What are the warning signs of low tire pressure?

[zzkenoman]

I recently went on a long 335 mile trip, most of the time I thought it was the road gravel or imperfections that was causing my rear to slide slightly. When I got home, my tire pressure was 34 in the rear and 39 in the front. Could that be the reason for some of the highway speed vibrations, and some slip on the turns? What warning signs do you get on your FJR that prompts you immediately pull off to check the tire pressure?

 

[slapnpop]

The feel of the tire changes with pressure, and it will be slower to lean over with lower pressures.

Might I suggest that a month is far too long of an interval to check motorcycle tires. If you picked up a nail that caused a significant enough loss of pressure, the rest could blow out without warning at speed.

I was riding two up on my old honda and completly lost rear tire pressure all at once, with no warning! I *barely* managed to keep the bike upright and get her stopped, and it's not an experience I wish on anyone. When I stopped, there was a 1/2" hole in the rear tire, with no visiable debris or other damage.

 

[fjr]

I check tire pressures almost every time I get on a bike. If I haven't used one for more than a day I check it. One of these days I am going to spring for a compressor because the foot pump I use is a PIA.

On an aside, can anyone recommend a good digital tire guage that will hold up to motorcycle use? The ones I get at auto parts stores don't seem long lived. TIA.

 

[slapnpop]

You might want to see This Thread, which details my on-bike kit with pump, repair suplies, and gauge.

 

[Derek]

i use smartire (on board tire pressure monitoring)

derek

 

[twowheelnut]

The little kid from next door asking, 'Hey mither? Whyth the bottom ofth your wheel not round?"

First sign for me is always the first corner... I can tell immediately that the tire or tires is/are underinflated. She's just all squirrelly and not 'right'. I do try and and check the tires before every ride.

 

[fjr]

Thanks slap.

One of the reasons I asked about digital, and this is true, just the other day I used three different mechanical guages and got three different readings by as much as several pounds. I am wondering if digital would maintain accuracy better in the rough service environnment of a motorcycle?? No moving parts?

 

[Bike Effects]

I use the Accutire MS-4000B like this because I read some test results and this one was the most accurate. I carry it in one of my bags at all times. My 90° valve stems make the job easier.

 

[petey]

I recently went on a long 335 mile trip, most of the time I thought it was the road gravel or imperfections that was causing my rear to slide slightly. When I got home, my tire pressure was 34 in the rear and 39 in the front. Could that be the reason for some of the highway speed vibrations, and some slip on the turns? What warning signs do you get on your FJR that prompts you immediately pull off to check the tire pressure?

I don't think the 34 lb tire pressure in the rear tire made the bike vibrate or slip, it will make the bike squirrely and hard to turn, if it gets too low. As far as traction...it's better (at 34 lbs) than an over inflated tire.

 

[markjenn]

Underinflation on the front: heavy steering and constant inside bar pressure in the corner - it feels like you have to force the bike into the corner and force it to stay in the corner. On the rear: same but not as pronouced... and a generally soft and imprecise ride.

If you were slipping, I doubt it was tire pressure. If anything, you probably get less slip at 34 psi than 40 as the tire will be running hotter and give better grip. More than likely, you were interpreting the different handling as slipping, but it was just handling oddly - that's an big mismatch to have 5 more psi in the front than the rear.

The big question is how you got to 34 psi in the rear. Since the front was up to spec and you probably check them at the same time, it sounds like you have some kind of slow leak. This needs to be figured out.

General rule: if the bike is handling oddly, investigate, starting with tire pressures.

- Mark

 

[NightShine]

i use smartire (on board tire pressure monitoring)

Alright, Derek! I've been interested in the smartire system myself. Where'd you end up putting the display unit on your bike?

Any pictures you could send or post?

Cheers!

 

[Bounce]

A T-CLOCK should be done before each ride. That would prevent any situation where you were riding on tires that hadn't been checked.

 

[Derek]

NIGHTSHINE - sorry i don't have a photo. bikes in storage now. but the display is mounted on top of the dash and centered. the receiver wire runs down the left slot for the windscreen retractors. i have it wired into my turn signal. very clean setup and i've never had a problem through 4 tire changes.

combine this with 90% valves and your sitting in butter!

derek

 

[FJR_pig]

Yikes! Once a month is far too long to go. I've always checked my tire pressure at the start of every day I plan to ride. Don't stop there, though. Roll the front tire through your hand and examine it for things stuck in the tread - tacks, nails, the random sharp rock. That's the kind of stuff that will get worse and land you on your keester. Centerstand your bike and do the same on the rear tire.

As mentioned above, a rapid rear flat is bad enough while en route, but try getting a flat front tire at 65+. That's a ride I've lived to tell about and I will just say that you never, ever want to experience it.

 

[Powerman]

I check my pressures at least twice a week, daily when touring. I can tell pretty easy when mine are low. I hate when I get in my wifes car and it needs air, I guess she gets used to it slowly leaking. My buddies are using the pressure indicating/regulating caps, I forget the name.

I carry a tire repair kit and a compressor. I gave up on CO2 cartidges when tires got so big. Buy a cheap compressor, remove the plastic case to save space, and put on a connector to your electrical system.

 

[Mike-H]

This is really going to sound anal,...BUT... to error on the side of safety wouldn't it be best to check the tire pressures every day if you ride every day or before each time you ride? If nothig else you"ll get a look at your tires (cuts, wear etc)

 

[Constant Mesh]

I don't check the pressure every day but I do give each tire a good kick with the toe of my boot to check for an obvious low pressure condition.

I have several pressure gauges. It's amazing just how accurate the cheap pencil gauges really are. My two pencil gauges provide readings that are within 1 psig of my bourbon tube dial gauge.

 

[red2kcbr]

First warning sign of low tire pressure: flat on the bottom. Dead give-away.

Second warning sign of low tire pressure: kind of squatty on the bottom.

Third warning sign of low tire pressure: a loud hissing noise.

:lol:

Seriously, I check tire pressures at least weekly, sometimes more often. Certainly before every back roads blasting ride, and before and during tours. Come to think of it, I check tire pressure almost every ride.

Generally run 42 and 42. I might drop the front to 40 for back roads, but not usually.

Same with glancing at the oil sight glass. And brake fluid reservoir. And I calculate the fuel mileage on every tank. Hmmm, sounds like borderline obsessive-compulsive behavior, doesn't it? Be right back, I got to check the stove...

 

[jbay]

Not only should you check tire pressure every day but if you run Metzlers you should check to make sure tire is still there also .