Tire Pressure Question
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,933
Likes: 11
From: Kentucky
My wife and I have been putting 40 and 40 in her 883 and my Softail (and my previous 1200) for about a year now. Works great. The mechanic who talked us into doing it, along with some other people, says the lower pressures are all about making the ride feel softer, while keeping it low (so the shocks have less travel, but the tires absorb some shock).
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
Go by the owner's manual. People running the max listed on the sidewall need to learn something about tires. That is max pressure, not recommended pressure. You run up around max if you are carrying a heavy load like on an eighteen wheeler or a motorhome, usually not on a motorcycle. I don't know, maybe these guys have real big OLs. 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,551
Likes: 22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL.
Why would you NOT second guess what the manual says... millions of Ford Explorer owners followed their manuals right to the crash site. The tire has "max psi cold" written right on it. Most people in the know, run their tires at or just below this figure... it gives the best tire wear and performance. If you find that your front tire is spongy or cupping out, it is because you are running it with too little PSI. If you find your rear tire wearing extremely fast or your back end squirrelly on quick turns, you are running it at too low a PSI. Don't put your trust in some damn book that was written by someone who never checks their tires ever... check your tires everyday and go by your experience.
Millions??? C'mon dude, don't exagerate...
Cupping....low pressure??? no it's not...it's a suspension problem...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
I have had good results on my bikes, cars and trucks using the suggested pressures that are in/on the manual and the stickers.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 520
Likes: 1
From: Newark OH
To the OP, PS there si a great sportster section that has a ton of very knowledgeable people in it. Its prolly best to ask bike specific questions in the relevant forums. I've seen people that have never owned a sporty give extremely wrong info when asked in a general section.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Tire pressure
Actually on cars the correct pressure is listed on a tag inside the drivers door. Running your tire pressure near max cold is not smart. You will get better gas mileage but NOT BETTER PERFORMANCE!! The laws of physics shall not be ignored.
On bikes your traction and braking are your lifeline. Run pressures at recommended levels and dont be screwing around cause someone "told you" how you should run it.
On bikes your traction and braking are your lifeline. Run pressures at recommended levels and dont be screwing around cause someone "told you" how you should run it.