ME880 pressures

[Silent]

I'm getting ready to test ride my '79 Special, and I have no idea what the tire pressures should be set at for the ME 880's that are on the bike. According to the Yamaha owners manual, for Bridgestone tires it's like 28 front and 28 rear. Seems way to low to me since the ME's are rated 42 front and 50 rear max pressures.

Anyone have ballpark numbers for the ME 880's?

[randy]

Read the sidewall of the tire. Those ARE the ballpark numbers.You're referencing a 30-year old manual, has no bearing on new tires.

[CatatonicBug]

I was always told NEVER to go by the numbers on the tires, and to rely on the numbers provided by the MFG of the vehicle. The number on the tire is the MAX that the tire can handle, and may not be the correct pressure for the vehicle itself. Of course that's for cars, but wouldn't that apply to bikes too?

[cywelchjr]

I was always told NEVER to go by the numbers on the tires, and to rely on the numbers provided by the MFG of the vehicle. The number on the tire is the MAX that the tire can handle, and may not be the correct pressure for the vehicle itself. Of course that's for cars, but wouldn't that apply to bikes too?

My understanding is that it applies to bikes too. While the pressure needed for a new tire may be different than the originals used, the manual makes a good starting point. Chevy still recommends going by the manual/door panel even on older cars, the pressure the manufacturer recommends is based on the load the vehicle places on the tire, if the load limit is higher on the new tire you MIGHT need to lower the pressure for the same load, but only wear patterns and handling will tell you for sure.

[Silent]

Sorry. Seems I've opened a can of worms. I was just after rough numbers from other members that might be running the same tire on an XS. I just used the numbers I use on my FJR. I'll figgure it out eventually.

Can't ride it anyway, I washed it and the number 1 coil shut down

[Montreux_Blue]

To some extent tire pressures are a personal preference on what you feel comfortable with and what kind of riding you do. I run the Elite III with 35 front and 40 rear with about 10-12 psi in the forks. I like to go fast and dive in the turns but I'll never be as good as Tod....... at least not with my chopped up bike!

[freebird01752]

According to Metzeler's web site

ME880 Solo 2 Up Light 2 Up Heavy
Front 38-40 40-42 40-42
Rear 44-46 46-48 48-50

I used the Virago since they don't list the XS1100

100/90 - 19 M/C 57H TL ME 880 MARATHON Front - 36 PSI

140/90 B 15 M/C 70H TL ME 880 MARATHON Rear - 40 PSI

Hope this helps.

Steve

[Silent]

Thanks

I didn't even think to check Metzeler's site. I wound up with 39/42 since I ride solo. I'll tweek from there after I get the bike running proper and can hit some long rides.

[cywelchjr]

The correct tire pressure is based on the amount of load that each tire will carry. Checking with the manufacturer should work well, and if your machine is not listed, find one with the same weight characteristics and tire size (or as close as you can find). Over time, you will find yourself adjusting the level anyways to match you and your bikes weight and your riding style.

[Ivan]

If you ride with Montreaux Blue, He's pretty good at telling when its too low. Then you can get a whitewall. The uglier the tire, the longer it wears.

Anyhoot..

On cars, I watch the tread wear. I know it wont apply to bikes. But I do think you could use the heat as an indicator. On cars, too low pressure will tend to heat the sidewall quicker, and too high will heat the tread quicker. Basically the heat is cause where the tire flexes the most,vand the goal is to distribute the load evenly across the tire surface. Even heating means the pressure is about right.

Thats on cars though and may not apply to tires that grip on the side...

[fredintoon]

Numbers game

The numbers on the tire are the maximum pressure it should be run at and the maximum load it should carry at that pressure.
What you need to know is the pressures that are right for your bike.
There's a way of determining this with an experiment.
Set the tire pressures at your best guess and go for a ride.
Check the tire pressures immediately you get back.
If the pressure has gone up too much the tire was running too soft.
If the pressure has gone up just enough the tire was running right.
If the pressure has gone up too little the tire was running too hard.
Alas that I can't remember how long of a ride to take or what that perfect pressure rise was.
Anybody?

[Montreux_Blue]

If you ride with Montreaux Blue, He's pretty good at telling when its too low. Then you can get a whitewall. The uglier the tire, the longer it wears.

I think some of those banjo players came out of the woods at night and sucked the air out of your tire. You probably didn't see this kid playing the banjo on the bottom floor patio at the hotel did you???

And those Harley whitewalls will give you amazing cornering capabilities.


***Disclaimer***

***This is only a demonstration of a Harley's superior cornering capabilities and is in no way intended in making anyone mad at me. So I'll finish with some borrowed words: Ride safe, keep the rubber side down and wear your gear!***

[Ivan]

Banjos?

That second one... the guy is saying "Ouch! My CHROME!"

[mstic2000]

***Disclaimer***This is only a demonstration of a Harley's superior cornering capabilities and is in no way intended in making anyone mad at me. So I'll finish with some borrowed words: Ride safe, keep the rubber side down and wear your gear!***

Wow! I'd like to see the fourth picture in the series but I guess that can be left up to the "imagination." Save the guy some dignity!

"Tire pressure isn't a rocket science, but it is a science." Albert Einstien (I think)