Honda 954 Tire info

jacobflyin · 03-10-2008, 5:54 PM

Hi, everyone I am new to fireblades and would like some help.

I have a 2003 954 and I love it but I have a problem I can not keep my piolit powers from spining I ride hard and push the bike and tires, but I would hope they would give me more grip out of the corners.

The bike is pritty stock with a 520 quick aceleration kit 1 tooth down in the front, K&N filter and slip on pipe thats all for power but I do have a gpr sterring stabilizer ( I love it ).

I have a lot of people telling me to go with a dunlop qualifier or maybe a differant size like a 190/55 I know the bike is light for THE HP but I would think there is something that can help. It also feels very twichy and does not want to lean back the other way very easy like in a S turn ( if that makes senes )

Thank you

Copernikus · 03-10-2008, 8:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacobflyin

Hi, everyone I am new to fireblades and would like some help.

I have a 2003 954 and I love it but I have a problem I can not keep my piolit powers from spining I ride hard and push the bike and tires, but I would hope they would give me more grip out of the corners.

The bike is pritty stock with a 520 quick aceleration kit 1 tooth down in the front, K&N filter and slip on pipe thats all for power but I do have a gpr sterring stabilizer ( I love it ).

I have a lot of people telling me to go with a dunlop qualifier or maybe a differant size like a 190/55 I know the bike is light for THE HP but I would think there is something that can help. It also feels very twichy and does not want to lean back the other way very easy like in a S turn ( if that makes senes )

Thank you

The first thing you should do is check your tire pressures. Most of us on Fireblades run our tires at around 32/34 cold. When you have done some spirited canyon riding they should increase by 4-5 lbs optimally. If they read higher add more pressure or if lower let some out. It sounds as if you have way too much pressure if you are spinning them. I have never had that problem with 178 bhp at the back wheel. They will of course spin if they are cold!

denzee · 03-10-2008, 8:50 PM

Unless there's crap on the road, with Qualifiers the front comes up before you spin. This is provided your pressure is correct as Copernikus says and your tires are up to temp.

MrD · 03-10-2008, 9:43 PM

"Most of us on Fireblades run our tires at around 32/34 cold"

Just curious-Why is that?

Copernikus · 03-10-2008, 10:07 PM

If you read what I wrote above at higher pressures your tires will not heat up enough to grip the road and they will slip. Your manual says the rear should be at 42 lbs and often shops inflate them to this putting the rider in danger. 42 is the maximum pressure they should be inflated with your large babe on the back and fully laden luggage. On the track we run them at about 30/32 cold (front/rear) to get them up 4-5 lbs hot.

MrD · 03-10-2008, 10:12 PM

I thought 31/32 was optimum. 34 seemed kind of high. And I thought 42 was a "never ever"! But I'm no expert.

-Z- · 03-10-2008, 11:27 PM

I usually run 34 front 36 rear, but I don't ever hit the track either.

jacobflyin · 03-10-2008, 11:49 PM

Thanks guys I run 30 to 32 psi and the tires are plenty worm by the time they slip, I just started having this problem I wounder if the tires have to many heat cycles in them they have about 60% tread left but I know if there are 2 many heat cycles they can get hard. I hope the dunlops fix this problem the guys I ride with run dunlops and they love them so we will see.

Thank you for your help.

Copernikus · 03-11-2008, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacobflyin

Thanks guys I run 30 to 32 psi and the tires are plenty worm by the time they slip, I just started having this problem I wounder if the tires have to many heat cycles in them they have about 60% tread left but I know if there are 2 many heat cycles they can get hard. I hope the dunlops fix this problem the guys I ride with run dunlops and they love them so we will see.

Thank you for your help.

If you do the pressure test I outlined you may find that 30-32 heats them up too much say 6-7 lbs difference which will put them under too much stress. Aim for 4-5 lbs, I run Pirelli Diablo IIIs and this is the importer's advice at a track day he ran here.
If you have 60% tread they are just run in and should have heaps of life in them. It is really only DOT race tires that have limited heat cycles in them as their running temps are way higher than you can achieve on the street.

jacobflyin · 03-11-2008, 12:14 AM

Cool I will try that thank you after I break in my new dunlops I had to do something before the Pridmore school