NOT the same as one tire in the sun and one in the shade. Stupid little things like this mess things up. Air expands with heat, so if your rear tire was in the sun and the front in the shade you find the rear OVER PRESSURE AND let air out; you could be running on to low of pressure when actually riding.
So for our bikes, the ideal method is to check pressure at ambient temperature in the shade using a Tire Pressure Gauge that's Maximum Pressure is 50 PSI. The point here is a few PSI matters and we DON'T WANT A GAUGE thats Capable of 150 PSI as it clearly lacks resolution at our target range 33 - 36 range.
So, if you're using a gauge capable of 80 psi, I'd suggest you grab another of the best quality you can afford that has a max reading of say 50 PSI. Even then, looks for a gauge that tells you its percent of error at pressure. At you know that tested a couple of them.
Why would I go to such detail on this very basic topic? Because your's truly has found that 1.5 PSI is the difference between braking safely and dribbling off the road like a loose basketball.
Check your pressure before every ride as you never know when your gonna get a puncture! They are not planned events!
What I have learned over the years is this:
Tire temp cold is Ambient temp after sitting for 2+ hours. That is NOT the same as one tire in the sun and one in the shade. Stupid little things like this mess things up. Air expands with heat, so if your rear tire was in the sun and the front in the shade you find the rear OVER PRESSURE AND let air out; you could be running on to low of pressure when actually riding.
So for our bikes, the ideal method is to check pressure at ambient temperature in the shade using a Tire Pressure Gauge that's Maximum Pressure is 50 PSI. The point here is a few PSI matters and we DON'T WANT A GAUGE thats Capable of 150 PSI as it clearly lacks resolution at our target range 33 - 36 range.
So, if you're using a gauge capable of 80 psi, I'd suggest you grab another of the best quality you can afford that has a max reading of say 50 PSI. Even then, looks for a gauge that tells you its percent of error at pressure. At you know that tested a couple of them.
Why would I go to such detail on this very basic topic? Because your's truly has found that 1.5 PSI is the difference between braking safely and dribbling off the road like a loose basketball.
Check your pressure before every ride as you never know when your gonna get a puncture! They are not planned events!
I run mine at 38/38
shannim
Junior Member
The proper pressure also depends on the make and model of tire. What's in the manual is for the OEM tires. I run Michelin PR3s and have found the optimal pressure for handling is about 40/40, and I weigh about 130lbs without gear. If I went with what the manual recommends, the bike would feel sluggish. But at 40/40, it handles like it's on rails.
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With my PR II and III's, I run the max pressure noted on the sidewalls using a digital, high end gauge
When my pressure is too low the bike feels like it's falling over when I try to turn. 
I guess when worse comes to worst you'll know when it needs air!
I guess when worse comes to worst you'll know when it needs air!
So if I follow the logic above, if the tires rated load capacity was X and it called for pressure of 75 PSI to meet the spec, you would run 75 PSI???? Many of these tires fit vehicles with twice our weight and as such have a much higher load capacity than our bikes require. That said -
Max load carrying capacity is not the measure of what ones tire pressure should be. However, the tire must meet/exceed the minimum load requirements for the vehicle.
Also, I'm pretty sure this is important!
No where does it state to adjust tire pressure to the maximum rating of the tire. Depending on the tire, this could result in a significant loss of traction!
Then from the tire manufacture it states the same thing:
• Follow inflation pressure recommendations in Owner’s Manual and on vehicle identification placard.
• For fully loaded or dual riding touring motorcycle applications, inflate front and rear tires to maximum
recommendation by the vehicle manufacturer (maximum load and inflation pressure for tire can be found on the sidewall of the tire).
EDIT: just to be clear - use the load table for the tire size make and model for its "load capacity". Most often, this is going to meet the vehicles load capacity table.
Adding data specific to the tires I run -
58W 520Lbs @42 PSI
73W 805Lbs @42 PSI
Throwing numbers up specific to my application
450 lbs + 205 = 655 lbs Total Vehicle weight...
Maximum load: From bikes placard
FZS6W 190 kg (419 lb)
FZS6WC 189 kg (417 lb)
Some reading material: The last couple of pages on TIRE REPAIR ARE WORTH A READ!
http://www.brisans.com.au/admin/images/accessories_pdf/31/2012 Bridgestone Tyre Data Book.pdf
Max load carrying capacity is not the measure of what ones tire pressure should be. However, the tire must meet/exceed the minimum load requirements for the vehicle.
Also, I'm pretty sure this is important!
- The tire air pressure must be adjusted in accordance with the riding speed and with the total weight of rider, passenger, cargo, and accessories approved for this model.
No where does it state to adjust tire pressure to the maximum rating of the tire. Depending on the tire, this could result in a significant loss of traction!
Then from the tire manufacture it states the same thing:
• Follow inflation pressure recommendations in Owner’s Manual and on vehicle identification placard.
• For fully loaded or dual riding touring motorcycle applications, inflate front and rear tires to maximum
recommendation by the vehicle manufacturer (maximum load and inflation pressure for tire can be found on the sidewall of the tire).
EDIT: just to be clear - use the load table for the tire size make and model for its "load capacity". Most often, this is going to meet the vehicles load capacity table.
Adding data specific to the tires I run -
58W 520Lbs @42 PSI
73W 805Lbs @42 PSI
Throwing numbers up specific to my application
450 lbs + 205 = 655 lbs Total Vehicle weight...
Maximum load: From bikes placard
FZS6W 190 kg (419 lb)
FZS6WC 189 kg (417 lb)
Some reading material: The last couple of pages on TIRE REPAIR ARE WORTH A READ!
http://www.brisans.com.au/admin/images/accessories_pdf/31/2012 Bridgestone Tyre Data Book.pdf
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