Lifespan of tires

[VaSteve]

I'll add that you need to regularly check your tire pressures with an accurate gauge, at least once a week during the riding season. My observation has been that tube type tires lose more air the hotter it gets. During the winter, I only add air every 3-4 weeks, but during the summer, I need to add air at least every week. If you live in a hot environment, that will take it's toll on accelerating the rubber hardening process, as well as if the bike is kept outside and exposed to sunlight.

What pressures do you use?   I looked in Clymer and found 27F/26R...that's what I have been using.

[Bob_Roller]

I've been experimenting with tire pressures for a few years, and for my riding, I find 32psi front and rear seem to work the best for me. All I can suggest, is to try different pressures and try different combinations of front and rear tires pressures as well. Up until a few years ago, I was using the same pressures of 27 and 26. And I can't stress the use of an accurate tire pressure gauge, I ruined a set of tires on my Honda Civic CRX and my first set of Metzelers on the R65, because of a dial indicator that indicated 10 psi high.  

[Justin B.]

I think the printed recommended pressures were for the tires of yesteryear and modern tires are happier with considerably more pressure.  On my R100s I run 35/38 and I about the same in the R65.  On the R100, if I let the front get below 32 psi I can feel the handling start to degrade.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I've been running 34/34 since last year when I began keeping a written record...so I can remember what I set them at.

Of course it varies with tire brand/model, and laden weight and speed.

[trolle]

Got my Bridgestones yesterday: 100/80-18 bt45 on front and 4.0-18 bt45 on rear. My mechanic recommends 34/35 and that feels OK. The steering has become "crisper" there is a tendency to oversteering but not alarmingly so. I am looking forward to testing the tires on the driving course I am taking in two weeks time. You will get a full report of course.

greetings from a grey and cooling north - weatherreports say winter next week

trolle

[Justin B.]

I would think a lot of the difference could be attributed to the 80 series front tire as it would be a lower profile (smaller diameter) than the 90 series?  I have found (in the Macadams, anyway) that the 90/90-18 up front makes for quite crisp handling...

[nhmaf]

I would think that you'd also tend to want to run the lower profile front tires at a bit higher pressures anyways,
to help keep the sidewalls stiff and to avoid cupping.   The lower profile tires are usually made of stickier rubber
compounds (usually softer, too) with the assumption being that you'll be spending more time with them layed
over for turning, and wanting the greater contact patch.   I'm finding the steering is pretty neutral feeling with
the old Metzler 100/90 18 inchers that I have on the front of my LS, but will be getting new sneakers for it later
this year and might try a different brand.

My Kawi concours has, by comparison, a  small, very wide front tire ( Dunlop 120/70 R18) which will start to cup very badly
in only a thousand miles unless I have at least 38-40 PSI in it.  Of course, the concours is also at least 220 lbs
more bike than the LS and the steering head angle puts alot of weight on that tire.    The bike can really corner though !