Hey Darksiders, couple of questions from a newby

[Kilroy]

Hi All,
Getting ready to put a new Potenza G019 on the Lady,  Been reading about the sweetspot for tire pressure and wondering if the psi we are talking about is measured while the tire is cold like we do with a mc tire?

Second, what is the current thoughts on a nail in the ct, if it is not in the sidewall is it ok to plug it and go about our business or should we dispose of the tire?

Thanks for the input,
Kilroy

[Ken Tarver]

cold pressure

I have run plugs for many miles....better not to though.

best thought is to replace tire; second best is inside patch; last is plug.

actually a plug should only be used to get you down the road for a permanent repair or replacement.

Ken

[Ricky-D]

I never fully understood the logic of replacing the tire due to a puncture. Would you do the same for a tire on the car?  If you consider the puncture and time element for the leak down, then how could you figure it would be a resultant worse if you plug the puncture?  I've had a tube tire go down fast from a tube rupture and never want to experience that again. That said, probably the best development ever in motorcycle safety has been the introduction of tubeless tires and cast wheels.  Myself, I still ride with plugs and never have had a problem whether it's been in a m/c tire or a darkside.  I do carry a little plugging kit in case of losing a plug, but that's never happened. I've three plugs in my darkside now and when and if I get to five, I may take it off and apply some patched on the inside. It's only got 15k miles on it and I know I'll get 40k or better.

[Sharkey]

I think the sweet spot for every tire will be slightly different, depending on the compound of the rubber and tread design. I have only been darkside for approx 1500 miles now. I am running a Michelin Primacy currently at 36 psi. It feels fine, so I have not experimented with pressure too much. I started at 32 and it felt a little loose in the corners, I am assuming flex at lower pressure. I bumped it up and left it there.

[SANDMAN5]

Getting ready to put a new Potenza G019 on the Lady,  Been reading about the sweetspot for tire pressure and wondering if the psi we are talking about is measured while the tire is cold like we do with a mc tire?
Second, what is the current thoughts on a nail in the ct, if it is not in the sidewall is it ok to plug it and go about our business or should we dispose of the tire?

Tire pressure is measured cold for me. As to #'s of air, that's up to each individual rider. I
would start out kinda high, say about 40 psi, and then gradually ease it down till you're happy
and comfortable with how it feels.

[bigvalkriefan]

I agree with bashfulbob, start at 40 and go from there. I also agree with ricky d concerning the use of tire plugs. I have used them for years and I have never experienced a problem.

[timk519]

I am running a Michelin Primacy currently at 36 psi. It feels fine, so I have not experimented with pressure too much.

I'm running the same tire, at 38 lbs cold. I've also got a SmarTire tire pressure monitoring system, and it's interesting watching how the tire pressure varies due to riding conditions and outside temperatures - the tire pressure's all over the place.

[Scott from FL, now in Maine]

The sweet spot is something you'll have to test for yourself. I would start at the suggestion given so far, then lower the psi or raise it and see whats better for you. The area of sweet spot will vary a lot by the tire you are using. I am running a BF Goodrich Traction TA 205/65/16 . I started 34 psi, but the ride was very stiff for me. Ended up where I like it at 30 psi and I had to soften the shocks one step. 99 Standard riding solo, I weight in at 200. Hope this helps 

[MP]

I run 28 when solo, 32 two up.  Started at 36.  I like it better soft.  Never notice it moving around on the road.  Does follow ruts though.  My mc tire did too, just not as much.

[Ricky-D]

I run 28 when solo, 32 two up.  Started at 36.  I like it better soft.  Never notice it moving around on the road.  Does follow ruts though.  My mc tire did too, just not as much.

That's because the footprint is so much wider for the car tire. It causes the resultant lever arm to have more influence. Try riding over a grid type bridge surface or, rr tracks on an angle,  and you will see much improvement over m/c rear tire.

[timk519]

I'm running the same tire, at 38 lbs cold. I've also got a SmarTire tire pressure monitoring system, and it's interesting watching how the tire pressure varies due to riding conditions and outside temperatures - the tire pressure's all over the place.

For instance, on the road this AM when it was cold, I was 40 front, 38 rear. Coming home, it was 44 front, 40 rear.

[Ken Tarver]

kinda a different scenario riding on 2 wheels as opposed to 4.

didn't say i've never ridden on plugged tires....i have....miles and miles....it comes down to how much risk one is willing to assume, as it is with protective gear

i have had a plug come out

and another time did have a puncture that took 3 plugs to stop the leak....replaced tire

Ken