Car tire questions and air pressure recommendations needed

[Dave Weaver]

I installed a car tire on my '97 Tourer Saturday.  The tire is a Goodyear American Eagle H-rated 205/60-16.  This is my first experience with a car tire and I don't know where to start out with air pressure.  We put 32# in to start with.  I checked old posts and see where people say adjust pressure to where it feels right.  I am not sure what I am feeling for as this is my first experience.  What should I be looking / feeling for when adjusting pressure?  I have only ridden about twenty miles, but can sure tell the difference.  The bike sure does want to stand straight up when riding.  I don't feel the extra pressure needed to countersteer into corners except when switching from right to left or left to right without a straightaway in between.  It wants to stand up straight at that point.  I also noticed a wobble or side to side shimmy when doing a slow speed sweeper in a subdivision today.  Is this a common feeling?  TIA for any suggestions.

Dave

 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I use to run 40 psi cause when the DarkSide started strong in the VRCC that's what folks said to run. 40 psi was guttin' the middle of the tire out so I backed off to 35 psi. I like mine right there 

[R J]

In my Triple Tread, I run 36#.

The wiggle you described, is too low of pressure,

I'm not familiar with your tire so don't know to tell to go higher than mine or not.

Start @ 45, let about 3# out & ride it again in the same roadway.

Once it feels good, drop it again, if uncomfortable, put those 3# back in & that is your pressure to run..........

[LadyDraco]

Highbinder use to run an American Eagle tire...
He would run his @ 38

[Tundra]

GoodYear Assurance Triple Tread, 33psi.  Two up, 36psi.
  My personal belief is that it feels better to me a little softer. Corners better softer. Sidewall flexes better in corners softer. This tire was designed to hold 1300lbs (each tire) on a car.
  I have a friend who is on his third triple tread, he run's 38psi and swears by it  Not for me. Find your sweet spot based upon your riding needs.

[fudgie]

Mines at 36-38 and feels good. Low it will feel soft. To much it might be ruff. I was fully loaded for Sturgis and it looked low. Added some without a gauge, long story, but ended up with 50 psi in it. Boy did it ride good and scream down the road.    Felt more solid with the extra weight on it. Backed it off when we unloaded the bike. You may still get a little 'bounce' in some curves that are ruff like I/S bridges but its stable. Then have the SO ride with ya and she how it rides. You may have to add a hair more air. Wet the tire and roll it on dry pavement and you will see the contact area on the ground. Mines right at 4 1/2". As far as the handling you should get use to it. Just watch these Ind country roads that are really crowned.
My tire was the conversation piece today at a little spot on the river a HD bud and I visited. They thought it was great!

[Jess from VA]

My (first) GTT at constant 40 psi (& 43 front Metz).  I have watched for premature center wear, and none to speak of.  In fact, at 7300 miles, no wear of any kind is apparent. 

And having said there is no wear to see, I do think that the tire gets acclimated or worn in to the bike.  Sure, I am completely used to it now, but I do not think it is all me.  Even at a constant 40, it does not seem quite so inclined to stand the bike up in the turns as it was when brand new. 

[MP]

I run at 26#. I like it MUCH better than in the mid thirties.  Hunts ruts much less at low pressure.
MP

[JamminJohn1]

I run my GYTT at 32 -36 psi depending on the load.
I get around 20K out of one.

                   JJ

[dipstick]

Not familiar with that tire and prefer something with more of an aggressive tread but think you are a little low on the pressure as well.

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

34-36 psi I get good milage and ride in this range. I ran 40 in the first CT. I ran a Cooper Zeon2 and the center went south at 24K. I've ran several different CT. since and all worked good arround 34-36 psi.

[Tundra]

I run at 26#. I like it MUCH better than in the mid thirties.  Hunts ruts much less at low pressure.
MP

MP...Ditto The more air pressure the more the tire wants to "stand up" and find every imperfection in the road. At 33psi I don't know I'm on a car tire, Sidewall gives more flex, especially with a 60 series.