[superjim]

Checking to see if anyone has played around with tire pressures and what you like best. Not asking for the max. tire pressure listed on the side of the tire. That's too much pressure to run. And not asking for the Honda recommended pressure. I'm looking for what pressure gives the best combination of handling and cornering grip. It's usually a bit lower than what the bike manufacture recommends as they usually recommend pressure for maximum load capacity.

 

[Surfndad]

I've been running 2lbs light on both the front and rear. I started with the recommended 36 on the front and 41 on the rear. I didn't see of feel any different on the rear, mostly because I've been riding alone and not maxing the weight limit. I don't not like the front tire. riding with 36, 38, 34 and as low as 30 the front end seems to wash out or have to much side movement on the road. Most of the time when it feels like it is sliding for no other explanation is because of all the road snakes Virginia finds it necessary to put down on the road instead of repairing it correctly. I can't wait for Avon or Metzeler to come out with the correct tires for this bike. I wish they would have just put a 18 on the front.

 

[superjim]

I also typically have run a few lbs less than what the bike manufacture recommends. That gives a wider contact area for real aggressive cornering and lean angles but I'm coming from the sport bike world. I don't plan to take the Valk to a track day but I want full confidence on the tight mountain roads. I really have not had a chance to push in the curves yet.

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad to see someone is trying different pressures instead of just maxing it out.

 

[Jambriwal]

After reading about tire wear on several different sites and experiencing cupping, I upped the front to 41 lbs. Ran my Harleys for years 36 front 40 rear but the gold wing series seem to want higher pressure up front. I like to get my $'s worth out of these expensive tires. Usually 10,000 to 15,000 on back tire & 15,000 to 20,000 on front.

 

[postoak]

On the "other" forum, they run above the 36/42 recommendation. Some go as high as 44/44. I am running 38/42. Although it seems counter-intuitive, when my tire pressure was really low (came from the dealer set at 25/31) I had the rear end slip out from under me a few times.

 

[postoak]

I just got my Owner's manual from Helm today and notice I was incorrect about the 36/42. The recommendation is 36/41 as Surfndad said above. I'll probably stay with 38/42 since it seems to work okay.

 

[mrtappan]

It's not a moto-gp bike.... so +/- four pounds or so isn't going to make a difference. Just run whatever in your head "makes you comfortable." As long as it's close to the recommended tire pressure, you'll likely never notice a difference.

 

[145236]

Also remember tire pressures will vary with their temperature and the accuracy of some gauges can be questionable. If you're concerned about this your local Honda dealer should have a calibrated gauge that you can check yours against. I run 40psi front 42psi rear

 

[Tall Rider]

I installed tire pressure monitors on my bike a while back. Whatever you fill the tires at remember that is not the riding pressure you will be running on. Depending on the climate you live in as in my case here in south florida. after about 2 miles my pressure is up 2-3 lbs, front climbs faster than rear due to the tire volumn being higher in the rear. On summer riding my tire pressure climbs about 4-6 lbs so if I start out at 40 within about 2-4 miles pressure has climbed to 45. Cooler climates not as much. My gauge also monitors tire temp.

 

[BMMCBX]

To SurfnDAD

Do not buy AVON tires for the 1500 Valkyrie unless you are only going to ride straight. The Venom tires for the Valkyrie howl, Howl, HOWL when cornering. So if you like to put the beast into corners stay away AVON VENOM. The noisiest tires for the Valkyrie I have ever owned!!!

 

[f6fig]

respectfully, this site is 1800 valk tire discussions . the 1500 is a totally different animal thankyou

 

[enroute1]

superjim
The problem running lower tire pressure on our 750 lb Bikes is that it will almost always result in cupping and then howling...I hate that howl.

The minimum psi I will run is 40 front and 42 rear/no passenger. Otherwise I am looking at cupping and early tire replacement.
If I am going on the track I am lowering the pressure quite a bit.

But for street use, a few pounds less is not going to give much if any more contact patch but will assure cupping. Hope that helps.

 

[Arkyrider]

I set different pressures, starting out in lower 30's front, higher 30's in rear, until I found pressures that felt the best for me. I run 36 front and 40 rear w/o passenger. With passenger 38 front and 42 rear.

 

[Poncho]

I installed tire pressure monitors on my bike a while back. Whatever you fill the tires at remember that is not the riding pressure you will be running on. Depending on the climate you live in as in my case here in south florida. after about 2 miles my pressure is up 2-3 lbs, front climbs faster than rear due to the tire volumn being higher in the rear. On summer riding my tire pressure climbs about 4-6 lbs so if I start out at 40 within about 2-4 miles pressure has climbed to 45. Cooler climates not as much. My gauge also monitors tire temp.

that is absolutely correct. my chief has tire pressure monitor built in. cold pressures are 42 front and back. in a few mile the front will be 48 and the rear can go to 50 here in Texas. up north, running in the rain and cold weather there is still a 4-6psi increase. but that is all calculated into recommended cold pressure settings. reasonable firm tires yield less rolling resistance equal higher mileage and longer life. poncho

 

[DillPickle311]

Just checked my new dunnys and 41 is what they call for. That is what I plan to run.

 

[Geepers]

...reasonable firm tires yield less rolling resistance equal higher mileage and longer life

Yep, that's how I got 20,000km out of my OEM tyres (and they still had a bit in them, probably could have gone to 22,000 if I was really keen).

I check my tyre pressures before every ride (ie daily...it's a 60 second job and after a while just becomes second nature like checking your indicators and brake light) and I keep them a pound over recommended....ie 37 front and 42 rear.

This little Michelin pressure gauge sits in my jacket pocket at all times:

https://www.flipkart.com/michelin-digital-tire-pressure-gauge-mn-4203/p/itmeapmbbafg2kh6

Apart from the extra tyre life, the improved handling of firm tyres is a beautiful thing

PS....also, I have my air compressor permanently set up in the garage (wth a 90 degree tyre valve adaptor) so that if I ever want to add a couple of pounds it's EASY....whatever's easy we don't mind doing

 

[Poncho]

Yep, that's how I got 20,000km out of my OEM tyres (and they still had a bit in them, probably could have gone to 22,000 if I was really keen).

Geepity crickets! 20km, what is that like what 12k in real miles? not shabby for a big girl with pair like this.. wait.. she's sportin 6 nips! whoa, baby. a fella could get lost in all this tom foolery.


mileage, I was referring to mpg. but down under they get more of them but they are smaller. its probably from riding on the wrong side of the road.. poncho

 

[Geepers]

20km, what is that like what 12k in real miles?

You mean "old miles"...... they went out in the 1960's didn't they?

 

[Poncho]

You mean "old miles"...... they went out in the 1960's didn't they?

the 60's? like in Austin Powers, yeah baby! when often asked when we are finally going to switch to metric, I tell them we have no issues with metric and will do it the day you get on the correct side of the road. poncho

 

[HValkrider]

I found that 38 psi front/40 psi rear riding solo @ 200lbs feels the most stable on the curvy roads here in Michigan