Tire Pressure

[monty57]

I have seen several posts but never any definite recommendations on what the factories suggest for tire pressure on 250cc scooter with 110/90-12 / MT2.75 front tire and a 110/90-10 / MT3.5 rear tire. The manual I received with the scoot makes no reference at all to any pressure. The tire label says 36 psi but I believe this would make for a very harsh ride and possible some tire bounce. Does anyone have some firm numbers from a manual of any kind?

[stewntexas]

The 36 psi on your tire is the maximum pressure. All tires are marked to show the highest pressure you can use. This is what you should use if you use your scoot at the upper end of it's load limit. This would usually be for you to carry a passenger most of the time. Most people don't. From what I have been able to tell, if you are in the middle third of your load limit (varies by scoot), your 'normal' air pressure would be from 3 to 6 psi under the maximum listed on your tire. Tires will vary from mfg. to mfg.

[Dennis D]

Some of the chinese factories just take the max pressure off the tire sidewalls and list that as recommended pressure. If so, you need to "play around" with tire pressures within or near the parameters suggested by Stew. Often, the best tire oressure for front tires is two or three lbs less than the optimal pressure for the rear tire.

Try different cold pressure combinations and CAREFULLY test to see how the scooter feels and responds under fairly hard braking, and while cornering. If you first try pressure at or near max pressure, then try around 6 lbs less.... you should immediately notice some definite differences. Then start making smaller adjustments depending on which felt the safest in corners and gave the best braking results. It may take several rides or days to determine, as you need to know what the cold pressures are, or you're just guessing. Remember... the safest riding, air pressure settings are more important than getting the cushiest ride.

[WarrenS]

The Helix calls for 24 front 28 rear up to 200 lbs. 24 front 32 rear up to maximum load. This should put you in the ball park.

[Jacine]

Underinflating tires will increase wear and increase chance of punctures. If underinflated you'd be lucky to get 5000 miles out of a tire. However even a good tire will need relplacing at 8000 miles.

[scooterollie]

At about 150 lbs., I carry 26-28 PSI in my tires. At this pressure and my weight, they are not under inflated and there is still a degree of firmness to the ride. With the smaller rear tire on many 250 scoots, and the rear weight bias, I would go a couple more in the rear.

[cloudaz]

Monty57,

I inflate mine to 36psi because of not only load conditions but high speed as well, if you plan to ride at the higher end speeds on your scoot then you need to be at the max inflation.

[WarrenS]

The problem with inflating the tires to the max is because of the round profile of the tire your contact patch is smaller. Your tire will wear out faster because of concentration on the smaller area. I got over 10,000 miles out of the tires on my Helix which I had for 18 years.

[Dennis D]

warstein said:

The problem with inflating the tires to the max is because of the round profile of the tire your contact patch is smaller. Your tire will wear out faster because of concentration on the smaller area.

Not only that, but your cornering ability as well as your braking ability will suffer from overly hard tires and not having a reasonable sized contact patch on the ground. Gas mileage is already good on these scooters, and it isn't worth it to sacrifice safety, just to eke out the last 1 1/2 mph or mpg possible. You gotta consider your life is worth something! That's the same reason we spend $$ on all the safety gear we can afford and manage to wear for whatever conditions we're riding in.

[monty57]

all,

Thanks for your input. That gives me a little more confidence in what I have doing. I have been running about 30 psi in the rear and 26 psi on the front. I am pushing 200 lbs and that seems to be a bit firm but steady ride even at highway speeds. I have not noticed any excessive or uneven ware but I don't have a lot of miles on it yet. I may lower the front to he Helix 24 number as it does feel a bit firm at 26.

I am going to take the scoot on vacation next week and hope to get in a lot of riding around southern Missouri and just wanted to be a safe as possible in what I doing.

Thanks again fro all your input and info.