toddv@copper (10/09/85)
My rear tire is supposed to hold from 28 to 36 pounds of air.
A single rider is supposed to ride on 28 pounds of air.
Two riders are supposed to ride on 36 pounds of air.
I find it incredibly inconvenient to adjust the air pressure every time
I have a rider (about three times a week).
(The bike is a Honda CM450 with a curb wieght of 400 pounds wet.
I weigh about 150. My rider weighs just under 150. I put 35 miles per
day on the bike solo.)
What are the consequences of keeping 36 pounds of pressure in the tire all
of the time?
Will it wear out the tire prematurely?
Will it decrease traction in the turns? On the straights?
Will it affect stability or manueverability?
I've been riding it this way for about three weeks and I haven't noticed any
response changes or even a rougher ride. Any experienced netters that can
relate warnings or dangers?
Todd Vierhellergrego@athena.UUCP (Grego Sanguinetti) (10/10/85)
> My rear tire is supposed to hold from 28 to 36 pounds of air. > A single rider is supposed to ride on 28 pounds of air. > Two riders are supposed to ride on 36 pounds of air. > I find it incredibly inconvenient to adjust the air pressure every time > I have a rider (about three times a week). > > (The bike is a Honda CM450 with a curb wieght of 400 pounds wet. > I weigh about 150. My rider weighs just under 150. I put 35 miles per > day on the bike solo.) > > What are the consequences of keeping 36 pounds of pressure in the tire all > of the time? > > Will it wear out the tire prematurely? > Yes, it will wear the tire out in the middle without the weight of the passenger to flatten the profile. > Will it decrease traction in the turns? On the straights? > If you are drag racing it you will loose traction by not having as much rubber in contact. Otherwise the traction loss would probably not be too noticable. > Will it affect stability or manueverability? > High tire pressure will make the bike turn faster into the corners. This could be referred to as "squirly". > I've been riding it this way for about three weeks and I haven't noticed any > response changes or even a rougher ride. Any experienced netters that can > relate warnings or dangers? > > Todd Vierheller There are two things to keep straight, one is tire pressure and the other is the amount of air. In general, the hotter the operating temperature the more air it takes to maintain a given air pressure. You therefore need to adjust the air more frequently than we'ld all like to. I usually pull into a gas station after I've ridden (two-up) a few miles. I try to maintain 32lbs. under most conditions. The exceptions (street bikes) are: snow - add air to help dig through the snow ice - remove air to get more traction sand - ditto oil - don't high-side hail - add hot coffee and brandy and sit it out. Mental Patient, at large