Help on tire pressure
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 635
Likes: 7
From: Sin City
Speakin of tire pressure. Harley got me to replace the air with 100% nitrogen. Ain't the air we breath 75% oxygen? (accept in L.A. where it's 90 % smog). Harley said race cars and bikes have used 100% nitrogen in there tires for years. Money making scam or legitimate service?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,928
Likes: 1
From: Desert S. West
Speakin of tire pressure. Harley got me to replace the air with 100% nitrogen. Ain't the air we breath 75% oxygen? (accept in L.A. where it's 90 % smog). Harley said race cars and bikes have used 100% nitrogen in there tires for years. Money making scam or legitimate service?
Max tire pressure is for when you have a max load. With exception of Metzeler you should go by the book.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 2
From: Maryland
Speakin of tire pressure. Harley got me to replace the air with 100% nitrogen. Ain't the air we breath 75% oxygen? (accept in L.A. where it's 90 % smog). Harley said race cars and bikes have used 100% nitrogen in there tires for years. Money making scam or legitimate service?
when you buy car and truck tires from costco that is what they put in no choice good deal if you ask me.
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Speakin of tire pressure. Harley got me to replace the air with 100% nitrogen. Ain't the air we breath 75% oxygen? (accept in L.A. where it's 90 % smog). Harley said race cars and bikes have used 100% nitrogen in there tires for years. Money making scam or legitimate service?
You may get .01 mpg better gas mileage. That could make a difference in Nascar but it isn't enough for me to spend money on.
Thanks,
Douglas
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I run what the owner's manual calls for. The tire pressure stamped on the side of a tire is the maximum pressure that you should ever have in that tire for safety reasons. I'm sure there is some built in fudge there.
The only professional vehicles that run that max pressure are OTR 18 wheelers and some buses, as well as motorhome bus conversions like Prevost. And you have probably noticed OTR truck rubber on the road. The truckers do it to carry a maximum pay load. I see no eason to ever run the max pressure on a motorcycle unless you are doing a run for maximum mph.
My 07 RK owner's manual and service manual call for 36 psi front and 40 psi rear for two up riding and that is what I always run even though I seldom ride two up.
Check your manual. I think 25 psi is dangerously low in your front.
The only professional vehicles that run that max pressure are OTR 18 wheelers and some buses, as well as motorhome bus conversions like Prevost. And you have probably noticed OTR truck rubber on the road. The truckers do it to carry a maximum pay load. I see no eason to ever run the max pressure on a motorcycle unless you are doing a run for maximum mph.
My 07 RK owner's manual and service manual call for 36 psi front and 40 psi rear for two up riding and that is what I always run even though I seldom ride two up.
Check your manual. I think 25 psi is dangerously low in your front.
The number on the tire itself is put there as a not to exceed pressure for the tire by the tire manufacturer to prevent damage and overinflation of the tire. That doesn't mean that you are supposed to run that much. The vehicle manufacturer sets the recommended tire pressure to keep in the tire based on their testing to provide the best possible combination of stability, handling, ride, safety, and wear. Go by your vehicle's owner manual, not the tire that can be used on multiple vehicles. This applies to everything on the road, not just bikes.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,932
Likes: 4
From: 46th State, USA
Low tire pressure can cause a bike to not handle well just when you need it. The recommended tire pressure is there for a reason. Higher tire pressure may not be as comfortable but should in most cases, get higher mileage.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: nw alabama
25 lbs pressure sure rides smooth..... ever notice the bike is hard to start rolling backwards( flat spot in tire from low pressure)it will also start wearing the tire on the edges too (cuping)put 36 to 38 in it and feel the difference
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