Author Topic: Tyre pressure gauges.  (Read 851 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Barbel Mick

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 4840
  • Bike: DL650A L2
  • Location: Derby
Tyre pressure gauges.
« on: September 13, 2021, 21:58:30 »
When I had my new tyres fitted today the fitter said the reason for the (quick) wear on my old ones could have been because I was running them on too low a pressure.
When he fitted my new ones he put 36psi in the front & 42psi in the rear (that is 3psi higher than indicated on the chain guard for the front & 1psi down for the rear with a pillion!) I could only find, on a Bridgestone site, that the maximum for either tyre should be 42psi.
When I got home I left the bike for an hour or so to let the tyres c.o.o.l and measured the pressures with my (old pencil type) gauge, they read 31psi front & 38psi rear so not sure who's gauge is more accurate, I am thinking the tyre fitters as mine is probably 30 years old!!  :roll: But if that's the case, if mine reads low, I've been over inflating?
 
Questions,
1. What do you recommend as the most accurate tyre pressure gauge? (I do need a new one & don't mind paying, a sensible price, for a good, accurate as possible one.)
2. Are petrol station pressure gauges calibrated? (I read that if you pay for the air you should 'expect' that the reading should be accurate)
3. What pressures do those of you with Bridgestone A41's fitted run them at? (I am two up most of the time)

Thanks
Mick

Retired Breakfast Tester and semi professional tumbler.

Offline Rusty Nuts

  • Manufacturer of iron oxide
  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 7695
  • Bike: KTM 1090 in orange, of course.
  • Location: Traitors Corner & West Yorkshire
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2021, 22:13:39 »
No idea of its accuracy but I use an Oxford dial type with a bleed button on the side. I've had digital ones go crazy with readings when the battery starts running out.

Offline Pannier Down

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Nov 2019
  • Posts: 143
  • Bike: DL1050, BMW R1200RT LC, Honda CD200 T Benly, Honda C50 Cub
  • Location: Oxford HGTUCN
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2021, 22:28:19 »
+1 for a dial type with a  bleed valve. I used this type when I raced (cars, sorry). To be fair my local BP garage's digital air line gives pretty much the same reading as my own gauge.

Offline Treadtrader

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: May 2010
  • Posts: 58
  • Bike: DL1050XT
  • Location: Warwickshire
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2021, 08:17:42 »
Never trust forecourt gauges, just watch how people abuse them.
A good pencil gauge should be accurate, go for a good quality brand.
I use digital inflators in my tyre business, checked on a master gauge regularly, then calibrated by specialists every few months.
My master gauge is a dial type, always correct when checked for calibration.
There is so much cheap crap about, pay for the best for peace of mind.

Offline kwackboy

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 6828
  • Bike: BMW F800GS Adventure, Honda CB500s
  • Location: Saaaafff London.
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2021, 08:50:17 »
Mick .

Your tyre fitter is correct, even slightly low pressures can cause premature wear and 36/42 psi is about right for bridgestones.

I use a Sealy gauge , it measures tyre tread depth also.

Even though I have a gauge, I'm sometimes guilty of giving the tyres a squeeze and thinking "that'll do"  :whistle:
Chief trouble maker 🙂

Offline clutchspring

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Jan 2011
  • Posts: 105
  • Bike: DL1000XT M0
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2021, 09:28:08 »
Some time ago one of the motorcycle  magazines did a article testing a load of different tyre gauges & the pencil type one came out on top for accuracy  & price.
I always  carry one on my bike, one other thing that baffles me is why people pay to blow & check their tyres at the local filling station !, .
1 the gauge is likely to be in accurate
2 why not buy a foot pump
3 when traveling to the filling station your tyre's are going to be warm so you'll not get a accurate reading .

Ian.

Online mr_diver

  • Ride Coordinator
  • Member
  • ****
  • Joined: Oct 2010
  • Posts: 8076
  • The Rantings of a Crazed Lunatic
  • Bike: 'onda Varadero XL1000v9, 'onda CX500ec '83, GSX14 '06, DL650 K6 (Blue) R.I.P,
  • Location: Port Talbot
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #6 on: September 14, 2021, 09:38:00 »
I use the local Morrisons, which is about 300 yards though a 20mph zone where you're not likely to get above 12mph.
Tyres not going to get very warm on that journey.

I do love peeing people off when I get the tyre gauge out and double check the pressures.
The new machine there is accurate, the old one was out by 2-3 psi.
I wonder how long the new one will stay accurate.

I'm just being lazy... there is a 12v conpressor under the seat, but it takes too long to tuck the cable and hose back in and jam it in under the seat.

If I'm not stopping for fuel before a ride I'll check it before leaving my garage.



Ride Coordinator

Offline Barbel Mick

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 4840
  • Bike: DL650A L2
  • Location: Derby
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #7 on: September 14, 2021, 15:58:30 »
Thanks for the replies.
kwackboy, I eventually found found the Bridgestone recommended pressure on their site for the size of tyres & those figures are correct.  :thumb:
I do use a foot pump for the bike & the car, but I am now doubtful that my very old pressure gauge is any where near accurate.
When I buy a new one, or even two, (a dial type & the pencil type) I would like to find out how accurate they are by measuring them against an accurate/calibrated one, then I can adjust as necessary.
Mick

Retired Breakfast Tester and semi professional tumbler.

Offline Mr Nick

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: May 2012
  • Posts: 3234
  • Certified Fisher Price trained technician
  • Bike: 1979 Suzuki TS185ER, 1979 Moto Guzzi V50, 1989 Moto Guzzi SP3, 2010 KTM 990 Adv
  • Location: Fife
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #8 on: September 14, 2021, 20:05:26 »
Invest in something decent, rather than the cheap Chinese ones as the poor internal machining makes a big difference. I got a PCL one that is always consistent after having cheap junk that came up with different answers every time.
Seems pearl asbo orange is faster after all....

'Don't believe all the quotes in forum signatures' - Aristotle

'Ehh, good enough' - Mediocretes

Orange Bikes Matter!

Offline InvictaMoto

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Jul 2021
  • Posts: 82
  • Bike: Suzuki DL1000X L8, Suzuki GT750A
  • Location: Hythe Kent
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2021, 11:12:16 »
I won one of these in a local bike club raffle. It seems to work and the tyre-fitter bloke reckoned it was pretty accurate when I had the Rocket's tyre plugged.  I carry it in the top box now just in case.....

https://jsaccessories.co.uk/product/motogp-tyre-pressure-monitor-with-lcd-39532?variant=113369

Offline sillyboy

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Dec 2017
  • Posts: 207
  • Bike: DL650 L7
  • Location: aberdeenshire
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #10 on: September 18, 2021, 16:53:31 »
does anyone know where I can get the reccomended pressures for continental tyres. can't find it on their website. apologies for the hijack .

Offline kwackboy

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Feb 2014
  • Posts: 6828
  • Bike: BMW F800GS Adventure, Honda CB500s
  • Location: Saaaafff London.
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #11 on: September 18, 2021, 17:30:07 »
Depending on what Continental tyre ...?

They should be 36f 42r psi. 
Chief trouble maker 🙂

Offline sillyboy

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Dec 2017
  • Posts: 207
  • Bike: DL650 L7
  • Location: aberdeenshire
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #12 on: September 18, 2021, 18:05:22 »
they are cra3. bike is 2017 vstrom 650.  thanks.

Offline Barbel Mick

  • Member
  • ***
  • Joined: Sep 2013
  • Posts: 4840
  • Bike: DL650A L2
  • Location: Derby
Re: Tyre pressure gauges.
« Reply #13 on: September 18, 2021, 19:19:25 »
Interesting that they (Continental) don't give any pressures for their tyres just tell you to use 'Owners manual' recommendations on these pages.

https://www.conti-bike.co.uk/all-about-pressures/
https://www.conti-bike.co.uk/tyre-tech-talk/motorcycle-tyre-pressure/

But on here they do give pressures, scroll down to page 212 for the DL650 abs 2012 >

https://blobs.continental-Tyres.com/www8/servlet/blob/20710/abaa6267089e0f16d873d3d9f2cd7034/technical-manual-2015-data.pdf
As usual kwackboy is correct 2.5 & 2.8 bar (36 & 42 psi).  :thumb:

The last link won't open when you click on it.....the site is changing the spelling of 't.I.r.e.s' in the 'proper' link to the correct spelling of 'tyres'. Just alter it in your browser address bar.  :)
Mick

Retired Breakfast Tester and semi professional tumbler.