recommend tire pressure?
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey Somerset
recommended tire pressure?
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?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
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.
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.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
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.
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.
Last edited by grbrown; Sep 20, 2012 at 04:37 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 11
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
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.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
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.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 393
Likes: 1
From: Southern Indiana
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!
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!