Author Topic: Tire Pressure Question (Read 5543 times)

IcyChaos · « **on:** October 11, 2005, 01:55:45 PM »

I just bought a 2000 Bandit 1200S.
I didn't receive the factory Manual, and he removed the Sticker on the Swingarm that has the tire pressure recommendations. I am getting the Service Manual for it Thursday, but I know my tires are too low.

What does the swingarm say for tire pressure??

my tires right now have 26 front and 24 rear this has to be too low...

Also if it helps It has 2 Dunlops that I will replace soon, and I weight 270lbs.

Desolation Angel · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2005, 02:04:00 PM »

Well, on my '01 the sticker on the chain guard says 36lbs for both front and rear AND that is for both solo and dual riding.

Likely the same for your year.

IcyChaos · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2005, 02:08:00 PM »

Quote from: "Desolation Angel"

Well, on my '01 the sticker on the chain guard says 36lbs for both front and rear AND that is for both solo and dual riding.

Likely the same for your year.

Thanks so much for your timely response. Its too bad I have a manual tire pump.. 10-12lbs each tire, ugh....

PeteSC · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2005, 02:14:23 PM »

I'd try something like 34 front, 36 rear.......and adjust up down a little.
The manual does state 36 front /back.
I'm not a lightweight, either, and usually stay toward the pressure marked on the side of the tire by the manufacturer for the maximum gross weight. You could start from there, and go down a little.
A lot depends on what type of riding you're doing.

If you're in the US, one of those 12v tire pumps you plug into the cigarette lighter of your car will work pretty well. Usually they're like $10 at Walmart.

IcyChaos · « **Reply #4 on:** October 11, 2005, 02:25:47 PM »

Quote from: "PeteSC"

I'd try something like 34 front, 36 rear.......and adjust up down a little.
The manual does state 36 front /back.
I'm not a lightweight, either, and usually stay toward the pressure marked on the side of the tire by the manufacturer for the maximum gross weight. You could start from there, and go down a little.
A lot depends on what type of riding you're doing.

If you're in the US, one of those 12v tire pumps you plug into the cigarette lighter of your car will work pretty well. Usually they're like $10 at Walmart.

Yea problem my car and bike are always a good 20 miles apart.. I ride all the time, last bike 18,000miles in 9 months.

Eitherway I read a service manual reccomended, 33 single passenger 36 dual passenger. I have 33.5 in each and I'll figure it out from here.
Regardless its better than 23 front 26 rear. Hopefully I will feel a huge gripping/handling difference.

Does everyone change the suspension. Or is it ridable on twisties etc. with factory suspension. Hopefully with new tires and correct tire pressure I will feel comfortableo n this bike. It feels like the back tire wants to come off the road when I lean too far, but that was with bad pressure.

Red01 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 11, 2005, 08:57:03 PM »

Suspension mods are popular and improve it, but it should still be "rideable" with the stock pieces, if they are in good shape.

See if you don't notice an improvement with your recent adjustment in tires pressures.

Tundrahog · « **Reply #6 on:** October 11, 2005, 11:19:46 PM »

I'm about your size and I noticed a big improvement when I cranked up the preload on the rear shock. before the change the rear end felt "squishy" to the point I thought my tire was soft. Now it feels tight, and there is no tendency to wallow around in the corners. I adjusted mine to setting #6. do the tire pressure first, and ride it around to see how it feels, then try the suspension and adjust to suit your style.

and as always enjoy!!

PeteSC · « **Reply #7 on:** October 12, 2005, 01:24:02 AM »

If you're in an area where you can really get into some TIGHT twisty stuff, where the pavement isn't exactly smooth...and undulates up and down as well as side to side....you'll really appreciate better suspension, particularily those of us on the heavier side. You can ride much more aggressively, without fighting the bike as much.
You'll probably want to at least upgrade the fork springs, anyway, since they dive so much on braking.

oremike · « **Reply #8 on:** October 12, 2005, 09:14:15 AM »

I run 38 psi in the front and 36 in the rear on my 2002 B 12-S. I was told by a guy that works for Dunlop to try the extra 2 psi in the front. He said modern radials were ment to run that way. It realy improved the handleing.

My .02

IcyChaos · « **Reply #9 on:** October 12, 2005, 12:49:53 PM »

Thanks for the responses... I have plenty of good roads around here, Im Lucky... I do have a crazy Twisty road with not so good pavement. I rode that one yesterday, and when leaning I didn't feel like it was sticking too well on the rough surface. I'll be messing around with the stock suspension / tire pressures to see if I can get a better feeling. If not I will start with the upgrades.

aussiebandit · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2005, 05:50:39 AM »

with the Metzlers I've been told to run 40psi in the rear and 36psi in the front - seems to work fine too. Although I would imagine that on the track lower pressures would be better.

B6mick · « **Reply #11 on:** November 07, 2005, 07:33:17 AM »

On the B6, ok I'm a fat bastard, 36-38 front and 40-42 rear, but it grips and rides well, and I get great mileage.

That was with all the tyres Ive run on it, Dunlop, Metzlers, and that other brand I rave about.

I will not mention the name, people will start to think I have shares in them.