For the last 6 yrs of 14 and 14R ownership I finally tried the stock reccomended 42 psi front and rear. With Mich PP 2CT tires they road like rocks. I usually run 38F and 36 R. The suspension settings are almost stock, so on the soft side.

The ride quality sucks. I am thinking of running in the Mojave Magnum LSR event in April. They require the bike to be basically in stock form with rated tire pressure. Seems not as stable at fast highway speed. Turns quick but feels not sticky compared to my usual set up. I'm going back to my preferred 38F and 36 R until the Magnou gets closed and I change the sprockets.

Anyone else have this observation running 42 psi?

Always a can of worms, but hear we go......

(cold pressures)

I run F 36 / R 34 as my standard pressure.

If I know I'm going to be doing a frisky canyon run I'll drop a couple of pounds F 34 / R 32

Haven't had this bike to the strip yet, but I'd start at F 42 / R 24~26

That's just me though.

Oh and yes, 42/42 like rocks.

Personally can't see running 42/42, maybe LD traveling with passenger and load I'd
prob up it some.

* Last updated by: piken on 12/8/2015 @ 7:58 AM *

42/42 is pretty much for overall mileage for this bike.

I have run the PP 2CTs for years and really like them. Ran them on my ZX-11 and now on my 06 ZX-14. I usually run 39F and 38R and get good even wear with no gumballs after aggressive twisties. I went with the 190-55 for the rear this last time to see if it would help quicken the turn in. It feels quicker and easier getting into a corner and I get good even wear right up to the edge at the pressure I've been running. Never tried 42/42 as a cold pressure.

Some of it depends on the tire construction. My Angel GT Front feels like a brick at 35psi. I've found that usually Bridgestone and Dunflops feel harder than Michelin or Perellis.

Mad

38 psi cold front and rear works best on my BT-016 tires on my '06 ZX-14.

11 sets of Pilot Powers on my TurboBlackbird, couple sets of Pilot Road 2's on my ZX's, couple sets of Road 4's on my ZX's, couple sets of Pirelli Angels on my ZX's....screwed around with tires pressures a lot but for street riding with Michelin's, I prefer 42-42. To each his own...

The 14 is a heavy bike. Under 38 psi it starts to feel "truck like" in turns and suspension feels soft/unplanted. My bike handles much better in the 40-42 psi cold range.

I always run 42/42 through the canyons, freeways and two-up and it feels fine to me.

Very interesting range of comments

Factory tire engineers caution about not dropping psi in street tires by more than 4 psi.

Factory tire engineers caution about not dropping psi in street tires by more than 4 psi

That is gonna suck at the track............................

I guess winter is settling in on a lot of riders, since about
the only thread we can get going is on Tire Pressure.

Factory tire engineers caution about not dropping psi in street tires by more than 4 psi.

I didn't get that memo. Maybe you could post a copy of that information.

I've tried many times to talk to tech support at Michelin and they will give
you absolutely nothing on pressures except to "use the factory suggested pressure"

If you really want to get some good tire and tire pressure advice I'd recommend getting
the phone number for your factory regional rep.

Call Michelin tech support they will give you the number to your rep.

I've had lengthy talks with Michelin reps in the past and they really know the bikes,
tires, uses and suggested tire pressures to try. They know their stuff and are happy
to take the time with you.

Most of the Michelin engineers speak French anyway and I don't know French.

that is gonna suck at the track..........

I don't race, so I don't pretend to know much about the track, but I think it's safe to say that if you do race, you are dealing with entirely different parameters as far as specs, equipment and service life. Add in the controlled environment, safety requirements and frequent maintenance/inspections and you're talking apples to oranges, racing to street. How many laps/runs does it take to accumulate 1000 miles? I've done that in two days several times, three days many times. In racing, you are going balls-to-the-wall, but if you do that on the street, your risk of injury or death increases exponentially.

When I started this thread I was thinking at the tires 42 psi stock setting my suspension felt to stiff and my reaction was to adjust to softer settings. I spent considerable effort getting the suspension dialed in for the track and for the street at the tire pressure I prefere. With the street setting based in 36 R and 38F. My front and rear preload/sag is set for my weight at 30-35mm of sag, I don't change that. The setup was exactly what I wanted for the way I ride say on Angeles Crest Hwy.

Front rebound damping is 7 clicks out, stock is 8 so I'm 1 click stronger - not much change.
Front compression damping is 11 clicks out, stock is 10 so I'm 1 click weaker than stock.
Rear rebound damping is 2 turns out, same as stock
Rear compression is 2.75 also same as stock.

When I changed tires to both 42 psi my thought was to make the suspension softer because the tires made it feel like it was hard, stiff and jumpy (technical term). I'm not going to change the setting because they are almost stock but the driver confidence went down and the ride quality did also.

But I am going back to the 36R and 38F until I have to complete the gearing setup for the Mojave Magnum in April.

* Last updated by: cruderudy on 12/10/2015 @ 7:41 AM *

The vast amount of my riding is fast twisties, 1 or 2 up. I run 36F and 38R and the bike handles great with no wallowing at all. At 42 it feels like the tires are solid rubber, especially the tire I have now.
I haven't tracked this bike ( yet) but would expect to run in the 30-32 range there. I am always pleasantly surprised at how well the big girl handles.

Mad

Road racers used to decide tire pressure by trying for a 10% increase front, 20% increase rear from cold to hot.
Today, Michelin recommends an increase of approx. 10% front and rear, cold to hot., for street riding.
Other manufacturers may have different recommendations.
I've always felt Michelin's were very compliant and could feel an immediate difference when going from Pirelli's to Michelin's...Haven't tried Dunlops or Bridgestones in years.

I can see running a 600 or 750 at 34-36 psi as some have mentioned. But for the similar tire sizes 120/70/17 and 190/55/17 or 190/50/17 How would you run a 14 or 14r which is at least 100 to 150 lbs heavier with the same tire pressures? The physics just don't add up to me.

Ninja
I ran the '06 14 at the 36R and 38F with PP 2CTs and now the 14R the same, great settings, handling and no gumballs. I'm 5 10 and 200 lbs - works great for me. Suggest you give it a try and if its not for you change it. As long as the roads you ride are not loaded with pot holes you cant avoid its not an issue.

At track days I go with F31 and R 29-30 HOT pressure measured after the 20min session, so cold is ~6-7 psi less that hot.

Perhaps you could explain the issue with physics to me?

The physics just don't add up to me.

So....... If you are running F 42 / R 42 and then you add a passenger and some cargo on the 14,
that would add an additional 150-200lbs. So do you then raise your tire pressures on the 14
to 48-50 psi

On a lighter bike, pressures can be even lower.

On my zx10 (cold)

Manual says F 36 / R 42

Street/canyon I run F 32 / R 30

Track F 29 / R 26

Piken, I have a Gen 2 10R. If I run the back at 30 psi cold on the street the bike wags in the back like it has a flat when I lean in turns lol. I don't know how you guys do it. And that is with Dunlop's or the Michelin Pilot Power3's.

I have the Gen 2 as well. It's a great bike.

220lbs suited, currently running the pirelli diablo supercorsa sp v2 but
I also like the Michelin Super Sports.

Run 26psi cold on both brands. Although the 10 is now dedicated
for the track, used to go 30psi on the road.

A couple of pics from last weekend.......(just wanted to rub in the
great weather we are having )

I run 37F and 39R and have no problems with cornering or riding 2up on my Michelin pilot power 2ct.

The 14 is a heavy bike. Under 38 psi it starts to feel "truck like" in turns and suspension feels soft/unplanted. My bike handles much better in the 40-42 psi cold range.

Interesting, I did a lot of experimentation and 38 psi front and rear was the best compromise I could find for road settings that gave good initial turn in, good front tire feedback and decent rear grip on corner exits. I may try dropping the rear to 36 psi, it seems like most on here like 38F and 36 rear combination for one up street riding.

might have a lot to do with the brand/model of tire too.