Best PSI for Rear Tire (Spyder RS) - Longevity

[groundeffect]

Hi guys. Just wonder what you would suggest for the psi in the rear stock tire for the RS/GS that will give the best longevity?

I mostly ride solo, but occasionally do two up.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[NancysToy]

There are water blocks and there are wear indicators. My rear tire is very low, mostly in the center of the tire and at its wear indicators now. The outer edges have about twice as much bite left, or slightly more.

Hi guys. Just wonder what you would suggest for the psi in the rear stock tire for the RS/GS that will give the best longevity?

I mostly ride solo, but occasionally do two up.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

With the center worn more, common wisdom would have you lower your tire pressure to try to even the wear. You are already running near the low end of the recommended range, though. I would not go lower than the minimum recommended...or the minimum printed on the sidewall, if there is one. The Kenda tire is quite thin, and tends to balloon under the rotational force as it turns. This raises the center and it wears more there. Not much you can do to compensate, beyond switching to a stiffer car tire.

Actually, I think the Spyder tire wear is quite high for a motorcycle. It is low compared to a car, but I am thrilled when I get over 5,000 miles (8,000 km) on the rear of my BMW R1100RT. It's all relative.

 

[bone crusher]

Hi guys. Just wonder what you would suggest for the psi in the rear stock tire for the RS/GS that will give the best longevity?

I mostly ride solo, but occasionally do two up.

Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

I used to run 20 front, 30 rear, as many did/do here, but I was finding the ride to be waaaay to rigid. I've backed off the 16 front and 26 rear...the ride is much nicer now...

 

[stormtrooper]

I used to run 20 front, 30 rear, as many did/do here, but I was finding the ride to be waaaay to rigid. I've backed off the 16 front and 26 rear...the ride is much nicer now...

:agree: 16 / 26 :2thumbs:

 

[Firefly]

:agree: 16 / 26 :2thumbs:

:agree:

 

[Raptor]

After my Sway Bar change I pushed it a little and went 22L/21.5R and 31 Rear. Since then I have backed off just a bit, 2 pounds each tyre. So I am now I am at 20L/19.5R /29Rear. It seems to have helped smooth out the ride a bit and I'm corering just as well if not better. I'm kind of looking forward to ditching these tyres and going with something with some real grip...

 

[groundeffect]

Appreciate the replies, everyone!

 

[docdoru]

20/front (sway bar and Elka's)
35/rear for long rydes
25/rear for short "performance testing". :doorag:

 

[Sarge707]

After my Sway Bar change I pushed it a little and went 22L/21.5R and 31 Rear. Since then I have backed off just a bit, 2 pounds each tyre. So I am now I am at 20L/19.5R /29Rear. It seems to have helped smooth out the ride a bit and I'm corering just as well if not better. I'm kind of looking forward to ditching these tyres and going with something with some real grip...

Why the 1/2 pound difference in front?:dontknow:

 

[DragonSpyder]

18F/36R with a Toyo rear. I found the wear in the center of the rear is NOT due to inflation. The tire balloons at speed and wears in the middle. Some that do not ride a higher speeds or faster acceleration may not experience this phenomenon. The Toyo does not wear as much in the center as the stock but still does to some extent.

 

[WackyDan]

18F/28R.... And I have the same pattern of wear on the rear that most do, the center being worn more.

Going to go with a car tire next.

 

[groundeffect]

18F/28R.... And I have the same pattern of wear on the rear that most do, the center being worn more.

Going to go with a car tire next.

Yeah, same wear pattern I have - mostly center, still some bite left on the outer edges.


I may try the 18F/28R for a while. --- Dan, why do you run at these psi --- more stable, more traction? Thoughts?

 

[Firefly]

I had too much wear in the centers of the tires when I was running higher pressures--- like 20 front and 28 rear.

Switched to 17 front and 26 rear and I now have even wear patterns.

 

[WackyDan]

Yeah, same wear pattern I have - mostly center, still some bite left on the outer edges.


I may try the 18F/28R for a while. --- Dan, why do you run at these psi --- more stable, more traction? Thoughts?

Mainly... lower pressures made the spyder ride like crap at all speeds. Too mushy... I had the fronts at 22PSI by accident on one trip and that was a mistake when I was in the twisties. 18 to 19 in the front just seems like the best all around handling for me...

Now... I'm 240 pounds, 6'2", and travel with 3 loaded Givi hard cases... so it is hard to cookie cutter my pressures to some other Spyder... But most like that range.

As I mentioned in another thread... PSI focus shouldn't be on tread life, but on the best PSI for safe handling and riding comfort of the Spyder.

 

[xpeschon]

20 fronts, 30 rears works for me.. Even wear on the tires--I have 9,400 miles on the stock tires and I'm thinking they will make it yet another 5,000.. I have good luck with them pressures.. No burn outs either though..

X-Joe

 

[bone crusher]

I run 18 on the front and 24 rear on my two RT's which seems inline. There is a general tendancy to go high on the psi as I think many believe at low pressure the tire will come off the rim or something. I can assure you it cannot even at 4psi (know this for fact)

Doens't BRP recommend 12-17 up front and 24-28 rear?

I was at 20/30 but man, the bike is bumpy...quite skiddish, if you ask me.

I'm at 16/26 now and the ride is far better...will probably also get better tire wear as many seem to have worn out tires in the middle, perhaps due to too much tire pressure.

If BRP recommends the numbers you listed above, there's probably good reason for it...

 

[Raptor]

Why the 1/2 pound difference in front?:dontknow:

Hey Sarge -

The 1/2 pound less gives me just a bit more bite for the left-handers. Was getting some over-steer on the left-handers.. It's all good now though!

 

[DragonSpyder]

I should also point out that the Toyo has a much smoother ride than the stock rear and is lighter with a stiffer sidewall.

For some reason the Toyo handles better (Less wandering) with more air, currently running 35Lbs.