R12R Tire pressure - owners manual vs dealer recommendation

[Aitch]

I happened on this thread after a search. Of course, not specific to a particular bike.

Mine, and associated documents is a 2002 R1150R.

By chance. I also happen to have a 2.1 (vs. 2nd) edition of the R Tech Booklet. The error has been corrected and front pressure is listed as 32 psi.

[Dan-A]

In preperation for tomorrows trip I checked mine, 42 front 38 rear and I'm leaving it that way.
Mark

I have found 42 rear and 38 front suits me as well. The sticker under my seat says 42 and 36, perhaps that means fully loaded, but I have found the 42 r and 38 f makes the handling feel less "nervous".

[Dashnj]

Hey all,

Bear with me, I have read the numerous posts about tire pressure and I tested raising the pressure up to the manufacturer's recommendation for two up (while riding solo). I find I like the change very much for slow speed handling. It feels a lot lighter.

My question is about safety. I only weigh 120 pounds and want to make sure this change is safe at speed since this lessens the traction point.

Safety opinions?

Thanks,
Denise

[ErikM]

36 front 42 rear is the factory recommendation

Perhaps those of you with more R12R miles can assist. What is best tire pressure for solo, no gear loaded on the R12R? I ask because owners manual says 32 Front and 36 Rear, whereas BMW Sales guy suggested 40 front and 42 rear - I believe he was recommending this for optimal tire wear. I'm interested in that, but more interested in quality of the ride - good grip, smooth ride, safety, etc. Appreciate any of your recommendations based on your experience.

Thanks!

BNB

[red baron]

I rented an r1200R from BMW in Munich this fall and the tire pressure was 32/36 on this almost new R1200R which worked rather well on my 3,200 KM trip in the Alps. Tires were Continental Road attack
Red Baron

[hass]

I have Michelin Pilot Power (old sort not the 2ct) and lowered the pressure to soften up the ride.

Here are my readings from the TPM:
Cold: 2.3F 2.6B
While commuting to work: 2.4F 2.7B
On Sport setting in the twisties: 2.4-2.5F 2.8B

[Klink]

Hey, I'm Nick and I'm running F36 R39. I drop that to F30 R32 for track days.

Temps here are 15 to 35degC. This is a factor...

[Klink]

That's weird. My data is on p. 60, and it doesn't look anything like that. It also says 2.2 bar = 31.9 PSI. I think 14.5 must be a typo.

That IS weird. 1 bar is defined as exactly 14.7 psi - the air pressure at sea level. Of course manuals usually refer to tyre pressures ABOVE ambient. Thus 1 bar (14.7psi) tyre pressure equals 2 bar absolute (29.4psi).

[deilenberger]

Hey all,

Bear with me, I have read the numerous posts about tire pressure and I tested raising the pressure up to the manufacturer's recommendation for two up (while riding solo). I find I like the change very much for slow speed handling. It feels a lot lighter.

My question is about safety. I only weigh 120 pounds and want to make sure this change is safe at speed since this lessens the traction point.

Safety opinions?

Thanks,
Denise

Denise,

To give a safety opinion - have to ask what pressure you're using?

Since you're considerably lighter than even BMW might think their riders to be - chances are the recommended BMW pressure (there are two ranges - one for solo, one for two up) are going to work well for you.

I'm not quite that light - and I run 34f/38r - which seems to work well for me.

[dirty red]

I'm sure you mean 38 front 42 rear. As stated prior always check tires cold. I always have to back mine down after I get back from the dealer. They like them hard. I'm sure this saves on damaged rims. I always go 1-2 lb over norm if I'm going to be on the interstate for an extended peroid. This cuts down on tire heat and deformation (tires squaring off and the rubber moving on the carcuss). One more note please get yourself a radial tire gauge. There is such a beast and I have found the differance to be aprox 3 pounds. Big diff IMO.

See you on the road.

[deilenberger]

One more note please get yourself a radial tire gauge. There is such a beast and I have found the differance to be aprox 3 pounds. Big diff IMO.

????

Pressure is pressure - if the gauge reads differently - one of them isn't right. (it's like "DIGITAL" on earphones.. they're analog, but DIGITAL is the catch phrase used to sell stuff..)

[Dan-A]

In preperation for tomorrows trip I checked mine, 42 front 38 rear and I'm leaving it that way.
Mark

I have found 42 and 38 works for me as well, I like the handling, and it is not too bumpy.

[dirty red]

Hey, I didn't make up the term "radial tire gauge". But I do know there are several manufacturers out there that offer both standard and radial tire gauges in the exact pressure range. If they were the same why wouldn't they just say for standard and radial tires? I do know that prior to recieving an extended BMW tool kit for X-Mas one year that came with a "BMW radial tire gauge" I had used one of my other 4 gauges I had in the garage. These were all standard gauges and measured at approximately within 1 lb of each other. When they said my front tire was at 36 lb the BMW gauge would come in at approximately 33 lb. Using the BMW gauge the bike feels like it handles better and rides nicer. I do know that if you over inflate too much this will affect handling, reduce gas milage and cause wheel slippage on the rim. Call 'em what you want but I only use a radial tire gauge.

PS An audiophile friend of mine asures me that there is a differance in analogue and digital sound and feels very sorry for those of us that cannot hear the differance.

See you on the road.

[deilenberger]

Hey, I didn't make up the term "radial tire gauge". But I do know there are several manufacturers out there that offer both standard and radial tire gauges in the exact pressure range. If they were the same why wouldn't they just say for standard and radial tires?

Marketing.. While my background is science - it's fairly elementary - pressure is pressure. A gauge has no way to know what sort of tire it's hooked up to..

I do know that prior to recieving an extended BMW tool kit for X-Mas one year that came with a "BMW radial tire gauge" I had used one of my other 4 gauges I had in the garage. These were all standard gauges and measured at approximately within 1 lb of each other. When they said my front tire was at 36 lb the BMW gauge would come in at approximately 33 lb. Using the BMW gauge the bike feels like it handles better and rides nicer.

That means the BMW gauge wasn't accurate.

I do know that if you over inflate too much this will affect handling, reduce gas milage and cause wheel slippage on the rim. Call 'em what you want but I only use a radial tire gauge.

If it works for you..

PS An audiophile friend of mine asures me that there is a differance in analogue and digital sound and feels very sorry for those of us that cannot hear the differance.

I think you missed my point. Earphones ARE analog.. they are fed a signal that is a varying voltage/frequency. A digital signal is on/off (0 and 1) - calling earphones "digital" is nothing but marketing since by design they have to be an analog device.

"Digital sound" refers to capturing, transmitting, recording analog sound in a digital format using A to D converters (analog to digital) - then playing it, listening to it, whatever after converting it from digital format to analog (using D to A converters).. and then listening to with an analog device like earphones or speakers.

See you on the road.

Yup.

[Dashnj]

Hey all,

Bear with me, I have read the numerous posts about tire pressure and I tested raising the pressure up to the manufacturer's recommendation for two up (while riding solo). I find I like the change very much for slow speed handling. It feels a lot lighter.

My question is about safety. I only weigh 120 pounds and want to make sure this change is safe at speed since this lessens the traction point.

Safety opinions?

Thanks,
Denise

Denise,

To give a safety opinion - have to ask what pressure you're using?

Since you're considerably lighter than even BMW might think their riders to be - chances are the recommended BMW pressure (there are two ranges - one for solo, one for two up) are going to work well for you.

I'm not quite that light - and I run 34f/38r - which seems to work well for me.

Hi, thanks for your response. I am using the two up settings of 36F-39R. Do you suppose I should drop it down a little for safety?

Denise

[deilenberger]

Hi, thanks for your response. I am using the two up settings of 36F-39R. Do you suppose I should drop it down a little for safety?

Denise

I think if you're going solo - use the solo weight, since it probably is figuring on someone 30-40lbs heavier than you. It won't hurt to go a few PSI higher - but your ride quality may suffer a bit.

[Dashnj]

Hi, thanks for your response. I am using the two up settings of 36F-39R. Do you suppose I should drop it down a little for safety?

Denise

I think if you're going solo - use the solo weight, since it probably is figuring on someone 30-40lbs heavier than you. It won't hurt to go a few PSI higher - but your ride quality may suffer a bit.

Thanks for your help.

[8b]

Is it possible that "radial" tire gauge refers to the gauge itself, not the tire.
ie a gauge with a radial (round) dial for readout versus the cheesy automotive PEN type where a bar sticks out upon getting a reading, a much cheaper syle of gauge... I am not sure, just adding my 2 cents here.