Road Smith Rear Tire Pressure

[bikerbillone]

RS recommends 26 to 30, anyone ever tried 32 or 35? If so, downside, rough ride, upside better mpg? Opinions invited.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Over inflating will wear out the tires quickly!(in the center)and give a rough ride. Also poor traction, especially on wet roads.

 

[bikerbillone]

Doubt that 2 or 5 lbs will make that much difference, but just my opinion.

 

[bikerbillone]

mhgold, I figured #32/35 lbs would be a harsh ride, so your comment will save me the time.

 

[Lee H. Mann]

Tire story

Just had a customer in today that changed his rear tires at 70,000 miles (205-70-15). He had been running 20 psi since new.

Had a customer several years ago that had to change her rear tires at 25,000 miles because the centers wore down to the wear bars. She had always run 26 psi.

6 pounds = 45,000 miles........:AGGHH:

 

[mhgoldwing]

Just had a customer in today that changed his rear tires at 70,000 miles (205-70-15). He had been running 20 psi since new.

Had a customer several years ago that had to change her rear tires at 25,000 miles because the centers wore down to the wear bars. She had always run 26 psi.

6 pounds = 45,000 miles........:AGGHH:

Several factors influence tire wear:

1. trike wheelbase & width
2. Average load
3. Area of primary riding. For me, lots of twisties; not sweepers and straights.
4. Road surface - smooth asphalt vs. chip and seal like Arkansas uses a lot.
5. Temperature - hot climates vs. cool climates
6. Riding style - cruising easy or running hard.
7. Tire brand and specs.

Other than these reasons it's pretty cut and dry. :Shrug:

 

[bikerbillone]

Lee, what brand trike was your customer riding?

 

[Gorilla]

I ran the rear tires in my wifes Stallion at 24lbs the whole 8 years they were on her trike. They had 85k and were still at 5/32 tread depth about 2/32 above the wear bar. Changed the tires due to age. Yes air pressure does make a difference

 

[tfdeputydawg]

RS recommends 26 to 30, anyone ever tried 32 or 35? If so, downside, rough ride, upside better mpg? Opinions invited.

Doubt that 2 or 5 lbs will make that much difference, but just my opinion.

From what you posted first, the difference could be as much as 9 lbs:AGGHH:

but just my opinion:Coffee:

Why would one want to run more than what's recommended by the manufacturer:Shrug:

 

[Lee H. Mann]

dunlop

Lee, what brand trike was your customer riding?

Signature II

 

[mhgoldwing]

From what you posted first, the difference could be as much as 9 lbs:AGGHH:
but just my opinion:Coffee:
Why would one want to run more than what's recommended by the manufacturer:Shrug:

Because mfg., particularly autos, recommend the pressure that gives the best ride. I usually run 5# higher for better wear and performance on curvy roads on my vehicles. For instance, my Suburban says 30# in a tire rated for 44# max. I use 35# so I'm not riding on a marshmallow. 5# makes quite a difference.

So, changing trike rear tire pressures to suit the owner's needs are common. (NOTE: all pressures remain within tire mfg. specs!)

 

[Dockem]

http://www.lehmantrikes.com/assets/docs/uploads/Manuals/techbook-master.pdf

After reading this article by Lehman, I've been running ~24 psi. Softer ride that seems easier on my backside.
Twisties may need a higher pressure, though.

To each his own, YMMV.

 

[bikerbillone]

From what you posted first, the difference could be as much as 9 lbs:AGGHH:
but just my opinion:Coffee:
Why would one want to run more than what's recommended by the manufacturer:Shrug:

I get your point dawg, from 26 to 35 is 9 lbs, but from 30 to 35 is only 5, but putting that aside, seems your point is pretty much consensus of comments here which is what I was looking for. I was looking maybe to increase my mpg by increasing the rear tire psi, but that may be a faulty thought process. It's just one of those things, if it ain't broke don't fix it. I appreciate all the comments.

 

[tfdeputydawg]

I get your point dawg, from 26 to 35 is 9 lbs, but from 30 to 35 is only 5, but putting that aside, seems your point is pretty much consensus of comments here which is what I was looking for. I was looking maybe to increase my mpg by increasing the rear tire psi, but that may be a faulty thought process. It's just one of those things, if it ain't broke don't fix it. I appreciate all the comments.

Because of 2 big sails(fenders)sticking out in the wind now, even raising tire pressure will not help the MPG enough to suffer the harsher ride and the much lower tire mileage.

 

[bikerbillone]

Good observation, the thing is obviously not aerodynamic. I've often thought why not curved fenders? Oh well, that discussion for another time. I have my psi at 30, so I think it's back to 26.

 

[jjvw]

Mine is not a road smith. I use 15# in my road star/champion running 205 60 15s. The load capacity of just one tire is more than enough for my trike with 2up. I have asked those riding behind me in the twisties to look for tire roll. They all said they couldn't keep up enough to look. I have not rolled one off yet and wear is even at 20,000 mi. When I got back from Maggie Valley, it turned colder in MI before I checked air pressure. 13# right side and 11# left. We have severe crowning in Mi roads so I run 2 # less on the high side. Eleven pounds still worked great at Maggie Valley.

 

[bikerbillone]

Rear tire size on my GW RS is 255 55 16, a larger tire to be sure than what you're running, but 15 lbs, with two up, sounds very low, and I'll bet it gives you a smooth ride. I was at the Maggie rally, didn't meet you but seems I recall the beard and mustache. I didn't stay at the Best Western, but with friends in Maggie just down the street. What is that 15 lbs giving you in mpg?