tyre pressures - original tyres current tyres

hi riders

i've just read this article in a bike magazine.

when your bike and my bike was first built, as an example in 1981, like mine. the owners handbook states tyre pressure for the front and rear. as time progressed tyres like everything else improved and got better. the manufacturer now state higher tyre pressures than the owners handbook as the materials used now, is far superior to years ago.

what do kz riders recommend for the tyre pressures for a current bridgestone tyre for a kz750 ltd h2 1981 please?

some of my bike mates, ride classic z's and put higher tyre pressures in.

any advice greatly appreciated gang!

best wishes

angie

That seems to bring on much debate. Me I adjust mine for riding style and weight. Since I have some extra body work, fairing and bags, I go up a couple of pounds, but stay under the maximum weight/ pressure that is on the tyre.

I check my tire(Tyre for the Brits, and our neighbors to the north) pressure when cold,the same for engine oil.

Having the vehicles tires at the correct pressure can be like walking a tightrope. Overinflation makes for a hard ride with quick turning, underinflation causes excess carcass(tire body)flexing resulting in a softer ride but more tire wear and slower responce to shifting riders weight.

Angel & all, Here's a tip I got from multiple tire distributors. For street applications, regardless of load range/compound/size, a 10% increase of tire presure from cold to operating temp. (standard riding) is nearly optimum presure for that tire on that bike.This deferential in pressure is caused by heat....A tires best freind & worst enemy,,,,Friend because heat softens the rubber & gives best adhesion. Enemy because heat is the biggest cause of wear. So say youre'running period 19-18 tires & rims & Book spec. is 28 &32 psi (cold) and at operating temp are at 30/31 & 35-36 youre there. if presures are greater, add air, as carcass/sidewall flex is building up more heat than the tire can dissipate/transfer to asphalt. If less,drop a couple pounds & re-check. There will be variances of course with ambient/road temps. But this is an excellent "rule of thumb" for presures especially when considering the same tires are often used on bikes with greatly differing weights & application. Luck G