Tyres pressures changed by dealer service.

[tedrogers]

Hi all,

I weigh about 77kg, maybe 80kg with all my gear on, so I set my tyre pressures on my FZ6 S2 to Front 33 and Rear 36.

The bike went in for its first service yesterday, and they've obviously tweaked all the cable tensions and generally the bike feels better for it, but they've upped the pressures for someone much heavier than myself. Front is at 36 and the Rear is 42.

I don't know why they've done this and wonder if its because of the tyres that are on it? They are Bridgestone BT020's.

Anyone got any ideas why?

I obviously don't want to run at the wrong tyre pressures, because I value my skin and they keep me the right side up on the road!

Thanks.

 

[reiobard]

very strange, the rear should be higher than the front.... the sticker on the side states 36 front 42 rear... that might be what they are going off of.

 

[tedrogers]

very strange, the rear should be higher than the front.... the sticker on the side states 36 front 42 rear... that might be what they are going off of.

Of course, you are right. I got the pressures the wrong way around, now corrected in the original post.

I would imagine they just read the sticker on the side and assumed I was on the heavy side...but maybe they know something I don't?

 

[tedrogers]

I just phoned them and asked why they did this, and they just said, and I quote, "...it was the standard pressures unless there was an exceptionally heavy load on the bike".

So I guess it's okay, but I do wonder if the tyres are harder than they need to be whether the centre of the tyre will square off sooner than it otherwise would at the lower pressure ranges?

I also wonder if the higher pressures will make for safer riding at higher speeds (on warm tyres).

 

[Mattberkshire]

After having used dealers previously I now avoid the larger dealers and bike shops. The service is pretty poor and you and your bike are just product. They should never change something so fundamental without at least telling you first. Now I do everything myself and get my spares form a local independant (he has everything, unlike my dealer who won't sell certain stuff in case they lose money by you DIYing). If there's anything I can't do then I know a couple of independant specialists who will help out. One of these guys actually came to my house to rivet my chain and didn't want payment. I gave him a tenner anyway.

This has now turned into a rant! The point is:

Learn how to do stuff yourself. Get a haynes manual, get some training and stick 2 fingers :Flip: up to the dealers who charge £80 an hour and don't exercise the same care and attention as you would yourself

RANT OVER

 

[Jez]

36/42psi is recommended in my handbook only if laden between 90-190kg. For 0-90kg use 33/36psi. Equally, 'high-speed riding': 33/36.

 

[Erci]

I also wonder if the higher pressures will make for safer riding at higher speeds (on warm tyres).

Just the opposite.

 

[(none)]

you'll be fine. All other modern bikes i've had all recommended 36psi/42psi in the tires for all conditions. I was kinda surprised when i saw yamaha recommended 33/36 on this thing, but then again my other bikes were much heavier (100-200lbs more than this thing). Either way, i've ran 36/42 since i've had the bike, no problems at all.

 

[abraxas]

Hey Ted, you saw that the pressures had changed, so you are at least looking.

Tyre pressure IS a variable. Get yourself a small typre pressue tester, since fuel stations gauges are often out. Decide what pressure you run with, and you can keep it there yourself.

Then if someone at the dealership changes it, they just default anyway, you can fix it quick. ALWAYS measure tyre pressure at cold. More than a mile is too warm.

 

[scottsst]

Hey Ted, you saw that the pressures had changed, so you are at least looking.

Tyre pressure IS a variable. Get yourself a small typre pressue tester, since fuel stations gauges are often out. Decide what pressure you run with, and you can keep it there yourself.

Then if someone at the dealership changes it, they just default anyway, you can fix it quick. ALWAYS measure tyre pressure at cold. More than a mile is too warm.

that is the way I have always done it some tire's are better under differing pressure's. I have always talked about it with my tire dealer I know the Avon Storm's I have on my FZ at the moment is 40 front 42 rear and it's what is needed to make the tire's work. just keep and air gauge with you, or take a second to make the adjustment's in the morning before you set off. just remember that warm tire pressure's are higher that cool

 

[tedrogers]

Thanks everyone.

I always check tyre pressures periodically...it's a good habit that I got into when I had my Mazda RX-8 (which I sold to get the FZ6 fun toy!). :rockon:

I think I will set them back down to 33 Front and 36 Rear, which is in my weight range and keep it at that.

Needless to say all my subsequent servicing will be done by myself, where at all possible.

As there is no Haynes manual for the 09 model FZ6, where can I get a service schedule from so I know what will need doing at 6,000 miles?

 

[Erci]

http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-technical/320-2004-through-2007-manuals-download-here.html

 

[Jez]

I think I will set them back down to 33 Front and 26 Rear, which is in my weight range and keep it at that.

Hope that's a typo. You want 36 rear.

 

[motopete]

Tire pressure is a personal thing, I change my pressure depending on the season and the weather conditions. The reason factory specs are a low pressure is because the FZ6 is a fairly light bike. Just remember the lower the pressure the better the traction, but more rolling resistance. So your tires will grip more but won't roll as fast. So as you up the pressure you cause less rolling resistance, but sacrifice traction. In the dry hot summer, I run higher tire pressure, as it becomes colder and wetter I lower the pressure. Speed is nothing without traction.

 

[necrotimus]

If you are doing a lot of highway miles you may also want to push the pressure back up some. As motopete said lower pressure means more resitance and over a long haul a little resistance can mean a lot of gas.

 

[Wade Poulsen]

You should always use the tire's manufacturer's recommended tire pressure. The bike’s owner’s manual is a suggestion; however, because tires vary in many ways you should always use the tire’s recommended pressure and not the bike’s.

 

[Tailgate]

I just phoned them and asked why they did this, and they just said, and I quote, "...it was the standard pressures unless there was an exceptionally heavy load on the bike".

The arrogance of some people.... What are they talking about? But, at any rate, they should at least TELL you. What next, are they going to "adjust" your mirrrors too and call it "standard" position? this is precisely why I am reticent to bring in my bike to have strangers work on it. Kinda like a guest coming over and re-arranging your furniture w/o your knowledge. WTF?

 

[Wavex]

1) if you take your bike to the dealer, they will set the bike to the "standard" configuration, and they don't need to tell you everything they do... if you don't do your maintenance yourself, they assume you trust them to do it for you, which they did.

2) there are no set (or standard) tire pressures valid for all tires... each brand/model of tire has its own recommended tire pressure, and you may want to mess with it depending on your preference/weight/riding conditions etc... knowing that the lower the pressure the more grip, but the lower the life... if you just ride around without pushing it in twisty roads, aim on the high side of the pressures to get higher mileage...

Most importantly, always give time for your tires to warm up and do it progressively by pushing it more and more via incremental steps (your lean angles should increase incrementally).

 

[razteo]

I would imagine they just read the sticker on the side and assumed I was on the heavy side...but maybe they know something I don't?

Let me tell you something - just because they had to follow a dealer procedure (like checking & adjusting the tire pressure as require) it doesn't mean they do.
They take the easy way - instead of checking, they just inflate any tire they see.
It happened to me HUNDREDS of times, at the dealer, car dealer, oil change, service, etc, you name it.

I am VERRY particular about my tire pressure in all the vehicles I drive and I check it myself & adjust as needed.
Every time I take the cars in for service or maintenance, the bike at the Yamaha dealer, etc, I always mention to them NOT TO TOUCH my tires, and guess what? 90% of the times they will over-inflate the tires. Yes, even is written into the work order do not modify tire pressure they will still add air.

This low trained people believe that just adding air to a tire is taking care of it, (same as they add coolant, oil, etc, a very bad thing, if you ask me).

My advice to you: tire pressure is one of the most important safety things on your bike (car, mountain bike, truck, etc), so do not relay on dealer, just because you think they are the dealer & they know what they are doing.

They don't.

 

[Tailgate]

1) if you take your bike to the dealer, they will set the bike to the "standard" configuration, and they don't need to tell you everything they do... if you don't do your maintenance yourself, they assume you trust them to do it for you, which they did.

But, Wavex, the shop inflated tires to the recommended Yamaha's rider weight maximum (36/42 P.S.I). According to TedRogers, the shop said that was the standard "unless there was an exceptionally heavy load on the bike". But, that IS the recommended inflation for an exceptionally heavy load. I think the shop personnel are just giving a "standard" B.S. response. I liked all of your other advice, however, Wavex.