[Atomicman]

My BMW shop and numerous sources on the web say 38/42. My '09 is solid as a rock and and no unusual tire wear at 8500 Miles. (Original Michelin Pilot Road)

 

[Atomicman]

You shoudl be skeptic.

Heat is not a bad thing in itself. Tire pressure is used to get your tires to operate in the correct temp range. They are supposed to warm up. Lowering pressure raises the temperature, raising pressure lowers temp.

That is how racers set their pressure. We not so sophisticated folks just set our tires cold to an assumed pressure and go out and ride.

The only place that I have used pressure to tune for just grip (and not heat) is on my dirtbike. If the ground is really loose, we lower the pressure to 8 psi to allow the tire to flatten out more. When the surface is harder we use 15 psi. Obviously with these very low pressures (and tubes) it is a completely different situation.

The main advantage in use of nitrogen is that it gives more consistent PSI with any temperature change and is much drier then air. The followign is from popular mechanics, hardly a marketing organization. By the way, Costco uses exclusievely Nitrogen when you buy auto tires and it costs nothing x-tra and their tires prices are extrememly competitive

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair-questions/4302788

 

[Atomicman]

Not sure how much it effects tire wear or handling but the motorad online rider manual for RTs states front tire 2.2 bar (31 psi ) one-up; 2.5 bar (36 psi) two up and/or with luggage and for rear 2.5 bar (36 psi) one up; and 2.9 bar (42 psi) two up and/or luggage. My bike is also rock solid on the road. Does the tire pressure depend on how you ride and on what kind of road ?

I am well aware of what the manula syas. NO one I have seen uses these pressures. Pressure that low will definetly cause your tires to wear out much sooner.

Yes of course your load and riding style and road conditions are relevant. But i ride one up 99.99% of the time weigh about 180 Lbs. and do fair amount of back roads and less Freeway and usually don't even have my topcase on, have the panniers on andas I said I run 38/42.