Lower Tire Pressures?
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 324
Likes: 2
From: Near Fort Bragg, NC
Lower Tire Pressures?
My wife and I both run 36# front and rear in our Sporties. I am wondering if lowering the tire pressures will make the ride any more comfortable or will it adversely affect the handling? We both ride solo only. Will softer tires react better or worse to irregularities in the road surface?
I am just getting back into riding after many years, and am just wondering.
Thanks.
I am just getting back into riding after many years, and am just wondering.
Thanks.
lower pressure will make the ride feel mushy. keep it @ recommended spec. and the tires will last longer too. if you want more comfortability look into diff. shox or replacement springs for the front fork. that tire doesn't heat up that much so the need to set a lower pressure to compensate for tire heat up is a non issue. softer compounds will grip better but won't last nearly as long. on my track bike i run 31# on the front and 30# on the back (cold). after a session on the track, the tires are up around 36 fonrt and 35 rear but i'm using the whole tire on the track unlike riding street where you're not using extreme lean angles and need the side of the tire to hold you up.
Last edited by bmxatv; Mar 10, 2011 at 10:06 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
I have run lower tire pressure on various bikes, it usually gives a better ride and more grip, at the expense of tire life.
Not much lower, just a few psi.
Most bikes list different pressures for 2 up, plus not everyone weighs the same.
Shocks and fork work is what you need to get a good ride tho, tires can not make up for really bad shocks.
My stock shocks were totally worthless.
Not much lower, just a few psi.
Most bikes list different pressures for 2 up, plus not everyone weighs the same.
Shocks and fork work is what you need to get a good ride tho, tires can not make up for really bad shocks.
My stock shocks were totally worthless.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
Agreed. Keep it in range of what is suggested. For my bike it is 30 front, 36-40 rear. The range starts at about less than 180lbs/36psi up to GVW/40psi. They do this because when you load it, the demands on the tire are different. I usually keep it at 36psi unless I'm expecting a passenger.
If you over/under inflate you really aren't helping anything unless you are hot rodding. Also, over inflating is liable to blowout if you heat up the tire a lot and it will wear through the center of the tread quick. Under inflating will be hard to control and will run through the outside of the tire first.
If you over/under inflate you really aren't helping anything unless you are hot rodding. Also, over inflating is liable to blowout if you heat up the tire a lot and it will wear through the center of the tread quick. Under inflating will be hard to control and will run through the outside of the tire first.
Account Deactivated
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 8
From: Central Florida
Comfort,,,
a good seat Is primary,,Mustang Vintage Solo keeps my *** happy,,
12.5" wide for me,,,37" waist an my wife says I got no ***...
Better, faster shocks next,,
Our stock sportster shocks are weak and under damped.
Made for 165Lbs rider,,,when new.
I'm 190 Lb nekkid,,,235 In gear with sissy bar and luggage.
I run the most preload and
38R 33.5F tire pressure,,
5k miles and my rear is not getting the flat spot from straight line rides,,
Course,,I'm a corner junkie XD
You run low pressure down here In Hot sticky florida an yer askin for a tire failure.
Sidewall Flex= heat.
a good seat Is primary,,Mustang Vintage Solo keeps my *** happy,,
12.5" wide for me,,,37" waist an my wife says I got no ***...
Better, faster shocks next,,
Our stock sportster shocks are weak and under damped.
Made for 165Lbs rider,,,when new.
I'm 190 Lb nekkid,,,235 In gear with sissy bar and luggage.
I run the most preload and
38R 33.5F tire pressure,,
5k miles and my rear is not getting the flat spot from straight line rides,,
Course,,I'm a corner junkie XD
You run low pressure down here In Hot sticky florida an yer askin for a tire failure.
Sidewall Flex= heat.
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
If you are running the Dunlop tires, 36 in the front is over inflated. Should be at 30. That correction would probably improve the ride just a bit.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
