Tire pressure on a motorcycle: what matters

The tire pressure of your motorcycle affects its performance and safety. It is therefore essential to know the correct pressure for your machine. After all, the air in the tires not only carries the weight of the motorcycle itself. There is also the weight of the crew and luggage. If the air pressure is not correct, this will be noticeable while riding. The handling and rideability of the machine suffer as a result. In addition, there is increased wear and, overall, it has a negative effect on riding safety.

What are the effects of too high or too low air pressure?

Lower fuel consumption and better handling are the only two positive effects of high tire pressure. All other effects have a negative impact on handling:

Increased wear on the tread

Less comfort

Tires have difficulty reaching operating temperature

Poor feedback from the tires

Damage to the chassis, as the tires do not dampen vibrations enough.

Tires can burst

If the air pressure in the tires is too low, this also has noticeable effects. For example, comfort increases and stability also improves. Nevertheless, the negative effects outweigh the positive ones:

More wear on the sidewalls

Fuel consumption increases

The machine is less maneuverable.

Braking distance increases

Poor grip in wet conditions

Tire damage

What should you pay attention to when checking the air pressure in your motorcycle tires?

If you ride your bike frequently, you should check the air pressure in your tires regularly. A two-week interval is recommended for frequent riders. It is also important to check the pressure before every long tour. If you don't have your own air pressure gauge, you can use the tire pressure gauge at the petrol station.

The tires heat up when you ride. It is therefore best to measure the pressure before riding when the tires are cold. Make sure that you drive a maximum of 1.5 km before the check. Alternatively, the time between the measurement and the last ride should be at least three hours.

Long, short or rather bent? Which valve is tight?

you use the valve to bring air into the tire and regulate the pressure inside. The world of valves is diverse. There are different types of valves depending on the vehicle type and application.
Schrader valve: Also known as a standard or car valve. It has an inner valve core and a pin in the middle. To change the air pressure, the pin can be unscrewed using a special valve tool.
Dunlop valve (flash valve): The design is similar to the Schrader valve, but without a valve core. To release air, the valve closure is opened by pressing.
Metric valve: The valve known as TR414 or TR87 is often used for some motorcycles and scooters. Narrower than the Schrader valve, it requires a special metal cap for protection.
Angle valve: This is a laterally bent Schrader valve. This type of valve is often used in motorcycles where the valve openings are difficult to access to facilitate inflation and air pressure control.
Tubeless valve: Tubeless tires also require a valve. As with conventional tires with inner tubes, the above-mentioned valve types are also available depending on the manufacturer and model.

How to find the right tire pressure

The right tire pressure is crucial for a safe ride. It must be adjusted depending on the use and possible payload (luggage and/or passenger). To find the correct values for your bike, you can take a look at the bike's operating instructions. The manufacturers also attach a sticker to the motorcycle (usually on the swingarm) with all the relevant data.

Tire pressure sensors: Useful or just nice to have?

Modern motorcycles are being packed with more and more technology. Tire pressure sensors are one aspect that is becoming increasingly popular. They provide you with precise data on the current tire pressure directly on the display of your motorcycle. In addition to the systems offered by the manufacturer, there are also aftermarket solutions that have proven their worth. These gadgets can make life easier, as the tire pressure is already known before you set off. Despite all the technical gadgets, you can never be too careful, which is why we also recommend checking the tire pressure manually and regularly.