Home > categories > Automotive & Motorcycle > Motorcycle Tires > To what PSI does this translate for my motorcycle tires? Front tire: 100/80x16 Rear tire: 130/80x16?
Question:

To what PSI does this translate for my motorcycle tires? Front tire: 100/80x16 Rear tire: 130/80x16?

Bike: 2007 Ninja 250. The pressure isn‘t listed on the tires. I just found these stock specs online.

Answer:

OK, I'll add my 2 cents worth. The pressures listed on tire sidewalls are maximum allowed pressure at maximum rated load. For any that doubt, read an entire sidewall of the tire of your choice. These ratings are determined by the tire manufacturer. Each and every vehicle has it's own set of pressure ratings determined by the vehicle manufacturer. This is necessary because the same tire may fit different vehicles. I used the word set on purpose. Vehicle manufacturers will specify different pressures for different conditions (especially motorcycles). In a cage, the information is usually on a label inside the driver's door jamb and/or in the glovebox. On motorcycles, the label will usually be found near the swingarm (Japanese bikes) or on a label near the neck of the frame. Each and every motorcycle I've had came with specifications for different conditions. Solo, double, high speed solo and high speed double riding.
Come on guys, let's get the facts straight. Say a particular tire has a load rating of 910 lbs and says maximum pressure of 40 psi. That means if you have a 910 lb load on the tire, you need 40 psinot 38, 35, etc. At lower pressures, the tire will flex more than it should, the tire will wear at the edges more than it should, handling will be diminished on curves and the excessive flexing will cause the tire to heat up. If the tire gets hot enough, it will blow out. Say you have a light weight bike with a large tire or a tire with a heavy load rating and you only have 400 lbs of load on the tire. You DO NOT need 40 psi and could probably get by with 28-32 psi. With 40 psi the tire will be rock hard, ride rougher than necessary and will wear the center out quicker due to the smaller contact patch. I addition, the smaller contact patch reduces traction on wet pavement, corners, etc. Some websites have charts that list the tire's weight rating at different pressures. You might check on that if your bike has non-stock size or weight rated tires. You will need to know the weight each tire supports. Grain scales at elevators are good for that. Over the last 40 years, I've changed tires of all types from little guys on a 6 diameter rim to heavy equipment tires taller than a man and too heavy for three men to lift, so don't anyone try to tell me I don't know what I'm talking about.
They are the sizes of the tyres, Not the Pressure to put in the tyres

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