rvbhute

Hi guys,

I know that my Gladiator has a set of settings for when a pillion rider is involved - rear tyre pressure goes up from 28 to 36psi and the rear suspension should be hardened.

But my ratio of single to pillion ride is 60:40, maybe 65:35. Usually, I drop off a colleague part of the way home when returning from office.

In such a case, should I keep the settings for a single rider or go for something in between?

Sunny

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kaynmantis

Interesting question. I wonder how manufacturer arrives at a conclusion on how much PSI. Considering a rider can be anything between 45 to 90 kilos. In such case two riders can possibly be equivalent to a single rider.

Or lets say
A 50 kilo rider with a 45 kilo pillion = 95
A 70 kilo rider with a 70 kilo pillion = 140

Thats a massive 45 kilos difference which is almost equivalent to third pillion.

I've no idea. Just musing.

jd666

Bump up your tyre pressure by 2 psi front and rear from single for a basic compensation for pillion. It mainly depends on what is the majority of your riding, single or two up...

Increasing tyre pressure too much might help lower the rolling resistance of the bike, but remember with the added weight the brakes need to work harder, and the tyre needs a better contact patch so as to not skid under braking.

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aargee

IMO, any manufacturer arrives at the PSI based on best FE

rvbhute

Well, majority of the time, it is single rider only. And I myself weigh 77 kg.

As per the service manual of Gladiator DLX (mine is type SS though), we have the following settings:
Up to 90 Kg, front - 25 psi, rear - 33 psi
90 - 162 kg, front - 25 psi, rear - 36 psi

Type SS:
Front: 25 psi in all cases
Rear: 28 psi (single), 36 psi (with pillion)
Max load: 150 kg

By rolling resistance, I take it to mean I will be slower off starting. If the tyre is not getting damaged per se, then I guess I can keep it at single rider setting.

jd666

^^ rolling resistance is the general friction created by the tyres on the road ( not to be confused with the friction needed for braking). So it will affect everything in general, mileage, top speed, acceleration ( but then for a normal commuter its in miniscule percentages).So you can keep it at a generic setting.

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My offerings to the gods of speed -

- KTM Duke 200
- Yamaha RXZ 5 speed