Bike Tech Tips: Be a Human Pressure Gauge, by Clint Gibbs on YouTube. 2 min 20 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 20 s
- Time to do it
- 5 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 7
What you need
Steps
Find the recommended front and rear pressures for your bike in the owner's manual or on the swingarm sticker. Note the PSI figures.
Check the tyres cold, before riding, since heat raises pressure and gives a false reading.
Press your thumb firmly into the centre of the rear tyre tread. It should feel hard with only a slight give.
Do the same on the front tyre. The front usually runs a lower pressure, so a little more give is normal.
Compare both tyres against how they felt when you last knew they were correctly inflated.
Squeeze the sidewall with your fingers. A soft, squishy sidewall suggests low pressure.
If a tyre feels noticeably softer than usual, ride slowly to the nearest garage or use a pump and gauge to correct it.
Tips and common mistakes
This is only a rough estimate, so check with a proper gauge at least once a week.
Low tyre pressure harms handling and grip, so never ignore a soft-feeling tyre.
Heat from riding raises pressure, so always compare tyres when cold.
Questions
Can I set exact tyre pressure by feel?
No. Your hand can only tell you if a tyre is roughly hard or soft. Use a gauge to set the exact PSI.
How often should I check motorcycle tyre pressure?
Check with a gauge at least once a week and before long rides. A quick feel check is just a backup.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
