Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech metzler tire pressure???

it seems that since getting that new tire, the me880 marathon, on the rear my bike feels rather strange?? they told me at the dealer to run 40psi, i always run around 33 with the bridgestone and the bike felt good and handled very well. now with the new tire i am not that comfortable. i was wondering about anybody else that has that tire what pressures are you running?? i installed a new front at around 6000mi (metzler) and run it at 38psi that is good and when it came time for a new rear, i thought a matched set would be the way but i am not real happy with it right now. do ya think i should go with the owners man. or is 40 right??? any opinions?? you guy's with metzler's what are you runnin???

That sounds like a lot for a bike the size and weight of the BA unless you're a real big guy or are riding two-up much of the time. I run about 36-38 lbs in the rear on my bike but I still have to stock Bridgestone. The stock rear suspension on these bikes isn't very compliant to start with and I feel running a little lower pressure keeps it from being too harsh on my back. The higher pressure should keep the tire from heating up as much and make it last longer. Of course, 12k bone jarring miles at 40 lbs as opposed to 10k comfortable miles at 36 lbs may not be worth it.

Experiment with the pressure a little and see what works best for you. My understanding is one way to tell if you are running about the right pressure is to measure it with the tires cold then ride for an hour or so and measure it with the tires hot. The difference should be about 10-12% (so 35 cold should give you about 39 hot). If the change is much greater than that you are probably running too low a pressure and should increase it.

Keith

Newt, The manual reccomends 36 psi front and rear for the Speedmaster with Metzlers. ME880 rear, ME33 front. Thats what I run and it seems just fine.

How long has the tire been on the bike.
I know when I got my new metzlers I had to "break them in"
I had to wear off the residue that is left over from the manufacturing process.
Did not have 100% good feel for the first couple rides until the tires were well scuffed.

Newt, I've been running 35 lbs in both tires for about 6000 miles. The tread ware now looks like I may get about another 6000. Love these tires!

Leonard, my tires had 9600 on them when I switched out, could have easily gotten another 1000 on them, but oh well. Running the recommended 36 / 36 Front and Rear has not given me any cause for complaints, I would tend to agree with the comment above about 40 sounding a tad high. When in doubt, go with the owner's manual :-)

Does the America run 36 psi front/rear on stock tires? (Acording to the manual?) Just curious as I know they are tubed, and the SM runs tubeless.

I'll look in my owners manual when I get a chance but I think the recommended front pressure is lower like 31 or 32 lbs. for the BA.

Keith

Keith,
My '03 America has a sticker right under the fork lock that says 31psi for front and rear. The Service manual says 30 ft. and 31 rear for solo and 31 ft. and 36 rear "fully laden"....
I run my Avons at 32 front and 34 rear.... anything more than that and it gets a little "squirrely" on rough roads..

i too was thinkin that was a bit on the high side, but thought i would get the opinion of some others with the same tires. thanks guy's!!! this web site is the greatest huh. i wish this kinda thing would have been available when i was younger and had my first bike hahahahahaha

try 35 or 36 warm. that seems right w/ my speedy.

cat