In the manual for my bike it says the front tire should be 30psi and back 36psi (40 with passenger). My neighbor who also has harleys says that he always pumps his front tires to 38psi. So I recently pumped my front tire to 32psi to see if I notice a difference and I have. It handles better and glides faster. What tire pressure do you guys recommend? Specifically in the front tire?

 

What the sidewall of your tire recommends is what I would inflate it to. The tire will last longer and you will get better gas mileage.
I run my H-D Dunflops @ 41 psi

 

Use the factory recommended tire pressures on OEM tires, there is a very good reason they're recommended.

The sidewall is the maximum cold inflation pressure. You only run that if you are hauling the maximum load of the tire. (Typically our bikes that would be around 1000lbs if you count front and rear tires, which I don't think is even possible or safe.)

Over-inflating will give you less contact patch, wear your tire faster in the center, make the bike stiffer, and make the tire heat up slower/not enough.

Under-inflating will give you an uneven contact patch, wear your tire on the outsides faster, make the bike softer, and heat the tire up too quick/much.

This all leads to poor handling and poor tire performance/life.

 

Thanks homies

 

Your tyres are yours to inflate as you wish! With stock tyres the owners manual gives numbers that are a good starting point, however if you are very light, or very heavy, it is right to make suitable adjustments, also for when carrying a passenger.

Having been riding for decades I have found that an extra couple of psi in the front helps improve tyre wear. If you change brands, check with them what your pressures should be, as there can be significant differences over stock tyre pressures.

 

Never use what is written in the sidewall of a tire for inflation pressure, those are usually maximums. Use the pressure that the owners manual for your model recommends.

 

I am one of those by the book guys using 30 and 36 f/r respectively, I got 16,450 miles on the rear tire and the front is still passing inspection at 18,000. I use my brakes equally and they are still the originals.

 

Right and wrong.
The sidewall pressures are max ratings at max gross weight, not recommended pressures.
The Owners Manual pressures only apply to the stock factory installed tire Brand/Model. If using a different brand tire, refer to the tire manufacture's website for the correct recommended pressures. Many aftermarket tires like Avon, Metz, etc. require different (usually higher) pressures.

 

I have the 19" in the front and I'm on replacment stock HD Dunlops. My bike feels the best to me with the front at aobut 36 and the rear at about 38-40.

 

Ok troops this is a serious subject so before anyone gets to feeling confused about this subject and there are variables.
Motorcycle Tire Class is in session read and understand.
http://m.motorcycle-usa.com/379/749/...uct-Guide.aspx

Be sure to also click on the Load index table!