How to Check and Adjust Your Tire Pressure 

This one is personal to me. Way back when I started. In NYC we pretty much went to our local shop and the huge major one in Manhattan. Picking my first bike was done at that major shop. They had the inventory that helps with picking out what you want. Rather than going from small shop to small shop. They typically only had one or two brands. But in that huge dealer, I noticed that during the winter off season, the showroom was full and the service dept was empty. Once the season was on the show room was not as full but the service dept was packed. Especially with crashed bikes. Literally dozens and dozens of recked bikes. My first ride on my first bike was oh so very careful. Once I got home I pretty much read that owners manual from cover to cover. I had no experience with repairing but I knew about tire pressure from my bicycle riding. I did have the gauge and a pump. To my surprise the motorcycle the day after I picked it up had a tire pressure that was 150% of recommended. Those suckers were green and rock hard. Instantly I realized that the reason the service dept was loaded with wrecked bikes was they were selling to newbies and maybe experienced riders machines with those green and over pressured tires. A formula for disaster! I would visit that mega shop and wait just down the block and would wave over new bike owners and introduce myself and tell them my story. Without hesitation they would let me check their pressures and the bike over all. Practically 95% of the time their tires were way over pressure. it was quite a revelation to me and to the folks I’d check tire pressure on. It’s is also pretty shocking to look up the price of new tires. Top that off with learning their lifetime in miles. For me that means a new set every year, for now. I’ll end that maybe it another great reason to have a smaller bike. Their tires are a bit less expensive. My dragon is the first liter bike I’ve ever had. While it is very sexy to see that 185 on the back, boy is that one expensive bit of rubber! I’m saving up to replace the front and rear. Thank you #fasteddie for passing on the experience and info. Our best education is the actual experience of other riders.

I love this Motorcycle Journey. Just when you’ve got your head around one aspect there’s another elegant fascinating aspect to learn next. Such a great life metaphor in that you don’t really know what you need to know next or why it’s important until you’ve really demystified and maybe even mastered what you needed to know last. You do such an excellent job in individually encapsulating all these lessons, making them approachable and with your selfless delivery even humanizing them as well. Really glad you’re out there!

I had front tire air leeking for the first 3 months I bought my R3, till they realigned it so now I'm used to checking everytime I go out. Awesome video Greg!

best motorcycle advice channel on youtube. you are VERY clear in explanation and go in depth. good advice, greets from holland and new sub !

As always thank you. Im a new rider and appreciate the in depth information covering every detail basic or not.

Thanks Eddie for passing the knowledge, I'm a newbie and watching your instructional videos really helps me a lot!

Bro you are awesome all of your videos are really interesting and actually you have been doing all or us a big favor sharing your experience. My respect and admiration goes out to you.

Your videos really touch on the very basic things that are extremely important. Nobody talks about this. 👍

Your videos are really awesome. Thanks for being so friendly and humble with us noobs. I recently got my first bike ever (Yamaha R3) and felt overwhelmed about how much there's to learn and how little I can get out of my bike. How every, your videos have been really helpful and in a couple weeks I've manged improve a lot. Shut up and practice is my new mantra. Thank you!

Maybe something interesting to add to this (again really cool) video. I heard from a tire expert, that a lower tire pressure and a supposedly bigger contact patch resulting in more grip is a big myth. If the grip increases at all, it's just marginal. A tire should have its defined pressure in order to perform with its full potential. The only reason to lower the tire pressure e.g. on a race track is because it gets much hotter, due to the more aggressive riding. Hot air expands, resulting in higher tire pressure. To compensate that, you decrease the cold pressure in the first place, so you will end up with the desired pressure when it's stinking hot on the track. Safe rides y'all

Another great video! Absolutely spot on about the importance of proper tire pressure!

Brilliant and I’ve got the Lee Parks’ book on Kindle - so can be referenced via my iPhone. Thanks again for your vlog.

My brand new 2020 R6 came from the dealership with low tire pressure. Always check even if its straight from the dealership! Also just learned they have a total control training center here in Colorado!!! badass!

Thanx again Eddie for more great content, I’ll be getting my merch soon

I have a Longacre Racing gauge that reads to the .2 psi, and absolutely love it. It even has a built in button valve so you don’t have to disconnect from the valve stem

Great video Eddie. I'm really obsessive about tyre pressure accuracy due to having had a few near misses in the past - due to low tyre pressures. Great work !!!

Great video performing a simple task. The explanations are very useful, even though most of us know how to check and adjust tire pressure. Oh, and I now hang my helmet on the mirror. Thanks for looking out for us newer riders!!

I have a Joe Blow pump too. They are often overlooked because people think they’re just for bicycles. They’re easily capable of 100psi which is way higher than needed for a motorcycle. My tube rotted over time and I just replaced it. Had it at least 10 years and it’s still going.

Another great video Eddie! Thanks!!

Very thorough and attention holding info on tyre (uk spelling) pressures.... Thanks....

Thank you. I confess I don't check my tire pressure like I should, because I suck at it!!! I just wind up letting air out... then pump it up, check the pressure and let it all out again, over & over. I know, I need to practise... but I'm glad you did the video.

Smart & experienced rider. My Tuono factory 2006 Fr Tire pressure is 2.3 bar and 2.5 bar for the Rr tire (33.5 and 36.5 Psi)

Another great video! Thanks a bunch!

Nice. Simple and basic, but it works!

Thanks for the video and demonstration! Very helpful.

Since I only get to ride my bike once every two weeks or so (due to time constraints), I _ALWAYS_ go to the nearest gas station and check the tire pressure and pump the tires up (I struggle a lot when trying to get a good seal between the valve and the nozzle of the air hose so some air gets out in the meantime). I did buy a pressure gauge that was tested and found to be one of the most precise on the local market, but it wasn't designed with motorcycles in mind and it does not fit between the spokes of the rear wheel, sadly. All in all, I have done about 5000 km on my current tires and they are still in pretty good shape so it does pay dividends to take good care of them. I never thought about overpressuring them, though. Seems like an interesting idea worth exploring more.

Fast Eddie comes through again! I received my bike from Harley and have been riding it around happy as a clam for about a month. I saw this video and said hey, maybe I should check the tires. 26.5 psi in rear, 26 psi front. Just a tad off from the 40 rear, 38 front thats recommended. I feel stupid, but enlightened! Thanks bud!

Such an easily and often overlooked thing tire pressures. I think most bike rider's are more considerate and thoughtful with maintenance I general, but most car drivers don't give a shit like my Dad, he drives short distances every day and never checks the tire pressures until the tires start to look flat and only then puts air in them. Handy video Eddy 👍

I never had the confidence to do this on my own till your video Thank you

I have the same road pilot 4 tyres on my bike and I love them!

Got my first bike about a month ago, and license, i rode it a couple times then i checked the tire pressure and each tire was almost 10 lbs to low. I was blown away.

Thanks Eddie, New ridder here, great info always. You taught me how to handle corners much better. Bicycle pump? Had no idea. Hmmmm

Great advice as usual. I particularly appreciate the fact that you use a calibrated pressure gauge. It is very important. Gauge on (bicycle) pump, especially low price, are not reliable at all. I use an electronic gauge device to check pressure at 0.01 bar accuracy. Just perfect.

The unique situation here Is that it’s the kymco Spade Adult minibike( Awesome bike to ride by the way) It has those kind of fat tires ( 12 inch rim) And the bike only weighs about 260 pounds. Slight changes in the tire pressure have a direct impact on the stiffness of the ride. Thx!!!

Good call on the separate tire guage. Bike pumps measure the line pressure

Always love your videos full of priceless information. I’m always checking my tires almost daily. Do you have any ideas on why a rear tire would be losing air? Say about 4 psi overnight? Thank you fastest Eddie.

Thanks Fast Eddie saying you're not so great taking bike to limits. Myself as a rookie knowing need to slow down. Thanks

Sir for the bmw gen 2 what is your recommendation tire pressures in the street riding

Hey Eddie, thanks for you videos. I watch yours and Canyon chasers all the time. I have your app and I have taken two ChampU online courses and have learned so much. Especially trail braking! What a game changer. So I have two bikes. A Goldwing and a Harley wide glide. The question (observation) is the recommended pressure for the rear is 42 on the GW. I ride 2 up a lot. At 42 set cold, after an hour of good riding of both freeway and twisties the rear tire will expand to over 52 pounds one time. I have a FOBO2 TPM app that informs me that is dangerously high. Now that I have the TPMS I have become a tire pressure nazi and am trying to figure out what the actual best pressure is for me and my riding style. Whats you thoughts on maybe setting the rear at 38 instead of 42 and letting it heat up and expand within a safe zone. Or should I just ride and forget?

Fast Eddie is my kind of biker. He's practical, smart and willing to share his experience and knowledge. Also doesn't hurt that he's kind of cute with a voice to match.:)

Always good information.

Great content as always, but what if the owner's manual is 20 years old 'cause the bike is old, and the tyres are so different than the tyres used 20 years ago? is it the indicated pressure still usefull?

Hi Ed my tire pressure is stated right on the side of my Suzuki Vstrom . The bike suspension is designed for that pressure never mind what the tire said . That’s where people get confused. Ride safe Pal cheers.

Enjoyed this vid.Found it helpful once again :)

Great instructional video! I also live in San Diego; hope to run into you someday. By the way, whats the name of the tire pressure gauge you are using the the video? I am interested in purchasing one for myself.

Great vid! Me and My r6 thankyou!😊

great choice of bikes

On my BMW I have a tire pressure monitor, what BMW calls RDC. The tire pressure can be constantly displayed in the TFT display of my bike, if the rider wants to. This feature is extremely useful, as a couple of months ago there was a small puncture in the rear tire, but when I turned on the engine of my bike one day, a red warning message was displayed in the TFT display telling me that the pressure in the rear tire was way too low. The value then was at 1.3 bar when the correct tire pressure should have been 2.9 bar.

Hello sir I’ve watched several of your videos and you’ve helped me regain confidence in practicing skills for riding after 9 years of not doing so after my accident on my old dual sport bike. I thank you for the information and great content, I was wondering what the name or brand of the tire pressure gauge is and the hand pump you are using in this video? I’m looking to have one digital gauge for my house, and a pencil gauge to keep in my backpack as I ride. The hand pump will make it easier to fill up the pressure when it’s only a few pounds off vs a compressor. Keep up the content, it’s much appreciated appreciate your service and stay safe this Memorial Day weekend.

a 90 degree valve stem makes it easier, especially on the rear tires.

How much air in rear for long highway trips? A commercial cut in and I couldn’t make it out. My new tires are 3 months old with 5,000 miles and I’ll be lucky if I can get 8,000 out the of the rear. Have the same tires Michelin Pilot.

What if you have tires that aren't stock? Would the pressures listed in the bike's manual still be accurate? I bought my 2004 R6 used and the Diablo tires that are on it aren't stock (at least I don't think they are).

My dad got aluminum valve stems with a 90 degree angle to make it easier to reach on his bike. Makes it way easier to check.

If I change my stock tires for another ones (diff brand and even diff size) should I still take into account the tire pressure listed on owners' manual or should I look for another number?

600rr recommended tire pressure is 36f/42r. Max tire pressure for my rear tire is 42. The first time i tried this the rear was too hard. After i got home it was past the recommended Max tire pressure on the side wall. Not sure why Honda recommended 42? I run 36f/36R. Seems to work. What are your thoughts on the pressure for the rear? I believe the stock tire is a Dunlop 180/55 ZR17 and i have that on my bike right now.

I got a question. So on the manual it states to use Metzeller Sportec tires on my Duke. What if i want to use a different brand of tire from a different manufacturer? Do i still apply the same PSI according to "MOM"

is normal air good is nitrogen better for motorbike tyres

Daft question; does it make a difference if you measure the tyre pressure with the weight of the bike on/off the wheels? i.e. on a centre stand or upright off a stand?

yo eddie i need your advice, please help :) i just bought 2007 honda hornet, and need new tires for the bike, and as a begginer i dont know alot about tires. guy at shop told me to choose between dunlop roadsmart 3 (sport touring tires) and sportsmart 2 max (hypersport tires). i am going to buy them on monday. i would mostly use them for city commuting and some twisties on weekend, and motojitsu ofc. :D we dont have too much rain here in europe and winters arent harsh. from my research these hypersport seems like overkill, do you think roadsmart 3 are good begginer friendly tires for my conditions and would i feel safe on them? thank you :)

Can you explain why it is generally recommended to have such a dramatic difference in tyre pressures for the track and the street? When I say street, I don't mean city riding or touring long ways, but spirited canyon carving on a twisty mountain road on a hot day. I mean the difference in riding might not be that different apart of the riding lines, assuming it's someone who's not pushing the bike to it's limit either on track or roads. I would also want to have maximum grip available despite faster tyre wear. In short: twisty mountain road vs. track, what is there so different that would require such a big pressure change?

Bicycle pump is a good idea and a good arm work out also.

i honestly dont know what psi to put in my cbr,i had 40rear,38 front and bow trying 35r 35f,i rather get more traction so i might leave it at that. Dont forget to lower your pressure by few pounds if you ride in cold winter days,make sure you gently ride the bike so tires warm up first before making hard turns or even slight leans.I havent had any issues but i never ridden at around 40 degrees and my other bike was alot smaller,i think when i was on the bike it was around 50-60 degrees so no loss of traction

I never get Tired of your videos. They Wheelie Pump me up to ride.

At a dedicated tire shop I asked the guy to let me compare my guage readings against his and was able to check my collection of tire gauges against his reading. This allowed me to decide which guages to keep on hand and which were junk. Now I am enlightened that my craftsman electric pump guage is bogus.

40 1\2 ..36 works for me. Street Rod 750

What's the name of that thing you're using to check pressure? Please tell me.

The pump in this video is "JoeBlow HP" (which stands for High Pressure). It delivers ~100psi which is needed for road bicycles but it has small piston&volume. Better choice is to opt in for a MOUNTAIN-bike specific pump, like "JoeBlow Mountain". You'll get lower max pressure (~70psi) but much higher pump volume and will be able to pump the whole motorbike tire in like 10-20 compressions. It has a gauge on it as well ;)

Once the gauge is properly aligned, why do you not accept the first reading and go by the second one? Easy enough to do it that way, but I am just curious if there is something that I am missing. Thanks for sharing.

Friends told be to put F 30 and R 30psi on my R6. But I'm 240lbs and feels too soft. What do you recommend for heavier riders or should I go what stock psi said and put 42psi to the rear?

So wish you were my neighbor 👍💪🏼

When in doubt, ask MOM (Motorcycle Owner's Manual)... ;)

What are your thoughts on Insurance? do we need to insure our motorcycle?

i was looking for such tool online..any advice on where to get one, accurate?

It’s a good pump

Do you mind if I ask what city/ state your in?

Came for the lean videos stayed for the tire pressure :)

Doesnt your GS have tyre pressure control so you could check it even when riding? Is it accurate?

Problem that I see is if you check your tire pressure at home cold, and need air, a lot of people don't have a compressor at home if they need air. They have to ride somewhere to find a compressor. Your tires are no longer cold, and you no longer have an accurate reference for filling the tire. How long would you have to sit and wait for the tire to be considered cold again.

If we use tire gel, should we go for higher tire pressure or lower or usual...

Maybe I missed it, but why do you discard the first pressure reading?

How do you know when you need to replace your rubber?

so i got 35 35 in tires,then i start riding so they warm up to lets assume 37 37. How do you think it will affect the pressure when my weight applied on the bike?will it stay the same and just apply more force on tires?,im 180 pounds

You can get a compressor and an accurate digital gauge for less than 100 bucks and it will last you for 20 or 30 years. Well worth it.

I have to say that I cannot agree with recommended tire pressure. It's said the same thing since Motorcycles came out. 36f 42r. Tire and suspension technology have advanced so much yet the pressure has never changed. Plus we have seasons, ppl live in different climates, humidity, ect ect. So I guess I'm saying this stuff can vary so much.

I wonder if it hurts the rim when u run over a pothole with a low tire pressure.....

I check before the first ride of the day while bike is warming up. takes 30 secs at most.

I can see the pressure on the dash

Be gentle on the air gage. Treat as you lover and not your sparring partners. Stop punching the stem in. The gage is a delicate precision instrument

Cushioning is better at 20 20

Is there a law for free air for motorcycle tires?

Next week how to tie shoe laces.

It's been 36 / 42 on almost every bike for decade's regardless the size and weight of the bike and any other changes that can effect it, kind of odd no !?

1 ) Check your tire pressure every time you ride and when temperature changes (morning to afternoon). Because a cold tire pressure at 15 degree Celsius is not the same when it becomes 25 or 30 or 35. It's not apples to apples. 2 ) you must'nt rely on those "numbers" in the manual! The "pressure numbers" are good for.. A ) what rider wheight (120, 160, 180, 200, 220 pound....)???? B ) what temperature (5, 15,.. 40 degree Celsius)?? C ) what riding style (slow /normal/ fast) D ) what Brand and model (Soft carcasse, Medium carcasse, hard carcasse) E) environment??? We don't know!! So, you have to figure out your tire pressure. The pressures in any books are quite useless, or only a starting point, can not tell this often enough even to experienced riders!!! How to figure out your tire pressure? Go und ride and get the tire warm (>30 min) then measure warm pressures. It should gain 3-4 psi). Under 3 psi you are a little overinflated, more than 4/5 psi underinflated. ;) "normal" fast riders should explore 2 tire pressures. For Colder temperatures and hotter conditions not to complicate it. Fast riders, even when they are lighter riders should have more pressures supporting their ability (hard braking, more gas/throttle) stressing tires. Ability overcomes everything. Fast eddie your michelin road 4 is a very Soft tire on a heavy bike with a good and faster rider. So you automaticaly need way more pressure as written in "the book". You could try 40 psi or more in the front when braking harder /turning faster :) but i Think you sold the bike

Mai peetamber a Apalachicola

interesting but in my country the asphalt traction is poorest in the world to I better drop it 3 pounds front and rear, when I ride, I don't ride much its a hobby so won't kill the tire

Airing up a low back tire would be a workout, even for a young NinjaWarrior, with a bicycle pump. For about $100, an electric air compressor will get the job done much faster. Can also run air tools off it, air up car tires, etc. However, I doubt Fast Eddie even owns a car.

volume too low

500 dollars to replace tires? fast eddie needs to get some tools.

22 minutes on checking tire press. Seriously

I'm getting "tired" of your videos too much pressure.