Rubbermount_EVO Tire pressure?

[Dirk Diggler]

Just wondering if sticking with the pressures specified in my manual are going to be best (36 rear, 30 front) or if more experienced XL owners have found that different pressures work better.

I'm open to all input.

Thanks all!

-DD

[Bone]

I assume you're still running the stock tires?

If so, those pressures are a great place to start.

You can try a little lower for a little more grip (but a little less mileage).

You can try a little higher for a little more mileage (but a little less grip).

You should probably run a little more for higher loads (be that if you're a particularly big guy or 2-up or you plus luggage etc).

[Folkie]

I always ran the recommended pressures with the stock tyres, and they were fine; never had a reason to vary them.

[BKB]

Old "rule of thumb" that I & some others use is 4lbs less than the max pressure stated on the side wall. Works well with every tire I've ever used, bike or car. Plus you don't have to remember anything but 4 less. Less to remember is always good for us old farts. 8-)

[khaskins]

It is a DOT requirement to print the tire pressure on the sidewall.

[Bone]

Originally Posted by BKB

Old "rule of thumb" that I & some others use is 4lbs less than the max pressure stated on the side wall. Works well with every tire I've ever used, bike or car. Plus you don't have to remember anything but 4 less. Less to remember is always good for us old farts. 8-)

I don't mind rules of thumb, HOWEVER that one makes little sense to me.

If it were a percentage MAYBE MAYBE MAYBE, but considering tires on bikes, cars, trucks and trailers can vary in max pressure settings by nearly double the recommended spec, I don't like using a set figure below max.

Not to mention, I don't mind running my 4 wheel vehicles at higher pressures for better mileage and less grip because they won'd slide out from UNDER ME if I lose traction.

But MOTORCYCLES aren't as forgiving if you start to slide, so I prefer to run at the BIKE MANUFACTURER's recommendations or the tire manufacturer's model specific recommendations if available.

Originally Posted by khaskins

It is a DOT requirement to print the tire pressure on the sidewall.

It is only a DOT requirement to print the MAXIMUM ALLOWED PRESSURE - i.e. the pressure designed for carrying the MAXIMUM LOAD for which that tire is rated, and it is quite likely that same pressure WILL NOT yield the best traction for MOST applications.

The number one biggest DIYer mistake is airing their tires to the MAX sidewall pressure thinking that is "best" for all applications and that is simply incorrect.

[BWP 5p]

Originally Posted by Bone

The number one biggest DIYer mistake is airing their tires to the MAX sidewall pressure thinking that is "best" for all applications and that is simply incorrect.

"Nothing but the best for my baby"

Yeh.........I'm just stirring the pot! It's raining again!

Hey....let's talk about using Nitrogen!

[gerblawman]

while we're on the topic of tire pressures, I have a question.

The other day I went out to check my tire pressure, but I was having a hell of a time getting a reading from the valve stem. It's almost like the valve is bent and not opening properly for a reading. When I am able to get a reading, it is below recommended level. To the same effect, it doesn't seem to be taking in air when I put more into it... any ideas?

Also, nitrogen would be great for bike tires I think. Has anyone done this?

[St_Anger]

My 2010 owners manual says 30 front & 40 rear.
Anything less than 30 upfront and the bike feels quite sluggish.
Service rep at HD told me i ought to run it even higher in the rear tire but i'm comfortable with it at around 38.

On the topic of nitrogen, Ive heard that in the event of a puncture you'd have less of a 'blow out' effect. Also that the tire would maintain its pressure longer and be less susceptible to temp variations......

[Bone]

Originally Posted by gerblawman

while we're on the topic of tire pressures, I have a question.

The other day I went out to check my tire pressure, but I was having a hell of a time getting a reading from the valve stem. It's almost like the valve is bent and not opening properly for a reading. When I am able to get a reading, it is below recommended level. To the same effect, it doesn't seem to be taking in air when I put more into it... any ideas?

Also, nitrogen would be great for bike tires I think. Has anyone done this?

Not sure about the why, but I think my first thought would be to get a valve stem core tool and pull the stem (that is if they are mounted like car tire valve stems) to inspect it.

Nitrogen - probably more effort than it is worth. It's really only become a benefit for over the road trucks.

Originally Posted by St_Anger

On the topic of nitrogen, Ive heard that in the event of a puncture you'd have less of a 'blow out' effect. Also that the tire would maintain its pressure longer and be less susceptible to temp variations......

Yes, the tire may maintain pressure longer, and be less susceptible to changes from heating up (but that's not necessarily a good thing, since specs are for cold tire pressures and they take into consideration a certain amount of additional pressure from heating up). The blow out effect sounds like myth.

Here's an article which addresses it in passenger cars

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...stions/4302788

So, to answer your specific questions: With nitrogen, your tire pressures will remain more constant, saving you a small amount in fuel and tire-maintenance costs. There will be less moisture inside your tires, meaning less corrosion on your wheels. You will not be able to feel any difference in the ride or handling or braking, unless your tire pressures were seriously out of spec and changing to nitrogen brought them back to the proper numbers.

Here's a business article saying it's not worth it

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-...th-added-cost/

An NHSTA test of hundreds of tires found the same thing, that nitrogen filledtires lost approximately two-thirds as much pressure as air filled ones.

<snip>


What about the tire deterioration issue? NHTSA testedboth air and nitrogen filled tires for aging. They found the results were"inconclusive."