Could low tire pressure contribute to a crash
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Ca
Could low tire pressure contribute to a crash
Just looking for input
02 Road King FLHR
Headed out for the weekend, fairly loaded, to stay out a couple nights, with the girlfriend on the back. Hot day, 35mph, slight downslope, easy on the brakes front and rear, slight lean to the left and BOOM, bike went flying out from under us and we went rolling down the road like rag dolls! Needless to say, our lovely plans were cancelled. Ive been racking my brain, what went wrong? There was some recent road work, asphalt replacement, and there is the possibility of some oil or other vehicle fluid on the road, but I just wasnt riding that aggressively, shouldnt have really mattered? So, when I get home (we were able to ride home 20 min.) I checked the tire pressure. I spent the previous week doing all sorts of maintenance on the bike, and meant to check the tire pressure, but I had FORGOTTEN. Front tire had 20 lbs. and rear tire had 24 lbs.
I kinda cringed when I discovered that, considering we were pushing 1200-1300 lbs. with bike, riders and gear. Do you think low tire pressure was the main cause of this fall?
-Pat
Headed out for the weekend, fairly loaded, to stay out a couple nights, with the girlfriend on the back. Hot day, 35mph, slight downslope, easy on the brakes front and rear, slight lean to the left and BOOM, bike went flying out from under us and we went rolling down the road like rag dolls! Needless to say, our lovely plans were cancelled. Ive been racking my brain, what went wrong? There was some recent road work, asphalt replacement, and there is the possibility of some oil or other vehicle fluid on the road, but I just wasnt riding that aggressively, shouldnt have really mattered? So, when I get home (we were able to ride home 20 min.) I checked the tire pressure. I spent the previous week doing all sorts of maintenance on the bike, and meant to check the tire pressure, but I had FORGOTTEN. Front tire had 20 lbs. and rear tire had 24 lbs.
I kinda cringed when I discovered that, considering we were pushing 1200-1300 lbs. with bike, riders and gear. Do you think low tire pressure was the main cause of this fall?
-Pat
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Wisconsin, USA
The two most important things to check before riding two up, is tire pressures and suspension pressure. Sorry you learned that the hard way. Did you tell your girlfriend that you may have screwed up? That might put the kibosh on 2up.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Ca
I took responsibility.... I was throwing everything I could think of at her to try and explain why. I put new fork oil, and new shocks, new front motor mount before the ride, so I was feeling pretty good about myself and the bike. We got a little scraped up, but nothing serious. I seriously just forgot to check the tire pressure, which Im usually really picky about.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: Ca
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maybe low tire pressure combined with something slippery on the road , neither might have done it by themselves but combined with having the brakes on in a curve it was a bad combination .
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I'm amazed that you didn't feel the handling difference with that low of pressure. It's like night and day. Of course, if they've been slowly diminishing in pressure and have been that way for a time, the change was gradual.
I personally put a gauge on my tires every couple of weeks, but do a 'billy-club' test before every ride. You never know when you might have picked up a nail or puncture, and when I'm bending hard into a fast turn I need to know my pressures are right. Glad you guys are ok, hopefully a lesson learned.
I personally put a gauge on my tires every couple of weeks, but do a 'billy-club' test before every ride. You never know when you might have picked up a nail or puncture, and when I'm bending hard into a fast turn I need to know my pressures are right. Glad you guys are ok, hopefully a lesson learned.