Tire Pressure Thread

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

Re: rear tire pressure

I have Kellys on the back at 26-28 psi(no trailer vs trailer)
MPA rear tire mounted in reverse on the front at 40 psi

 

[John Luciano]

Re: rear tire pressure

Start at 22 and increase untill the ride gets stiff then drop Back 1 lb.

 

[oldbear]

Re: rear tire pressure

Doug at Roadsmith told me 28 rear/40 front

 

[Scott1]

Re: rear tire pressure

My MotorTrike I run 42 psi in the front BT-45 and the rears 24 psi. I adjust the air shocks depending on the number of passengers and if I am pulling a trailer.

 

[rmrc51]

Re: rear tire pressure

For what it's worth I have a MotorTrike conversion and I run 40 up front and 20 in the rear.

 

[Stephen]

Re: rear tire pressure

Question was...

can you roadsmith owners give us an idea what you run for rear tire pressure?

Roadsmith recommends 30 t0 40, I run 30 psi.

 

[meredog]

Re: rear tire pressure

Start at 22 and increase untill the ride gets stiff then drop Back 1 lb.

I did it just the opposite--------started at 22 and dropped down to 16 pounds. Have rode probably 5000 miles with these tire pressures and only thing it has done is soften the ride---a lot !!

 

[Russ 4053]

Air pressure in tires

I know I have seen this on this forum, just can' recall. How much pressure should I run in front tire and rear tires on a '97 Goldwing with a Motor Trike conversion? The front tire is a Dunlop Elite 3 and the rear tires are BF Goodrich Radial T/A's. Thanks.

 

[Lucky]

Re: Air pressure in tires

You are rite the tire pressure has been discussed a bunch.I run 41 front,20 leftrear,22right rear.90SE/Motortrike.Pearl wore the E3 out quick.I run MPA reversed front.RIDE SAFE

 

[Memnoch451]

Re: Air pressure in tires

You are rite the tire pressure has been discussed a bunch.I run 41 front,20 leftrear,22right rear.90SE/Motortrike.Pearl wore the E3 out quick.I run MPA reversed front.RIDE SAFE

What is your thinking on the uneven tire pressure on the rear from left to right?

Inquiring minds want to know?

 

[07BlueCSC]

Re: Air pressure in tires

At 7000 miles the E3 will have the center worn out and will not pass inspection.

 

[Russ 4053]

Re: Air pressure in tires

Thanks for the response. I belive I will run 41 front and 24 in rears. Hey Lucky, why the different pressures in the rears on your trike? Just courious. Also , what does MPA stand for?

 

[Lucky]

Re: Air pressure in tires

I ride to the right of the lane with the left side on the crown.RIDE SAFE

 

[Gold Rush]

Re: Air pressure in tires

Thanks for the response. I belive I will run 41 front and 24 in rears. Hey Lucky, why the different pressures in the rears on your trike? Just courious. Also , what does MPA stand for?

Like Lucky, many rider carry a pound or two extra air in the right side. Especially if they ride mostly in the right side with that left tire on the higher level. It helps keep the trike running straight down the road.

BTW.. MPA is Michelin Pilot Activ. That and the Bridgestone BT45 Battleax are the two preferred trike front tires. They last much longer and give better performance.

 

[Russ 4053]

Re: Air pressure in tires

Thanks for the info. I have changed my mind and try the way that Lucky does. Also is the front tire mounted in reverse instead of the way they are supposed to be mounted.

 

[Gold Rush]

Re: Air pressure in tires

Russ that's a matter of choice. I don't think any of us can say for sure one way or another. Some of the tire companies have gone on record saying reverse is best. If you ride hard and use a lot of front brake maybe so. I am pretty aggressive so I do run my BT45 in reverse.

 

[pastence]

Re: Air pressure in tires

I also run 20lbs left 23right 41 front ,it dose help counter for the crown of the road.

 

[Russ 4053]

Re: Air pressure in tires

Thanks everyone for all the info. I wrote all info down so I can remember it next time!

 

[Duck]

Re: Air pressure in tires

On the Michelin Pilot Activ tire you are running up front, is that a front tire or the the Michelin Pilot Activ back tire that you have installed in the front?

 

[Nana]

Re: Air pressure in tires

On the Michelin Pilot Activ tire you are running up front, is that a front tire or the the Michelin Pilot Activ back tire that you have installed in the front?

The MPA discussed above is a rear motorcycle tire mounted on the front of the trike.

 

[Duck]

Re: Air pressure in tires

Thanks, Nana, that's what I was thinking but wanted to make sure before I order one.

 

[Motogordo]

Raising Front Tire Pressure


Sept. 12, 2012

I purchased my 2005 GL1800 Trike (Lehman Monarch II) a few weeks ago from "East Coast Cycle Center" Bensalem, Pa. I love it. My question is this: The mechanic suggested I put 36 in front and 26 in rear. Everything seems to be fine. I just put on a new BS Exedra G709. I am reading all the articles about front tire pressure where people seem to put 41 in the front tires. What will be different if I up the front pressure to 41 instead of 36 ? How will that effect tire wear and handling when making turns?
Motogordo:GL1800:

 

[John Luciano]

Re: Raising Front Tire Pressure

Not enough in the front, and to much in the rear. Suggested pressure is
40 to 41 front( you do not want the tire to twist,trike tires do not lean)
18 to 23 rear ( start at 23 and lower it untill it stops bouncing on every crack in the road ) the rear of the trike can be supported with as little as 12 lb in the. Rear tires, don't ask me how I know this .
When that front tire wears out in 7,000 miles replace it with a rear tire the same size that you are using now. You will have to look for one Michlin Pilot Activ is one, Avon Battleaxe is another and Avon Venom can't remember the size ( help needed here) 130x 70 x18 maybe non radial ( I know you have radials on the rear, but you want Bias ply on the front . There is no room for discution on this subject it has been proven and discussed to death on here.... This is carved in stone
Wow just looking at the map. We are having our 4th annual TT NE Rally in Aug. next year. That should give you some forum time and some riding time. We have 3 people close to you that you coul hook up with for the ride up .TrikerMary in MD , Leo3 wheel
In NJ, and Olbandit in PA. Great time see photos in Rally and Rides section key word TT NE RALLY III. ride safe have fun. Stay on the forum a lot of great people and info on here. These are the people in the trenches that know about the Trikes the other people , like your machanic just read about it.

 

[Motogordo]

Re: Raising Front Tire Pressure

Not enough in the front, and to much in the rear. Suggested pressure is
40 to 41 front( you do not want the tire to twist,trike tires do not lean)
18 to 23 rear ( start at 23 and lower it untill it stops bouncing on every crack in the road ) the rear of the trike can be supported with as little as 12 lb in the. Rear tires, don't ask me how I know this .
When that front tire wears out in 7,000 miles replace it with a rear tire the same size that you are using now. You will have to look for one Michlin Pilot Activ is one, Avon Battleaxe is another and Avon Venom can't remember the size ( help needed here) 130x 70 x18 maybe non radial ( I know you have radials on the rear, but you want Bias ply on the front . There is no room for discution on this subject it has been proven and discussed to death on here.... This is carved in stone
Wow just looking at the map. We are having our 4th annual TT NE Rally in Aug. next year. That should give you some forum time and some riding time. We have 3 people close to you that you coul hook up with for the ride up .TrikerMary in MD , Leo3 wheel
In NJ, and Olbandit in PA. Great time see photos in Rally and Rides section key word TT NE RALLY III. ride safe have fun. Stay on the forum a lot of great people and info on here. These are the people in the trenches that know about the Trikes the other people , like your machanic just read about it.

Sept 12 ,2012
Thank you very much for your advise. I will make the switch tomorrow. I just got back from riding 30 miles and when there is a couple of bumps in the road, the bike jumps around. I thought that would be normal for a trike, but from what you say it doesn't have to be that way. I have the BS 709 radial in the front and I will increase it in the morning. When the front tire wears out, I will replace it with one of the same size in a rear bias ply tire reversed.

Thanks for all your help.
Gordon:GL1800:

 

[John Luciano]

Re: Raising Front Tire Pressure

Until you replace the front tire with a bias ply you are gona still feel the hopping of the front in sharp curves. The hopping will go away with the bias ply . Let me know how the tire pressure works ou for you . I am running 22 rear and 41 front. Some like to run a few more lbs on the right tire to make up for the crown in the road . The bike will always wobble when one rear tire hits a BIG bump that the other rear does not.

 

[Rosy]

Re: Raising Front Tire Pressure

Most New England roads do not have big crowns as some of the southern states do to take care of the massive rains they get. So the offset rear tire pressures are not needed in my opinion.
Rear tire pressures are being set as to how the trike handles the bumps, ruts, and other problems with our roads. I have IRS on my Hannigan so road problems are not as critical as some solid axle rear ends, but lower rear tire pressures, 22 PSI does make it ride better.
Now my brother-in-law has an older GL1500 solid axle trike and he was told to run 70 PSI in the rear shocks because at the lower pressures the trike would "bottom out" when it would hit a bump. My sister-in-law said the ride was night and day when they went up in pressure. Her back would kill after a short time in the saddle with the lower pressures, but when it was raised she said the ride was 100% better. It makes sense, since I believe the trike would not bottom out and the tires at 22 PSI would take some of the shock and not transmit it to the passengers back. She still would wobble in the seat, but I think that is inherent of the solid axle on a trike.
So far, on my new Michelin front tire at 41 PSI and internal beads, for balancing, looks like at 4000 miles, not cupping and looks brand new. I believe the ride is harder at lower speeds with my Michelin, then it was with my Avon Cobra front tire. So, that's why I would like to see what this new Avon trike front tire is all about, will it last, does it give a softer ride and how it will handle the truns.
I guess I am lucky in a way, my mechanic and his shop only works on Goldwings so he tries to stay up with what is best for Goldwings, 2 or 3 wheels.
Another suggestion is: try to sort the tire pressures in the rear to suit you and your passenger's ride. Ask your co-pilot what she/he thinks, because they are there to enjoy the ride with you, and when they don't enjoy the ride, neither will you.
We just got back from DC area and spent 12 hours in the saddle and you BETTER not have any issues with the ride. That's the second time with have done this ride and both times it was a pleasure.
Good luck!

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

 

[Motogordo]

Re: Raising Front Tire Pressure

Sept 22, 2012

If Honda recommends 36 psi on the front of a GL1800 motorcycle, why should it change on the trike ? Is there more or less wear and weight on the front when converted ? I can see where tire pressure on the rear tires could be varied anywhere from 20-28 psi. I know this would make the ride a little smoother and absorb some of the road bumps. This makes sense to me. I think the tires and the pressures are discussed so much because everyone, including me wants to get long tire life and wear and also enough traction to make the ride safe.

Motogordo:GL1800:

 

[Gold Rush]

Re: Raising Front Tire Pressure

Sept 22, 2012

If Honda recommends 36 psi on the front of a GL1800 motorcycle, why should it change on the trike ? Is there more or less wear and weight on the front when converted ? I can see where tire pressure on the rear tires could be varied anywhere from 20-28 psi. I know this would make the ride a little smoother and absorb some of the road bumps. This makes sense to me. I think the tires and the pressures are discussed so much because everyone, including me wants to get long tire life and wear and also enough traction to make the ride safe.

Motogordo:GL1800:

Honda may recommend 36 psi but way more GL1800 owners run 40 or 41 psi then that recommended number. When converting to the trike you did increase the front end load a lot but going about 41 psi is just not a good idea. You'll find that Bridgestone 709 won't last long (mostly because of tire design) so when it goes replace it with either a Michelin Pilot Activ (MPA) or Bridgestone Battleaxx (BT45). Some guys run these in reverse rotation but that's for another thread. There is lots of info on the board so do a search and you'll get an eye full...

I also hear Avon is coming out with a trike specific front tire. Don't know any more then that about it...

 

[Rosy]

Re: Raising Front Tire Pressure

Sept 22, 2012

If Honda recommends 36 psi on the front of a GL1800 motorcycle, why should it change on the trike ? Is there more or less wear and weight on the front when converted ? I can see where tire pressure on the rear tires could be varied anywhere from 20-28 psi. I know this would make the ride a little smoother and absorb some of the road bumps. This makes sense to me. I think the tires and the pressures are discussed so much because everyone, including me wants to get long tire life and wear and also enough traction to make the ride safe.

Motogordo:GL1800:

Remember you are on a trike, not two wheels. The stress factors are different with a trike front tire than a two wheel Goldwing tire. There is no lean on a trike, whereas there is on two wheels. That's why they suggest putting a rear tire in the front. I covered tire construction in another thread.
If you want I can look at the rear tire construction and show you how is built. Let me know.

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

 

[skuuter]

Remember: As soon as You make a Trike out of a 2-Wheeler Motorcycle, there is more weight riding on the Front Tire...the Tire, now has to actually "steer" like a Car, stressing the Tire's Carcass and Side Walls much more than in the "Lean to Steer" original fitment on the 2-Wheeler.....adding more air pressure and eventually adding a different Tire becomes a requirement to get increased Tire Life and Less Cupping.....ThumbUp

THERE IS A VERY DETAILED THREAD ON THIS SUBJECT PINNED IN THE HONDA TRIKE FORUM HERE AT TRIKE TALK.com .....ThumbUp