BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« on: January 29, 2011, 07:38:19 AM » |
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Hi, what air pressure do most people run? I think it says 36 rear and 33 front. Does that sound a little low? Especially winter? Thanks
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six2go #152
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« Reply #1 on: January 29, 2011, 08:52:03 AM » |
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After years and many miles of experience, I think you'll find that most on this board air their tires up to about 40 psi front, and 42 psi rear. This combo seems to give the best tire life while not compromising the ride comfort much. Of course you may want to "tweak" these numbers for your own preference in order to get the "feel" you want from your Valk. If you use the 33 - 36 as the book says, you are probably going to get premature tire wear as well as "cupping" at the edge of the tread.
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Ricky-D
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« Reply #2 on: January 29, 2011, 09:22:14 AM » |
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I would rely on the tire manufacturer recommendations for guidance.
Stay within the range that they have molded in the tire and you can't go wrong.
***
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2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
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RonW
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« Reply #3 on: January 29, 2011, 10:03:03 AM » |
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after installing a Metzeler front tire, I went with 40psi to prevent the threads from cupping. However, the bulbs in my front turn signals fell out of their sockets. Deflated to 38psi and that hasn't been a problem. Just something I thought worth noting.
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2000 Valkyrie Tourer
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sandy
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« Reply #4 on: January 29, 2011, 10:53:03 AM » |
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Avon Cobra's= 42F and 46R
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #5 on: January 29, 2011, 03:01:35 PM » |
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Remember, the manual was written for the OE D204 Dunlops, and those pressures were too low for even those tires. Run a minimum of 40-2psi, front and rear. After many sets of Metzlers, I ended up at 43-4 front and 44-5 Rear. Read the MAX pressure on the sidewall of your tires. That is max pressure at max load of wiff and gear, so I wouldn't run full max unless loaded down. The Metz have 50 max psi, front and rear.
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Thunderbolt
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« Reply #6 on: January 29, 2011, 04:12:24 PM » |
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Seems to have less cupping at those pressures. Rear always cupped until I finally went to the Darkside!!! You may change it a couple of pounds depending on loading.
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Ken Tarver
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« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2011, 06:04:16 PM » |
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i run 41 in the front and on the darkside rear 34
Ken
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2011, 06:32:33 AM » |
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Yeah I went ahead and put 40psi front and rear before I got any answers. Thats what I run on my VTX 1800 with a 200 rear. Both bikes are heavy in tha front. It was a stiffer ride and I sure noticed the bumps but I'll sacrafice a stiffer ride for extended tire life anyday!!  |
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Ricky-D
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« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2011, 08:36:40 AM » |
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Yeah I went ahead and put 40psi front and rear before I got any answers. Thats what I run on my VTX 1800 with a 200 rear. Both bikes are heavy in tha front. It was a stiffer ride and I sure noticed the bumps but I'll sacrafice a stiffer ride for extended tire life anyday!! It's doubtful that will happen! *** |
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2000_Valkyrie_Interstate
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Flat6Valk
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« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2011, 09:23:23 AM » |
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I have avons and I fill 40 front and 40 rear. Had problems with premature tire wear at 33-36. My Valks handles better at 40 too.
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RIDE SAFE-RIDE OFTEN........GO BUCKEYES!!!
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Earl in Pensacola
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« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2011, 10:39:51 AM » |
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I'm the original owner of a 1997 Tourer that now has 231K on the clock. I have run Avon Venoms for the last 7 or 8 years and (per the Avon rep) have filled to 38f/42r stone cold. My tire milage on the last couple of sets averaged 18 to 20K on the rear and 28 to 30K on the fronts! My OEM Dunlops at 33/36 psi delivered 12 to 14K Rear and 18 to 20K fronts. I now have the new Cobras front and rear. The rear now has 16K and still in very good condition. The front is at 8K and still looks new. Just another 2 cents for Your information--
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Spirited-6
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« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2011, 10:58:39 AM » |
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after installing a Metzeler front tire, I went with 40psi to prevent the threads from cupping. However, the bulbs in my front turn signals fell out of their sockets. Deflated to 38psi and that hasn't been a problem. Just something I thought worth noting.
Hey Guy. You need to slow down for thim there "pot holes"  I run 40 / 41 , Metz. 880`s |
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Spirited-6
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RonW
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« Reply #13 on: January 30, 2011, 02:12:25 PM » |
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Hey Guy. You need to slow down for thim there "pot holes" I run 40 / 41 , Metz. 880`s actually they've repaved many of the major thoroughfares around the city, so the pot holes that have endeared themselves to us over the years, same pot hole, same place, year after year, aren't around anymore, but nobody builds freeways like the way we do here. There's one section of freeway where you can feel the sections as you ride over them and that may have been where or caused my signal bulb to dangle from its socket with the contacts of the other side signal bulb pock-marked from the vibrations like somebody had wood peckered it on the bottom. Strange sight. By the accounts of others running 40psi on their front tires, I might need to install progressive springs in the front forks. |
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2000 Valkyrie Tourer
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Earl in Pensacola
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« Reply #14 on: January 30, 2011, 03:09:00 PM » |
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I wonder if you'd accomplish you goal (softer ride) by making sure that the front forks have 10wt oil and the rear (OEM) shocks are set at #1 !!
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #15 on: January 31, 2011, 06:55:53 PM » |
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after installing a Metzeler front tire, I went with 40psi to prevent the threads from cupping. However, the bulbs in my front turn signals fell out of their sockets. Deflated to 38psi and that hasn't been a problem. Just something I thought worth noting.
Hey Guy. You need to slow down for thim there "pot holes" I run 40 / 41 , Metz. 880`s Yeah I believe you are right about the pot holes. I need to slow down cause I hurt the boys yesterday i hit so hard!  |
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #16 on: January 31, 2011, 07:08:39 PM » |
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Yeah I went ahead and put 40psi front and rear before I got any answers. Thats what I run on my VTX 1800 with a 200 rear. Both bikes are heavy in tha front. It was a stiffer ride and I sure noticed the bumps but I'll sacrafice a stiffer ride for extended tire life anyday!! It's doubtful that will happen! *** Ricky D, I'm not sure I follow you. On my VTX I Just got 6500 miles out the factory Dunlaps probably because they were cheap and I ran the recommended pressure. I swithed to Bridgestones front and rear(Battleaxe 200) 40 psi on both and now have 12k on her and tkey look like the day I put them on. BTW, the VTXR and the Valk run the same factory tires. |
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #17 on: January 31, 2011, 07:10:08 PM » |
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Thanks Ya'll for all the help!  |
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