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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: Luckyword on May 29, 2022, 04:54:53 PM

Title: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Luckyword on May 29, 2022, 04:54:53 PM
For AK 550 owners, what time pressure do you like to run?

I've had my bike for a week and am trying to find what's most comfortable.

I just set pressure to 40 fr and 42 rear (both cold) -- which is what's indicated on the sidewalls.

I looked in the manual and it indicates pressure as below (I've converted to psi as well, using a website). From the manual (with psi added):

front: 3.2 kgf (45.5 psi) and 1.6 kgf (22.75 psi)
rear:  3.75 kgf (53.33 psi) and 1.65 kgf (23.46 psi)
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on May 29, 2022, 05:44:29 PM
That's not the USA owners manual is it?
Mine shows totally different.
First off, if your tires are over 42 psi cold pressure you will eventually end up with a tire failure while riding at speed. I don't recall seeing any motorcycle tire that has a higher max cold pressure than 42 psi, but I haven't seen all mc tires so...
I'm surprised your TPMS doesn't give you a tire pressure warning for over pressure. That's the symbol of the tire cross section with a "!" in the middle of it.
Second, I find the TPMS on my AK to be somewhat pessimistic for actual psi so be careful to consider that. It is consistent in how much it is off but still always reads lower than any pencil gauge I've used by just over 1 psi. Then again, who knows how accurate the pencil gauge may be, so maybe the TPMS is more accurate.  ;)

My owners manual shows recommended cold pressure to be front tire: 2.4 kgf/cm2 and rear tire: 2.7 kgf/cm2 (page 66 of the USA owner manual). It also shows the same on the sticker on the back of the storage box that was printed specifically for USA models.
That translates to a recommended pressure of about 34.1 psi for the front and about 38.4 psi for the rear.
That is 1 up as well as 2 up.
Both my Metzeler Feel Free tires say max psi at max load is 42 psi right on the sidewall. Keep in mind, those are maximum psi at maximum load.
On all my bikes since my Gold Wing that I had back in 2003 I was told that bumping up the psi a little improved tread wear and in some cases handling for touring tires so that's what I've always done. So with most of my bikes, regardless if my GW or ST1100 or CTX1300 or Burgman 650, I usually set the pressure at 40 psi front and 42 psi rear (except when I was riding on a Shinko tire which had a max cold pressure of 41 psi rear). My tires would usually last at least 20-30% longer than others with the same bike and same tires but lower psi, and handling was great (except for that Shinko rear tire which was like riding on banana peels all the time).
BUT NEVER MORE THAN THE MAX COLD PSI SHOWN ON THE SIDEWALL. Just need to emphasize that point.
Oh, and always check psi when tires are cold. Hot tires vary wildly depending on how hot they are and there is no way to come close to what it's supposed to be doing that.

So on my AK I usually keep the front at about 38 psi and rear at 42 psi. Or close to that. But since I cannot guarantee the accuracy of either my pencil gauge or the TPMS reading on the dash I do stay conservative about that a little. So I used my pencil gauge to set the pressures at 38 psi front and 42 psi rear. That showed up on the TPMS as 37.4 psi front and 40.9 psi rear. So I now keep my AK tires set to show that on my TPMS. Sometimes I'll let the front get a little higher, like 37.9 psi, but not usually. I keep it at 37.1-37.7 psi front and 40.6-40.9 psi rear every time I check using the TPMS. I feel most confident at these pressures and handling is great even in torrential rain storms and high winds on newer asphalt pavement (experienced on my recent 1374 mile trip from central Iowa to N Tennessee). Tires seem to be lasting well but it remains to be seen how many miles I end up getting from them. So far the front is wearing more than the rear so I might consider increasing the psi on that one a little now that I have some time with the bike. I expect from the wear I am seeing I'll likely get between 6000-7000 miles on the front and 7000-8000 on the rear. That is a little more than I was getting on my Burgman regardless what tires I put on that one. I currently have over 4100 miles on my AK.

Your tire wear WILL differ from anyone else even with the same bike and same tires. That is because of differences in climate, pavement surfaces, riding style, and a few other factors including psi. Chip Seal road surfaces typically eat tires for breakfast. Concrete seems to be easier on tires IME. Asphalt is in between depending how much aggregate is in the mix. I've known riders with the same bike and tires as I have and keeping the same psi in those tires but only getting 4000 miles on a tire, or less, when I was getting 7000-8000 miles on that same tire. All due to them riding on mostly chip seal roads. My area has mostly concrete roads for me to ride.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on May 29, 2022, 09:25:57 PM
This is kind of spooky - because I keep reading of people inflating their scooter tires to the figure found on the tire's sidewall!

The tire pressure embossed on the sidewalls of tires is never the recommended inflation.
It is, the maximum pressure after which destruction of the tire may occur - and should never be exceeded - but it is certainly never the recommended PSI.
The correct tire inflation figures are found on driver's door stickers of cars and trucks, and on labels affixed to scooters in prominent locations, or under the seat.

If all else fails, - the owner's manual will give the correct inflation figures. Never the tires.
Stig
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Neil955i on May 30, 2022, 08:13:28 AM
Mmm maybe it's time I checked my pressures again....
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on May 31, 2022, 10:18:46 PM
...The tire pressure embossed on the sidewalls of tires is never the recommended inflation.
It is, the maximum pressure after which destruction of the tire may occur - and should never be exceeded - but it is certainly never the recommended PSI.
The correct tire inflation figures are found on driver's door stickers of cars and trucks, and on labels affixed to scooters in prominent locations, or under the seat.

If all else fails, - the owner's manual will give the correct inflation figures. Never the tires.
Stig


Actually that is a false statement. The Honda CTX1300 user manual and service manual both show a factory recommended rear tire psi of 42. The pressure indicated on the sidewall of the OEM tires is also 42 psi. I always ran the rear tire on my CTX1300 to factory spec... 42 psi. I agree to never exceed the psi indicated on the sidewall of the tires which CAN result in a really bad day for the rider. But it is OK to go up to that with the understanding that the ride will be effected. Skilled riders know how to manage that without any issues. Higher inflation results in a slightly harder ride but better wear (based on experience over the last 19 years of paying very close attention to my tires). Lower inflation will result in a softer ride (which is what manufacturers want you to experience) but worse wear and possibly cupping (scalloping) of the tire (also based on experience over the last 19 years of paying very close attention to my tires). I rather like the slightly harder ride. But then I really never noticed much difference in that with low inflation vs higher inflation.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: monkeybongos on June 01, 2022, 04:15:11 AM
Not to mention more responsive handling w higher psi.  Believe tire manufacturers recommend being within 10% of max psi?
Don't understand using the same pressure on a tire w max psi of 32 as one w 41.  Recommended pressures listed on bikes/in manuals may be appropriate for the oem tires, but imo not for upgraded rubber w higher max psi.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Luckyword on June 01, 2022, 04:47:15 AM
Thanks for the useful, helpful discussion, and information.

I had measured it cold and (...cough, cough -- should have looked at the Owner's Manual, for sure).

I've adjusted the pressure, and for now am going to run 34 front and 38 rear psi when cold.

With the 40 front and 42 rear that I had set it to, I did experience having that tire warning on the dash a few times, but it went away each time, after a few minutes, and in each case only appeared when starting the bike.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Iahawk on June 01, 2022, 01:12:52 PM
as with most things, be careful of blanket statements that may not be accurate in all circumstances...my small, light motorcycle calls for 28 front, 32 rear....big, heavy touring bikes may call for much higher psi.

Race bikes using race rubber call for much lower tire pressures than regular street pressures.

I agree that you never use the sidewall max pressures as a set point. Most should defer to the manufacturer's recommendation unless you are an expert/advanced rider and are able to go out on the  track and make 1 or 2 psi adjustments at a time until you get the handling / feel you're looking for.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on June 01, 2022, 03:18:56 PM
...
With the 40 front and 42 rear that I had set it to, I did experience having that tire warning on the dash a few times, but it went away each time, after a few minutes, and in each case only appeared when starting the bike.


That tire pressure warning symbol that flashes over the bike icon often comes on a flashes a few times when I first start the bike, as do all the other indicators. So that is normal. I did see it come on while riding once while I was on my recent long trip and when I checked the psi while I was riding I saw the front pressure was higher than it normally gets while riding when the tires are hot. I attribute that to the air temp being a bit cool when checked the TPMS in the morning and later in the day when the warning showed the temps had warmed up a LOT. So I let a few psi out at the next stop and all was good. On the AK I find the front tire needs to be below 38 psi to avoid the warning when the tire gets hot. That may have also been the case for my other bikes but I didn't have TPMS on those. I always set my front tire psi lower than the rear anyway by about 3-4 psi at least so: 40.9 psi rear and 37.9 psi front. But just be aware that if you check in the morning when temps are, say, around 60 F and are riding later on when temps have gone up to, say, 80 F then the psi will need to be adjusted again for the warmer ambient air temps. Best to check just before a ride to account for that temp differential. Or if you cannot check the cold psi, such as my example when traveling all day long without stopping, getting to know how much of a change at the hot psi is appropriate is part of getting to know your bike. Experience will teach you what psi should get to if you look at it once in a while when the tires are hot. I can say the hot psi won't be consistent since it matters just how fast you are riding and what the air temp and road temp gets to. Black asphalt gets hotter than tan concrete pavement in the same air temps and roads with lots of traffic will be hotter than roads with very little traffic so take all that into consideration. That's why checking the tires when cold for a starting point will give the most consistent results (as long as the day doesn't warm up too much  ;)  )


btw- I also notice the heated grips LED on the left grip flashes white and red a few times when I first start the bike. This also is normal.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 01, 2022, 04:47:06 PM
as with most things, be careful of blanket statements that may not be accurate in all circumstances...my small, light motorcycle calls for 28 front, 32 rear....big, heavy touring bikes may call for much higher psi.

Race bikes using race rubber call for much lower tire pressures than regular street pressures.

I agree that you never use the sidewall max pressures as a set point. Most should defer to the manufacturer's recommendation unless you are an expert/advanced rider and are able to go out on the  track and make 1 or 2 psi adjustments at a time until you get the handling / feel you're looking for.
Point taken - Hawk....blanket statements are never a good idea (unless talking political parties :)
So, to revise my Statement : "Your source for determining your tires correct PSI is found somewhere on the vehicle itself, or in the owner's manual. "
Also, I read that this PSI figure is not tire dependent - in that it is the vehicle, not the tire,  which sets the optimum PSI figure  - brand regardless.
 
My Liberty needs the same PSI to maintain grip, braking and mileage - whether I running Michelins or Pirellis. (obviously - if you want to put a sand-paddle tire on your Burgman 650 - you'll likely....or dirt nobbies on your LIKE200i.....use a different PSI)

Certainly - it seems I can play with the PSI to lessen my tire contact patch, change where my tire wears, and for 'sporty handling' and firmer riding - but I've found on my lighter scooters that increasing the PSI even 2 or 3 lbs beyond the recommended results in an unpleasantly harsh ride on an already ride-compromised plastic scooter!

Stig
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Iahawk on June 01, 2022, 06:53:21 PM
something more to consider...from Dave Moss Tuning...a video on proper tire pressure setup ..he says the pressure listed on the sticker is all wrong!

https://youtu.be/XaIuWKfnGEI
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: wymple on June 01, 2022, 06:57:11 PM
As I understand it, the pressure ratings on the tires is maximum pressure that should be used on a fully loaded bike. I commonly run 35 lbs rear & 30 front, never have issues. I do know from talking to touring riders that running high pressures will puff up the center of the tire to the point where the outer edges aren't doing much, so the tires wear faster. I know a Wing rider who rides all over the country on 30 in the rear.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on June 01, 2022, 08:04:41 PM
something more to consider...from Dave Moss Tuning...a video on proper tire pressure setup ..he says the pressure listed on the sticker is all wrong!

https://youtu.be/XaIuWKfnGEI (https://youtu.be/XaIuWKfnGEI)


BINGO!
What he said.
Make adjustment for what works best for you and your riding.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Ruffus on June 02, 2022, 06:54:53 PM
Reminds me a little bit of this famous motor oil thread.😄
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on June 02, 2022, 10:21:47 PM
Reminds me a little bit of this famous motor oil thread.😄
Yep.
Definition of intransigent 🙃

Stig
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Luckyword on September 07, 2022, 12:45:51 AM
Helpful discussion.

I had been running cold, 34fr and 38 rear.

Today I drove about 33 miles in 100 degree weather, and at the end of the ride, the onboard tire pressure gauge indicated roughly 46 front and 47 rear.

I'm thinking that when I'm going to ride in 100 degree weather, I'll lower pressure to around 30fr and 34 rear.

Should I run even lower when in 100 degree temps? Any thoughts?
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on September 07, 2022, 02:59:43 AM
Helpful discussion.

I had been running cold, 34fr and 38 rear.

Today I drove about 33 miles in 100 degree weather, and at the end of the ride, the onboard tire pressure gauge indicated roughly 46 front and 47 rear.

I'm thinking that when I'm going to ride in 100 degree weather, I'll lower pressure to around 30fr and 34 rear.

Should I run even lower when in 100 degree temps? Any thoughts?

If you did NOT see the TPMS warning come on then no, I would not lower the psi. You set tire pressure based on when the tires are not yet warmed up from rolling on the road... IOW cold psi. That doesn't mean cold as in cold feeling to you but cold before the ride warms them up. So if you set the psi where you would normally set it and the ambient air temp is 100F then that is right for that air temp. If you set the very same psi when the ambient air temp is 70, or even 60, or less, then that is the right psi for that air temp even if the tire psi is set to the very same psi as at the warmer temp. Don't look to the hot psi to base what you set the tires to for the proper cold psi. The tires are designed to handle the warm up from riding on them and that is entirely normal.

IF the TPMS warning does come on in very very hot ambient air temps. ONLY THEN would be appropriate to use a SLIGHTLY lower the cold psi before you start riding. If you really feel you must lower the psi with the tires thoroughly warmed up then only drop the pressure 1 or 2 psi at most and then re-inflate to the proper psi when tires are "cold" before the next ride.

I've seen as high as 49 psi on the rear during riding in very hot air temps with no warnings so nothing should be done to lower the pressure.

BTW- If you ride somewhere on a very hot day and run into a store and then come back out to the bike to continue riding and the TPMS gives a warning when you first start up the bike DON'T worry about that. Ride a mile first before doing anything. More than likely, in that case, the warning will go away. It is just the TPMS system sensing the warmed up pressure in the tire but the TPMS sensor has cooled from not rolling... or maybe all the heat has migrated to the top of the tire and that happens to be where the sensor is located when you parked. I've seen that once or twice and after riding a half mile the warning is gone as the temp has equalized throughout the tire and on the sensor.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Neil955i on September 07, 2022, 05:03:25 AM
Really thorough answer there Bob and interesting, thanks!
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Kahuna_550 on September 20, 2022, 04:29:40 PM
Holy crap, good thing I red this post. I've been keeping both tires at 32. Been about 1600 miles so far 🤣🤦
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on September 20, 2022, 06:13:49 PM
Holy crap, good thing I red this post. I've been keeping both tires at 32. Been about 1600 miles so far 🤣🤦

Even the owner manual says more than that! The owner manual says at least 34 front/38 rear psi. I prefer just a few psi higher for better performance and tire life. At least that's been my experience doing that. Low psi like you stated will wear out those tires rather fast.

I have really good grip in rain and on dry pavement with the pressures I stated earlier. And sometimes I do take curvy roads just a little aggressively (from my days riding with the sport touring group on my ST1100) but mostly I ride conservatively speed-wise. I just replace my front tire at 6670 miles. I consider that pretty fair. I know a lot of sport touring riders who get about the same and one or two who get half that (they are really aggressively fast in curves). It's just slightly more miles than my Burgman 650 was and also my CTX1300 depending on tire brand/model. Though I find it interesting that most of the riders I ride with wear out the rear tire long before the front. I still have several thousand miles to go on the rear tire of my AK.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: randyo on September 22, 2022, 09:19:24 PM
I haven't checked my pressure, till today, I got my new Autometer tire gauge , need to put a couple psi, AAAACK! my chuck won't fit between the wheel and brake rotors to get on the valve stem........ a short right angle chuck is on order, be here Saturday
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on September 26, 2022, 12:57:48 AM
I haven't checked my pressure, till today, I got my new Autometer tire gauge , need to put a couple psi, AAAACK! my chuck won't fit between the wheel and brake rotors to get on the valve stem........ a short right angle chuck is on order, be here Saturday

I just use the TPMS and don't bother with a tire gauge. But I do have a right angle chuck on my compressor hose as well as on my Slime mini compressor that I take with me when traveling. While I was at my 1348 mile motorcycle camping trip this weekend (just returned home today) I did have to add air to both tires so I put the AK on the center stand and ran the engine while using my mini compressor to add a few psi. Took all of 4 seconds per wheel to bring it up 3-4 psi each. I can plug my mini compressor in the SAE Battery Tender cable that I have with bigger wire and a 15 amp fuse (needed for the mini compressor).
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: randyo on September 26, 2022, 02:13:13 AM
I just use the TPMS and don't bother with a tire gauge. But I do have a right angle chuck on my compressor hose as well as on my Slime mini compressor that I take with me when traveling. While I was at my 1348 mile motorcycle camping trip this weekend (just returned home today) I did have to add air to both tires so I put the AK on the center stand and ran the engine while using my mini compressor to add a few psi. Took all of 4 seconds per wheel to bring it up 3-4 psi each. I can plug my mini compressor in the SAE Battery Tender cable that I have with bigger wire and a 15 amp fuse (needed for the mini compressor).

I coulda gone thru the work of getting my, yes I have a Slime too, compressor out, unravel the cord, and use that, then wrap it up and put it away. But I'd rather just grab the hose from my shop compressor, give it a squirt of air, and let the reel retract the hose, my Slime compressor is for the road
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on September 26, 2022, 02:59:57 AM
I coulda gone thru the work of getting my, yes I have a Slime too, compressor out, unravel the cord, and use that, then wrap it up and put it away. But I'd rather just grab the hose from my shop compressor, give it a squirt of air, and let the reel retract the hose, my Slime compressor is for the road

Same here.
I use my bigger compressor with the 90 deg chuck in my garage and only use the Slime compressor on the road... which is where I was, 457 miles from home, when I did use it this weekend.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on August 20, 2023, 04:36:22 PM
On my return trip from my riding/camping trip to MN last weekend I discovered something about the factory TPMS on my AK 550. I think I may have seen this before but was then reminded of it. It was rather cool during most of that trip so I had added air to the tires to keep them at least close to where I like the psi to be. I knew the temps would warm up during the day so the psi would then become right where I wanted. On my return trip it started out very cool in the morning and the psi was just where I usually keep it for both tires. But after riding a short while the temps warmed up a little more than expected and I started getting a tire pressure warning. The tire profile symbol was flashing but neither of the tire symbols on the bike picture were flashing to indicate which tire was at fault. I then toggled the display to show what the psi was being indicated and the psi number for the front tire was flashing. The psi shown was higher than I usually see it at around 47 psi. That's rather high for the front tire. The rear tire was just barely  under 50 psi. These are HOT pressures so they SHOULD be higher than COLD pressures. But the front usually never gets over 45 psi while riding on a fast highway. So I stopped and let some air out until it showed 44.5 psi. That solved the fault indication. So the factory TPMS  does show an over pressure warning. This is a good safety feature same as showing under pressure. I guess in thinking on it any good TPMS should show both under pressure AND over pressure faults so it is good to know the TPMS on the AK does this.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: randyo on August 21, 2023, 05:12:56 AM
On my return trip from my riding/camping trip to MN last weekend I discovered something about the factory TPMS on my AK 550. I think I may have seen this before but was then reminded of it. It was rather cool during most of that trip so I had added air to the tires to keep them at least close to where I like the psi to be. I knew the temps would warm up during the day so the psi would then become right where I wanted. On my return trip it started out very cool in the morning and the psi was just where I usually keep it for both tires. But after riding a short while the temps warmed up a little more than expected and I started getting a tire pressure warning. The tire profile symbol was flashing but neither of the tire symbols on the bike picture were flashing to indicate which tire was at fault. I then toggled the display to show what the psi was being indicated and the psi number for the front tire was flashing. The psi shown was higher than I usually see it at around 47 psi. That's rather high for the front tire. The rear tire was just barely  under 50 psi. These are HOT pressures so they SHOULD be higher than COLD pressures. But the front usually never gets over 45 psi while riding on a fast highway. So I stopped and let some air out until it showed 44.5 psi. That solved the fault indication. So the factory TPMS  does show an over pressure warning. This is a good safety feature same as showing under pressure. I guess in thinking on it any good TPMS should show both under pressure AND over pressure faults so it is good to know the TPMS on the AK does this.
I

I was once told that you should for a 10% rise in pressure but from a guy who only uses purple oil
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on August 21, 2023, 12:31:19 PM
Maybe that works for car tires but I've always seen closer to 15-20% rise in psi from cold to hot for motorcycle/scooter tires depending on how hard I am riding, ambient air temps, road surface (actually has more do to with it than you would think), and speed. Oh, and also depending on degree of tire wear. As tires wear they will become slightly hotter due to slightly more rubber, uh, rubbing on the road causing the psi to go slightly higher.

That 50 psi for the rear tire was also a bit high but the TPMS didn't call it out as too high. Normally I see a hot pressure around 47 psi. I did stop a few times to let out just a little air at a time to avoid letting out too much.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: randyo on August 21, 2023, 04:57:56 PM
Maybe that works for car tires but I've always seen closer to 15-20% rise in psi from cold to hot for motorcycle/scooter tires depending on how hard I am riding, ambient air temps, road surface (actually has more do to with it than you would think), and speed. Oh, and also depending on degree of tire wear. As tires wear they will become slightly hotter due to slightly more rubber, uh, rubbing on the road causing the psi to go slightly higher.

That 50 psi for the rear tire was also a bit high but the TPMS didn't call it out as too high. Normally I see a hot pressure around 47 psi. I did stop a few times to let out just a little air at a time to avoid letting out too much.


sounds more realistic than the purple oil guy, when I tried to get a 10% rise, I had to start at close to 50, I seem to remember setting the front on my SV650 @ 36 and hot it would be up to 42 and on a real hot day of riding agressive, up to 44, in the rear, I would start @ 39 and would climb as high as 48

a lot depends on the humidity of the air inside the tire, filled with nitrogen, and you won't see any pressure rise
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Stig / Major Tom on August 22, 2023, 12:39:53 PM

Actually that is a false statement. The Honda CTX1300 user manual and service manual both show a factory recommended rear tire psi of 42. The pressure indicated on the sidewall of the OEM tires is also 42 psi. I always ran the rear tire on my CTX1300 to factory spec... 42 psi. I agree to never exceed the psi indicated on the sidewall of the tires which CAN result in a really bad day for the rider. But it is OK to go up to that with the understanding that the ride will be effected. Skilled riders know how to manage that without any issues. Higher inflation results in a slightly harder ride but better wear (based on experience over the last 19 years of paying very close attention to my tires). Lower inflation will result in a softer ride (which is what manufacturers want you to experience) but worse wear and possibly cupping (scalloping) of the tire (also based on experience over the last 19 years of paying very close attention to my tires). I rather like the slightly harder ride. But then I really never noticed much difference in that with low inflation vs higher inflation.

I stand corrected - you found a sidewall and a manual which agree (spooky that Honda is using tires running at the max!)

Simply - the sidewall figures state the maximum load and pressure for the tire, obviously - as determined by the tire manufacturer.
The correct PSI for the tire is found on a plate or sticker applied somewhere on the scooter, and in the owner's manual.

The correct PSI should never be determined by looking at the sidewall - look instead at the tag on the scooter - or in the manual.

Ride whatever PSI you want (see, 'Skilled Riders') - but the scooter is intended to be run with the tire size and PSI as stated in the manual, not the sidewall.

Let us all not misinform by stating the sidewall is where the correct tire pressure is found.

Most of the time the PSI on the sidewall is a little or a lot higher than stated in the manual!
My 25PSI front tire (tag&manual) has a 38PSI sidewall.....which would loosen my teeth.

Stig
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Iahawk on August 22, 2023, 12:58:44 PM
Simply - the sidewall figures state the maximum load and pressure for the tire, obviously - as determined by the tire manufacturer.
The correct PSI for the tire is found on a plate or sticker applied somewhere on the scooter, and in the owner's manual.

The correct PSI should never be determined by looking at the sidewall - look instead at the tag on the scooter - or in the manual.

Let us all not misinform by stating the sidewall is where the correct tire pressure is found.

Stig

This!
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: randyo on August 28, 2023, 07:15:06 PM
a rarity, I checked and set my pressure before a ride 34½F and 39½R then rode to my local post office and back 3 miles each way, rural paved roads.  pressures were up to 39F and 42R on return 
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on August 28, 2023, 09:53:47 PM
a rarity, I checked and set my pressure before a ride 34½F and 39½R then rode to my local post office and back 3 miles each way, rural paved roads.  pressures were up to 39F and 42R on return

Sounds normal to me. Hot psi is always higher than cold psi. And is also not consistent how much higher for the miles. 6 miles is plenty to warm up tires to operating pressures.
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: randyo on August 28, 2023, 11:54:11 PM
Sounds normal to me. Hot psi is always higher than cold psi. And is also not consistent how much higher for the miles. 6 miles is plenty to warm up tires to operating pressures.

I was surprised at how quickly, just a leisurely ride to the PO and back, never went over 45, no twisties, no hard braking

I suspect the pressures would build up more on a long how day of twisty riding
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Super Dirt Dud on October 22, 2023, 11:20:53 PM
So I just read this thread and watched Daves video it is something most riders will never do but im going to now .
Good stuff !
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Super Dirt Dud on February 04, 2024, 11:00:44 PM
https://www.kymcoforum.com/index.php?action=post;quote=227668;topic=32393.0;last_msg=237139

This is a good video
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: rjs987 on February 05, 2024, 04:33:53 PM
You must have hit "back" on your browser window and returned to the edit page. Your link is only to the edit of the post you linked to.
I think this is the video you intended to link.

something more to consider...from Dave Moss Tuning...a video on proper tire pressure setup ..he says the pressure listed on the sticker is all wrong!

https://youtu.be/XaIuWKfnGEI
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: randyo on February 09, 2024, 07:49:32 PM
You must have hit "back" on your browser window and returned to the edit page. Your link is only to the edit of the post you linked to.
I think this is the video you intended to link.

kinda my methodology when I went darkside on my V-Strom
Title: Re: AK550 Tire Pressure ?
Post by: Super Dirt Dud on February 10, 2024, 09:24:23 AM
You must have hit "back" on your browser window and returned to the edit page. Your link is only to the edit of the post you linked to.
I think this is the video you intended to link.

Thank you and yes that was what I was trying to do. I’m in Delaware with my wife on our 42 anniversary and I thought I would post a picture on this site but it wouldn’t let the file is to big? No big deal but I guess I don’t do tech very well.