Why cold tyres? Manufacturer pressures are always cold values — measured before you ride, with the bike parked at least 2 to 3 hours (or after less than about 2 km at low speed). Once you roll, the air inside the tyre heats up and the pressure climbs by roughly 0.2 to 0.3 bar (3 to 5 psi). So if you set the “right” number on a warm tyre, it will be that much too low once it cools down. Always inflate cold — and never bleed air out of a hot tyre just to hit the figure.
- Temperature and seasons
- Pressure follows temperature: about 0.1 bar (1 to 2 psi) for every 10 °C. A tyre set to 2.5 bar on a mild 25 °C day drops to roughly 2.3 bar on a 5 °C winter morning — without the slightest leak. Recheck after the first cold snap and top up to keep your cold spec; in practice you add a little air in autumn and let a little out in spring. In winter, check more often (weekly is sensible): a cold, slightly soft tyre means heavier steering and less grip on exactly the cold, damp roads where you need it most.
- Two-up and luggage
- A passenger or panniers add load, mostly on the rear wheel. Most manuals list a higher rear figure for two-up or fully-loaded riding — often +0.2 to +0.5 bar. Use it whenever you ride loaded, then return to the solo value afterwards. An under-inflated tyre under load flexes, overheats and makes the bike feel vague and slow to steer.
- Terrain and riding style
- On the road, stick to the recommended pressures — they are the best balance of grip, wear and stability. Off-road or on soft ground (on the dual-sport models), lowering the pressure enlarges the contact patch and improves traction, but only with suitable tyres and at moderate speed: low pressure builds heat and raises the risk of a pinch flat or an unseated bead. Reinflate to the road values before heading back onto tarmac.
- How often, and why it pays off
- Check at least every two weeks and before any long ride — a tyre quietly loses around 0.1 bar a month on its own. Correct pressure protects grip, even wear and fuel economy. Under-inflation overheats the tyre, makes it squirm and wears the edges; over-inflation shrinks the contact patch and wears the centre — both shorten tyre life. When in doubt, the placard on your motorcycle (swingarm or chain guard) and the owner's manual always have the final word.
