If you are interested in the technical bits and bobs that a long distance rider needs to keep in mind, then read on…
This post is about tyre pressures under various conditions and was provided by Steve Eilertsen of Africa Long Distance and Off Road Riding Academy. I attended an off road course in 2009, and Steve was my instructor. Before the course, I was extremely nervous whenever I had to ride on the dirty stuff, but after a day with Steve, I was riding the dirt with far more confidence than I thought I would ever have…
I asked Steve how he managed to get more than 25 000 kms on one set of tyres, and with his permission, I have listed his advice hereunder…
“It’s all about the right tyre pressure, for the right conditions,†he said and went on to give me the following advice…
“Tyre pressure must be varied in accordance to the traction you require. For high speeds, hot weather, a heavy load and potholes, you need lots of traction, so pump your front tyre to 2.5 bars and the rear to 3.0 bars.
As the traction on the road you are riding on decreases, due to wet weather or loose gravel, reduce the pressure to 1.6 and 1.9 respectively. Also reduce your speed down to 100 km/h maximum…
If your traction reduces even further, as it will in muddy conditions or in thick sand, reduce the tyre pressure to 1.1 and 1.4 respectively. Also reduce your speed to between 40 and 60 km/h….”
He went on to remind me that speed and impatience can be your greatest enemy…
“You must ride according to the conditions, and forget about where you have to be at a certain time… You will start riding faster to get there… It is difficult to think clearly in those long, hot afternoon sessions, when your clothes are sticking to your body and you smell to high heaven…”, he went on to say…
“If there is NO traction at all, such as in thick mud, then reduce the pressure to .8 and 1.0 respectively and walk the bike through the section you are on paddling the bike to ensure that it remains under you… It is all about throttle control… The front is fine, but if you get on the gas and the bike will wash out from under you. If you go down in these conditions, you will struggle to get the bike upright again, even with help!!”
“In very windy conditions, reduce the pressure in the front tyre, to 1.6 bars, but leave the back… This will prevent the bike from moving across the road… If it gets too windy, pull off and wait for conditions to improve…
And finally on tyre pressures… Be prompt in restoring your tyre pressure to their original pressure 2.5 and 3.0 once you are back on a decent road. Hard tyres resist wear, but soft tyre will wear very quickly, especially at speed…”
Steve manipulates his pressures religiously, and attributes this to the life he gets out of each set… Obviously, in order to follow this advice, you need to carry a 12v Compressor with you, as well as spare fuses, as the 15 amp fuse on your bike tends to “pop” with constant use of the compressor.
Or, if you have the stamina, and the correct hand pump, you should always carry one of those…
On riding through potholes sections, Steve had this to say…
“Hitting a pothole is not as bad as it sounds generally…. As long as you stand up and get your weight off the front wheel and over the back as you impact. On impact, allow your body to flow forward, absorbing the energy… Obviously, on roads with potholes, you should not be traveling too fast, and 100 km/h should be the maximum. When faced with oncoming traffic, and you see a pothole, brake immediately… Even if you are not sure how bad it might be. A mistake here can send you into the oncoming traffic or off the road… Also, do not allow anyone to tailgate when riding through a potholed section of road… They might run into you if you stop suddenly, and they have not seen the pothole which you are slowing down or stopping for…”
“Eye control is a critical skill when dealing with potholes… Look at the pothole, take in the info, and then look PAST it towards the escape route… Look at the oncoming traffic, and you will ride into it, look at the pothole, and you will ride through it!! Look to the escape route and you will be fine….”
Thanks for the great advice, Steve… I have had many occasions so far on this trip to put your advice to good use…
© GBWT 2010
Thanks fot the tyre info – I always have an issue with pressure and road surfaces – this is a much clearer indication – John Carr from Donford also say that the tyre is not the problem – it’s the pressure – and yes, the speed also to suit the conditions – nice ride so far – stay safe and enjoy
Hey Ronnie
Hope you are well and enjoying every minute of your ride!!!! Thinking of you, please be safe, god bless. Aunty Pops and Family.
Hey the Mourinhos….!!! In Tanzania…rough as a badgers bum,but managing so far…Thanks for tuning in,and hope you are all well… Take care!!
Thanks Martin…. Keep it pumped !! Ronnie
Hi Ronnie, had yet another great read, had to catch up, was in Simonstown for 2 weeks, my son spotted a twin of Big Fella and thought it was you, he was so excited, thought he was going to meet Gypsy Biker. Sorry to here that you had to come back to SA, if I was @ home I would have made a plan to meet with you – we live in Pretoria. Cecile lives in Kenton-on-Sea (Port Alfred), doing ok, 2 sons, Adrian 21, Grant 19. Unfortunetaly she is going through a messy divorce right now, after 24 years of marriage. Mom lives 5 km from me, doing well, just turned 70, Tim passed away two years ago, age 87. I am married to Jorrie, a submariner, two kids, Melissa 13, Ben 11. Take care Ron, be safe.