BT020 tyre pressures

[Cooky]

Sorry, I know it's a bore but what's the latest wisdom on tyre pressure for these?

The Bridgestone website says 36/42 which would seem quite high for a solo ride?

I've done a search and the posts are slightly inconclusive.............

It's an 1150GS by the way.

Thanks for any help

 

[sproggy]

I use 32/36 solo (same as Tourances, from memory), 34/40 two-up (no luggage) and 36/42 two-up with luggage.

 

[Mouse]

I believe that some time ago Bridgestone standardised the tyre pressures for most of their range to be 36/42 under any conditions. I always used to run the 020s on my Fazer at those pressures and they were fine.

 

[Snooky]

Always run 36/42 on 020's regardless of the bike

 

[sproggy]

Always run 36/42 on 020's regardless of the bike

Does that mean that you do, or 'one' should?

 

[Mouse]

Both

Seriously though, if Bridgestone says 36/42, that's what I'd use.

 

[sproggy]

Bridgestone quote 2.5/2.9 bar (which is 36/42psi) on their website but they only quote one pressure per tyre which is usual for tyre manufacturers - only bike manufacturers themselves seem to quote different pressures for solo/pillion/luggage combinations. A tyre manufacturer is more likely to quote a high (fully-loaded) pressure to cover their a**e because if they quoted a solo pressure (e.g. 32/36 as per BWM) and someone used that fully loaded with pillion and luggage the tyre would/could over-heat and become damaged, cause an accident, and then they'd be liable. Quoting 36/42 won't cause tyre damage through over-heating under any load condition but in my experience it makes the bike feel less planted when riding solo.

Same with cars - if you ask a car tyre manufacturer for a pressure recommendation for their tyre on your car they'll give you front/rear pressures without asking how loaded the car is, but look in the manual and you'll find 2 or 3 different pressures depending upon the load.

While Bridgestone undoubtedly know their own tyres I'd still trust the vehicle manufacturer to have determined appropriate tyre pressures according to load. But I'm a trim 12 stone and I know most of you other GSers are fat bas**rds and probably weigh as much on their own as I do with a pillion so you're better off with 36/42 solo

So, Andrew, what made you think this thread would be any more conclusive than the others - sorry you asked?!

 

[Cooky]

Sproggy,

thanks for that - makes a lot of sense to me. What I don't know though is whether the manual assumes a certain tyre type and that the BT020s are meant to be inflated more due to its makeup or whatever?

Maybe I'll have to speak to Bridgestone? How dull can my life get.