How much did your MPG drop after the CSC conversion?

[Papa Zook]

Yep, I don’t understand it? Went out today for a 42 mile ride at 45 mph or less and got right at 37 in the Econ mode. I did notice that it does in fact have a little bit more vibration and bumpiness at 50 psi. Don’t see any point in going any further on testing. Might as well drop back to 28 PSI.

What many new trike owners do not understand is that the only reason the trike manufacturers reccomend 26-28 psi is that keeps them covered liability-wise and in these times that is a major concern. What they (the trike kit manufacturers) know and all us long time trike owners know is that the Lehman article is dead on 100% correct. 22-24 psi is the sweet spot for rear tire pressure. You can believe me or not, but that is a fact. I've had this conversation many times with pretty much everyone of note in the trike conversion manufacturing industry and ridden a lot of miles on 22 psi rear tires.

 

[Ironhorse54]

Thanks for the insight and response. And I agree. Just lowered my tires back down to 28 psi that is what CSC recommends.

 

[NJMike]

So here’s my question (or comment):

1 - isn’t it true that you get better tire wear at the max rated psi?

2 - isn’t it true that VEHICLE (and trike kit) manufacturers recommend a lower psi for comfort so their buyers will have positive perceptions of their vehicles (or kits)?

3 - if #1 is true, and while I understand that the more psi you put in will result in a “harder” ride, wouldn’t a compromise be the highest psi that results in full contact with the road surface?

I know everyone has their own opinion and there’s nothing wrong with that. But at a given psi, wouldn’t the ride feel (opinion) differently for a 300 lb rider vs a 150 lb rider? I prefer “hard data”. So I will try BBJ’s (BrokenBackJack) idea with the water test…LOOK at the tread pattern, COUNT the treads, REPEAT test. When I SEE full contact then I will go for a test ride and check the fuel mileage (data) and comfort (opinion). I will make a decision after that.

Eddie (my brother, ironhorse54), maybe our thinking is wrong…maybe we’ll get better mileage by reducing the psi to 22?

 

[BrokenBackJack]

You might be getting a much better ride.

With all my neck and back surgeries, I run right around 24. 22-24 is what feels best for me.

Others might disagree and that is fine.

 

[BigMick]

2023 DCT Tour CSC Encore.........

24 - 25 PSI...........tire contact patch below, this is how it should look.

 

[Papa Zook]

So here’s my question (or comment):

1 - isn’t it true that you get better tire wear at the max rated psi?

Papa Zook: Yes and No. If you are running max air pressure on a tire made for the vehicle the tire is mounted to, then probably yes. If you are running max air pressure for an automobile tire, but that tire is mounted to a trike which weighs less than 1/3 of the vehicle is was designed to run on, then no. You will have have more wear to the center of the tire patch

2 - isn’t it true that VEHICLE (and trike kit) manufacturers recommend a lower psi for comfort so their buyers will have positive perceptions of their vehicles (or kits)?

Papa Zook: Yes that is true because they absolutely will experiance a better ride, but that recomendation is not made at the expense of safety and common sense, but based on many years of building, riding and testing their product and getting feedback from owners of their product.

Eddie (my brother, ironhorse54), maybe our thinking is wrong…maybe we’ll get better mileage by reducing the psi to 22?

I suggest tht you search the forum for "tire pressure" and read what some of the most experianced and knowlegable members have to say on this subject. Lee H Mann is one person in particular who you might want to check out.

 

[Ironhorse54]

I agree with you completely that running max PSI under the circumstances will wear out the center of the tire much quicker. Have you noticed any exceptional wear on the edges of the tire by running 22–24 psi. I know that under inflated tires will cause this to happen.

 

[NJMike]

Nice pic, BigMick. And nice trike too. What tire pressure produced those tracks? Papa Zoom, thanks for those replies. I will check out that guy.

 

[cScjhb]

My experience is with older 1800 Goldwings. Two wheelers got 40-42 if I was not pushing it. Trike got right at 34, also not pushing it. So, MPG loss of about 15%. I always ran 42 PSI, F&R on 2 wheelers. 42 front and 22 rear on trikes.

 

[Papa Zook]

I agree with you completely that running max PSI under the circumstances will wear out the center of the tire much quicker. Have you noticed any exceptional wear on the edges of the tire by running 22–24 psi. I know that under inflated tires will cause this to happen.

No, because it is not underinflated for the vehicle it is carrying.

 

[dadztoy]

Well, I'll throw my hat in the ring. With my 2009 I would average 40-41 at back road speeds of 45-55 mph. Converted to CSC Cobra XL in Jan 21, I average 35-35 1/2 at those same speeds. I run a Cobra Trike tire up front at 41psi and the CSC stock Ohtsu tires at 20 psi. Ride is good and I'm satisfied with mileage. Ohtsu tires are wearing like iron. Cobra trike tire is about ready for replacement. Didn't write down replacement mileage but I'm guessing I'll get about 15k or so out of it... Have it's replacement sitting in the garage waiting for summer...

Les

 

[NJMike]

This whole thread is based on the fact the we were led to believe we would lose 3-5 mpg with the conversion. Since the loss is more like 10 mpg, we’ve been trying to figure out if we were doing something wrong. Tire pressure was the first question we came up with.

 

[Sandman1]

This is the best MPG I have ever had on my 2018 DCT Tour CSC Encore. Mostly 40-46 MPG using Sam's or Costco fuels.