Question on Tire Pressure

karl55 · Jul 23rd, 2009, 05:02 PM

Hi All, I have a 2008 sportster and the service manual states 30 LBS in the front and that is fine, but it calls for 36 LBS in the rear and isn't that a bit high? I ride alone (single) I weight around 208 lbs. I just feel my motorcycle is riding hard and that it is from the rear tire having to much air. Any thoughts on this subject. Thanks!!!

hammerhead pat · Jul 23rd, 2009, 05:41 PM

My 05 sporty has the same specs and if the manual says that's what it needs, that's what I give it and I haven't had any issues. Do you have Dunlop 401's up front and Dunlop 402's in the back. Probably something to do with the difference in tires. Plus you're going to have more weight in the back of the bike than in the front.

karl55 · Jul 23rd, 2009, 05:48 PM

Hi Hammerhead Pat,

Thanks for the quick response, so do you keep your rear tire pressure at 36 LBS?

TXMikey · Jul 23rd, 2009, 05:57 PM

My previous bike (metric) had similar air pressure recommendations. It actually called for 29 in the front, and 36-42 in the rear, depending on rider/passenger weight.

I would go with the manual specs; the MOCO spends a lot of money to determine the best compromise between ride, handling, and tire wear.

NEWHD74FAN · Jul 24th, 2009, 01:03 AM

Ideal air pressure for the stock tires have been researched over many miles of use and over plenty of HD test facilities as well as Dunlop research facilities here and abroad. They also have the advantage of being able to optimize the tires for best mileage for best street performance possible. We could spend $1000's and tons of track & street time and still not come close to what has been done, and the tires used have been OEM standard for 15 years or more...

Quite simply, check the decal on your frame (mine is on the steerer downtube)...it shows the stock OEM tire/wheel sizes AND the recommended pressure for solo and two-up...nothing easier than that!

karl55 · Jul 24th, 2009, 01:38 PM

Thanks for all the responses, and I will keep the 36 pounds in the rear tire as stated in my service manual.

milsco12 · Jul 26th, 2009, 09:39 AM

I agree...Go with the Specs!

hubja · Jul 26th, 2009, 09:11 PM

I have an 07' fatboy and the manuel states 35 lbs of pressure which I even think is alittle high. I've always rode other bikes at the standard pressure and always felt alittle skiddish in the winter which the bike seems to want to slide more.

I asked my local HD dealership mechanic about this and winter riding. He told me that I could go down to 30 lbs in my rear to get extra traction with sand on the roads, which should be fine, but in the summer put in the recommended amount

I tried it out and it solved the problem. My bike has more traction and I'm not sliding around as much, but if you constantly ride lower than your rec. amount of tire pressure it's going to wear out your tires faster.

mstngjoe · Jul 27th, 2009, 08:17 AM

Here's some good info from a HOG writeup.

New Page 1

vaibhavcoder · Jul 27th, 2009, 08:31 AM

well you see the specification given is according to your bike it also contain lots of weight so keep it 36 lbs if it is written.

Jul 23rd, 2009, 05:02 PM	#1
karl55 Start The Engine Ride: 105th 1200L Sportster Join Date: Mar 29th, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 29 My Mood:	Question on Tire Pressure Hi All, I have a 2008 sportster and the service manual states 30 LBS in the front and that is fine, but it calls for 36 LBS in the rear and isn't that a bit high? I ride alone (single) I weight around 208 lbs. I just feel my motorcycle is riding hard and that it is from the rear tire having to much air. Any thoughts on this subject. Thanks!!!

Jul 23rd, 2009, 05:41 PM	#2
hammerhead pat Warming The Wheels Ride: 05xl1200c Join Date: May 16th, 2009 Location: Brandon,Fl Posts: 114 My Mood:	Re: Question on Tire Pressure My 05 sporty has the same specs and if the manual says that's what it needs, that's what I give it and I haven't had any issues. Do you have Dunlop 401's up front and Dunlop 402's in the back. Probably something to do with the difference in tires. Plus you're going to have more weight in the back of the bike than in the front.

Jul 23rd, 2009, 05:48 PM	#3
karl55 Start The Engine Ride: 105th 1200L Sportster Join Date: Mar 29th, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 29 My Mood:	Re: Question on Tire Pressure Hi Hammerhead Pat, Thanks for the quick response, so do you keep your rear tire pressure at 36 LBS?

Jul 23rd, 2009, 05:57 PM	#4
TXMikey Contributor$ Ride: 2008 Street Glide Join Date: Mar 17th, 2008 Location: Bedford, TX Posts: 385 My Mood:	Re: Question on Tire Pressure My previous bike (metric) had similar air pressure recommendations. It actually called for 29 in the front, and 36-42 in the rear, depending on rider/passenger weight. I would go with the manual specs; the MOCO spends a lot of money to determine the best compromise between ride, handling, and tire wear. __________________ "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect."

Jul 24th, 2009, 01:03 AM	#5
NEWHD74FAN Moderators Ride: 2004 Sportster XL1200RS Join Date: Aug 24th, 2008 Location: Camarillo, CA Posts: 4,999 My Mood:	Re: Question on Tire Pressure Ideal air pressure for the stock tires have been researched over many miles of use and over plenty of HD test facilities as well as Dunlop research facilities here and abroad. They also have the advantage of being able to optimize the tires for best mileage for best street performance possible. We could spend $1000's and tons of track & street time and still not come close to what has been done, and the tires used have been OEM standard for 15 years or more... Quite simply, check the decal on your frame (mine is on the steerer downtube)...it shows the stock OEM tire/wheel sizes AND the recommended pressure for solo and two-up...nothing easier than that! __________________ Please stop by the "Self Help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< Last edited by NEWHD74FAN; Jul 26th, 2009 at 03:19 PM. Reason: Added second paragraph...sorry for winded post

Jul 24th, 2009, 01:38 PM	#6
karl55 Start The Engine Ride: 105th 1200L Sportster Join Date: Mar 29th, 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 29 My Mood:	Re: Question on Tire Pressure Thanks for all the responses, and I will keep the 36 pounds in the rear tire as stated in my service manual.

Jul 26th, 2009, 09:39 AM	#7
milsco12 Start The Engine Ride: 2005 Roadking Join Date: Jul 25th, 2009 Posts: 21 My Mood:	Re: Question on Tire Pressure I agree...Go with the Specs!

Jul 26th, 2009, 09:11 PM	#8
hubja New Family Ride: 2007 Fatboy Join Date: Jul 26th, 2009 Posts: 4	Re: Question on Tire Pressure I have an 07' fatboy and the manuel states 35 lbs of pressure which I even think is alittle high. I've always rode other bikes at the standard pressure and always felt alittle skiddish in the winter which the bike seems to want to slide more. I asked my local HD dealership mechanic about this and winter riding. He told me that I could go down to 30 lbs in my rear to get extra traction with sand on the roads, which should be fine, but in the summer put in the recommended amount I tried it out and it solved the problem. My bike has more traction and I'm not sliding around as much, but if you constantly ride lower than your rec. amount of tire pressure it's going to wear out your tires faster.

Jul 27th, 2009, 08:17 AM	#9
mstngjoe Warming The Wheels Ride: 2007 FXSTC Join Date: Feb 7th, 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 104 My Mood:	Re: Question on Tire Pressure Here's some good info from a HOG writeup. New Page 1 __________________ 2007 Softail Custom, Cobalt Pearl/Pewter Pearl, Khrome Werks HP+ slip-ons, ISO grips & pegs.

Jul 27th, 2009, 08:31 AM	#10
vaibhavcoder Warming The Wheels Ride: 1983 Join Date: Jun 2nd, 2009 Posts: 52 My Mood:	Re: Question on Tire Pressure well you see the specification given is according to your bike it also contain lots of weight so keep it 36 lbs if it is written. __________________ Harley Devidson Community

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Question on Tire Pressure

Sportster Models