KZ1000 tire pressure?

I did a search because I know this has been discussed but I couldn't find anything.

What are you guys with 1000's running for tire pressure? I was running what the label under the seat says, 26 front and 24 rear and my neighbor and fellow biker (though its HD's so I dunno if that really counts) said my tires looked way low. I bumped the rear up to 33 and the front to 30 and the bike feels completely different, a little too loose for me. I do think it needs more pressure than the 26/24 I was running but I think I went too high. It was mushy feeling so I'm headed in the right direction.

Just wondering what about you guys are running to give me an idea where to try. Split the difference and go 28 front and 30 rear I'm thinking? I know the label says the front should be higher than the rear but its the back that looked low to my HD riding neighbor.

I should add that I'm not the weight of a 1970's Japanese dude....more like 230+ But I'm not fat....I'm just 8 feet tall. :whistle:

Manytire manufacturers have recommended pressures listed on thier website. If that is true for the tires you have, then that is great place to start. If the manufacturer does not list pressures for your particular tire and bike combo, I'd contact them. In the mean time, I'd use the pressures listed on the bike..

Shinko 712.....I know, about the cheapest tire you can get. But the P.O. put them on there and they had under 300 miles on them when I got the bike.

I have 2,500 miles on them and don't really see any wear. No problems, seem to grip fine for me. The only bummer is the 130mph speed rating. :woohoo:

I run 30 up front and 35 in the rear on my 900. I'm not sure I would know the difference if I went to 25/30.

On my gsxr, when I was stunt riding I would run about 10 pounds in the rear, and had no sweat running with average guys in the bends, although it did feel like a jet-ski.

For normal riding(and decent tire life) it should feel good in that 30/35 range. I'm not really making enough power on my 900 to lower the pressure in the rear for better launch traction.

The plus side is that air is free(damn near) so you can tinker to your hearts content. Another point about the 130 speed rating: I would wager that these old bikes seldom cross that 130 mark on a radar gun, even when the speedometers is well above 140.

Ended up at 28 front and 30 rear and it feels really good. Went for a 120 mile ride yesterday evening and bike felt great. 60mph for most of the trip and got 35.5mpg.

Ran along the beach all the way from Surfside to the other end of Galveston and back after stopping for a burger on the seawall. Only complaint is that on the toll bridge at the pass they charge the same price for bikes as for cars....that's crap. $2 is ridiculous.

Modern tires often times use more air pressure than tires installed from the factory. A lot of people recommend setting tire pressure such that the difference between hot and cold is 10%. For example, set at 30/33 (front/rear) when cold and then check again after a ride. Ideally you will see the temperature increase 10% or to 33/36. The amount of pressure depends on how heavy the load there is on the tires and how hard you ride.

5 seconds on their website...go to specs and there it is...MAX 40 PSI. I do not suggest going 130 with under inflated tires nor on these things. You do and a $2 toll won't matter anymore.

www.shinkotireusa.com/tire/712

Maximum pressure and recommended pressure are not the same.

TexasKZ wrote: Maximum pressure and recommended pressure are not the same.

My post was in reference as to no information available. I know that conditions, weight, etc. are factors. There is information available along with other advise online what pressures to run.

Guys...I was kidding about the 130 speed rating.....I didn't think these bikes would hit 130. 120-125 on a good day is what I've heard. I'm not going to find out.....right at the ton is about my limit on this bike.

TexasKZ wrote: Maximum pressure and recommended pressure are not the same.

Many people think it is. I had a really tough time trying to convince an A&P of the difference once. He didn't believe me and was running max pressure printed on the tires on all his vehicles, including his bike and I guess in the airplanes he serviced? Oh well.

This is one of the best forums I have been part of. I just picked up my first KZ and was thinking my tires looks a little low. Upon searching found this post. And I am going to give 28/30 a shot. I almost went up to 37 in the front... glad you guys just recently decided to bring this up!