Trike rear tire pressure

[alwrmcusn]

I'm guessing most of you already know this, I've just re-learned the hard way.

On a ride yesterday we noticed my tires were bald or near bald.

A friend on the ride said the wear pattern indicated over inflation.

I have been using 36PSI on my GL1800 Motor Trike. I phoned Motor Trike and was told that they recommended tire pressure for a trike is 18 to 24 PSI.

Now I know. The new tires will hopefully last much longer than these did.

 

[Gorilla]

thank you most of us ride with right around 22 lbs.

 

[Lucky]

Run 22 in mine also. Think you will notice a lot of difference in the ride. For the better

 

[Papa Zook]

I'm guessing most of you already know this, I've just re-learned the hard way.

On a ride yesterday we noticed my tires were bald or near bald.

A friend on the ride said the wear pattern indicated over inflation.

I have been using 36PSI on my GL1800 Motor Trike. I phoned Motor Trike and was told that the recommended tire pressure for a trike is 18 to 24 PSI.

Now I know. The new tires will hopefully last much longer than these did.

You're not going to believe how much better your trike rides with 22lbs in the tires.

 

[Zammy]

Yep, running 22# also in the rears.

 

[bikerbillone]

2012 Road Smith Tire Pressure?

Randy, my RS manual suggests 26 to 30, I run 26 to get the softest ride possible with RS recommendation, do you suggest and alternative PSI?

 

[Jack Klarich]

Your back and butt will thank you for lowering the PSI

 

[bikerbillone]

Jack, do mean lowering it a tad from 26 psi? I had a seat rebuild from a pro, the best thing I have done for my Road Smith ride.

 

[Trail Blazer]

Jack, do mean lowering it a tad from 26 psi? I had a seat rebuild from a pro, the best thing I have done for my Road Smith ride.

do your self a favor and try 22, 23 in the rear ( you will love it )

 

[Jack Klarich]

Jack, do mean lowering it a tad from 26 psi? I had a seat rebuild from a pro, the best thing I have done for my Road Smith ride.

Sure, try 22-24 on some rides

 

[Rooster57]

Sure, try 22-24 on some rides

...22 - 23 psi on all rides! (for me anyway).... Wife and I just recently took a nearly 3400 mi. trip......We rode 2 up with more luggage wt. than I thought was possible......I mean of course the trunk was crammed as was the top touring pack.....then we had a suitcase on top of touring pack....then, we bungie tied a couple pair of jackets and jeans on top of suitcase....and we both wore leather coats and chaps! ....Trike rode like a mini Cadillac! .....Had no problems with tires.

Cheers!

 

[Papa Zook]

Randy, my RS manual suggests 26 to 30, I run 26 to get the softest ride possible with RS recommendation, do you suggest and alternative PSI?

Bill, yes for sure, lower it to 22LBS. Tried and tested, and 100% safe and recommended.

 

[bikerbillone]

OK Jack, I am certainly flexible to that suggestion, I'll try it.

 

[alwrmcusn]

Just one last note on tire pressure:

I used 22-24PSI on my RSV trike for several years.

When I purchased the GL1800 Motor Trike, the dealer said they should be 36-38PSI. I now figure he was going by the sidewall recommendation. At the time I made the assumption that there must be a difference in specifications between Hannigan (RSV) and the Motor Trike (GL1800) so I kept the rear tires at 36psi.

A couple of days ago I finally managed to get a tech at Motor Trike who told me a trike is basically a trike regardless of brand. He said 18-24PSI is the recommended pressure. So I have settled on 22PSI.

I run a Battleax Bridgestone on front and keep it at 38PSI. Is that a good figure for the front??

 

[Gorilla]

Just one last note on tire pressure:

I used 22-24PSI on my RSV trike for several years.

When I purchased the GL1800 Motor Trike the dealer said they should be 36-38PSI. I now figure he was going by the sidewall recommendation. At the time I made the assumption that there must be a difference in specifications between Hannigan (RSV) and the Motor Trike (GL1800) so I kept the rear tires at 36psi. A couple of days ago I finally managed to get a tech at Motor Trike who told me a trike is basically a trike regardless of brand. He said 18-24PSI is the recommended pressure. So I have settled on 22PSI.

I run a Battleax Bridgestone on front and keep it at 38PSI. Is that a good figure for the front??

Yes

 

[bikerbillone]

This has been a most enlightening thread, appreciate the responses, and glad I asked.

 

[Jack Klarich]

The load rating and MAX air pressure is on the sidewall of the tire

In most cases it is an individual choice of how much air to run

Once you find it check it often

 

[bikerbillone]

Will do Jack, just looking for a softer ride, and I'm getting there for me and especially the Mrs. With the seat rebuild and reducing the psi to 22, I think I have done all I can do. Not much difference between 26 and 22, but we'll see how that goes.

 

[GrandpaDave]

I run 22 lbs on right side and 20 on the left as the stagger helped the trike to track straight down the road.

 

[Sunman]

On my 2015 Freewheeler I run 21 in the rear tires and 35 - 36 in the front. Rides good, tires wear evenly. I ride 1 up now. When my wife rode with me and with luggage I ran 22 - 23 in rear tires.

Sunman

 

[David357]

You're not going to believe how much better your trike rides with 22lbs in the tires.

Is 22 lbs. in the rear tires pretty much the norm for all brands of tires and brands of trikes?:Shrug:

 

[LadyonaMission]

Thanks for that information, Danny. I am going to lower the pressure in my rear tires. I have been going by the book, only because I don't know any better.

 

[alwrmcusn]

I'm not an expert but in talking with both Hannigan and Motor Trike the general consenus is that about 22-24psi on trikes (not the outrigger trikes however) is the norm. Most all trikes weigh about the same and a higher pressure is not required on the trikes.

 

[alwrmcusn]

I run 22 lbs on right side and 20 on the left as the stagger helped the trike to track straight down the road.

I have read and heard that for years. Logically (to me) it does not work out as it should. Seems to me that it would be correct if the roadway were absolutely flat and straight. That way the camber would remain consistently the same. However roadways are not always flat, thankfully :clapping:not always straight and so the changes would negate that difference in tire pressures. However, I surely hope that whatever works for the rider is what they will adhere to. :AllGood: