I picked up new tires for my bike today but I probably won't get them put on for another month or so. I went with Avon tires, a Venom on the front and the Storm-ST for the rear. I notice that where Harley recommends 30psi for the front tire Avon is recommending 36 psi. The rear tires are about the same. Those of you that are running tires other than Dunlop, what pressures did you go with and what were the results? Thanks.

 

I'm running Metzler, and I follow the instructions for the manufacturer of the tire.

 

I'm running almost the same (2007 Low Rider). Venoms in front, 36 - 38 psi (I've lately been running 37 and I'm happy with that). My rear tire is Veonom Viper where you should run between 40 - 42psi. (I ran Storm ST earlier with the same pressure setting. Had to change rear tire a couple of weeks ago - there was a week waiting time for the ST's I initially ordered. Dealer suggested I tried the Vipers - which I'm very pleased with).


Do not run the 30 - 36 (front - rear) presure. I did this initially and had the worst handling bike ever. When I was passed in a curve by a Road King with to sizeable men onboard I decided it was time to find out why the bike felt so "iffy" in the corners. Changing the tire pressure transformed the ride.

 

Blaster,

It is not for other riders to tell you what to use! Go to Avon's website and find out on there what THEY recommend for your bike.

I have Avons on my dresser. Avon usually recommend slightly higher pressures than in your handbook.

 

Follow Avons recomendation not the owners manual

 

[QUOTE=grbrown;5589476]Blaster,

It is not for other riders to tell you what to use! Go to Avon's website and find out on there what THEY recommend for your bike.

QUOTE]

I have been to their website. That's why I was asking the question. When you buy new tires for your car you stay with the pressures that the car manufacture suggests. From everyone's replies it appears that bikes are different. You go with the tire manufactures recommendations.

 

It is the same for both cars and bikes! Both my Harley and car are old enough that the tyres they came with are no longer available, so I have to fit alternatives. It happens the car tyres do use the same pressures as in the handbook, but I checked with the brand first. The Avons on my Harley are a little higher than the handbook.

I spoke to Avon engineers at a bike show and they explained they use different tyre construction compared to many other bike tyre makers, which is why they recommend different tyre pressures. Same will apply to some car tyre makers.

Having owned Harleys since the 70s I find I always go back to Avons!

 

36 - 38 psi front (laden - unladen)
40 - 42 psi rear (laden - unladen)

These are the numbers I got from the distributor of Avon. I've also tried to search the Avon website. There I found the same numbers hidden well somewhere at their site (I think it was stated on the PDF files under the spesifications for each tire).

 

anytime tire pressure come up and everyone says use the manual. i always think of the problem ford had on the explorer with blow outs. the manual listed a lower presure than stamped on the tire. and manny blew out and the trucks flipped. then they blamed each other. so who is right. my car manual says 32 and the tire says 44. i go with what is stamped on the tire?

 

actually dunlop(stock tires) have higher recommended pressure than Harley states too. I ride with the Harley pressure (30 front and 36 rear) on my metzelers. Talked with a few service mgrs. at a couple of stealers. All recommend using the pressure stated for your bike from Harley. My bike rides much smoother and handles better at Harley's pressure and not Metzelers higher pressure. I used to ride with higher pressure.