Tyre pressure versus grip?

I have had the front end tuck in a few times since fitting pilot road 2`s to my ZZR1200. Bloody scary, cranked over in a corner and the front end goes light with slight loss of traction. Never binned it but after happening a few times it zaps your confidence.

Hence my question, could a high pressure equate to less traction? I usually run about 38-40psi in the front. Oddly enough the big Zed is not as likely to lose the front end if I run the rear preload up a bit higher than normal. Perhaps it`s putting more weight on the front wheel or just co-incidence?

May consider going to a pilot power on the front if others have experienced the same thing with the pilot road 2`s

40 PSI is for longevity & touring, If a trip for me is just a day trip I run 34 front 34 rear, ... the hotter the tyre runs the better the grip will be, for colder weather I run less pressure.
I an not that concerned about wear so I rarely run higher than 36 psi. Current hoops 003's... sticky as!

40psi in the front is pretty high,

as rob said, i'ds be dropping it down to 35 or so...

more contact patch, and the lower pressure can let the tyre deform and mould to the road better.

Apart from dropping a little pressure (I wouldn't go too much as your bike is a heavy one.. ) have you checked your suspension.
The front may be a little soft causing it to tuck in.?

On the ZRX I used to run 36/38, changed to 34/35 for a trip to Tassis in Feb and the grip level seemed to increase.
Now I leave it at this pressure all the time and check every second week.
I use Metzler M3s and like them (5th set in a row!).
Cheers,
TC

Thanks for the replies. Just got back from a quick spin, tried 36psi front 38psi rear.
Definately feel a difference in steering, slightly heavier feel now. Didn`t get a chance to push too hard today, temp`s hovering around 10 degrees C and a bit damp. Not ideal day to test front end grip!

Tried the old cable tie around the fork stanchion trick which showed I`m using about 100mm of the available 120mm fork travel. Seeem`s about right?

yeah thats pretty good.

...I usually run about 38-40psi in the front.....

If those are cold pressures - that's way too high. You can add 2-4psi to cold pressure settings once the tyre warms up, so you could actually be riding around with 44psi in the front ! Way too high for just running around the 'burbs.

34/36 are good starting points measured cold. If you are touring 2-up with a lot of gear, that is when you need to look at higher pressures....

I'm new to the ZZR250 - what pressures should I be running?

it's not that easy.

Depends on tyre choice and riding style. 36 front and rear is not a bad start if you like the twisties

it's not that easy.

Depends on tyre choice and riding style. 36 front and rear is not a bad start if you like the twisties

Thanks Blurr

I refuse to comment in this thread..

May consider going to a pilot power on the front if others have experienced the same thing with the pilot road 2`s

i have pilot road 2's on my 600.
i never run more than 36psi. never had front end issues ... but its almost never cranked over.

Last edited by un_majstk on Mon Aug 02, 2010 11:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.

......I refuse to comment in this thread.. .....

WASSUP ???? Cock gone soft ?

Dunno about the 12, but I run PR2's on my ZZR11 at 38/40. No dramas. Good tyre and get good mileage.