Hi,
I just bought my first sport quad a few days ago. I owned yamaha and kawasaki dirt/trail bikes when very young back in the 60s and 70s. Im now 50 and have been camping and riding quads with some of my pals recently and decided to get serious. I own a YFZ 450 now. I do plan to ride hard and get crazy as my friends still do. Its in the blood i guess. My question is this, the stock tire pressure (4.4lbs front/5.0lbs rear), seems a bit low, I tip the scales just under 240lbs dressed in my riding gear which according to Yamaha is about 20lbs over the max riding weight for this machine, this will affect spring rates,shock damping, and tire pressure I know, but can I or should I run more pressure and what results can I expect. Stock Dunlops and riding out in Gorman California.
Hope for some tech answers and education before tommorrow as Im leaving Sat Morning.

Thx,
Plad

 

Manufacturers spec the tires kind of mushy, because it contributes to the bikes suspension. I don't think there are any pat answers to this. All you can do is experiment. Run them a little higher or lower, and go for a ride to see what you personally prefer.

 

Hi Recon,
Thx for the reply. Yeah, I guess just hit and miss till I find its right. I would imagine MX racers would pump up the pressure to get a more stable ride in the corners and such at least in the fronts. Dunno about the rears for traction and the like.


Plad

 

I would say you would be fine...but ya just experiment..I run a pound lighter in the rear to hook up on the treads a little better...Just have to go out and see what it does..I probably wouldn't run any higher then a pound over what they say but thats just my opinion.

 

Pladeaux,

Congrats on being an ATV owner!! I would stick to 5psi + or - 1psi. You'll find that it doesn't make that much of a difference. ATV tires are extremely durable. I ride on every type of landscape imaginable and have only noticed a problem when I change elevations (ie, 10,000 ft to 2,000).

Summary: Don't sweat it! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]