sleepneagle
04-12-2007, 07:55 AM
For you unfortunate ones that have a long winter and short riding season. Spring has been teasing too many. Time to get the bike out and ride. Daytona has come and gone, Myrtle Beach is soon to be here. Going to Daytona I stopped to assist a couple with a flat rear tire. The news had a story about the Blues Band member and his wife that got killed on I-4 returning to Tampa, that separated and blew a tire.
I have several V-Twin wrenches I know and trust, all say that 9 out of 10 bikes serviced have underinflated tires. It seems that when we are down to about 10% of the tread left, that's when we have tire problems.
An underinflated tire, two up, loaded with gear. This combination does nothing but generate heat. Heat causes tire separation and failure. An underinflated tire(s) cause poor cornering and handling. Heat generation also reduces the useful mileage you expect to get out of your tires.
The tire pressure recommendations in your owners manual are for the tires the manufacture installed on the bike from the factory. Each tire manufacture has recommended air pressures for their tires for specific applications. Be sure to have the right load range tire for your bike. Do not use the cold load air pressure on the sidewall of the tire.
You can loose 1# air pressure/month in a good tire. Always check your tires before riding, check air pressure, check for cuts and punctures, check the wear indicators. They say; use a penny upside down and stick it in the grooves. If you can see the top of Lincolns head, time to replace.
I have several V-Twin wrenches I know and trust, all say that 9 out of 10 bikes serviced have underinflated tires. It seems that when we are down to about 10% of the tread left, that's when we have tire problems.
An underinflated tire, two up, loaded with gear. This combination does nothing but generate heat. Heat causes tire separation and failure. An underinflated tire(s) cause poor cornering and handling. Heat generation also reduces the useful mileage you expect to get out of your tires.
The tire pressure recommendations in your owners manual are for the tires the manufacture installed on the bike from the factory. Each tire manufacture has recommended air pressures for their tires for specific applications. Be sure to have the right load range tire for your bike. Do not use the cold load air pressure on the sidewall of the tire.
You can loose 1# air pressure/month in a good tire. Always check your tires before riding, check air pressure, check for cuts and punctures, check the wear indicators. They say; use a penny upside down and stick it in the grooves. If you can see the top of Lincolns head, time to replace.