Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

When you go on gravel you lower the pressure.  All you need to worry about is the tar pressure - that is set by the tyre manufacturer - Google is your friend for this.

When you ride off tar, you reduce the tyre pressure.  Exact numbers really don't matter - when others are at 1.8bar I am sometimes at 1.2bar.  You will gradually get a feel for it.  Here is a rough guideline:

• Thick sand: very low - from 0.8 bar to 1.2 bar
• Difficult/Extreme terrain: low - 1.2 bar to 1.5 bar
• Gravel roads: medium - 1.4 bar to 1.8 bar

For example, this afternoon I was doing cones on grass.  I thought I would go with a low pressure to give good traction at slow speed, so 1.2 bar.  But it turns out at such a low pressure there is too much traction and it is difficult to turn the steering.  So next time I will go for 1.5 bar or a bit higher.

The only thing to avoid is too low pressures if you are riding fast where there may be rocks - you could damage your rim.  Too high pressure means the bike rattles and the ride is skittish and uncomfortable.

On those Anakees you can go 2.9 back and 2.4 front on tar.

Thank you for your detailed post Charles, much appreciated! I though personally lowering the pressure on tar would make the bike a bit 'safer' to drive...

Also Hans thank you for the reply, will check my pressure...

Nope - on tar stick to the manufacturer guidelines - otherwise you risk a blowout.

Lower pressures on tar make the bike harder to turn at slow speed, and less stable in corners at high speed.  It also wears out your tyres sooner, because they run hotter.  And they are more vulnerable to punctures.

Perfect, thus keep to the manufacturer guidelines as you mention, got it, thank you for the feedback.

It is good practice to maintain proper and appropriate pressure

otherwise your tyre will tire.

Wat ek eintlik se' is dat

TYRE = die rubber ding aan wat 'n wiel is (oral in die wereld behalwe Amerika)

TIRE = moeg word (behalwe in Amerika, daar spel hulle tyre met tire, omdat hulle met groot karre en groot enjins ry tot hul tyres tire)

Right... My English teacher would be so proud :P

Thank you for pointing that out ;)