Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 52
From: DFW
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
ORIGINAL: 05flhr
I just went through the same thing yesterday after trying to adjust the air pressure on my Road King. I threaded the pump on the air fitting about halfway and could put air in the shocks. I could pump to desired pressure, but as soon as I would unthread, the gauge would drop to zero. What worked for me was pumping up to about 15lbs, and then bleeding a little air off with the pressure release button, to the desired 10lbs of pressure I wanted. I did this a few times, and after bleeding a little air off, the gauge held steady every single time. I was able to unthread the pump off the fitting, without losing any air. Give it a try, and good luck!
I just went through the same thing yesterday after trying to adjust the air pressure on my Road King. I threaded the pump on the air fitting about halfway and could put air in the shocks. I could pump to desired pressure, but as soon as I would unthread, the gauge would drop to zero. What worked for me was pumping up to about 15lbs, and then bleeding a little air off with the pressure release button, to the desired 10lbs of pressure I wanted. I did this a few times, and after bleeding a little air off, the gauge held steady every single time. I was able to unthread the pump off the fitting, without losing any air. Give it a try, and good luck!
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 629
Likes: 3
From: Mission, Texas
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
We ride with the same couples most of the time and we agreed that only one of us would get the pump. We are at 320lbs plus about another 60lbs of bags and we ride at #22-25lbs in shocks. I've never bothered to take air out when riding solo. I lost about 7lbs over about 2,000 miles.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
My Ultra had 20# in it from factory. I weigh 210 and the wife is maybe 140. My bike would almost bottomm out @ high speeds on back roads. Like bridges, Dips,Etc. I Bought the pump and put 30# in my shocks. Of course we had 50# of leathers on and saddlebags full and Tourpak loaded. The 30# is a little stiff solo. But does good loaded 2 up. Max Gvwr in manual says 40-50 # of air. So dont be afraid to try a little more air. FWIW , The HD pump is worth the $ IMHO.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 704
Likes: 45
From: Western Washington
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
Timex: I check mine once a month and it never seems to loose pressure other than the 1-2 lbs. that weep out putting the gauge on and off. It would appear that it holds for months...
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
ORIGINAL: thunderbirdblue2
My wife complained about the ride last week... so I checked.... 5 pounds... I aired it up to 25 pounds to see what it felt like.... The two of us went riding and I loved the feel... It is a little stiffer but the bumps in the road are taken better... I weigh 250 and I'm a better man for not saying what the wife weighs...
My wife complained about the ride last week... so I checked.... 5 pounds... I aired it up to 25 pounds to see what it felt like.... The two of us went riding and I loved the feel... It is a little stiffer but the bumps in the road are taken better... I weigh 250 and I'm a better man for not saying what the wife weighs...
25 lbs was toooo much.... hit a bump... hurt my spine like hell... wife said that her guts were dislodged... dropping it down several pounds...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
I'm 6'3" @ 280 or so lbs and wife is 128 lbs. I've just been running almost 35 psi in rear shock, lately and (2) up thats a great ride, even with all the crap she buys and sticks in the bags!
not to bad solo either. hope its not to much psi? but it beats the tire scrubbing at 15 lbs.
not to bad solo either. hope its not to much psi? but it beats the tire scrubbing at 15 lbs.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
i had bottoming problem until 35 psi. most riding is double and i way about 2900 and my wife 130. i am going on a trip to ia on may 19 and will be loaded and will probably run 40 to 45.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
RE: Air Pressure level for maximum comfort?
I'm not sure but I think my 02 might recommend lower air pressure in the rear shocks. The table in the owner's manual says 0 for solo up to 150 pounds rider weight, then add 1 psi for each 25 more pounds. Then it recommends 5 psi more for a passenger if I remember correctly. Anyway, solo I ride at about 7 psi, a little more if packed for solo travel. I add 4 pounds for my 170# wife at about 10-12#. The ride is good, except in Utah we get surprised now and then with a serious dip in the roadway and it will bottom out. If I leave the air up for two up riding, it is way too rough a ride for solo.
One wrinkle, at the last 10,000 service the fork oil was due for changing. The service writer asked about the ride and I said it wasn't optimum, so they put SE racing oil in the forks. It did help quite a bit.
One wrinkle, at the last 10,000 service the fork oil was due for changing. The service writer asked about the ride and I said it wasn't optimum, so they put SE racing oil in the forks. It did help quite a bit.
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