Set-up & adjustments · 79Bike · Sur-Ron · Talaria
What tyre pressure for an electric dirt bike?
Tyre pressure is the quickest, most cost-effective adjustment on an electric dirt bike: 0.2 bar changes grip, comfort and puncture risk. Here are the ranges we use in the workshop, and how to adapt them.
Starting ranges
For off-road tyres with inner tubes, measured cold:
- Mud, soft ground, sand: 0.8 to 1.1 bar (12 to 16 psi).
- Dry, rocky, rooty trails: 1.0 to 1.3 bar (15 to 19 psi).
- Road (L1e-B road-legal version): the manufacturer's pressure in the manual or on the label, typically 1.6 bar or more. An under-inflated tyre on the road overheats, wears fast and makes the steering heavy.
The manual and the tyre sidewall always take priority over these ranges.
Why lower isn't always better
Lower pressure increases the contact patch and grip, but with an inner tube it invites pinch flats (snake-bite punctures on a rock or step) and tyre creep on the rim, which tears the valve out. If you run low, watch the valve: if it tilts, the tyre is turning on the rim.
Same pressure front and rear?
Not necessarily. The rear carries the electric motor's torque and more weight, so it often runs 0.1 bar more than the front on rough ground. Slightly lower pressure at the front improves tracking in ruts. Stock tyre sizes differ between models (Falcon GT: 70/100-19 front, 90/90-18 rear; Lynx: 80/100-19 and 3.0-18), so check sizes before buying tyres or tubes.
Measure properly
Measure cold, before riding, with a low-range gauge (0–4 bar): petrol-station gauges are too inaccurate below 1.5 bar. After a ride pressure rises by 0.1–0.2 bar, so don't let air out of a hot tyre. Check at least every other ride: tubes naturally lose pressure.
Tools you need
- Low-pressure gauge 0–4 bar
- Track pump or compressor
- Rim lock wrench (if fitted)
Step-by-step procedure
- 1
Measure cold
Before riding, remove the valve cap and check front and rear pressure with a low-pressure gauge.
- 2
Pick the range for the terrain
Mud and sand: 0.8–1.1 bar. Dry and rocky: 1.0–1.3 bar. Road: manufacturer's pressure.
- 3
Adjust
Add or release air in small 0.05 bar steps and measure again.
- 4
Check the valve
The valve must be straight and the lock nut or rim lock hand-tight.
- 5
Test and record
After a few kilometres, note the pressures that suit you on that terrain: that's your reference.
Useful genuine parts
In stock, shipped in 3–10 business days.
FAQ
I keep getting punctures. What should I do?+
Add 0.1–0.2 bar, check that no spoke end protrudes into the rim and that the rim strip is intact. For hard riding, a heavy-duty tube greatly reduces pinch flats.
Can I ride on the road at off-road pressures?+
No. Low pressure on the road overheats the tyre, wears it very quickly and hurts cornering. Re-inflate to the manual's value before riding on the road.
Should I use nitrogen?+
Not needed for this use. What matters is checking regularly with an accurate gauge.
Key takeaways
Start around 1.0 bar off-road, adjust by 0.1 bar for the terrain, always measure cold with an accurate gauge, and go back to the manufacturer's pressure for the road.
Need a hand?
Our workshop in Toulouse Sud (France) services 79Bike, Sur-Ron and Talaria. Send us a photo or video of the problem.
Related guides
These guides are for information only. If in doubt about a safety-critical part (brakes, steering, wheels), have a professional do the work. Always follow the manufacturer's manual.