Tire Pressure
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Tyres are part of the suspension system! If you are very light-weight it would be wise to lower pressures a little, just as a very heavy rider should increase them above stock. H-D has failed to provide good guidance on tyre pressures in all the 40+ years I've owned them. On your RGS you could replace your short stock shocks with a pair off a taller model, such as an RG, to get more suspension travel and an improvement in comfort. Otherwise bin your shocks and buy some good quality custom-built ones - you will be amazed at the transformation!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,536
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Look on your tires for the max inflation numbers. They can vary from what is posted on the bike frame.
If I am riding solo, I might go a couple or so psi below the max, when 2 up I go near or at the max.
If it's just a short solo ride, I often just leave them at the 2 up setting.
The Dunlops I ride is a very hard tire, others may vary.
If you have not yet, I encourage you to discover the best method for checking tire psi, both at home or away. For me at home, my bike goes up on the jack, in neutral so I can spin the rear wheel, with my creeper beside it. I have an air hose reel suspended in the garage where I can grab the end and take it anywhere I need it in or around the garage. Quick connects are a must. I have a Campbell gauge, trigger, and hose that fits my spoke wheels perfectly. While there, I can check, add, or take away psi as needed all in one. Simple.
Away, I have a Topeak 90 degree adapter for the rear wheel that will work on any air chuck that I keep on the bike. I also carry a small Slime Digital Compressor with a straight end that fits the spoke wheels easily, set the psi to what you want, turn it on, and it cuts off when the psi is reached.
I remain vigilant about my tire psi. I have TPMS via my Zumo GPS that shows my psi on the fly, and low psi alarms that lets me know if there is a problem. On the Zumo it also shows a graph about psi fluctuations during your ride. Yep, it might even report the time to you that you ran over a nail!
As you can tell, I am particular about my tire psi. I check all my vehicles about once a month, always having to add some during the winter. As for my cars and trucks, psi's stated on the tires are close, but in time you will notice what works best for you based on the old trusty tread depth gauge.
I want my tires at the best psi for greatest tread life, traction, safety, and comfort so I can ride with confidence.
If I am riding solo, I might go a couple or so psi below the max, when 2 up I go near or at the max.
If it's just a short solo ride, I often just leave them at the 2 up setting.
The Dunlops I ride is a very hard tire, others may vary.
If you have not yet, I encourage you to discover the best method for checking tire psi, both at home or away. For me at home, my bike goes up on the jack, in neutral so I can spin the rear wheel, with my creeper beside it. I have an air hose reel suspended in the garage where I can grab the end and take it anywhere I need it in or around the garage. Quick connects are a must. I have a Campbell gauge, trigger, and hose that fits my spoke wheels perfectly. While there, I can check, add, or take away psi as needed all in one. Simple.
Away, I have a Topeak 90 degree adapter for the rear wheel that will work on any air chuck that I keep on the bike. I also carry a small Slime Digital Compressor with a straight end that fits the spoke wheels easily, set the psi to what you want, turn it on, and it cuts off when the psi is reached.
I remain vigilant about my tire psi. I have TPMS via my Zumo GPS that shows my psi on the fly, and low psi alarms that lets me know if there is a problem. On the Zumo it also shows a graph about psi fluctuations during your ride. Yep, it might even report the time to you that you ran over a nail!
As you can tell, I am particular about my tire psi. I check all my vehicles about once a month, always having to add some during the winter. As for my cars and trucks, psi's stated on the tires are close, but in time you will notice what works best for you based on the old trusty tread depth gauge.
I want my tires at the best psi for greatest tread life, traction, safety, and comfort so I can ride with confidence.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: rhode island
Thanks for the replies. I have been using factory specs for pressure. This bike replaced my 1980 FLT Tourglide which I bought new, the comfort level was quite good, The Roadglide handles great but bumps feel like a jack hammer. Any recommendations for aftermarket suspension? Perhaps a balance between comfort and handling?
Thanks again,
Sam
Thanks again,
Sam
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 835
Likes: 161
From: Texas
Thanks for the replies. I have been using factory specs for pressure. This bike replaced my 1980 FLT Tourglide which I bought new, the comfort level was quite good, The Roadglide handles great but bumps feel like a jack hammer. Any recommendations for aftermarket suspension? Perhaps a balance between comfort and handling?
Thanks again,
Sam
Thanks again,
Sam
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 5,073
Likes: 2,382
From: Camp Lejeune, NC
Thanks for the replies. I have been using factory specs for pressure. This bike replaced my 1980 FLT Tourglide which I bought new, the comfort level was quite good, The Roadglide handles great but bumps feel like a jack hammer. Any recommendations for aftermarket suspension? Perhaps a balance between comfort and handling?
Thanks again,
Sam
Thanks again,
Sam
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,625
From: along the shore of Mishigami
+1 with Gary1, the 13" shocks will give you a little more travel, and don't feel bad about this, HD did the same thing to the StreetGlides to lower the stance of the bike, but harsh ride to driver and passenger.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: Edgewater FL
Yep. I put 13" Ohlins on my SGS, and a 2" lowering kit. BIG difference.
I run 36 front always. 38 rear solo and 40 rear with a passenger. It's easy for me to adjust, I have a compressor and air reel in my barn.
I run 36 front always. 38 rear solo and 40 rear with a passenger. It's easy for me to adjust, I have a compressor and air reel in my barn.
