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Harley Davidson Sportster: Wheels and Tires General Information

Maintaining the tires on your Harley Davidson Sportster is a very important procedure. This guide will help you with everything that is related to your two tires.

By Bassem Girgis - December 23, 2015

This article applies to the Harley Davidson Sportster.

There are a lot of things to know when it comes to your Harley Davidson Sportster's tires. To maintain your tires, you have to do various things. You also need to understand tire wear and why it's happening. This guide will shine some light on your tires, and what you need to do to keep them well maintained. Whether you're wondering what the proper PSI is for your tires, how long before you need to replace the tire, or you simply just want a good read about tires, this article will come in handy.

Figure 1. Rear Sportster tire.

PSI

As you know, the Sportster has two different size tires. The front one is thinner than the rear one. The owner's manual recommends to fill the front tire to 30psi, while the rear one should be 36psi. You should get into the habit of checking your tire pressure often. Especially when you experience any change in weather. Colder weather deflates the tires, while warmer weather inflates them. So, owning a tire pressure monitor is a great investment.

Figure 2. Tire pressure monitor.

Tire Wear

The Harley Davidson's tires come with tire wear bars. You should always keep your eyes on those. If they start disappearing, then it may be time for a new tire. You should also keep an eye on the overall condition of the tire. Check for bald spots, worn spots, or any nails or screws. Having improper tire pressure can cause the tire to wear prematurely, so keeping an eye on the tire pressure can save you some money. The maximum wear for motorcycle tires is 1mm, anything below that is not only unsafe, but it is also illegal and can cost you a ticket. Tires should never last more than five years; so even if they look good, you should still replace them by five years because the rubber becomes dry and can pop when you don't want it to pop.

Figure 3. Always check the condition of your tires.

Tire Size

As we mentioned before, the Sportster has two different tire sizes. The front is thinner than the back. When purchasing new tires, it's best you check your owner's manual for the tire sizes. However, on the tire itself, you should find the size and specifications, including the proper PSI. Locate the tire specifications on the rim of the tire.

Figure 4. Tire specs.

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