Harsh ride

[snakemeister]

 My '97 Tourer with 100,000 on it seems to have taken on a harsh ride recently for no apparent  reason. I checked the pressure in the rear Avon[40] and the front [42].How low can I run pressure in the tires before I encounter undue wear? I suspect that the warm days we're having heated the tires and caused the pressure to rise.Also, could something happen to the shocks to cause a harsh ride?

[Bighead]

Snake explain harsh ride please.

[olddog1946]

Swing arm bearings could cause a harsh ride. As well as front fork problems.

[Michvalk]

Yes, the shocks could be the problem. In fact, They probably ARE the problem. Do they still have proper rebound? Do they compress fairly easily? Do they leak? Really, there are too many variables to really diagnose the problem, but I would start with the obvious. Try bouncing the bike sitting still. Maybe have a friend climb on the bike with you and measure drop.

[sandy]

Most of us run higher rear pressures. I run 46 PSI and it doesn't cup.

[snakemeister]

  By 'harsh' I mean on any serious is bone jarring and the smaller bumps seen to be more noticeable than before.

[hubcapsc]

When my shock blew out, the ride definitely changed right
over to harsh...

I can't see it being a tire pressure thing... I run 40 to 42 or so in
my tires, cold day or hot day, the pressure goes up a surprising (to me)
amount after you get rolling...

-Mike

[Bighead]

I would agree that shocks is probably the culprit. Also have you ever had the fork oil changed?