The use of Nitrogen in racing applications has to do with it's thermal characteristics (and lack or water content). In racing a change in tire pressure of a fraction of a psi can mean a loss of thousandths of a second in lap times. While this is a serious issue when racing it has no bearing on the street as there are to many other variables, not the least of which are the riders skill level. On the street using Nitrogen in your tires is a complete and total waste of your money.

 

How do you know if they put nitrogen in or not? Other then, because they said they did.

 

This is the best mix to run in any street tire. And its free.


Nitrogen N2 78.084 %
OxygenO220.9476 %
ArgonAr0.934 %
Carbon DioxideCO20.0314 %
NeonNe0.001818 %
MethaneCH40.0002 %
HeliumHe0.000524 %
KryptonKr0.000114 %
HydrogenH20.00005 %
XenonXe0.0000087 %

 

+1

 

If you take a breath from the valve stem on your tire you voice will get higher and kinda squeaky. If your voice stays that way . . . it's 'cause it also eliminated your manhood.

 

I am a KC-135 crew chief in the Air Force.

We use nitrogen in all of our aircraft tires, and also in anything else on the aircraft that is charged with pressurized "air", such as hydraulic system accumulators, landing gear struts, emergency escape spoiler bottles, etc.

The benefits of nitrogen compared to plain "air" have mostly been touched on in this thread already, but allow me to add a few comments.

The main benefit, in aviation, is that nitrogen is much more consistent in its psi over a temperature range than air is. An example would be if you checked your tires on a hot day, and then on a cold day, the fluctuation wouldn't be as great in a nitrogen filled tire, as compared to an air filled tire.

It is common in various places where we have air bases in the middle east for the temperature on the ground to be 120 deg F, or more. At high altitudes, the outside temperature can be -35 deg F (thats below zero), or lower. (Our landing gear compartments are not pressurized/climate controlled.) So you can see what a great swing of temperature changes that aircraft tires (and other components) experience.

The other primary benefit, for us, is that nitrogen is "dryer" than plain air. Since it is "dry", there is less chance for rust or corrosion inside of the wheels, accumulators, struts, etc. And, since the oxygen is displaced by nitrogen, there is less oxidation. (Obviously though, tires would still be exposed to oxygen on the tires exterior surfaces.)

(Also, nitrogen will not burn, or support burning or fire. But I've never seen evidence in any tech manuals of that being a reason for its use on the aircraft.)

All of this being said, the question still is: "Is there a benefit to filling motorcycle (or automobile) tires with nitrogen?"

The answer to that would be, yes, there is a "small" benefit to using the nitrogen, in slightly more consistent pressures and slightly better leak down over time. However, I don't feel that the benefit would be great enough to make me be willing to pay extra for it.

If it were free, I would use it, but I personally would not pay any extra for it.

That money would be better spent on something else, IMO.

 

[quote=xFreebirdx;7536229]This is the best mix to run in any street tire. And its free.


Nitrogen N2 78.084 %
OxygenO220.9476 %
ArgonAr0.934 %
Carbon DioxideCO20.0314 %
NeonNe0.001818 %
MethaneCH40.0002 %
HeliumHe0.000524 %
KryptonKr0.000114 %
HydrogenH20.00005 %
XenonXe0.0000087 %[/quote

Could not have said it better.

 

Thanks for posting that, cruiser73.
Interesting reading.

 

Oh Great. Now you tell me.

 

If it is free - why not - as there are benefits.

Yet not so cost effective - can be burdensome when adjusting pressure.