Tyre pressure

[Alexx]

So I have a 2013 Kawasaki er6f and the manual says that I should use 32 for front and  36 psi for rear tyre.On the bike I have a Metzeler in the front and Bridgestone on the rear so my question is should I follow the bike manual or the tyre manufacturer recommendation for the tyre pressure?

I only ride the bike in the city,I m not commuting or use it on the track,thanks.

Edited Tuesday at 22:01 by Alexx

[S-Westerly]

Depends on how much difference there is but generally I go by the tyre manufacturers recommended pressure for their particular tyre. The  pressure in the owner's handbook will be for whatever the OEM  tyre as fitted to the bike as standard recommended. I'd be surprised if it was radically different. What I would say though is I personally would always have the same model / brand tyre front and rear.

[Alexx]

That’s how I bought the bike with different tyre brands so I will probably get a Bridgestone for the front tyre .After I did some research looks like that for the rear Bridgestone recommends 42 psi while the bike manual says 36 so it’s quite a difference.

[husoi]

Start with the tyre manufacturer recommendations then adjust to your riding style, weight and weather conditions.

Cooler temperature would mean higher pressure. Your weight should also be taken in consideration. Heavier rider should have a couple extra pounds pressure.

Sporty riding would mean lower pressure, this because faster riding will heat up the tyres more increasing the pressure. So you don't need setting out on higher pressure as you would need for more moderate riding style.

 

Rain or wet conditions would mean dropping a couple psi to increase the contact surface.

Important is to check it before every ride.

Daily if you're touring

[RideWithStyles]

Well the Kwak most likly came with Bridgestones something like bt23 from the factory which the book is based on.

which if your sticking with that brand and around that era of model, stick with the book.

its not just the tyre but the balance of the bike that works as it was designed you need to keep in mind.

now if your doing solo urban and the odd motorway id still stick to the book, going up 4psi and 5psi front and rear is quite a lot and will make a already stiff tyre very unforgiving and struggling to get heat into it to work when it’s cold.

it is a preference thing too, if you find it’s too soft and vague you can just increase the pressure to get it how you feel happy with.

 

For normal road just don’t go 2 psi less on the front and rear with regards the book, while don’t go higher than the f36-r41 the tyre your manufacturer says, the quote that as a blanket statement because they don’t know if you’ll be slapping a topbox, panniers, tankbag and pillion to it so they assume for safety that if its possible its can cope with it.
6psi front and 5psi rear variance of your choice. 

[manxie49]

Personally I've always stuck with what it says in the manual and I've never had any issues.  I've changed tyres from one brand to another frequently before sticking to Michelins.  Michelins are not OEM tyres for my bike but I still follow the manual, whether solo, or two up fully loaded.  

[onesea]

Start at one end work your way up?

 

See what you prefer? 

 

Not the most scientific methods, but unless your the next best track rider.

I don't think it makes much difference?

 

Most bikes I seem to end up 2 bar over recommended, then I am above average in weight