Tire Pressure

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 9, 2015 | 01:00 PM

#11

mdm

Tourer

Joined: Mar 2015

Posts: 454

Likes: 33

From: Here

Quote:

Originally Posted by Markymannn

You know you lose a pound or two checking. That is why you are down. I check mine in March when riding starts, and mid-summer. Never down. If you are loosing air every week you got a problem with sealing

You loose 1-2 pounds each time you check your tires and only check them twice a year? Now that's some interesting tire maintenance.

Oct 9, 2015 | 07:55 PM

#12

Jonesee

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 2,945

Likes: 85

From: Florida

Put the manufacturer (Harley) recommended tire pressure in your tires.
It sounds like some of you are running the sidewall maximum. (don't)

I run my bike 30 psi front
38 psi rear (one up)
40 psi rear (two up)

Last edited by Jonesee; Oct 9, 2015 at 08:00 PM.

Oct 12, 2015 | 04:14 AM

#13

peg20

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 1,086

Likes: 5

From: London, UK

I use Avon tyres and find their recommendations for my bike spot on. I check the pressures once a week and think I've probably pumped them up a little on two or three occasions in the past couple of years. If you're losing 1-2psi just checking the pressures, you're doing it wrong.

Oct 12, 2015 | 08:29 AM

#14

cHarley

Club Member

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 16,320

Likes: 306

From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh

Quote:

Originally Posted by TriGeezer

The factory engineers know best. Put in what is recommended for your bike. Beware...not what is labeled on the tire. The tire label is maximum pressure.

The higher the pressure, the harder the ride, and the smaller the contact patch. Also, a harder tire will be easier thrown when hitting objects such as stones. The engineers are much more qualified to optimize tire pressure than any mechanic. With all due respect to mechanics...

That's correct only if you mean "tire manufacture engineers", as most people will realize that tires are not all made of the same design and construction.
The recommended tire pressures in the HD Owners Manual apply only to the stock tires (make & model) that came on the bike.
Even within the Dunlop brand, recommended pressures vary by tire model. IE a Dunlop 401 vs an E3 have different recommended pressures for the same bike.

Most tire manufacturers have a "Fitment" section on their websites that lists the recommended tire models, sizes and pressures for different make/model bikes.

Here is a sample link for Metzeler's Fitment Guide.

Oct 12, 2015 | 10:15 AM

#15

Crashone

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2014

Posts: 2,721

Likes: 243

From: NC

Interesting. When I had my mag rims installed the shop put them at 42 psi. My Road King felt like it was on ice skates. I dropped it down to 36 and it still seemed like a hard ride. I have them set now at 34 front/ 35 rear and the bike seems real comfortable. I may be changing the psi when I get the front put back together with the race tech spring upgrade.