All-Looking for some advice on "real world" tire pressures from those of you with more bagger time. My bike is a '07 SG with about 1,000 miles on the stock Harley Logo Dunlop 402s. Have been running mid-30's inflation IAW sidewall pressure markings. I'm not satisfied with my setup to date and looking to get some advice on a good inflation range for both the tires and the shocks. I spend the vast majority of my time on rural VA 2-lane blacktop, not perfect surfaces, sometimes gravel/sand, plenty of turns, 50-60 mph. I'm concerned primarily with stable handling as opposed to comfort. Not an aggressive rider but do like to lay it over sometimes (coming off a SuperGlide Sport). Usual payload weight is around 230lbs with one up. If any forum members have some counsel I'd appreciate it! Thanks, Mark

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I have the same year bike but mine's an EGC. The manual says 36 psi in front and 36 psi in back for solo, 40 psiin back for 2-up. I run 38 psi in my rear for solo riding and hardly ever ride 2-up.

I also weigh about the same as you and run 20-25 psi in my rear shocks. I like a firm ride with no wallowing in the curves. If I put a passenger on back I leave the rear tire alone (unless it's going to be a long ride)but bump my shocks to 35 psi.

 

I run 36F 40 R, this presure has treated me well on the Dunlop 402. I use the same pressure with one or two up. From your description we have similar riding styles. On the shocks I run 15 lbs with just me and 20 with my wife. I'm 250 +/- and she is about 110 +/-. If we are loaded for a trip I generally will step the pressure up to 25 lbs.

There is an article in the American Rider, June 2007, pg54...the article is about tires / tire pressure. In the article they interview Mike Manning with Dunlop, not sure who the ....he is but he is quoted as saying that Dunlop recommends 36F40R all the time with one or two up in the 402 / OEM HD. Just confirmed what have been doing is correct.

Hope this helps-

 

36 front- 38 rear, 15 shocks works for me.

 

Stock tyres. 36 psi front and 40 psi rear all the time.

Stock shocks. 12 psi solo, 20 psi two up, and 35psi when fully laden two up with tour pac.

WB

 

Thanks to all. I got them reset to 36/40/12 for now. Will be doing a road trip with a bud in August down the Blue Ridge Parkway, over to Mean City Cycles, the Dragon (slow and easy), to Knoxville for the rally and then a run home on the highway. If that doesn't tell the tale I don't know what will.

Filling the rear shocks was a labor. Seems like its very sensitive and the pressure moves up/down quickly in big increments. Must be a small bladder in there (kinda like the one in me!). Took a while to nail it.

Not that I know, but it does take a while to get a 24 psi tire up to 36 psi!!!

Thanks again for your help! Mark

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Get the HD shock air pump m8, its worth it and makes filling the shocks easy. Whatever you do dont use a forecourt compressor, it could easily over inflate the shocks and cause damage.

The HD pump is small, light, has a gauge and can easily be carried when away from home on a run.

WB

 

I run 36 psi in the front and 38 psi in the rear and 10 psi in the shocks. I ride solo all the time so far.