I was wonderin how I could get a little more grip out of my front tire today and started thinkin about tire pressure. I had always thought that lower pressure would make a better foot print, but started to wonder if more pressure behind the rubber would press it into the road more causing better grip.... Anybody have a thought ???

 

I run 32f 32r solo on the street.

 

i think it depends on what you weight. i weight around 230 with gear so i use 38 in front and 40 r.

 

Less tire pressure will yeild more grip to a certain extent. I run Dunlops and at the track they are 32F/30R. On the street I run 36 all around. Less pressure allows the carcass to flex more and heat up. However, at a street pace, it is likely you wont be going hard enough to warm them properly any way. I would run around 34-38 for the street. Running low on the street will, as I stated, cause more flex, creating more heat in the tire, wearing it out quite a bit faster. Running below 28 is probably not a good idea, as the tire wouldnt be able to hold it's shape very well under the rigours of daily use with pot holes and such. I would be awfully surprised if you are running out of grip on the street due to the tires. Dirt/sand and **** on the road maybe, but not likely the tires. If you want more grip, buy better tires, but again, unless they are heated up properly, they will actually stick less than your stock tires, and way less in the rain.

 

Thanks for the input guys, I am just having serious trust issues with the front (still stock) tire as I have felt it push out on me a few times on a good lean. Nothing serious, just enough push to make me grit my teeth and pucker.....

 

I had my BT-56's do that when I had them. Junked em for the Dunlops and havent looked back. That's the ****ty part of trying to ride hard on the street, they are dusty/sandy and just simply cant get enough heat into a tire to make it stick right. I suppose it is possible, but a you are probably pushing a touch hard if you are. I dont remember what you're bike comes with for stock rubber, but I can only assume it's as good or better than my 208ZR's. I would guess the push you experienced was from the road being slick, not so much the tires. Good luck though.

 

You've had problems running the factory recommended pressures? I run 36F and 42R, as recommended by Honda. Never had any problems with it slipping or losing traction unless I was getting too hard on the brakes.

 

Like I said, it may have been the road at the time my slip occured. I just never felt like the BT's stuck very good or offered any feedback. Again, they were at 36/36. I consult the manufacturer of the tire for recommended tire pressures, for a given circumstance. I could care less what Honda says to use as they didnt make the tires. Not that they dont know what they're doing, but the tire man. sure as hell should.

 

if you run the recomended pressure you will get faster turn in more nemble bike over all.