I have just installed a set of TT100s 3.60 x 19 front and 4.10 x 18 rear. I have looked at the recommended tyre pressures in the workshop manual and they seem way low.(22F & 24R for solo) I have read that the modern compound tyres have softer walls and require higher pressures even though the tread pattern is identical to the old ones. Does anyone know about this and what are people running these tyres using? At the moment I have 28F & 30R. Is this too high?
Tyre pressures for Dunlop TT100
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htown16
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That's what I am using. Considering I have to air them up every few weeks, most of the time I am riding on somewhat less. I was using the cheepo Bikemaster tubes and it seems like they leak down over time. I replaced the worst one with a Dunlop and it seems to be a little more effective at keeping the air in.
That factory shop manual was made probably 40 yrs ago. Tire technology and compounds have changed dramatically. You should instead view the tire pressure settings on the side of your tire,,,,unless you have a 40 yr old TT100.
BTW, I run 4.10/19 front and back, run 30psi front, 32psi rear, and use Metzeler heavy duty motocross tubes.
BTW, I run 4.10/19 front and back, run 30psi front, 32psi rear, and use Metzeler heavy duty motocross tubes.
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This from the company that actually designed, and made the tire in question:
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire-ca ... ntage/k81/
http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/tire-ca ... ntage/k81/
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Steve G. said:
Which seems to tell us nothing about tyre pressures at all, only the pressure specified at the tyre's maximum load (per wheel) of: "551 lbs. @ 41 PSI" for 4.10 -19.
( My 4.10 - 19 TT100s are marked 565 lbs at 42 PSI cold)
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A bit of history surrounding Dunlop TT100 Tyres.
Legendary motorcyclist Malcolm Uphill a Welshmen who was first man to average over 100 mph for a lap of the Isle of Man TT on a production motorcycle with a Triumph Bonneville 750cc in 1969.
I new Malcolm well until his sad death a number of years ago. He always used to say that he was the only person that had a tyre named after him and his success. Gone but not forgotten!
Legendary motorcyclist Malcolm Uphill a Welshmen who was first man to average over 100 mph for a lap of the Isle of Man TT on a production motorcycle with a Triumph Bonneville 750cc in 1969.
I new Malcolm well until his sad death a number of years ago. He always used to say that he was the only person that had a tyre named after him and his success. Gone but not forgotten!
Dunlop, unlike Avon, refuse to advise (or their sales people don't know) if their current old-style tyres utilise a more modern carcass construction which would call for higher pressures. They simply advise to refer to manufacturer's literature (which has the owners of pre-1960 singles running 18 /22 or similar !
However, they seem to have forgotten that during the late 1970s, they did advise higher pressures. I have a Dunlop leaflet which from memory came with a brochure around that time (It lists TT100s and K91 'Red Arrows' - when were they discontinued ?)
Commando fitment is given as 4.10H19 front and rear and pressures of 28 / 30 psi (The Trident ran 30 / 32 on the same sizes). Bearing in mind the altered advice, it would seem likely that TT100 construction was changed some time after the original factory recommendations were made (perhaps at the time the next-generation K91 was launched) .
I used to run TTs on 27 /30 or 29/32 when fully laden on the recommendation of the local tyre fitter.
However, they seem to have forgotten that during the late 1970s, they did advise higher pressures. I have a Dunlop leaflet which from memory came with a brochure around that time (It lists TT100s and K91 'Red Arrows' - when were they discontinued ?)
Commando fitment is given as 4.10H19 front and rear and pressures of 28 / 30 psi (The Trident ran 30 / 32 on the same sizes). Bearing in mind the altered advice, it would seem likely that TT100 construction was changed some time after the original factory recommendations were made (perhaps at the time the next-generation K91 was launched) .
I used to run TTs on 27 /30 or 29/32 when fully laden on the recommendation of the local tyre fitter.
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Steve G. said:
http://www.conti-bike.co.uk/default.asp?pid=28
Michelin's tech dept. told me the same thing. Apparently, heavy duty tubes can overheat when run at "highway" speeds/loadings for extended periods.
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My practice is to discover what the pressure ought to be by riding the bike. Also, it depends too on the type of riding that you are going to be doing. Higher average speeds mean higher pressures while lower speeds allow for lower pressures.
Lower pressures and lower speeds allow for the tire to come up to temperature quicker and to comply with the shape of the road as well as stick to it better. The higher the pressure the less compliance.
On the other hand too low a pressure combined with a high average speed will overheat the tire and the tread and result in poor tire mileage, overheated tread wears too fast.
If the day's ride will be highway, higher pressure. If the day's ride will be canyons, lower pressure. There is no fixed "correct pressure."
Since too low pressures at high speeds produce instability, I bias my pressures to the high side despite what the feel of low speed road compliance tells me.
Lower pressures and lower speeds allow for the tire to come up to temperature quicker and to comply with the shape of the road as well as stick to it better. The higher the pressure the less compliance.
On the other hand too low a pressure combined with a high average speed will overheat the tire and the tread and result in poor tire mileage, overheated tread wears too fast.
If the day's ride will be highway, higher pressure. If the day's ride will be canyons, lower pressure. There is no fixed "correct pressure."
Since too low pressures at high speeds produce instability, I bias my pressures to the high side despite what the feel of low speed road compliance tells me.
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No tire manufacturer can specify pressures for tire use OTHER than maximum weight/pressure. Many different vehicles may use the same tire and the appropriate pressure for each vehicle will be different. Additionally, the specific use of identical vehicles will necessitate a change in pressure for best performance.
OTOH, generally I have found in many years that 30/32 will work on just about any tire (motorcycle or car) for general street use. That pressure worked on my previous bikes, on my Commando, on my wife's S500 MB, and a fairly small old 2-seater sports car that I drive around when in the USA. I'm NOT saying it's an ideal pressure for anything but it works just fine. (and it worked just fine on that Honda 350 in my avatar…a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.)
OTOH, generally I have found in many years that 30/32 will work on just about any tire (motorcycle or car) for general street use. That pressure worked on my previous bikes, on my Commando, on my wife's S500 MB, and a fairly small old 2-seater sports car that I drive around when in the USA. I'm NOT saying it's an ideal pressure for anything but it works just fine. (and it worked just fine on that Honda 350 in my avatar…a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.)
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Hi There,
I used to run my 750 at 28 front & rear when I had TT100.
Now i'm using Avon Roadridrers at 32 front & rear & find them brilliant.
I suppose we are all a bit different in our preferences.
Try the Avons or someones bike with them on if you get the chance.
Cheers Don
I used to run my 750 at 28 front & rear when I had TT100.
Now i'm using Avon Roadridrers at 32 front & rear & find them brilliant.
I suppose we are all a bit different in our preferences.
Try the Avons or someones bike with them on if you get the chance.
Cheers Don
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