As a motorcycle rider, you have to be careful of various aspects of your motorcycle to make sure you have a safe trip. And one of the most important aspects that you have to be careful of for your motorcycle tires is the air pressure inside.
You should always be careful when maintaining motorcycle tire pressure, since not having correct tire pressure. So how do you make sure that your motorcycle tires meet the recommended tire pressure? Well you can use plenty of techniques to measure motorcycle tire pressure, such as using a tire gauge.
But if you’re new to understanding tire pressures in your motorcycle, here is a comprehensive guide that can help.
How many psi in a motorcycle tire: the comprehensive guide
When measuring the motorcycle tire inflation, preferably with a motorcycle tire pressure gauge, the reading will be a measurement in PSI.
PSI stands for pounds per square inch, and it is the exact measurement of how much air pressure is in your motorcycle tires. So the higher the PSI reading of the motorcycle tire, the more complicated the tire pressures are.
Over inflating and under inflating tires
If the psi or tire inflation is higher than the recommended tire pressure, your over inflated tires could have less grip and are more susceptible to puncture, significantly reducing tire life. Most motorcycle tires like scooter tires make use of a tire gauge to see if the tire meets the tire pressure recommendations.
Tire pressure recommendations can differ
Tire pressure recommendations for psi can differ for a particular tire, which means that your motorcycle tires could have less than necessary tire pressure psi. Tires that don’t meet recommended tire pressures psi are underinflated tires, which come with their own host of problems.
It is also important to understand that there is no such thing as the perfect psi for all riders and riding style. Measuring a lower pressure psi using a pressure gauge through the valve stem can be good for grip, but a higher tire pressure can be good for speed according to tyre manufacturers.
What should be the correct tire pressure psi for motorcycle tires
The PSI is an important measurement for your motorcycle tires’ tyre pressure. Measuring the tire pressure for your motorcycle is important for two main reasons, to see if the tires are correctly inflated and for the suspension.
When you inflate your motorcycle tires, you need to find the correct PSI that is right for you, which could even be a low PSI. If there’s too much air pressure in the motorcycle tire, then you will likely experience a rough ride.
But if you keep your bike on lower pressure, the motorcycle will sink into the suspension and offer a much softer ride. Lower pressures PSI for your bike offers better traction but it does come at the cost of low pressure tires being subject to increased wear and a reduced fuel economy.
The correct PSI for tires
The correct PSI will usually depend on the motorcycle, the tires, the terrain, and the individual riding style. Motorcycle manufacturers tend to the keep tyre pressure in mind when building a bike from the ground up.
You can also consult the motorcycle owner’s manual to see the max psi range that you should keep for your specific motorcycle. A motorcycle manufacturer will also include information about the effect that your air pressure will have on gas mileage in the owner’s manual.
A general rule for max PSI
However, as a general rule, the max psi for a particular bike should be between 30 and 35 psi depending on factors like ambient temperature, riding style, and the motorcycle manufacturers recommendations.
And if the PSI dips below a certain level for proper pressure in a particular motorcycle, you can use your own gauge to measure tire pressure psi and use an air compressor to fill your tires regularly.
Why its important to keep recommended tire pressures
Another reason why keeping the right amount of tire pressure for your motorcycle is essential is because the average motorcycle manufacturer keeps that tire pressure in mind when designing the suspension. The amount of tire pressure can directly affect the the fuel economy of your motorcycle.
Your tire pressure PSI will also affect your riding experience, since lower pressures in tires leads to reduced performance. You should make it a habit to regularly check pressure in your motorcycle tires before heading out, especially if you plan on taking up heavy loads or driving at a high speed.
Different types of motorcycle tires and their recommended air pressure
The recommended tire pressure for your motorcycle can affect you fuel economy and your riding style. Along with keeping your tires cool, it can keep your rear and front tire balanced, ensuring that there aren’t different pressures in both tires.
Checking pressure in your tires to see if they have the recommended pressure according to the owner’s manual is always a good habit. But as for different pressures for different tires, here is a quick run down.
The first type of tire worth looking into are bias ply tires that can really change the riding experience of any motorcycle, especially if they ride on a rough road surface. Depending on the road conditions that you ride on with your Michelin North America tire psi, they can last you a long time.
How to check the tire pressure psi in your motorcycle tires
Your tire sidewall will always information about the manufacture date of a tire along with measurements for its width. But when it comes to checking the pressure in your motorcycle tire, you need to get a proper pressure gauge to help you check the total psi in your tire.
Use your gauge to measure your pressure
The air needed in your tires will always be measured in psi, which you can easily measure with gauge of your choosing. You can also go to your local gas station and ask them to check your front tire pressure, which they do with a pressurized gauge.
Simply remove the valve cap off your motorcycle tire and insert the pressure gauge to see if it meets the right pressure recommendations. Be sure to close the valve when you’re done checking.