Tire pressure dilemma Xciting 500

[stannard50]

Hi folks, I just got a Michelin Gold Standard 150/70-14 for the rear. Here's the issue; the manual calls for 36 PSI and the tire firewall reads 33 PSI max. What's your thoughts on this? Michelin actually recommends this tire on their website, so I just contacted them and are waiting to see what they say.
Anyway what do you think 33 PSI or 36 PSI.

thanks,
Chris.

[wordslinger]

...go with the recommended tire pressure that is on the tire...

..my original ChengShin tire was rated for 35 psi...the Avon i replaced it with wants 40...

..your manual was written with the stock brand of tire pressure recommendations..

peace

[zombie]

Agreed! Mich. made the tire not Kymco

[stannard50]

Thanks for your input, I think your right and I will probably go with 33 PSI.

thanks again,
Chris

[jprestonian]

I would contact Michelin with the vehicle's weight, rider's weight, and see if they can recommend. Rarely is the highest rated pressure ideal for a particular application, but it's certainly possible... and in this case, the Xciting 500 may be the heaviest vehicle that uses this tire, and 33psi might be right for it.
.

[ts1]

The european MP3 xxx is usually sold with the Michelin Gold Standard (or Pirelli GTS 23/24).
Except the 125 RL and 250 RL, they are all heavier than the Xciting 500.
MP3 LT 250 (wife): 236kg, Xciting 500 (mine): 230kg. (MP3 LT 400: 262kg.)

I just went outside to my wife's MP3, but I couldn't find a max.pressure on her MGS tires. Perhaps very small printed, but now it's dark and snowing.
The manual says up to 2.6 Bar rear tire pressure (for the 400cc with pillion rider), which is nearly 38 psi.
Although the dimensions are slightly different, 140/60-14 or 140/70-14 for the MP3, I can't imagine the 150/70-14 would be rated much lower. 36 PSI should be ok.

But another thing: I do not recommend these tires. In the cold and wet, even worse on snow, they don't provide grip. I had enough experience with them the last 2 months.
Poll in a german MP3 forum:
Question: "Recommended tires?"
1) Heidenau - 28 votes, 64%
2) Pirelli - 11 votes, 25%
3) Michelin - 3 votes, 7%
4) other - 2 votes, 5%

[zombie]

How do you applaud on a computer?  _((^%$#GYUTRE#*(())

[stannard50]

Got a response back from Michelin that confirms our opinion they said to always go by the rated PSI molded into the sidewall of the tire.

thanks everyone,
chris.

[axy]

Got a response back from Michelin that confirms our opinion they said to always go by the rated PSI molded into the sidewall of the tire.

thanks everyone,
chris.

Isn't that number max pressure the tire can withstand and as such pretty much useless?
I think this value is around 3.5 bar for most scoot tires (while most scoots have that value declared for real life usage betweeen 2.0 and 2.5).

[jprestonian]

Got a response back from Michelin that confirms our opinion they said to always go by the rated PSI molded into the sidewall of the tire.

Well, I'm not sure I got my point across in my original comment. Yes, the MAX PRESSURE listed on the sidewall is the MAX PRESSURE you should put in the tire (d'oh!), and that's what Michelin just confirmed for you, most likely.

However, the MAX PRESSURE for the tire is in MOST cases not the IDEAL pressure for you to use on your scooter!  

These tires are often fitted to a variety of vehicles, which vary in weight and function. In most cases, using the maximum safe pressure in a scooter tire will result in FAR too "hard" a ride, less traction and control, and premature tire wear. The right pressure for a tire fitted to a fork lift (as an example) isn't likely to be the right pressure for that same tire fitted to a scooter, IOW.
.

[zombie]

It's all good. If I run my Avon Strykers at the recommended kymco preas. The tire is half flat. 28psi vs 48 on the Avons. Ride for a few miles at various pressures, and you can dial it in

[Shaka]

I have had my new Avons set at 40 psi as listed on the sidewalls.  My stock tires were listed at 25-28psi.  After riding with the new tires for the past weeks, they feel awesome, but they are a little "stiff".  I'm gonna to lower the pressure down tomorrow to 38 psi rear, 35 psi front and see how they feel.

[Cortez]

Isn't that number max pressure the tire can withstand and as such pretty much useless?
I think this value is around 3.5 bar for most scoot tires (while most scoots have that value declared for real life usage betweeen 2.0 and 2.5).

I was just going through the responses and was  that no one wrote.. well.. what you just have.

Most tires actually have both minimum AND maximum ratings.. and they're just that, a precaution,
NOT a recommended operating pressure! I'd be very surprised if ANY tire manufacturer would
actually recommend the maximum listed pressure as ideal for any kind of vehicle.

That just doesn't happen.

[axy]

I was just going through the responses and was  that no one wrote.. well.. what you just have.

Most tires actually have both minimum AND maximum ratings.. and they're just that, a precaution,
NOT a recommended operating pressure! I'd be very surprised if ANY tire manufacturer would
actually recommend the maximum listed pressure as ideal for any kind of vehicle.

That just doesn't happen.

Well, max value on the tire side wall would be good provided that you drive on slicks at temperature of 25 C on a dry closed race circuit on sandpaper-like asphalt and have 3-way adjustable upside down forks in the front and 3-way adjustable rear shock (on a Kawasaki ZX-10R).

For scoots, go with what the scoot manufacturer said. It is usually around 60 % of max. tire pressure indicated.

Strange that we even have to discuss this.

[OldGuy]

My approach has always been to start with the vehicle manufacturers recommendation and than adjust form there for ride and handling.