Do you have to remove saddlebags to check rear tire pressure? What's the easiest way to check it and how often to check it? Best type of gauge to use?

 

I bought the combination psi gauge/tread depth gauge from HD. The head is 90°

I do not remove my bags to check, but I do have an Atlas 1500 lift in the garage, and I park on it. It is simple to raise the bike up, but the blackjack under it to get the rear tire off the ground and spin it.

Yes, it is a PITA... but it beats the lay on the ground, get off the ground, roll the bike, lay back on the ground, get back up and move the bike again method.

 

I use Garmin TPMS, check mine on the fly or at any time.
Every ride!

 

I put a little pink dot with a paint pen on the sidewall in line with the valve stem, easy to see that way

 

I like to check tire pressure when the bike is up on my lift. However that has been broke for the season so I have to lay on the floor and then use the new HD gauge and hose combo I just bought. I have a Pitbull lift on order but don't expect to see it for a couple of weeks. Can't wait to receive it so the wash jobs and other uses become easier once again.

 

Just take it to the HD Stealer & have them check them for you that's the easiest way once a week is good!

 

When you put the bikes on lifts to check tire pressure, where do you guys put your Starbuck's latte's? I just do it the old fashion way, saddle bag off and lay it on a blanket on the floor and move the bike.

 

I use the 90 degree combination air and tire depth gage as well.

As stated by others, it is really a pain, but not much different from front to back tire.

Then, one day I was asked to check the air on my son's 2004 Kawasaki Mean Streak. Lo and behold, they have a chrome plated 90 degree tire stem. Easiest to check and even the newer straight tire hoses at filling stations work easily.

I sure do wish that HD would add this type of stem.

 

Well, I have a Pitbull lift but I'm sure not lifting my bike to check tire pressure - you can't lift it in the parking lot of the TownePlace Suites. I don't pull the saddlebag either. I lay on the floor/ground; check the valve location, if necessary move the bike 1 direction or another to get the valve close to between a 5:00 to 7:00 position (approximately), check tire pressure with an offset, digital tire gauge (ROADGEAR brand, it must be 15 years old), adjust if necessary & check again, repeat as necessary until inflated properly & move on. Not too bad, but not a job to do wearing your off-white Dockers & light colored, John Hancock shirt. (Hey, I'm not poking fun - I work in an office with a dress code & my riding clothes don't comply!)

 

I use a 90 degree pressure gauge. I just roll the bike until the valve stem is near the bottom and lay on the floor to check it. Saddlebags do not come off.