| Author | Message | ||
     Sleeper_777 |
Michelin's web site does not list the manufacturer's recommended tire pressure for XB9S using Pilot Powers. Does anyone know what Michelin recommends as opposed to everyone's personal preference. I have googled for it, but no luck either. | ||
| Sleeper_777 |
I called Michelin North America, customer service gives the max PSI of 42 for both front and rear, but recommends running whatever the service manual indicates, even for Dunlop D207s, which is 38 front, 36 rear. This is not working for me. I have the suspension setup according to manual and it was perfect with the Dunlops. I will reduce pressure in each by 2psi and hope to find a magic number. So far I am not impressed with these tires and were comfortable with the D207s, racing and causal riding. | ||
| Slaughter |
That's nuts (what Michelin customer service told you) I really hate to recommend that you call a trackside Michelin service since you didn't get the tire from them - but truthfully, the guys who actually sell the tires TO racers AT the tracks have the BEST idea on what tire pressures to run for different conditions. Not personal preferences but actual handling qualities based on experience and immediate feedback from racers from selling THOUSANDS of tires to a discriminating audience. This is a kind of problem when you buy tires from a discount house - you save some bucks but are left on your own to do your own research. Google up some of the Michelin race tire suppliers at racetracks in your area and call them. I guarantee the pressures are NOT going to be a fuzzy kinda number but will be pretty specific for track/aggressive riding and another pressure for maximum tire life (commuting/city) | ||
| Slaughter |
D207s are pretty terrible for track riding by the way - (even the Dunlop guys at the track will tell you that). | ||
| Sgthigg |
38 rear 36 front. I always kept a close eye on the pressures, ended up getting about 5500 miles from a set of PPowers. | ||
| Rsh |
The Michelin USA site does not list tire pressure but the United Kingdom site does and that is what I used when I ran Pilot Powers a year ago. They list 2.3 bar front converted to psi = 33.35874 and 2.5 bar rear converted to psi = 36.2595. I got more miles out of mine then what Sgthigg posted YMMV. | ||
| Jaimec |
There is a simple, but time consuming method for determining the perfect air pressure for YOU to use with YOUR bike on YOUR preferred tires. You'll need an accurate pressure gauge, an air pump, and some time. The tires MUST be cold when starting out. Fill the tires to the pressure you THINK will work, then record their pressures with the tire gauge. Go out for a ten mile ride doing the kind of riding you typically do. Stop and IMMEDIATELY measure the pressures in the tires. If the pressure has increased by 2-3 psi, CONGRATULATIONS! You're perfect. If the pressure has increased by more than 3 psi, then you started out with LESS PRESSURE than is optimal. Once the tires cool down, restart the exercise with more air in the tires. If the pressure has increased by less than 2 psi, you started out with TOO MUCH PRESSURE in your tire. Again, once the tires cool down, restart the exercise with LESS air in the tires. If you are absolutely anal retentive about this stuff, then you'll want to repeat the exercise with a passenger, with luggage, and with a passenger and luggage. And remember, tires are all different, so if you change tire types or brands, repeat the exercise. | ||
| Jwz7 |
the tire guys at the track recommended 36 front and 38 rear for me ,and my buddy with a zx-10 36 front and rear for him.i was told because of the compound of the tires they respond better with more air.and i asked around as well with some of the club racers and they confirmed that michelin's like more air in them.most of the racers who were using michelin's used more air than your typical tire at the track.i never had a problem with them sliding around and my buddy with the zx-10 was reluctant at first to run that high of pressure for a track day did,and to his surprise the tires performed flawlesly. and he rides in the fast group and pretty hard.he sold on pilot powers now. | ||
| Sleeper_777 |
Thanks for the responses. I'll start at 36/38 and work my way down 2 lbs at a time until it feels better. Regards, Sleeper_777 |
