It would appear that I may not have been running at the correct tyre pressure. I've run mine at 36psig back and front, however the previous owner of my PP has informed me that they should be run with 42psig at the rear. Too me this feels way to hard at the rear, but then I'm not used to the PP skyhook yet. Your enlightenment would be appreciated (jokes and jibs also expected).
Surely the tyre pressure specified in the owner's hand book is the starting point no matter who made the tyre. If that pressure leaves you underwhelmed you can vary it to suit your expectation and experience should tell you even a 1 lb change up or down can make the difference. Andy
I had my tyres changed to PR4s recently and checked the manual for exact pressure. There is a range depending on usage, luggage, 2 up etc. The fitters said I should have 2.9bar and this is towards the top of the range Ducati specify. The bike seems fine with that, I've not felt it to much, especially cold when too much has caused me a moment or two in the past.
34 front 36 rear. 42 made the rear very hot for me, the lower pressure works well. On track that went down to 32 rear as it was adding 10psi when hot, which backs up letting road pressure down a bit. Front only went down 2 psi on track and was fine
I agree with you, just wanted to make sure I hadn't missed some wisdom shared elsewhere. I can find nothing useful from Michelin. I think I'll drop it down to the pressures in the manual and see how I get on (pretty much what Paul AKA bradders mentioned).
That doesn't make sense, a lower tyre pressure will result in a hotter tyre as the tread moves more, hence the reason you usually drop the tyre pressures when you are doing a track day????
You drop the pressure because it will heat up and add pressure, and you ride harder so it gets back to what it should be. Ie if optimum is 42 hot, then you put 38 in on a cold day it doesn't get there, where as on a hot summer day it over-inflates so you let a little out. No one else run winter and summer pressures? I always have that I can remember, and normally its 4 rear and 2 or 3 front Having lower pressures warm it up quicker tho, or seems to
Yes, that's what I thought, you seemed to be saying 42 runs hotter than 36. I only ever check cold tyre pressures
Try sticking 42 in and ride it on the road, test the pressure, then 42 and go on track...the reason you drop your pressures for track is two-fold: it warms quicker BUT it also allows the tyre to add more pressure to get to where its optimum range is. I had 38 rear which I know gets to 40ish on a road ride, at Sliverstone on 38 it hit 48!!! I stuck in 34 and it was 40 when hot off a session then. Btw the 38 I started with you couldnt touch the tyre it was so hot....where as the 34 it was hot like off a warmer after a few minutes
I just stick in what's in the manual and ride the thing. When a 1lb or two makes a difference to my riding it's the time I would probably start to think about a racing career.
You'd be amazed. I have almost zero feel for a bike, but you can tell (more on track granted) as an over inflated tyre or a very low pressure really affects turn it and especially on fast long corners
Well....adjusted to 2.2 bar front and 2.4 bar rear (both gauge readings)....perfect. I'm no longer falling off a cliff when I approach a bend. There are three different PR4's but I cannot see how I can tell the difference by looking at them?
