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Nitrogen In Tires

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:21 am
by redwing
The tire shop I use for my car suggested I should use nitrogen in my tires. They claim nitrogen is less likely to leak and it's not to expensive. Also a proper tire preasure should help mileage. Does anyone have experience using nitrogen for motorcycle tires? Do dealers offer nitrogen as an option?
Thanks

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:31 am
by BuzZz
Nitrogen is a bigger molecule than oxygen. Oxygen will eventually leak out between the rubber molecules of the tire, so the pressure will slowly drop. Pure nitrogen prevents that. Nitrogen also is sposed to maintain more even pressure over temperature changes... FWIW. If your not racing fora living, it's not a big issue.

Some dealers offer it, some don't. Any Chev dealer who sell corvettes will have it, as it is all the recommend for those things. It will cost you though.

Just check your tire pressure regularly and use air. Much easier and it's free. Plus you should be checking it anyway.

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:11 am
by HYPERR
I have unlimited free access to a Nitro machine. I have used it on bikes and cars. It makes no difference whatsoever. None. Nada. Zippo. In fact, it loses pressure just as much as regular air. Even at free, it is not worth my time of going through the trouble of deflating the tires and refilling it with Nitro.

Save your money and like Buzzz says, just check your air pressure on a regular basis.

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:26 am
by jaskc78
one of the big selling points they use (at least around here) is that the Air Force uses it in some of the bombers because of it's proven advantages. your bike will never face temperature changes that bomber tires face, not to mention everything else that bomber tires face.

i'm adding my vote to HYPERR's.

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 11:45 am
by Brackstone
I think putting helium in your tires would be awesome! Because it's so light you'd be zipping all over the road! You'd go so fast it would be like you're on fire! Wait is helium flammable?

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:22 pm
by BuzZz
Brackstone wrote:I think putting helium in your tires would be awesome! Because it's so light you'd be zipping all over the road! You'd go so fast it would be like you're on fire! Wait is helium flammable?
No, it's not flammable, but it leaks worse most anything else (how long does a helium balloon float after you bring it home?) except hydrogen (and that does go bang). Being the 2 lightest elements means they have the smallest atoms so they can escape most anything that is not a metal.

The weight difference between air @26psi vs helium @26psi is 0.00015 pica-ounces. <---- (totally pulled that number outta my bunghole, but you get the idea) :wink:

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:29 pm
by PacificShot327
I think putting helium in your tires would be awesome! Because it's so light you'd be zipping all over the road! You'd go so fast it would be like you're on fire! Wait is helium flammable?
You really need to be careful when doing things like this. The bike might just get away from you.

Exhibit A:
Image

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:12 pm
by Wrider
Yep you're thinking Hydrogen, the Hindenburg ring any bells? :laughing:

air is good

Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 10:56 pm
by redwing
Thanks for the information. Air is good for me. Now to all I have to do is keep the shiney side up.

Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:00 pm
by jmillheiser
Nitrogen is a waste of money for anything roadgoing and even most race vehicles, the advantages are only really enough to make a difference in something like a Formula 1 car or Moto GP bike.

The use in aircraft tires is to combat air loss from altitude changes in aircraft that spend a lot of time at high altitudes.