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Tire pressure

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Old 04-14-2009, 12:58 PM
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Default Tire pressure

What tire pressure do you guys run that you find to be a good blend of tire wear as well as handling? I am running the stock Dunlops on my 06 1200L. Thanks
 
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Old 04-14-2009, 01:05 PM
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Owners manual or maintenace manual will give you what is recommended. Works for me. Or check the tire. All you will get there is max load at max pressure. 99 xlh is 30 front 36 rear for one up, if that helps
 
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Old 04-14-2009, 01:19 PM
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I run closer to whats printed on the tire for best results vs. the manual or even tire mfr. site for a given tire on certain bike.
My Avons are stated 42lbs. front and 50lbs. rear and I'm close to that and the tire performance and wear is far better. When I ran dunlops and used the suggested tire pressure from the manual the tire stress cracked on the sides from compression and underinflation so I always used a little more.
 
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Old 04-14-2009, 02:23 PM
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Use the pressure printed on the tire. Tire manufacturers know more about tires than motorcycle manufacturers. That said, the pressures won't be all that different.
 
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Old 04-14-2009, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Grammaton
Use the pressure printed on the tire. Tire manufacturers know more about tires than motorcycle manufacturers. That said, the pressures won't be all that different.
You can't go by the pressure listed on the sidewall. What's printed on the tire sidewall is the tires MAX pressure rating. Correct tire pressure is affected by the weight of the bike it's installed on and the weight of the passenger(s) and/or cargo load.

If your running stock Dunlops, refer to your owners manual. For other brand tires, refer to the manufactures website. Metzler & Avons are designed to run at higher recommended pressures than Dunlops.

 
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Old 04-14-2009, 02:55 PM
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My recommended tire pressure is printed on the sticker on the front right frame tube where it states the tire sizes... it is on both my 02 and my 08, so it should be on yours too if the sticker is still there... it also states the recommended rear pressure for 1up or 2up.
 
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Old 04-14-2009, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by cHarley
You can't go by the pressure listed on the sidewall. What's printed on the tire sidewall is the tires MAX pressure rating. Correct tire pressure is affected by the weight of the bike it's installed on and the weight of the passenger(s) and/or cargo load.

If your running stock Dunlops, refer to your owners manual. For other brand tires, refer to the manufactures website. Metzler & Avons are designed to run at higher recommended pressures than Dunlops.

What's printed on the tire is a MAX LOAD at X PSI. There is a difference.
You will never have a problem from the tire at the pressure recommended on the sidewall as long as you don't exceed the maximum load. Vehicle manufacturers may recommend a lower pressure for various reasons (usually ride quality), but never a higher pressure than is recommended by the tire manufacturer. Size weight and speed determine the correct tire for the application, not pressure. Too little pressure causes heat and premature tire failure.
 
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Old 04-14-2009, 06:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Grammaton
What's printed on the tire is a MAX LOAD at X PSI. There is a difference.
You will never have a problem from the tire at the pressure recommended on the sidewall as long as you don't exceed the maximum load. Vehicle manufacturers may recommend a lower pressure for various reasons (usually ride quality), but never a higher pressure than is recommended by the tire manufacturer. Size weight and speed determine the correct tire for the application, not pressure. Too little pressure causes heat and premature tire failure.
You are correct, and that sidewall pressure is for the tire at MAX load. It may not be the correct pressure if the rider is solo. That's why the HD Owners manual lists different recommended pressures based of solo or 2up.

.
 
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Old 04-14-2009, 08:26 PM
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I don't worry much about what the maximum pressure on the sidewall is because the GVWR of the bike will never reach the combined recommended total weight listed on the tires sidewalls although I am cognizant of that pressure. I run 34F and 38R solo and 36F 40R 2up. 2up I am adding 125lbs for the pillion.
 
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