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[jimcb1]

How much air are you guys running in front and back tiresi know what the manual says but wonder if anyone is running less air I am talking about 2014 ultra cvo

[Cvostu]

I run.,, 36 front. 40 rear. Cold.

[SIKBIRD]

36 Front, 38 Rear

[grc]

Why are you interested in running less pressure than the manual calls for? 

Jerry

[jimcb1]

On the tire says max psi so how much more does it buil up when tire gets hot

[J.D.]

[Cvostu]

Add about 20% when hot.

[Smarty]

I have monitors and the back goes from 44 to 54 psi or so. The front goes from 38 to 43


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[grc]

On the tire says max psi so how much more does it buil up when tire gets hot

The MAX pressure molded into the sidewall is the maximum cold inflation pressure.  When that number is determined by the tire manufacturer, they take into account the amount the pressure will increase as the tires heat up.  You shouldn't set your tires to that sidewall pressure when hot, since they will be underinflated once they cool down to ambient. 

Look at it this way.  The book numbers are the minimum cold inflation pressures, and the sidewall numbers are the maximum cold inflation pressures.  Don't try to overthink it.

Jerry

[timo482]

folks have blown up tires airing them down when hot to cold pressure - also keep a eye on age of the tire..

i blew a tire from delimitation about 10 years ago, rear tire on a bike with a u t l e sidecar - wow what a ride - i was going around a curve at a good clip  if i was riding a two wheel bike - in the ditch and done for - if the curve was a right hander instead of a left same story - i just lucked out and it was a hard left turn when the tire went - wrapped up the rear fender - broke the belt - broke the belt guard - tore all the wiring for the tail lights and turns signals all to hell.

but i was fine - take tire loading and pressure seriously - the tire that blew was in range - and was at proper pressure and was proper load code and not overloaded - it was too old - turned out it was over ten years old and just gave up - poof

apparently sold to me as new - but was old stock....

[Phreakyz]

On the tire says max psi so how much more does it buil up when tire gets hot

You should never go by the PSI Listed on the tire.   Always go by the sticker on the frame of the bike (or owners manual).   On a car always go by the sticker in the Drvrs door jamb.

[Boatman]

You should never go by the PSI Listed on the tire.   Always go by the sticker on the frame of the bike (or owners manual).   On a car always go by the sticker in the Drvrs door jamb.

I'm sorry but I don't agree.  I would much rather believe what the tire manufacturer states than what the manufacturer of the vehicle states.  FWIW

[grc]

I'm sorry but I don't agree.  I would much rather believe what the tire manufacturer states than what the manufacturer of the vehicle states.  FWIW

The difference is that the vehicle manufacturer often skews their numbers toward the lower side to help provide a better ride, whereas the tire manufacturers tend to skew their recommendations toward the higher side for wear and longevity considerations.  However, the number on the sidewall isn't the tire manufacturers recommended cold inflation pressure.  As it says, it is the maximum cold inflation pressure based on the design of the tire.  Personally, cars or motorcycles, I tend to find a happy spot between the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure and the tire manufacturer's max design pressure.  On some vehicles that is a fairly wide spread, but on others not so much.  For instance if I remember correctly the rear tires on the late model Touring bikes call for 40 psi from Harley and have a max pressure on the sidewall of only 42 psi.  I may be slightly off on that, but not by much.

When presented with a MIN and a MAX number, splitting it down the middle is rarely a bad way to go.

Jerry

[motor1]

Quote from: Phreakyz on Today at 06:57:25 AM
You should never go by the PSI Listed on the tire.   Always go by the sticker on the frame of the bike (or owners manual).   On a car always go by the sticker in the Drvrs door jamb.

I'm sorry but I don't agree.  I would much rather believe what the tire manufacturer states than what the manufacturer of the vehicle states.  FWIW

Keep in mind that tire manufacturer lists MAX pressure; vehicle manufacturer lists recommended pressure. Vehicle manufacturers pressure recommendation is the most important. It is determined by engineers based on the type of vehicle the suspension  tuning and a whole host of other factors, all the sidewall tells you is the absolute max cold.

[FLSTFI Dave]

38 front and 40 rear is what I run in my bikes

[J.D.]

I start with the manual recommendation then adjust up or down based on how the tired wear.  If the tread starts "cupping" go up.  If the center wears unusually high go down.

[JCZ]

Such a simple subject to be so controversial.  One thing is for sure.....we don't tear the paper the same. 

In my opinion, which means it's not worth anything to anybody except me, I prefer the more firm ride in both air pressure in the tires as well as the shocks for several reasons.  Being a slightly more aggressive rider, it handles better in the twisties....a softer tire will heat up quicker and we all know it gets plenty hot here in California.....a softer tire is harder to control at slow speeds for a heavy bike.

Like I said, JMHO   

With that said....it's time for me to get on the road.  I've still got a few hundred miles to go before I reach the front door.  And speaking of twisties.....I will take a slight detour.....to hit The Snake.

[Phreakyz]

I'm sorry but I don't agree.  I would much rather believe what the tire manufacturer states than what the manufacturer of the vehicle states.  FWIW

Well I respect your opinion and you may have a point in some situations where a Non OEM Tire might be used that incorporates drastically different aspect ratios or compounds, however I stand by my statement if we are talking about OEM Tires.   As Tire Pressure Monitor Systems become more prevalent in the market,   it is even more important.

[Twolanerider]

Well I respect your opinion and you may have a point in some situations where a Non OEM Tire might be used that incorporates drastically different aspect ratios or compounds, however I stand by my statement if we are talking about OEM Tires.   As Tire Pressure Monitor Systems become more prevalent in the market,   it is even more important.

I'd not be completely sanguine with the assumptions here.  Tire manufacturers worry about the properties analyses of the tires.  That's it.  Will the tire perform to specs and survive.  Vehicle manufacturers overlay that with ride comfort and a host of other factors.  When Ford / Firestone had their profound issues several years ago a factor was the car manufacturer's lower suggested tire pressure ratings.

[Road Dad]

Don't ever pressure to the max pressure allowed. That pressure rating has nothing to do with road handling or riding.

[110tHunDer]

I start with the manual recommendation then adjust up or down based on how the tired wear.  If the tread starts "cupping" go up.  If the center wears unusually high go down.

What about the POS OEM Dunlops that cup AND wear the centers out at the same time?

[J.D.]

Easy.  Don't buy them. 

[ultrarider123]

Use the sidewall ratings of the tire and make sure to use Screamin Eagle brand Harley Air, part #BR549. Specific for the Dunlops OE tires. Use entire can, one for each tire and it automatically sets the correct pressure based on rider age, riding style and gulability...

Sorry, this discussion needed a humor break..

[J.D.]

I pickup a couple of can every time I change out the muffler bearings. 

[Twolanerider]

Use the sidewalk ratings of the tire and make sure to use Screamin Eagle brand Harley Air, part #BR549. Specific for the Dunlops OE tires. Use entire can, one for each tire and it automatically sets the correct pressure based on rider age, riding style and gulability...

Sorry, this discussion needed a humor break..

I've actually started using the new BR549-N Screamin' Eagle Nitrogen. It's only $49.95 a can and it only takes two cans to air up a tire. It says right on the can "This is good chit" so it must be good chit.  Harley wouldn't exaggerate.  I especially was impressed by the "it may not be a noble gas but it's from the ass end of a Screamin' Eagle; so that's pretty damned noble."

[grc]

I'd not be completely sanguine with the assumptions here.  Tire manufacturers worry about the properties analyses of the tires.  That's it.  Will the tire perform to specs and survive.  Vehicle manufacturers overlay that with ride comfort and a host of other factors.  When Ford / Firestone had their profound issues several years ago a factor was the car manufacturer's lower suggested tire pressure ratings.

EXACTLY!

Jerry