KingTyre Race Tyre Pressures: Updated 2026 Guide

Sticky-Stuff technical guide

KingTyre Race Tyre Pressures: Updated 2026 Guide

Cold pressures, hot pressures straight out of the warmers and recommended tyre-warmer settings for the KingTyre K00 Slick, K01 Rain, K06 Supersport, K97 Classic Racing and K00 Slick Minibike ranges.

Updated July 2026 using the latest pressure chart supplied to Sticky-Stuff

Correct motorcycle race tyre pressure is not a single number that can be set in the morning and forgotten. KingTyre has revised its race-range pressure guide using feedback gathered from riders, dealers and distributors around the world. We have reproduced the updated figures below in a mobile-friendly format so riders can find the right starting point quickly.

The supplier's general guidance is that quicker riders may prefer to begin near the lower end of a stated range because they are more able to generate and retain heat. A less experienced or less consistent rider may want to begin towards the upper end. These are starting points: ambient temperature, track temperature and your pace can all affect the pressure the tyre reaches.

Important: this is a specialist race and track guide, not a replacement for the road pressures specified by your motorcycle manufacturer. Confirm that the tyre, size, rim and intended use are suitable for your motorcycle. K00 Slick tyres marked NHS are not for highway service. Check pressures throughout the day and make only small, considered changes.

KingTyre race pressure guide at a glance

K00 Slick

Front cold targets are 29-30 psi, while most full-size rear targets begin at 20-22 psi depending on size.

K01 Rain

Front cold targets are 29-32 psi. Rear values differ between heavy rain and a wet track.

K06 Supersport

Front cold target: 32 psi. Rear cold targets: generally 23 psi, with a 23-25 psi range in selected smaller sizes.

K97 Classic Racing

Front cold target: 30 psi. Rear cold target: 22 psi across the sizes in the supplied chart.

KingTyre K00 Slick tyre pressures

Recommended warmer cycle: 60 minutes at 80-90°C.

Tyre size	Position	Tread width	Overall diameter	Measured rim	Approved rims	Cold pressure	Hot from warmers
125/75 R16.5 NHS	Front	125 mm	603 mm	MT3.50	3.50-3.75	2.0 bar (29 psi)	2.2 bar (32 psi)
95/75 R17 NHS	Front	92 mm	580 mm	MT2.50	2.50-3.00	2.0 bar (29 psi)	2.2 bar (32 psi)
120/70 R17 NHS	Front	116 mm	600 mm	MT3.50	3.50-3.75	2.1 bar (30 psi)	2.3-2.4 bar (33-35 psi)
125/70 R17 NHS	Front	120 mm	610 mm	MT3.50	3.50-3.75	2.1 bar (30 psi)	2.3-2.4 bar (33-35 psi)
115/75 R17 NHS	Rear	111 mm	604 mm	MT3.00	3.00-3.50	1.5 bar (22 psi)	1.8 bar (26 psi)
160/60 R17 NHS	Rear	160 mm	625 mm	MT4.50	4.25-5.00	1.4 bar (20 psi)	1.6-1.8 bar (23-26 psi)
180/60 R17 NHS	Rear	179 mm	649 mm	MT5.00	5.00-5.50	1.4 bar (20 psi)	1.6-1.8 bar (23-26 psi)
190/60 R17 NHS	Rear	182 mm	658 mm	MT5.00	5.00-5.50	1.4 bar (20 psi)	1.6-1.8 bar (23-26 psi)
200/60 R17 NHS	Rear	203 mm	672 mm	MT6.00	5.50-6.25	1.4 bar (20 psi)	1.6-1.8 bar (23-26 psi)
200/65 R17 NHS	Rear	198 mm	700 mm	MT6.00	5.50-6.25	1.5 bar (22 psi)	1.7-1.8 bar (25-26 psi)

Shop KingTyre K00 Slick tyres or view the K00 Slick pair deal.

KingTyre K01 Rain tyre pressures

Recommended warmer cycle: 30 minutes at 40°C.

Tyre size	Position	Condition	Measured rim	Approved rims	Cold pressure	Hot from warmers
125/75 R16.5 NHS	Front	Rain	MT3.50	3.50-3.75	2.0 bar (29 psi)	2.3 bar (33 psi)
110/70 R17 NHS	Front	Rain	MT3.00	3.00-3.50	2.0 bar (29 psi)	2.3 bar (33 psi)
125/70 R17 NHS	Front	Rain	MT3.50	3.50-3.75	2.0 bar (29 psi)	2.3 bar (33 psi)
125/80 R17 NHS	Front	Rain	MT3.00	3.00-3.75	2.1-2.2 bar (30-32 psi)	2.35 bar (34 psi)
140/70 R17 NHS	Rear	Heavy rain	MT3.75	3.50-4.00	1.9 bar (28 psi)	2.1 bar (30 psi)
140/70 R17 NHS	Rear	Wet track	MT3.75	3.50-4.00	1.8 bar (26 psi)	1.9 bar (28 psi)
160/60 R17 NHS	Rear	Heavy rain	MT4.50	4.25-5.00	1.9 bar (28 psi)	2.1 bar (30 psi)
160/60 R17 NHS	Rear	Wet track	MT4.50	4.25-5.00	1.8 bar (26 psi)	1.9 bar (28 psi)
190/55 R17 NHS	Rear	Heavy rain	MT6.00	5.50-6.00	1.9 bar (28 psi)	2.1 bar (30 psi)
190/55 R17 NHS	Rear	Wet track	MT6.00	5.50-6.00	1.8 bar (26 psi)	1.9 bar (28 psi)

Shop KingTyre K01 Rain tyres or view the K01 Rain pair deal.

KingTyre K06 Supersport tyre pressures

Recommended warmer cycle: 60 minutes at 80-90°C.

Tyre size	Position	Measured rim	Approved rims	Cold pressure	Hot from warmers
110/70 ZR17	Front	MT3.00	3.00-3.50	2.2 bar (32 psi)	2.4 bar (35 psi)
120/70 ZR17	Front	MT3.50	3.50-3.75	2.2 bar (32 psi)	2.4 bar (35 psi)
140/70 ZR17	Rear	MT3.75	3.50-4.00	1.6-1.7 bar (23-25 psi)	1.8-2.0 bar (26-29 psi)
150/60 ZR17	Rear	MT4.25	4.00-4.50	1.6-1.7 bar (23-25 psi)	1.8-2.0 bar (26-29 psi)
160/60 ZR17	Rear	MT4.50	4.25-5.00	1.6 bar (23 psi)	1.8 bar (26 psi)
180/55 ZR17	Rear	MT5.50	5.50-6.00	1.6 bar (23 psi)	1.8 bar (26 psi)
180/60 ZR17	Rear	MT5.00	5.00-5.50	1.6 bar (23 psi)	1.8 bar (26 psi)
190/55 ZR17	Rear	MT6.00	5.50-6.00	1.6 bar (23 psi)	1.8 bar (26 psi)
200/55 ZR17	Rear	MT6.25	6.00-6.25	1.6 bar (23 psi)	1.8 bar (26 psi)

Shop KingTyre K06 Supersport tyres or view the K06 Supersport pair deal.

KingTyre K97 Classic Racing tyre pressures

Recommended warmer cycle: 60 minutes at 80-90°C.

Tyre size	Position	Measured rim	Approved rims	Cold pressure	Hot from warmers
90/90 ZR18	Front	MT2.15	1.85-2.50	2.1 bar (30 psi)	2.3 bar (33 psi)
100/90 ZR18	Front	MT2.50	2.50-2.75	2.1 bar (30 psi)	2.3 bar (33 psi)
110/80 ZR18	Front	MT2.50	2.50-3.00	2.1 bar (30 psi)	2.3 bar (33 psi)
90/90 ZR18	Rear	MT2.15	1.85-2.50	1.5 bar (22 psi)	1.7 bar (25 psi)
100/90 ZR18	Rear	MT2.50	2.50-2.75	1.5 bar (22 psi)	1.7 bar (25 psi)
110/80 ZR18	Rear	MT2.50	2.50-3.00	1.5 bar (22 psi)	1.7 bar (25 psi)
120/70 ZR18	Rear	MT3.50	3.50-3.75	1.5 bar (22 psi)	1.7 bar (25 psi)
120/80 ZR18	Rear	MT3.50	3.50-4.00	1.5 bar (22 psi)	1.7 bar (25 psi)
130/70 ZR18	Rear	MT3.50	3.50-4.00	1.5 bar (22 psi)	1.7 bar (25 psi)

Shop KingTyre K97 Classic Racing tyres or view the K97 Classic Racing pair deal.

KingTyre K00 Slick Minibike tyre pressures

Tyre-warmer temperature stated by KingTyre: 70-90°C.

Tyre size	Position	Measured rim	Guide pressure
100/85 R10 NHS	Front	MT2.50	1.3 bar (19 psi)
100/90 R12 NHS	Front	MT2.50	1.3 bar (19 psi)
120/80 R10 NHS	Rear	MT2.75	1.1 bar (16 psi)
120/80 R12 NHS	Rear	MT2.75	1.1 bar (16 psi)

The supplied minibike table calls this simply “Tyre Pressure Guide” and does not label the figure as cold or hot. Confirm your procedure before use.

How to use these KingTyre pressure figures

Identify the exact tyre and size. Do not transfer a figure from a similar-looking size or another KingTyre model.
Set a sensible starting pressure. Use the supplied cold figure or pressure range and take account of your likely pace.
Complete the specified warmer cycle. Check both temperature and duration. K01 Rain uses a very different setting from the dry race ranges.
Check immediately. Measure the pressure as soon as the warmers come off and compare it with the “hot straight out of warmers” target.
Recheck in pit lane. Measure directly after a few laps, record the result and make small adjustments where necessary.
Keep monitoring. Recheck when the weather, track temperature, pace or setup changes during the day.

Why does rider pace affect race tyre pressure?

A tyre's pressure rises as it heats. A fast, consistent rider can usually put more energy into the tyre and may hold its temperature more effectively, so starting at the lower end of a permitted range can leave room for the expected pressure rise. A less experienced or less consistent rider may generate less heat and may therefore be better beginning nearer the upper end of the range.

This does not mean that every quicker rider should automatically choose the lowest figure. Rider weight, track surface, ambient and track temperatures, session length and suspension setup can all change the result. The measured hot pressure and the behaviour of the tyre are more useful than copying another rider's cold setting.

Cold pressure versus hot pressure

Cold tyre pressure

The baseline taken before meaningful heat has been put into the tyre. Because “cold” depends on the surrounding conditions, record when and where you measured it.

Hot pressure from warmers

The target measured immediately after the tyre has completed the stated warmer cycle. Do not leave the tyre cooling while you prepare other equipment before checking it.

Hot pressure from the track

The pressure checked in pit lane directly after a few representative laps. This shows what your own pace, motorcycle and the current conditions are doing to the tyre.

Pressure records

Record cold, post-warmer and post-session pressures alongside track and ambient temperature. A simple log is far more useful than relying on memory.

Frequently asked questions

What pressure should I run in a KingTyre K00 Slick?

It depends on the exact size and whether it is a front or rear. In the July 2026 chart, full-size K00 fronts begin at 29-30 psi cold. Most full-size rears begin at 20 psi cold, while the 115/75 R17 and 200/65 R17 begin at 22 psi. Use the full table above rather than a single generic K00 figure.

What temperature should KingTyre race tyre warmers be set to?

KingTyre specifies 80-90°C for 60 minutes for the K00 Slick, K06 Supersport and K97 Classic Racing ranges. The K01 Rain uses 40°C for 30 minutes. The K00 Slick Minibike table specifies 70-90°C but does not state a duration.

Should a quicker rider use a lower starting pressure?

KingTyre's general guidance is that quicker riders may want to start towards the lower end of a stated range because they can generate and retain more heat. Less experienced or less consistent riders may want to begin towards the upper end. Always verify the result with hot pressure checks rather than treating pace alone as the answer.

Do I need to check the pressures again during the day?

Yes. These race tyres require pressure checks and maintenance during the day, particularly when ambient or track temperatures change. KingTyre recommends checking hot pressures in pit lane directly after a few laps and making small adjustments if necessary.

Can I use these pressures for road riding?

No. This article reproduces KingTyre's race-range guide and must not be used as a generic road-pressure chart. For road use, follow your motorcycle manufacturer's guidance and confirm that the specific tyre is approved for highway use. Tyres marked NHS are not for highway service.

Are KingTyre K01 Rain rear pressures the same in every wet condition?

No. For the K01 Rain rear sizes in this chart, KingTyre gives one target for heavy rain and a lower target for a wet track. Select the relevant row and continue monitoring conditions.

Need KingTyre race tyres or fitting advice?

Sticky-Stuff supplies KingTyre racing and track-day tyres from UK stock. If you are unsure about the right model, size or fitting option, speak to our motorcycle tyre team before ordering.

Shop KingTyre tyres Browse race and track tyres Read our track-day tyre guide

Source: KingTyre Race Tyres pressure chart, updated July 2026 and supplied to Sticky-Stuff. Values have been transcribed into HTML for accessibility. Always check the latest manufacturer information before use.