Michelin Starcross 5 Soft Tire Pressure Recommendations

Talisker
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Talisker
Edited Date/Time 5/27/2020 10:44am
Riding out at 3 Palms in Houston. Track conditions are Intermediate/Sandy. Just picked up and mounted my first set. Did not feel safe at speeds. What tire pressure does anyone recommend?
Thanks
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731chopper
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731chopper 5/21/2020 9:10pm
5/21/2020 9:10pm
13.5
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Markee
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Markee 5/22/2020 12:27am
5/22/2020 12:27am Edited Date/Time 5/22/2020 12:28am
14 / 14.5

Running lower will roll the sidewalls.
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greg570
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greg570 5/22/2020 2:53am
5/22/2020 2:53am
17.5...on hard pack

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erik_94COBRA
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erik_94COBRA 5/22/2020 3:55am
5/22/2020 3:55am Edited Date/Time 5/22/2020 4:44am
Have used 13.5 in those tires on two different bikes at 3P.

I have found these last longer than Dunlops and give about 85% or more of the traction (i.e. not quite as good).
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Tuna
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Tuna 5/22/2020 4:00am
5/22/2020 4:00am
Talisker wrote:
Riding out at 3 Palms in Houston. Track conditions are Intermediate/Sandy. Just picked up and mounted my first set. Did not feel safe at speeds. What...
Riding out at 3 Palms in Houston. Track conditions are Intermediate/Sandy. Just picked up and mounted my first set. Did not feel safe at speeds. What tire pressure does anyone recommend?
Thanks
The tire has a pretty light carcass, takes a bit to get used to. Real comfortable tire though with good bump absorption. I always ran a soft front and medium rear. The soft still works great on harder pack and gives better grip than the medium.
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526
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526 5/22/2020 4:40am
5/22/2020 4:40am
erik_94COBRA wrote:
Have used 13.5 in those tires on two different bikes at 3P. I have found these last longer than Dunlops and give about 85% or more...
Have used 13.5 in those tires on two different bikes at 3P.

I have found these last longer than Dunlops and give about 85% or more of the traction (i.e. not quite as good).
Almost Double the traction as a Dunlop? Wow i haven't used Dunlops in years but they must be sketchy to ride with holy man.
soopah noviss 5/22/2020 4:51am
5/22/2020 4:51am
erik_94COBRA wrote:
Have used 13.5 in those tires on two different bikes at 3P. I have found these last longer than Dunlops and give about 85% or more...
Have used 13.5 in those tires on two different bikes at 3P.

I have found these last longer than Dunlops and give about 85% or more of the traction (i.e. not quite as good).
526 wrote:
Almost Double the traction as a Dunlop? Wow i haven't used Dunlops in years but they must be sketchy to ride with holy man.
I think he's suggesting that the the Michelin is only 85% as effective as a Dunlop WRT to traction.
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rjg
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rjg 5/22/2020 4:58am
5/22/2020 4:58am
13.5 psi
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HighPlainsSquid 5/22/2020 5:47am
5/22/2020 5:47am
First....what kind of gauges are you guys using to get 1/2 lb increments?

Me, I go for 14 lbs on my low-pressure auto parts store Special Gauge. I have the soft on my KTM 150 XC-W and medium on the KX and TC 125. I run mediums on the rear of all 3.

What Dunlaps are we referring to, specifically? I don't have good success with them, particularly on the KX.
kab210
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kab210 5/22/2020 5:52am
5/22/2020 5:52am
I generally run 13 PSI on Mediums front and rear. Great all around setup and very predictable traction
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Luxon MX
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Luxon MX 5/22/2020 9:29am
5/22/2020 9:29am
HighPlainsSquid wrote:
First....what kind of gauges are you guys using to get 1/2 lb increments? Me, I go for 14 lbs on my low-pressure auto parts store Special...
First....what kind of gauges are you guys using to get 1/2 lb increments?

Me, I go for 14 lbs on my low-pressure auto parts store Special Gauge. I have the soft on my KTM 150 XC-W and medium on the KX and TC 125. I run mediums on the rear of all 3.

What Dunlaps are we referring to, specifically? I don't have good success with them, particularly on the KX.
I usually end up at 13 psi.


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Markee
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Markee 5/22/2020 10:30am
5/22/2020 10:30am
HighPlainsSquid wrote:
First....what kind of gauges are you guys using to get 1/2 lb increments? Me, I go for 14 lbs on my low-pressure auto parts store Special...
First....what kind of gauges are you guys using to get 1/2 lb increments?

Me, I go for 14 lbs on my low-pressure auto parts store Special Gauge. I have the soft on my KTM 150 XC-W and medium on the KX and TC 125. I run mediums on the rear of all 3.

What Dunlaps are we referring to, specifically? I don't have good success with them, particularly on the KX.
Above is what I use as well.

FYI, to get the most accurate reading from a gauge, you need one that has double the range for your application. Thats why motion pros mechanical gauge max range is 30 pisg

A good gauge or at least one that has been adjusted / confirmed is accurate is very important. I learned the hard way, had a regular advance auto chinese special, come to fine out after 3 years of using it, it was 8 psi high, So I was running 21psi, face palm Unsure
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HighPlainsSquid 5/22/2020 7:38pm
5/22/2020 7:38pm
Markee wrote:
Above is what I use as well. FYI, to get the most accurate reading from a gauge, you need one that has double the range for...
Above is what I use as well.

FYI, to get the most accurate reading from a gauge, you need one that has double the range for your application. Thats why motion pros mechanical gauge max range is 30 pisg

A good gauge or at least one that has been adjusted / confirmed is accurate is very important. I learned the hard way, had a regular advance auto chinese special, come to fine out after 3 years of using it, it was 8 psi high, So I was running 21psi, face palm Unsure
Yeah... the old one I'd been using for years reads about 7 lbs higher than the new one. No idea which one is right.

If I get that Motion Pro and it clogs up with slime the first time I use it, I'm gonna be pissed.
Timo_2824
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Timo_2824 5/22/2020 7:53pm
5/22/2020 7:53pm
A good quality digital gauge is the way to go, they are more accurate than an analog gauge. Generally a dial gauge is most accurate in the middle of the sweep, which is why that motion pro is nice with 30 psi max.
AJ565
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AJ565 5/22/2020 8:05pm
5/22/2020 8:05pm
I use the air pump for the forks that KTM’s come with.
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wm741
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wm741 5/23/2020 2:57am
5/23/2020 2:57am
14-14.5 per Keefer. It seemed to work great out there. Tried lower PSI and ended up with flats due to the softer carcass.
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FGR01
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FGR01 5/23/2020 5:48am
5/23/2020 5:48am
What really matters is that you find the sweet spot on any particular gauge and then stick with that gauge for consistency. My buddy was using his WP digital fork gauge with his KTM and kept saying front feels like shit. I asked how much pressure he was running and he said 14. I rode the bike and said you need more air I can feel the rim on the hard parts of the track. Checked it with my gauge it was at 11.5.

I've been using these for years. Only prob is they don't like to be dropped.

https://www.chapmoto.com/accu-gage-low-pressure-sx-series-0-15-psi-tire…

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Zesiger 112
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Zesiger 112 5/23/2020 7:03am
5/23/2020 7:03am Edited Date/Time 5/23/2020 7:04am
Thanks for this thread. I have Michelin starcross soft and have had very bad front end feel in the corners and have washed it more than I ever have before. I've even focused on sitting forward and even moved the forks up in the clamps. I've been running them at 12psi.
dv12.com
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dv12.com 5/23/2020 7:14pm
5/23/2020 7:14pm
1 bar
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HighPlainsSquid 5/23/2020 7:34pm
5/23/2020 7:34pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2020 7:34pm
AJ565 wrote:
I use the air pump for the forks that KTM’s come with.
Why didn't I think of that?

Oh, I know... because it's my son's bike with the AER forks and he doesn't want me touching HIS tools!!!
SVT-Cobra
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SVT-Cobra 5/26/2020 5:46am
5/26/2020 5:46am
I always run 13 - 14. I honestly like these tires more than Dunlops - especially the soft.
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UGOTBIT
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UGOTBIT 5/26/2020 6:12am
5/26/2020 6:12am
Funny, I just ordered an air pressure gauge after a mistake this weekend...

Longacre has 0-30 liquid filled gauges for $50 bucks. Can be bought off eBay, Amazon, ect. Speedway also has them listed even cheaper as garage sale items, due to being 1/4lb off.

https://www.amazon.com/Longacre-52-52022-Liquid-Filled-Gauge/dp/B01LRIT…

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theycallmeebryan 5/26/2020 10:59am
5/26/2020 10:59am
It entirely depends on the rider weight, the type of riding, how fast the rider is, the bike, etc.

Best thing to do is to test a bunch of pressures and find which pressure not only "feels" right, but also has the proper amount of "rim clean" on the rim edge.
TSCHAM101
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TSCHAM101 5/27/2020 10:32am
5/27/2020 10:32am
dunlops i run 13.5 and they are phenomnal for socal tracks..

Michelins, ide start at 14.5 and depending on your issues go up or down.. that tire likes more pressure if youre a faster rider.. if not it will roll on you.
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TSCHAM101
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TSCHAM101 5/27/2020 10:44am
5/27/2020 10:44am
Zesiger 112 wrote:
Thanks for this thread. I have Michelin starcross soft and have had very bad front end feel in the corners and have washed it more than...
Thanks for this thread. I have Michelin starcross soft and have had very bad front end feel in the corners and have washed it more than I ever have before. I've even focused on sitting forward and even moved the forks up in the clamps. I've been running them at 12psi.
youre way too low.. the tire is folding on you.. try 14.5

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