TOPIC:

Perhaps Avon is not a major manufacturer, but here is what that company recommends for their tires. This is higher than factory recommended for either my KZ or my ZRX.

www.avonmoto.com/tech/tire-pressure-guidelines

I agree that AVON recommends somewhat higher pressure than other major motorcycle tire manufacturers, but only for the front tire and nowhere even approaching the 40 - 45 psi that Rattyblack650 quoted. As an example - for my KZ650-C1 Kawasaki recommends 28 psi for the front tire and 32 - 36 psi for the rear tire. AVON's recommendation for the rear tire is 36 psi, so it is within the Kawasaki spec. AVON's recommendation for the front tire is 33 psi, so it is 5 psi higher than the Kawasaki spec.

However, neither AVON recommendation exceeds the Kawasaki recommendation as much as the 40 - 45 psi pressure Rattyblack650 quoted would. In fact, 40 psi in the front tire would exceed the Kawasaki 28 psi recommendation by a whooping 42% (12 psi) and 45 psi would exceed it by more than 60% (17 psi)! To me that is really a bad idea!


AVON WEBSITE

daveo wrote: Had a bike mechanic sternly-recommend keeping the tires inflated to 40lbs. indicated on the sidewall.
The ride @ 40lbs. feels pretty-harsh , but...

Wasn't after fifteen different suggestions...

Since one might be correct, perhaps the person who suggested it could tell me what air pressure I should be running in the following Dunlop Elite 3 tires on my 1982 KZ1100A-2 Shaft-Drive mobecycle...

Front MM90-19
Rear MT90B16

Here's that Old School label again, if that helps.

What weight are you carrying?

When I was riding 2-up with luggage I was hauling around 390 lbs
I usually went with 38 back and around 32 front and I liked the way it rode.

These days I ride 1 up with a smaller bag and probably max out at around 255 lbs so I use 30 front and 36 back on Avon Roderiders and I like the way it feels.

I don't think that the Dunlop Elite 3's are considered old school tires and I would hope that they are a whole lot better then the ones listed on that label because they were almost as bad as the stock shocks the the bikes came with back then.

Agreed.

650ed wrote: I agree that AVON recommends somewhat higher pressure than other major motorcycle tire manufacturers, but only for the front tire and nowhere even approaching the 40 - 45 psi that Rattyblack650 quoted. As an example - for my KZ650-C1 Kawasaki recommends 28 psi for the front tire and 32 - 36 psi for the rear tire. AVON's recommendation for the rear tire is 36 psi, so it is within the Kawasaki spec. AVON's recommendation for the front tire is 33 psi, so it is 5 psi higher than the Kawasaki spec.

However, neither AVON recommendation exceeds the Kawasaki recommendation as much as the 40 - 45 psi pressure Rattyblack650 quoted would. In fact, 40 psi in the front tire would exceed the Kawasaki 28 psi recommendation by a whooping 42% (12 psi) and 45 psi would exceed it by more than 60% (17 psi)! To me that is really a bad idea!


AVON WEBSITE

I see nothing here to dissuade me from my initial position. I will follow the tire manufactuerer's recommendations. If that is to follow Kawasaki's guidelines, so be it. If that means slightly higher pressures, so be that.

Now then, should the oil level be near the lower line, in the middle, or near the upper line? Will adding three oil coolers and a deer whistle affect the oil level?

I run what is recommended on my Shinko tires.
Steve

SWest wrote: I run what is recommended on my Shinko tires.
Steve

Please keep in mind that I'm not trying to change anyone's habits about tire pressure; I simply provided a single spot for folks to find recommendations from tire manufacturers regarding tire pressure, so please don't take this the wrong way.

If you are referring to the maximum pressure molded into the sidewall you may want to read the note that Michelin has posted on its current website (image below) regarding maximum pressure. I believe the information they provide pertains to all motorcycle tire sidewall markings. Ed

No worries from me Ed, I appreciate all the info .

I have always liked a stiff suspension I have heavy springs and thicker fork oil too.