Solo rideing what kind of air presure are you running on your Sportster?

I am running 36 psi frt and rear, ride seems a little rough. Thought maybe I could reduce the presure a bit at least in this cold weather, Rideing tomorrow 27 degs in the morning, 50ish in the afternoon.

Thanks

Tom

 

My 05 1200 C owners manual calls for 30 front/ 36 rear. I run 32/38

 

If the weather temp drops, your tire pressure will most likely already be lower. Air expands when it's hot, and contracts when it's cold.

 

Short wheelbase on the sporty will make it ride a little choppy. What setting are your rear shocks on? I wouldn't jack with the tire pressure much, owners manual gives specs for solo rider and tandem rider tire pressures.

 

True, but those specs are based on (I believe a 180 pound rider weight) some of us are heaver than that. With the total mass of a cage, a few extra pounds in the passenger compartment is insignficant, but on a sporty, it can have a much larger impact.

 

Some of the avatars that you guys pick out have me staring for a few seconds before I remember to post an answer. I'm sure I'm not the only one staring either.

I ride 1-up more than 2-up, but I still keep my back tire at 40lbs (which is what my '04 883 manual suggests).

I haven't had any problems with this so far and if I do ever want to ride 2-up, then I don't have to worry about adding tire pressure or forgetting to before I ride!

Front tire, 30 at all times.

 

i have a 05 sportster 1200 custom and my indy reccomends 40psi in back and in the front reason being the skinny front tire groove tracks with anything less than 40 psi and the rear holds better to the front if they are both the same (you know he is right corners much better and tracks better too)

 

Hummm, makes since. I too keep my rear at 40, for the rare occasion I have a passenger, plus I'm an above average sized fellow. I've noticed the front tire tracking. And it's a real problem in my subdivision.

Eventhough, it's been painted down to a 2 lane road, the main road is paved in 4 passes instead of the normal 2, so there are seams in the pavement in the center of the lanes. I think I'll give this a try. Off to the air compressor.

 

I would be curious to know who else puts 40lb in their front tire and if you've noticed any advantages or repucussions.

 

My 1200R 04 does not corner as smooth if I have any less than 40psi in the front always had this pressure in front and back even though the manual states differently.