Motorcycle tyre pressure: how do you check and adjust it?

Motorcycle tyre pressure: where to find the right values, how to measure them cold and what to check before riding with a passenger and luggage.

Motorcycle tyre pressure deserves a check before the steering starts to feel heavier or the bike behaves differently in corners. On the daily commute it is easy to get used to small changes; when you are planning a trip, the weight of a passenger and luggage makes it even more important to set off with the right inflation. The reference values are the ones given for your model and for the load you will carry.

Motorcycle tyre pressure is measured with the tyres cold and set to the values specified for your bike, taking a passenger and luggage into account. Mekainos helps you organise maintenance around the way you ride, with your service history always to hand.

where do you find the correct motorcycle tyre pressure?

The value is in the owner’s manual; on some models it also appears on a label fixed to the bike. Read the figures for the front and the rear wheel, paying attention to the unit of measurement. If your gauge uses a different unit, switch to the required one before checking.

The figure moulded on the tyre sidewall may refer to load conditions or to the limits of the product. To inflate your motorcycle you need the vehicle’s specifications, with tyres of the approved size and type. A pressure found in an online discussion may belong to a set-up different from yours.

In its motorcycle tyre pressure guide, Michelin points precisely to the manufacturer’s recommendations and to measuring the tyres cold. Track settings belong to a specific context: for road use, restore the inflation specified for that use.

when and how should you measure the pressure?

Check before you set off, when the tyres are at ambient temperature. A morning in the garage is better than a stop at the petrol station after a stretch of motorway. While riding, the tyres warm up and the pressure changes; letting air out to bring a hot reading back to the cold specification throws the setting off.

Use a reliable gauge that can also reach the front valve. Press the connector on so that it seals: a continuous hiss during the reading means the fit needs adjusting. Measure both wheels and correct the pressure in small steps, checking the result each time. Finally, refit the valve cap.

Before the Sunday ride, the check can become part of your preparation along with a look at the tyres. It is particularly useful after a long lay-up or when the load changes. If a tyre keeps losing pressure, have a tyre specialist find the cause: the valve or a leak in the wheel may be involved.

what changes with a passenger and luggage?

Look in the manual for any figure given for riding fully loaded. Some bikes specify different pressures depending on the configuration, others give values that apply to several conditions. Apply what is specified for your model, without adding an arbitrary increase because the panniers feel heavy.

Do the check once you know what you will be carrying. Riding two-up with side cases and a top box also calls for attention to how the weight is distributed: respect the limits allowed for the bike and for the accessories. Secure the luggage firmly and make sure nothing can interfere with the wheels.

After unloading the bike, compare the set-up with the manual again. Keeping a note of the setting used for the trip stops you carrying it over by default into your next ride around town. For checks to plan before a departure, see also the article on routes: motorcycle navigation.

how do you recognise motorcycle tyre wear?

Look at the whole tread surface, including the shoulders. Riders who cover mostly straight roads may see the centre flatten; other tyres may show uneven wear. The profile of the tyre affects how the bike responds, so a change in behaviour deserves a check even when grooves are still visible.

Use a tread depth gauge at the most worn points. On its page about tread depth, Continental gives the 1 millimetre minimum required for motorcycle tyres in Italy. That limit concerns depth: the overall condition also requires examining the sidewalls and the casing.

Look for cuts or bulges, and check for cracking too. If you find a foreign object embedded in the tyre, have the damage assessed before you ride on. A sudden loss of pressure during a ride means stopping safely and arranging assistance.

when should you change motorcycle tyres before your next trip?

Replacement depends on wear and on the condition of the tyre. Low mileage on its own says little about a tyre that has been left unused for a long time. A tyre specialist can examine the signs of ageing and judge whether the profile still allows proper use.

If you are about to leave with luggage, mention it at the check: a tyre close to the limit should be assessed with the planned route in mind. Then keep the fitting invoice, so it will be easier to trace how the next pair has been used.

Mekainos S.r.l., Turin, offers a native app for Android and iOS designed for motorcycles of every make. Maintenance based on how you ride and your service history help you keep order between everyday checks and work carried out, including tyre changes.

Read about the features of Mekainos and fill in the form to become a beta tester.

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