Proper rear tire pressure?
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Joined: May 2009
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Proper rear tire pressure?
My month old 2008 FXDL has a little over 300 miles on it. The rear end feels like it is swaying slightly in turns. It has done it from day one. It is not a big wobble or anything scary. It just feels "soft" and sort of like it wants to step out in turns above 20 MPH. Especially if the is any undulations in the pavement.
At first, I thought maybe it was road imperfections. Then when I realized it happened all the time, regardless of the road, I figured it was "normal" since I have never owned or ridden a HD before.
Anyway, I checked the cold tire pressures tonight with my trusty digital tire gauge (I assume an automobile one works fine on the HD):
Front 18 PSI
Rear 26 PSI.
I have not added any air. Unless I am loosing air, this is how the bike was delivered. It has stock tires. I guess I figured the dealer set it up properly before delivery.
HD Owners manual recommends for solo riders (I am):
Front 30 PSI
Rear 36 PSI
What do you guys run pressure wise?
Will a higher rear tire pressure eliminate the slight rear end sway in turns or exacerbate it?
Is the issue the shocks? Do I need to stiffen the load adjustment on the shock settings. It is on "2".
Any help is appreciated.
At first, I thought maybe it was road imperfections. Then when I realized it happened all the time, regardless of the road, I figured it was "normal" since I have never owned or ridden a HD before.
Anyway, I checked the cold tire pressures tonight with my trusty digital tire gauge (I assume an automobile one works fine on the HD):
Front 18 PSI
Rear 26 PSI.
I have not added any air. Unless I am loosing air, this is how the bike was delivered. It has stock tires. I guess I figured the dealer set it up properly before delivery.
HD Owners manual recommends for solo riders (I am):
Front 30 PSI
Rear 36 PSI
What do you guys run pressure wise?
Will a higher rear tire pressure eliminate the slight rear end sway in turns or exacerbate it?
Is the issue the shocks? Do I need to stiffen the load adjustment on the shock settings. It is on "2".
Any help is appreciated.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,384
Likes: 12
From: Out on Deranged
Way low there freind,my hd tek told me 36 and 36,put up to 40 in the rear tire to compensate for a passenger. Check your tires once a week even if it's a pain in the ***! Likely you have'nt caused any damage yet,but my first front tire cupped real bad to the point I needed a new one after 10000 miles.same tek told me I only had 22 lbs in the front and 24 the rear!.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 12
From:
Wow thats way low I run 30 front 38 rear, sure that low will make you squirrely never trust that the dealer did anything! Its your money tour bike and your life. As far as shocks do T/P first then move shocks till you get best feel for you I run on 3 solo 4 2up I weigh about 195
Last edited by dyna07custom; Jul 2, 2009 at 05:37 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
You would expect so, but I stopped by to get an inspection sticker on my way home from picking up my bike. The tire pressure was low, the headlights were way off (pointed low), and there was still a couple stickers here and there. I hear its common.
Don't know what dealer prep is beside charging up the battery, start it to see it runs, and wipe the dust off.
Check the oil level.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 467
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From:
I run f30/r38 which seems to work good solo or 2 up. I find the 2 setting really too soft with stock shocks even solo. 3 seems to work good for me solo and I usually leave it there. Wife only weighs about 110 and I'm about 215. It will only bottom out if I hit a sharp bump unexpectedly but rides really smooth otherwise.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Missouri City,TX
Wow thats way low I run 30 front 38 rear, sure that low will make you squirrely never trust that the dealer did anything! Its your money tour bike and your life. As far as shocks do T/P first then move shocks till you get best feel for you I run on 3 solo 4 2up I weigh about 195
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 504
Likes: 9
From: KY
I fill 2 lb over what the HD book says. So I ride at 32 and 38 lb and check it every few days, especially with the spoked wheels.
By the way, pay attention to that "whobble" or swaying of the back end. The True Track (discussed many times on HDF) would fix it if you continue to have that problem.
By the way, pay attention to that "whobble" or swaying of the back end. The True Track (discussed many times on HDF) would fix it if you continue to have that problem.