Hey all, So it's a 2014 Bonnie, 2 new Metzeler Sportec Klassic tyres, me and the missus, going down through west England from Scotland to Portsmouth, ferry over to Santander, 9 days in Spain, and back up east coast of England.... leather panniers each side and Givi bag on the luggage rack on the back, weights are: panniers and rackbag 16kg me 73kg Wife 57kg fuel 14litres 10kg tot 156kg The normal tyre pressures are 2.82 bar back, and 2.2 front.... normally if we're riding 2 up I put the back up to 3.00, front to 2.4.... but with the extra luggage should I up it a bit more? Muchos Gracias!
Hi MonkeyJoe, I would say that 3.0 bar is plenty for the load proposed. I would also say that you must have the courage of a Lion to post your wife's weight on an open bike forum . Just a further thought for you. It's always better to have the total load between the axles, with no weight aft of the rear axle. Have you considered using a tank bag rather than the stuffa bag on the rear rack? That way the total load would be between the axles.
Thanks thebiglad, good advice mate.... I'll try and make the stuffabag as light as possible, I'm not used to riding with a tank bag, and dont really fancy it all the way down tbh.... and the wife won't see the post (hopefully) so what she doesnt know.....
I'm with Dave regarding weight distribution. Put weighty things in the panniers and light stuff on the rack. My Trident would just touch its back wheel down on the floor when fully loaded (Givi 36ltr top box and matching panniers) and sitting on the centre stand. Dropping my magnetic tank bag into position put it back onto its front wheel again. Don't be afraid to use a tank bag even if it is a bit on the tall side. Mine balanced the bike up nicely ..... no problem with prolonged running at 90mph plus on those jolly old French autoroutes! Oh, and put some of that rubber webbing stuff under the bag to avoid scratching the paintwork. I'm sure that Tridents weren't necessarily designed for such frivolities, but it coped magnificently! Several times!!
Nice advice Steve, will do mate....it's my first time touring, only had my bike licence just over 2 years although I've done 14500mls on the Bonnie to date from new, but really itching for this at the ripe young age of 56 ... once we get to Santander We're staying at my brother's house (lucky git has retired there)... he's about 2 hours west of Santander, so the panniers and givi bag will get dropped off (I had a zip put in the panniers at a saddlers for easy access on and off the bike ) so we'll be going days out on the bike with just a light backpack on, then back to his for beer and a Barbie... but on the way down and back I'll be taking it easy when loaded up
