Sportster Tire Pressure
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 54
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From: Charleston, SC
Sportster Tire Pressure
I just noticed the sticker on my bike says the front tire should be 30 PSI, but the tire itself says max psi 40. It's the original tire. It's the 21" incher with the thin white wall.
What psi should I be using for maximum performance?
What psi should I be using for maximum performance?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 34
From: NC/SC
As it says, 40 psi is the max you should be putting in. I use 30-32 psi in front and 36 psi in rear (pretty much all the time solo riding).
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 67
From: Phoenix
The max pressure isn't for maximum performance, it's for maximum weight. Harley manuals assume 180 pounds of rider weight, I believe. So if you're about that, I'd run 30 psi. If you're heavier than that or you're carrying something, I'd run more. I wouldn't run less. And don't run over 40.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
I would follow the tire. A tire dealer on here recommended pressure be kept on the higher side. Even the dealership said to use 38 front and back. I use 38-40 front and back, but my max is higher than yours and I have saddlebags with stuff in it.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
Here we go again - this is a 'problem' across HDF! The words on the side of the tyre should be ignored as being misleading, unless you plan on riding your bike at its max permissible weight. Unfortunately tyre pressures and rider/passenger weight has been a weak point on Harleys in all the 40+ years that I've ridden them. The factory owners manual does a poor job in providing advice and guidelines. Fortunately those words on the sidewall are a US regulation only, which means that the rest of us can indeed forget them!
The weights in the manual should be considered a guide or starting point, that's all! Also, if changing tyre brand then ignore the manual, as well as the words on the tyre, and check that brand's website for recommended pressures, as not all brands are the same.
If you are of average weight, as mentioned by JustOneDean, then the owner's manual pressures should be reasonably close. There is no reason why you should not adjust them a little, for your personal preference. Personally I prefer mine slightly higher, which seems to give me better feel and tyre life. Especially if you are significantly heavier then increase pressures, by several psi if necessary - you be the judge!
The weights in the manual should be considered a guide or starting point, that's all! Also, if changing tyre brand then ignore the manual, as well as the words on the tyre, and check that brand's website for recommended pressures, as not all brands are the same.
If you are of average weight, as mentioned by JustOneDean, then the owner's manual pressures should be reasonably close. There is no reason why you should not adjust them a little, for your personal preference. Personally I prefer mine slightly higher, which seems to give me better feel and tyre life. Especially if you are significantly heavier then increase pressures, by several psi if necessary - you be the judge!
Last edited by grbrown; Jan 17, 2016 at 07:08 AM.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 54
Likes: 2
From: Charleston, SC
My first bike was a V Star 650 and the sticker actually gave two different values for each tire based on how much weight was on the bike.
Here we go again - this is a 'problem' across HDF! The words on the side of the tyre should be ignored as being misleading, unless you plan on riding your bike at its max permissible weight. Unfortunately tyre pressures and rider/passenger weight has been a weak point on Harleys in all the 40+ years that I've ridden them. The factory owners manual does a poor job in providing advice and guidelines. Fortunately those words on the sidewall are a US regulation only, which means that the rest of us can indeed forget them!
The weights in the manual should be considered a guide or starting point, that's all! Also, if changing tyre brand then ignore the manual, as well as the words on the tyre, and check that brand's website for recommended pressures, as not all brands are the same.
If you are of average weight, as mentioned by JustOneDean, then the owner's manual pressures should be reasonably close. There is no reason why you should not adjust them a little, for your personal preference. Personally I prefer mine slightly higher, which seems to give me better feel and tyre life. Especially if you are significantly heavier then increase pressures, by several psi if necessary - you be the judge!
The weights in the manual should be considered a guide or starting point, that's all! Also, if changing tyre brand then ignore the manual, as well as the words on the tyre, and check that brand's website for recommended pressures, as not all brands are the same.
If you are of average weight, as mentioned by JustOneDean, then the owner's manual pressures should be reasonably close. There is no reason why you should not adjust them a little, for your personal preference. Personally I prefer mine slightly higher, which seems to give me better feel and tyre life. Especially if you are significantly heavier then increase pressures, by several psi if necessary - you be the judge!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I prefer Avons on my Glide, which use higher pressures than stock tyres, so I use 38F/44R on MT tyres, up to 44F/50R, when we're 2-up and loaded for the grand tour. I have derived those numbers based on guidelines from other brands, plus the tyre makers, spiced up with a bit of experience.
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Stage I
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Tire pressure
You should always go off of what the sticker on the bike says not the tires
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 299
From: SC
Don't worry about 40 max. You could go well over 40psi, and not risk a blowout. The problem is ride, performance, tread wear, etc...
Do what's comfortable for you without being squishy, or riding like it's got a steel wheel.
Personally I like mine with a bit more pressure so I can "feel" things. I run 38 up front, 36 or so in the back.
Do what's comfortable for you without being squishy, or riding like it's got a steel wheel.
Personally I like mine with a bit more pressure so I can "feel" things. I run 38 up front, 36 or so in the back.