[paulcbrowne]

The service manual and the owners manual for 2009+ 650s call for 33 psi front and 41 psi rear for one or two up. I use the recommendation, but it's gives a very harsh ride. What's wrong with the lower pressure of 2008- 650s?

 

[Buffalo]

I think a lot of folks found the tires lasted longer with the higher pressure and I guess Suzuki decided the same thing.

Personally I run 40 in the rear tire on my 07. But I'm a fairly heavy guy and with the Corbin long seat I sit further back on the bike which puts more load on the rear tire.

 

[29534]

I think a lot of folks found the tires lasted longer with the higher pressure and I guess Suzuki decided the same thing.

Personally I run 40 in the rear tire on my 07. But I'm a fairly heavy guy and with the Corbin long seat I sit further back on the bike which puts more load on the rear tire.

My friend has a 05 and his rear tire was worn out at 5,900 miles. I have a 09 and just replaced the OEM tire at 11,000. Maybe it was the tire pressure in addition to the kind of riding and roads the original owner of my bike rode on.

 

[Jeff_MdR]

I run at 41 because I'm almost always 2-up. I ride lots of mountain roads and twisties with less than perfect pavement. I attribute 'lousy' tire wear to these two factors. My current rear will be replaced at about 5500 miles. My last tire just about made it to 7000. (I didn't know that 36 psi was no longer recommended for solo riding).

 

[Dave_J]

And this makes me snicker a bit when all those Darkside Naysayers said "Never inflate over 40 PSI". I know they were making that statement about us going to 100 + PSI but still funny.

 

[paulcbrowne]

As for tire wear, I'm at 4,500 miles and will have to replace the rear within the next 1,000 miles. Ran 41 psi, but the wear is no better than at 36 psi. 5,000 - 6,000 miles seems to be the norm for these tires. I used 36 psi on my '08 for one up and got the same. No comments please re. darksiding -- tried and didn't like the handling.

 

[Dave_J]

Paul, if you personally do not see an improvement in Gas mileage or Tire mileage, then run what feels good to you. It will not hurt the bike.

 

[JohnK]

Paul have you tried the Michelin Pilot Sport SC Radial. Many of the members have tried it and report that it improves ride and handling as well as giving 2-3k more mileage. I've got just over 3k on mine and no noticeable tire wear yet. It definitely is not flat spotting like the OEM was. I generally run 2up pressures because I never know when the wife wants to go also.

 

[paulcbrowne]

Pilot Sport SC is no longer available.

 

[Buffalo]

I just bought one three weeks ago for the back of my 650 from Motorcycle Super Store.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...ot-Sport-SC-Performance-Radial-Rear-Tire.aspx

American Moto Tire also still list them

http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=362_421_427

 

[Jeff_MdR]

I think they are no longer available in front wheel size.

 

[Buffalo]

That may be true. I don't run them on the front, just the back.

 

[faxe]

@JohnK & Buffalo: How noisy are the Sport SC. ?

I have the Michelin City Grip on my 650, and they are extremely noisy, especially
the front tyre.

/ John

 

[JohnK]

I think the noise level is on par or slightly less then the OEM. However, the ride difference is much improved and definitely wears longer. I also still run the OEM on the front. This seems to be a good combo and several of the other local riders do the same. I've noticed that since using higher pressures in the front that I get less cupping.

 

[LeDude]

I seldom pay attention to what the owner's manual says / recommends for tire pressure.


I usually read the max psi number on the side of the tire and then try different pressure settings until I find the right one that works best for me on the particular bike.

For the 650, it has been 42 psi in the back and 40 psi in the front with my rear suspension set to 3 for around town riding.

I had to up the rear suspension to 4 after I upgraded the front fork oil to heavier weight.

Try different settings until you find the perfect configuration for your riding style and how you use the scoot.

good luck....

 

[JohnK]

DUH....Just remembered, that was the year that Bridgestone brought out the new version of the THO-1 and was the first yr, it was OEM on the Burgmans as well. They both probably finally realized what the owner feedback was all about and had to do something to keep tire customers from going to the competition.

 

[Buffalo]

I agree with John on the noise level, about the same as the OEM.

 

[Ralph M]

When we take bikes for the MOT in the UK they are brake tested on a rolling road
to allow the machine to calculate the brake efficiency the machine weighs front and back
wheels, front on mine with tester aboard 121-KG 266-lb rear 180-kg 396-lb he was quite
surprised saying the rear is not far short of the weight of a Gold wing rear and that's on a
400 what a 650 is like I don't know, but it's no wonder they are a little hard on rear tires.

 

[Buffalo]

When we take bikes for the MOT in the UK they are brake tested on a rolling road
to allow the machine to calculate the brake efficiency the machine weighs front and back
wheels, front on mine with tester aboard 121-KG 266-lb rear 180-kg 396-lb he was quite
surprised saying the rear is not far short of the weight of a Gold wing rear and that's on a
400 what a 650 is like I don't know, but it's no wonder they are a little hard on rear tires.

The 400 carries more of its weight on the rear wheel than the 650 does. The 650's weight is more evenly split between front and back. Reason is the engine on the 400 is mounted in the back on the swingarm. The engine on the 650 is mounted forward in the frame. I can easily pick up the front end of my 400 when it is on the center stand. Trying to pick up the front end of the 650 is another matter entirely.

 

[Ralph M]

I can see what you are saying but being able to pick up the front wile its on the stand
don't prove a lot, after all the rear is off the road when it's on the stand, that's more to
do with the position and balance of the stand than the actual weight distribution of the
scooter. The numbers for the 650 would be interesting, on the 400 there must be **** of a weight on that rear tire with two even medium size people aboard.