tire pressure

[shadowmagic]

So as you guys may know, I was riding with really low tire pressure and didnt realize it for awhile. Now that I have a new tire and its up to pressure Ive noticed that my ride at the rear is super hard. I hit that first bump and i may as well have had welded suspension. It was pretty hard. I guess my question is what is the lowest pressure I can ride my bike with. I was riding it at like 26 psi or something like that for many rides. Any help greatly appreciated.

[Jess from VA]

You can take it down to 34-5, but wear will suffer.

You get too low, you risk something bad happening in a hard lean.

Have you adjusted your shocks?

[rug_burn]

I always use about 35-38 psi for the rear tire, and 38-40 for the front...

I had a similar problem to yours:  My original shocks I had set to the stiffest setting, and then couldn't get them back to lower stiffness, and finally had to put on new ones, which are noticably better.   They were old, anyway, and needed replacing.    Progressive 421s, and they look better, too.

[Bagger John - #3785]

How much weight (you, passenger and gear) aboard the bike?

What's your shock adjustment (1 - 5 preload) and are they OEM or a different model?

ETA:

My Tourer (w/ I/S bodywork and shocks) likes 40F/42R in its Avon Cobras. My I/S (no trunk, and with Progressive 416 air shocks) is happiest with 39F/41R in its Dunlops.

[Jess from VA]

I always use about 35-38 psi for the rear tire, and 38-40 for the front...

I had a similar problem to yours:  My original shocks I had set to the stiffest setting, and then couldn't get them back to lower stiffness, and finally had to put on new ones, which are noticably better.   They were old, anyway, and needed replacing.    Progressive 421s, and they look better, too.

You probably meant 412s

[Chrisj CMA]

If the ride is way harsh with 40lbs in the rear, I'd say shocks are the problem. Lowering the air pressure to overcome a shock issue sounds wrong to me.

[Bagger John - #3785]

Lowering the air pressure to overcome a shock issue sounds wrong to me.

Works on rigid-framed bicycles. Not so much on motorcycles with active suspension.

[shadowmagic]

The shocks are progressive but not sure what model. I'm not sure what setting they are at, i will check that now. I'm drop my tire pressure to about 37 or 38 then install the tire pressure system. After I put that on I'll see how to go about adjusting the rear shocks. Are they adjustable while on the bike? Weight on bike, average is probably around 375 to 400 with including saddlebags.

[Jess from VA]

Find 1 or the lowest setting and then work up from there. 

Look them up on line for directions.

412s

https://www.google.com/search?q=progressive+susdpension+412&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1#kpvalbx=_B_FDYayBJK6k5NoPzcO84A816

[gordonv]

All my vehicle tires are set to the max PSI printed on the tire, or 1-3 psi less (50 - set at 45, 40 - set at 38).

I ride my IS usually 2 up with the shock set on 5. I've never considered it a problem for softness. The only issue I ever have is what seems like following the ruts on the road.

New shock bushings and dampeners.

[Bagger John - #3785]

I ride my IS usually 2 up with the shock set on 5. I've never considered it a problem for softness. The only issue I ever have is what seems like following the ruts on the road.

My Tourer (essentially an I/S at this point) has its shocks set at 4 and is running a HyperPro-sprung front end. I'm around 250ish fully geared up. Another 20lbs of miscellaneous stuff in the bags and trunk.

My lady friend fluctuates between 160 and 180, depending on whether it's holiday baking season or not. 

I haven't yet set the shocks at 5 for both of us aboard. If we were going cross country I probably would. As it stands, the ride with the preload set at 4 is perfect for me on the open road.

[98valk]

So as you guys may know, I was riding with really low tire pressure and didnt realize it for awhile. Now that I have a new tire and its up to pressure Ive noticed that my ride at the rear is super hard. I hit that first bump and i may as well have had welded suspension. It was pretty hard. I guess my question is what is the lowest pressure I can ride my bike with. I was riding it at like 26 psi or something like that for many rides. Any help greatly appreciated.

if u have a '97-98 bike the shocks are junk, with terrible rebound and compression rates.

get '99-on shocks which have better rebound and compression rates for a smoother ride. I/S shocks are the same except for heavy springs.

[shadowmagic]

Thank you everyone, I finally got my shocks and tire pressure under control lol Did an all day ride friday and nothing fell off, smoked, or otherwise behaved as it shouldnt. At 23,000 miles i've done everything aside from rebuilding the motor and tranny. She is running beautifully now and I'm super excited. I appreciate all the help you guys have given me.