Regularly check tyre condition and air pressure. Optimum air pressure in the tyres of the bike is important for maximum road grip, stability, riding comfort and longevity of the tyres.
Don't know what you mean, are you going to be riding it on the road? Only concern I'd have with a MX bike in the wet is riding with nobbly tyres, they don't have much grip on road surfaces but perfect for muddy conditions.
Right then, not exactly the easiest or most straightforward of questions, but as you are a motorcycle rider, this should be easier for you to understand as you have a better idea about the road; than most peoples' perception.
So, tyre pressure? Well of course there is a recommended baseine, but there is also fluctuations you have to allow for; these variables take the form of wether you are uing the bike in warm, hot, cold, wet or dry condtitions; and all of which your tyre pressure is based and adjusted by. Heat, cold and certain road conditions means you will have to make allowances for the pressures within your tyres. Also if you have a lower pressure in your tyre and you ride on a hot day, your tyre pressure will increase.There is a problem with this, if you already have high pressure within your tyres and you decide to go out for a heavy-duty long motorcycle ride. This has a good possibility that you will get a blowout (where the tyre fails dueto extreme high temperature within the tyre walls and the pressure i too much for the compound to take, and as a result; it explodes).
FYG Michelin's website recommends 2.2 Bar Front and 2.4 Bar Rear for
all the tyres recommended for use on all the ST series (2/3/4 & 4s)
but these pressures only apply to their tyres as the construction is
considerably different to some other manufacturers particularly with
regard to weight. Too high pressure will cause premature wear on the centre and reduced grip. (This may show itself as quicker response due to lack of resistance to turning input) Lower
pressures will cause less wear on the centre and possibly less
effective grip in the wet in road conditions due to the tread closing
up but can be used to compensate for the higher temperatures developed
on track (track days etc)
The best thing here to do is (carefully) wheely on down to Ducati, and get them to tell you; or consult the owners manual, and also the guide on what the tyre company (who supply yours) have to say about this.
Somewhere in the region of 30-32 Psi on the front and 30-35 Psi on the rear should be about right. Remember, hot conditions, slightly lesser, cold, slightly more.
I hope this is the fixya for you and I look forward to hearing how you get on.
Yours sincerely
Oz
P.S.
Please do leave feedback on this, as here there are a lot of questions writing in about tyre pressures and Ducati are a common bike that do attract questions. Your feedback is greatly appreciated as so it too can assist fellow riders in maintaining their pride and joy; and keep them safe for many years.
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