Was going over my 09 XL1200C, which has OEM tires.
Looked at the sidewalls and noticed the manufacturer, Dunlop, recommended cold pressures of 41psi front and 40psi rear.
The owner's manual, page 23, says 30 front and 36 rear.
Not too much difference on the rear, but an 11 lb difference in front seems like
quite a bit.
Thoughts?

 

I believe that is the highest pressure that in on the side of the tire. What is listed in the owners manual is more specific to your bike, with that tire. 30 psi in the front tire is correct.

 

SP always has the answer. I've got an 06 XL1200C and run 30 in the front and 36 in the rear solo, 30 in the front and 40 in the rear 2-up. I'm sure yours is the same.

 

I was told it depends on the tire manufacture, I am not saying this is right.

 

SportyPig is correct one this. The pressure listed on the tire's sidewall is a MAX pressure at GVWR for the tire. The tire manufacture's installed inflation recommendation will often vary depending on the weight of the vehicle on which it is installed.

If you are running the stock Dunlops then you should refer to the Owners Manual.
If you are running a different make/size tire, you should refer to the tire manufactures website for the correct inflation for your specific vehicle.

 

i no its not bike related,but my 95 F-250 has a sticker on the door jams,reads front psi 55 and rear psi 80 and on the tire reads 80 psi max.
but it rides nice at 55 psi in the front,any more rides like a rock.

 

Well now, I'm not always right.

And cHarley brings up a good point, that I'm not sure I was clear about. Once you change the tire, the best psi will probably change. I've been running Metzler tires after the first set of Dunlops. The Metz tires like more air pressure.

 

One theory is that a slightly lower pr such as 32-34 will put a larger patch of rubber on the road...better stopping.

Another theory, from the motor cops and anyone that uses Michelin is to use the max pr listed on the tire. This is to prevent sidewall flexxing when max performing the tire.

Bwana

 

35 front 40 rear is what people have been peaching for years, Harleys specs are loy.

 

Those of us that have enough miles under our belt to have been through several sets of tires from different manufacturers, know that all tires do not perform the same. Likewise, it only makes sense that each tire's manufacturer has a set of specifications under which their tire achieves optimal performance.

What was good for tire brand "A" 20 years ago, is not necessarily what is optimal today for tire brand "B".