Check those tire pressures

[Oss]

After reading the post about the fatality from the rear tire blowout I checked the bmw's tire pressure this morning before riding to work

Was VERY surprised that the front was 33 (should have been 38) and the rear was 36 (should have been 42)   I am guilty of using the kick the tire gauge and wont do that again It must have been a month or so since actually checking that bike and I commute on it at least 3 days a week. Complacency is not our friend.

The valve stems are harder to reach than the Valk but that is no excuse, I should be checking weekly like I do with the Valk.

So please check your tire pressures before leaving the house with a good gauge.  

Everyone heading to meet in the middle have a great time !

[Firefighter]

I don't ride every day but at least every week. If I didn't check my tire pressure before I left the driveway I would swear something felt wrong with my tires. Kinda paranoid.

[PhoenixRizing]

I just recently like within the last two weeks had to check my pressure cause my rear tire was so low it felt and looked flat. Thought I had a leak or something in the tire come to find out it just didn't have air. Bad me  can't remember the last time I ever put air in the tires. Front was low also so I filled both up to what is recommeded and low and behold the bike runs so much better. Very responseive. I will be checking tire pressure weekely now.

[Hook#3287]

Great post Evan

I do it on a regular basis and it's something EVERYONE should do at least once a month, maybe twice.

[msb]

One good habit I have is checking the tire pressure every time the bike goes out of the garage for the day, and especially every morning on extended rides. Aside from the obvious  safety concern, the life of  my rear Avons that I like to run on my IS with a lot of 2 up riding is significantly extended if I'm meticulous about keeping 45-46 lbs in them.

[Jess from VA]

Tires are only the single most important safety factor on your motorcycle.

If you are not routinely checking your pressures, you are a numbnuts.

I may not check every single ride, but I check every single week I'm riding.

Now if you never lose a pound, it's easy to become complacent.

My tires never stay constant (and I rarely gain pressure sitting in the shed).

If you don't own a small compressor, get one. 

On the other hand, I never lose any oil.  I just did an oil change, and checked before I did it (to look at the oil quality on the dip), and that may be the first oil check I did in months.  That's not good enough, and I promise to do better.  But I won't do it every week.     

[old2soon]

Used to stick all 18 on my truck once a week. Check my cage now and then-it do have 4 round rubber thingys. Found out the other day gotz ta talk to my shop guys again as-AGAIN-they lowered the pressure too much. My Phatt Ghurl on the other hand has 2 round rubber thingys and I are VERY anal bout checkin the Phatt Ghurls round rubber thingys. The old bias ply tires you actually could eyeball Close to correct pressure. Radials on the other hand "look" O K sort of Even if 20 pounds low on pressure. Do NOT know the make but I use a nice digital gage that goes to tenths of a P S I. I've had one blow out on a M/C in my life. Rear tire on my old 500/4 Honda long time ago. I duz NOT ever care to go for a 2nd go round on that particular pony.    RIDE SAFE.

[Ken Tarver]

Ok...checking tires weekly or monthly, that's good. Do you ride more than one time a week or month? What about the little nail you got in your tire coming home? Two days later you ride again but don't check pressure because you already checked it this week. Reckon that tire could be 10 lbs low due to the little nail?
Maintaining tire pressure helps tire life, and perhaps yours too.
Get in the habit of checking tire pressure everyday before you ride.
The more you "practice", the easier it gets. 
Just some rambling thoughts to ponder.

Ken

[Valkpilot]

I've become a big fan of real-time tire pressure monitoring systems. 

I've got Doran 360Ms for both bikes, wired to be hot all the time.  Can check instantly for proper pressure.

FOBO makes a Bluetooth system that transmits to your smartphone.

I've also used Tireguard TPMS

[RDKLL]

I have gotten a lot better at checking tire pressures. +1 to having a small compressor in the garage because it just makes it easier because it is getting more and more difficult to find free air. The KTM has an OEM TPMS setup with real-time  pressure readings...told me about a flat before I even knew it. it flashed "RW PUNCTURE". This was after a 300 mile ride, dropped my pillion off and went to the car wash and was on my way home. Cool info, made it home and plugged the tire.

[BnB Tom]

....  FOBO makes a Bluetooth system that transmits to your smartphone.

I've used FOBO for about 3 years.  Small, accurate and extremely light weight (does not effect balance) and reasonably priced. 

[bagelboy]

Also, at least here in the northeast, the temps have been dropping a lot. Nighttime temps of 40's and 50's. This alone will make those pressures change. Now for some opinions. I run 40 front and 44 rear on my Elite 3's on my tourer, my Honda guy says 36 and 36, I beg to differ. I always ride solo.

[RudyF6]

My "ride day routine" starts with a digital gauge.

Years ago, first time I did an advanced MSF course with my own bike, they did safety inspections before hitting the classroom to get started. When asked when tire pressures were last checked, most answered vaguely - "couple days, couple weeks, or I don't remember".

My response? "What time is it?"

[3fan4life]

Also, at least here in the northeast, the temps have been dropping a lot. Nighttime temps of 40's and 50's. This alone will make those pressures change. Now for some opinions. I run 40 front and 44 rear on my Elite 3's on my tourer, my Honda guy says 36 and 36, I beg to differ. I always ride solo.

My first set of tires wore out very quickly, especially the rear.

My tire guy said that the wear was indicative of low pressure.

I had been running the pressures on the swing arm.

The recommendation on the forum seems to pretty much be 40-42 PSI front and 44-46 PSI rear.

The higher numbers have definitely resulted in better tire wear.   

[vanavyman]

I use Doran 360s on my Goldwing and Interstate. Love the instant readout. Started using these after installing RunFlats on the rear. Good product. Love not having to get down and check the rear tires. Great topic for discussion with temps getting ready to change again.
Dan

[Valkpilot]

I use Doran 360s on my Goldwing and Interstate. Love the instant readout. Started using these after installing RunFlats on the rear. Good product. Love not having to get down and check the rear tires. Great topic for discussion with temps getting ready to change again.
Dan

Spring and late fall here are a challenge because 30 to 40 degree F temp swings between morning and afternoon are common.  

Since tire pressure rises and falls about 1 PSI for every 10 degrees F in temp, the cold temp of the tires is subject to a 3 to 4 PSI change just sitting.  

I try and shoot down the middle and set the cold pressure so that it will be just under the desired pressure in the morning and just over in the afternoon.

[..]

Easier to get to

https://www.jakewilson.com/p/1753/19082/Myers-90%C2%B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem

[BobB]

I haven't had any real tire issues as long as I have owned my Valk (ten years).  As a result, I have got a little complacent about checking tire pressure before riding, a visual "kick" is all I do.  However, about five years ago I installed a Doran TPMS that has worked reasonably well.  My main unit powers up with the key on, so I have to wait up to six minutes for both tire sensers to report in.  I highly recommend a tire pressure monitor system.  I'm looking for one that also inflates your tires... 

[Gavin_Sons]

i check pressure before each and every ride. if we stop for lunch or somewhere along the way i will look over them again not necessarily checking pressure but just looking to make sure they still look fine. They are the most important thing on your bike. Everything else comes after tires. 

[..]

i check pressure before each and every ride. if we stop for lunch or somewhere along the way i will look over them again not necessarily checking pressure but just looking to make sure they still look fine. They are the most important thing on your bike. Everything else comes after tires. 

[cookiedough]

Easier to get to

https://www.jakewilson.com/p/1753/19082/Myers-90%C2%B0-Tubeless-Chrome-Valve-Stem

Yep, these are great 90 degrees and easy to install my hand tire pump on vs. straight stems which are a  PITA.    I buy them everytime I need tires from jake wilson if needed and keep a few on hand just in case.  New stems every new tires I say unless you are replacing tires every 1-2 years. 

I check psi every few weeks as most should, but really as mentioned a good idea before each and every ride that day.  Now that I have a slow leak in 3 area around my rim bead with the tires, I do the rear tire every week of riding for sure since I have been loosing 4-8 psi every 1-3 weeks been as low as 32 psi a few times set at 44 psi rear. 

aluminum rims do not help either I think aluminum rims are more apt to loose air pressure vs. steel rims.  At least that is true on ATV tires in my opinion.

[Chrisj CMA]

I just recently like within the last two weeks had to check my pressure cause my rear tire was so low it felt and looked flat. Thought I had a leak or something in the tire come to find out it just didn't have air. Bad me  can't remember the last time I ever put air in the tires. Front was low also so I filled both up to what is recommeded and low and behold the bike runs so much better. Very responseive. I will be checking tire pressure weekely now.

What are you using as "recommend"? 

[Firefighter]

I was of the understanding that tire monitor systems need the bike rolling to activate the tire sensors, am I wrong? I felt they would be good on the road as you could monitor pressure but I didn't want to leave the house to find out I need air!

[Valkpilot]

I was of the understanding that tire monitor systems need the bike rolling to activate the tire sensors, am I wrong? I felt they would be good on the road as you could monitor pressure but I didn't want to leave the house to find out I need air!

The Doran is always active if you wire to an always hot connection.  You can check before you leave.  If you wire it to switched power, you've got to wait.

The Tire Guard system requires some rolling time.

Not sure about the FOBO, but I believe it's an always-transmitting system.  BnB Tom will know.

[Firefighter]

Thanks

[Willow]

...
If you are not routinely checking your pressures, you are a numbnuts.
... 

We will not tolerate personal attacks and name calling of a staff member!      I will admit though that although not quite numb those parts and their related appendage are not nearly so sensitive as they were some forty years ago.

I have not had a habit of regularly checking my tires as I am of the opinion that by sight and feel I can tell when a tire needs more air and I do not regularly lose pressure.  That said,on your advice I went to check for the first time the tires on the bike I acquired three months ago.  I was running 34 - 36.  I prefer 42 and 45 on the Standards with 42 and 40 on the one using the Falken.  I aired them right up.

I'll work on disciplining myself to check more often.

[gordonv]

Now after blowing 2 rear tires are hwy speed with wife on the back, I bought those little screw on capes that show green when at 36 psi (only setting they had). I figure anything below that, and I need to know asap, and top it up.

Trying to get in the habit of looking at/for them every time I get onto the bike. Better, but not perfect at it yet.

[Jess from VA]

We will not tolerate personal attacks and name calling

I don't attack individuals on this board.

That attack was against the class of people everywhere that don't check their MC tires.

Of course, I cannot know if their nuts are actually numb, so it's only an educated guess.

I have not had a habit of regularly checking my tires as I am of the opinion that by sight and feel I can tell when a tire needs more air

But if the shoe fits..... methinks you do protest too much.  

Further, the affiant sayeth naught.

Except, cheapskate that I try to be, I check my tires often, not for my personal safety, but because they are expensive, and a PITA to change.

And, I love riding on new tires, but I hate the first 20 miles.

[scooperhsd]

I did get out and check all 4 of my vehicles - just about all of them needed air added. I thought I had checked my Valk tires when I had new ones put one - apparently not.- front now 40, rear 42 ( using Metzler M/C tires )

[RDKLL]

I had been pretty good about checking the Valk tires regularly, but not everyday...now we have the new bike and it has TPMS with pressure reading that you can watch while you ride...my new problem is the difference between the gage and the bike. Right now I am defaulting to the bike but I have an Accutire digital gage that will be delivered today...hopefully they will be close.

[cookiedough]

good idea bringing this check tire pressure up.

My rear tire was 36 psi down from 44 or so in a few short weeks of not riding, nice ride today though hit 80 near perfect out.