Check That Tire Pressure !!!

[kaitsdad]

Let's see .... where do I start.

I picked up Wonky on the 8th of April - and one of the first things I did was check her tire pressure.

42 front, 42 rear.

Didn't pay it much attention - but I noticed that my fuel mileage was dropping - I had been averaging 42 to 45 mpg, but the past two tanks were in the mid to high 30's -

So I wander out to Wonky's stable the other night, and just for grins, I check her pressure -

28 psi front - 30 psi rear. WTF ?????? She's only 5 weeks old !

Now I know why the mileage was down - her shoes were soft !!

Pressured back up to 42/42 - topped off the tank - any my riding yesterday (slow traffic commute - 80 miles rt) shows 45.1 mpg. Should be even better on a non-commute ride.

My point is that fuel mileage appears to be VERY sensitive to tire pressure - and as I'm still learning the bike, I'm sure I'm not in tune enough to notice the handling changes - but odds are they were there! NOT BUENO !! :dribble:

From now on - Wonky gets her shoes checked each day I'm riding. No Exceptions !!

 

[Bostonfan2]

Had a rear tire go down once to 19 p.s.i. while two up when I first got the bike, hit a large staple

got the "smartire" monitor after that, its nice not to have to worry about it anymore, something you

might want to look into....

Ray

 

[norcal]

Next to the brakes, the tires are the most important safety item on a motorcycle. 5 weeks is way too long between pressure checks, as you found out.

 

[twowheelnut]

What brand of tire? Not sure if it makes any diff, but the Metz Z4 & 6's I've run lost about 5 psi every week or so. The Avons and now Michelins hold very well - little or no loss. Chech your valve stem, too.

 

[Groo]

Kaitsdad.... three words... Smartire... Gary McCoy.

 

[twowheelnut]

That's one word and two names... :****:

 

[Groo]

Yo TWN, don't look now, but there's some ants on your marshmallows.... :crazy:

 

[kaitsdad]

What brand of tire? Not sure if it makes any diff, but the Metz Z4 & 6's I've run lost about 5 psi every week or so. The Avons and now Michelins hold very well - little or no loss. Chech your valve stem, too.

TWN, Wonky's wearing the Stones -

I've got a set of the 90 degree stems to install with the first tire change - the stock stems do seem to be a bit 'weak'. Lots of flexing.

I can assure you, I'll be watching that air pressure !!

 

[twowheelnut]

Groo:

:****:

 

[kaitsdad]

Groo, thanks for the info. You're the second responder to say 'Smartire'. Me thinks I should investigate.

And you and TWN really love each other, don't ya? It's heartwarming to see how the two of you communicate.

 

[FJRJeff]

Next to the brakes, the tires are the most important safety item on a motorcycle. 5 weeks is way too long between pressure checks, as you found out.

+1

A few years ago when I was moving, I was transporting my XJ1100 from my old house to my new house. Didn't check the pressure before we left, but the bike was acting strange on curves (trying to stand back up from a lean). Took a highway exit, and as I turned at the light off the exit, the front tire jumped the rim and I went down hard. I shudder to think of how ugly that could have been had it taken it's leave on the highway.

I'm more diligent now about checking pressure.

Jeff

 

[user 2024]

Ride-On

https://www.ride-on.com/prod_mot.asp

I have used this now in about 8 sets of tires. It is in my 06 tires now. :clapping: