Tire confusion question...

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MikeyDude · Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:30 am

Hi Guys,

I know this is a dead horse and has probably been covered, but I'd like a little confirmation from you guys please...

My Harley has stock Dunlops on it. The manual says to inflate them to 30 front and 35 rear unladen and 40 rear laden. The tires themselves (both) say to inflate to 41 psi cold. Someone said to inflate the tires to the max recommended on the tire which would be 41 for both. Seemed a little high to me so I called the service dept and the guy there said 32 front and 35 rear. Then he gave me this story about the contact patch getting smaller as the tire heats up and expands, so I need less air as the tire heats up to create a bigger contact patch. I would think that the tire company takes this into consideration when designing the tire.

So what say you guys?

Would the 32F/35R be a safe range to follow? My brain hurts...lol!

earwig · #2 Unread post by **earwig** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:10 am

I always keep my tires pumped to the limit for carrying a passanger... you get better gas mileage but a little less traction... I guess somewhere in between is a good/safe bet

Chris8187 · Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:47 am

I don't know if I am correct here, but I think the pressure listed on the tire is the max amount of pressure the tires can handle.

#4 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:27 pm

Can’t go wrong following the manual. The tire manufacturer has no idea what make/model of bike a given tire will end up on, so the numbers they print on the sidewall are a general guideline.

MikeyDude · #5 Unread post by **MikeyDude** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 4:46 pm

Thanks guys...

The tires say Harley Davidson on the side so they had a little idea...lol!

Let me try this question on you guys...

If more air pressure makes for less traction/better milage then naturally the opposite occurs with less air pressure. What I would like to find is the best traction without running the tire underinflated. Make sense? I'm not too worried about milage at this point. The last thing I wanna do is run underinflated... But I want all the traction I can get.

Thanks again...

Mike

earwig · #6 Unread post by **earwig** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 6:47 pm

I would have to say to run what the tires or manual say as the minimum pressure... under inflated tires are one of the biggest causes for blow outs and solo accidents.

Mikeydude wrote:Thanks guys...

The tires say Harley Davidson on the side so they had a little idea...lol!

Let me try this question on you guys...

If more air pressure makes for less traction/better milage then naturally the opposite occurs with less air pressure. What I would like to find is the best traction without running the tire underinflated. Make sense? I'm not too worried about milage at this point. The last thing I wanna do is run underinflated... But I want all the traction I can get.

Thanks again...

Mike

Howling Donkey · Sat Mar 25, 2006 10:43 pm

In additiom to increased tire wear and better chance of blowouts if you run with too little presure in the tires they will give too much and cause traction issues

bikeguy joe · Sun Mar 26, 2006 2:03 pm

The pressure on the tire is the manufacturers limit for the tire under full load (cold). Go with the manuals recommendation.

MikeyDude · #9 Unread post by **MikeyDude** » Sun Mar 26, 2006 3:36 pm

This seems pretty overwhelming... Follow the book...

Thanks guys!