Recommended tire pressure
- Thread starter JKT1969
- Start date
jkt69, First of all, you are being smart checking your tires regularly, especially in the cooler temps as they will lose some pressure as a result. Here you go.
Tire Inflation 1 - Harley Davidson Community
Glider, are you proud of my search talent?
Tire Inflation 1 - Harley Davidson Community
Glider, are you proud of my search talent?
Just remember -- the PSI on the sidewalls are MAX pressures!!!!!
Hoople
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Is that when the tires are inflated Cold. Or is that the max pressure under any circumstance (Hot)?
I am guessing that is the Max pressure when cold but I don't really know.
Davidw2415
Senior Member
Maximum pressure isn't necessarily the recomened pressure. It's best to check your owners manual.
JKT...very good that you took the time to check. Yes, seasonal check is a good call, a better one would at least monthly (preferably bi-monthly)...
...as well as a simple visual check every time you ride as a minimum. Use the HD manufacturer's decal on the frame as a reference especially if you are using the stock Dunlop tires and wheels originally equipped cold. :sThe sidewall imprint only specifies the "absolute" max. cold pressure value, which is likely 10 PSI or more OVERINFLATED if compared to the actual HD factory manufacturer recommendation. :small3d002:
BINGO! Owner's manual will tell you the recommended pressure and takes precedence over the max pressure stamped on the sidewall.
Hoople
Account Removed
Well that makes sense to me. "absolute Max Cold Tire pressure".
But now I ask this:
This has been a long time puzzle for me since I use nitrogen...
I do know the user manual states the tire pressures when cold, in my case are: 30 front/ 36 rear (1 up). And 30 Front 40 Rear (2 up)
I do know a 30 front /36 rear when cold will yield 34 Front & 41 rear when Hot.
Does that mean Harley really wants the tires to run at 34 & 41 when hot? If so, would I then add extra PSI into the tires if using nitrogen because nitrogen has a lower coefficient of expansion?
Since I use nitrogen, I have no clue what my tire pressures should be.
Any ideas?
Hoople
Account Removed
How can you say the owners manual takes precedence over the Tire Manufacturer? I would believe the Tire manufacturer over the Bike manufacturer.
Remember when the Shuttle manufacturer said they were right over the "O"ring manufacturer?
Obviously I wasn't very clear. I meant the owner's manual should take precedence in setting the target running pressures of the tires over the max pressures the tire manufacturer is required by law to put on the sidewalls. The sidewall numbers are not target numbers, they are a maximum. I'm fairly certain the owner's manual numbers are arrived at in conjunction with the tire companies that make the tires that come stock on the bikes, they aren't invented in a vacuum.