[2Para]

Hi Guys,

The handbook states 18 PSI front single rider and 28 PSI rear single rider. Seems a tad low anybody else found that, or is it me?

[Carl Fenn]

No it’s not you those pressures are to low by far.

[Relic]

Agreed, the handbook recommended pressures are too low.

I run 28 front and 30 rear when riding solo. When touring with camping gear I go up another 2psi front & rear.

[Richard230]

I use Dunlop's recommended K70 tire pressures of 24 front and 32 rear when riding solo on my Bullet. That works for me.

[2Para]

Really appreciate that guys.
I did an indepth course at Dunlop Tyres back in the day in the Police Traffic Division as part of Traffic Law Courses, and found then that tyre pressures on motorbikes that were documented by not only Dunlop but other leading manufacturers was almost a lottery, and pressures were at best ................a guide.
I would say the 500 needs at least 25 PSI front and minimum 35 on the rear with a single person being carried regardless of weight.

Just wonder who set these on manufacture of the bikes, knowing the Indians as I do, they pack their bikes to the hilt, so surely safety would prevail in all conditions. Just my experience!!

[Keef Sparrow]

I run 30 PSI front and 36 PSI rear on my 2020 Bullet Trials - effectively the same bike as the 500 Classic or Bullet. The 'Official' factory/handbook are way too low for UK roads, but probably fine on poor quality roads and dirt tracks in India which is the machine's natural habitat.

[axman88]

I've routinely run 30 psi rear and 20 psi front, without issues.   My C5 was built in late 2011, with 18" front wheel and offset front forks.  It does wobble on grooved pavement when ridden over about 67 mph, but higher pressure seemed to make that worse, and lower pressure 18-20 psi seemed to lessen the wobble.   I was running Avon Roadrider IIs.  Admittedly, my machine is ridden on high speed roads very little, it's mainly a city street commuter. 

[Ove]

2Para, 'which tyre pressures?' can be a bit like 'which oil?' 

It may come down to personal preference on how you like a bike to feel, the way you ride and where you usually ride. It's useful to see such a wide range of pressures being used without tyre failures or folk getting thrown over their handlebars. Maybe a fun few hours could be had trying a range of different pressures (within reason), to see which you like best? Be interested in where you settle.

FWIW, I settled on 28-30 front 30-32 rear. This seems to give neutral turn in stable mid corner and some feel for the road surface, without being too harsh. And, I was surprised how often I need to plug in my mini-compressor to top them up, maybe a couple of times a month.

[Boxerman]

I have Avon AM26 Roadriders.
28psi front 32psi rear normally. Someone on a British Enfield group contacted Avon, and these were the pressures that Avon recommended for these tyres on the Enfield 500s

Frank

[2Para]

Interesting............knowing Indias roads probably accounts for the low pressures, they are appalling, pot holes everywhere. Thats what they get use to I suppose, and probably why they are so low!

[gizzo]

Interesting............knowing Indias roads probably accounts for the low pressures, they are appalling, pot holes everywhere. Thats what they get use to I suppose, and probably why they are so low!

And because they only ride slowly, having a half flat tyre isn't the same problem it would be for us, used to travelling around at 100....

[Roadie]

I live in Cambodia so rough bumpy roads and touring speed for me is around 65kph which is faster than most of the 125cc scooters travel at and not too many cars going faster either. So standard tyre pressures of 18/20 front 24/26 rear are fine.

[Farmer_John]

Interesting............knowing Indias roads probably accounts for the low pressures, they are appalling, pot holes everywhere. Thats what they get use to I suppose, and probably why they are so low!

Also causes pinch flats!!

[Carl Fenn]

I just keep them at 28 to 30 front and about 32 34 rear or there about.

[olhogrider]

When I got my 2010 the book said 18 psi front. That seemed crazy at the time, but everyone who ran "normal" pressures had handling issues. If you aren't going to follow the manufacturer's recommendations than why bother at all? Jus pick a number you like. How about 40 psi front and rear?

[axman88]

If you aren't going to follow the manufacturer's recommendations than why bother at all? Jus pick a number you like. How about 40 psi front and rear?

Yeah, what do them fuddy duddy engineers know?!  And while I'm at it, I'll lose that ridiculous giant airbox, put on a cone filter from Amazon, and take a sawzall to my exhaust.  It sounds badass!

[Richard230]

When I got my 2010 the book said 18 psi front. That seemed crazy at the time, but everyone who ran "normal" pressures had handling issues. If you aren't going to follow the manufacturer's recommendations than why bother at all? Jus pick a number you like. How about 40 psi front and rear?

I like to go with the tire manufacturer's recommendations. In the case of the Dunlop K70, Dunlop recommends 24 psi front and 32 psi rear, for the Royal Enfield 500 singles.

[MannP]

Agreed, the handbook recommended pressures are too low.

I run 28 front and 30 rear when riding solo. When touring with camping gear I go up another 2psi front & rear.

Spot on 

[9fingers]

Seems to be a bit of a range on what pressures people "believe" they should be using. The rear should be near 30, little more, little less not gonna kill you. And if you weigh 135 or 235, obviously a slight adjustment is in order. On the front, differences in pressure have a huge effect on handling, sluggish or skittish at each end of the range. And high speed wobbles, if you do freeways, are introduced or exacerbated by incorrect pressures. I am 212lbs, run the Avon Roadriders, and keep the front at 21 to 24 and the rear at 30. My 3 cents.
9fingers