air pressure

ok so i just went over to the darkside and i am liking it so far. My only question is what psi are you guys running. I have my set at 41 on a 205/65/16 toyo proxes. The thing that makes me curious is i was reading over on the goldwing darkside forum and most of them are runnin anywhere from 28-36. am i running too high?

Brad, that's a question only you can answer. What feels good to you. I don't have any ex[erience with that tire so cant say. But, ....if it feels good do it. Don't be affraid to play with the pressures. Just keep it in the manufacturers recommended range.

Smokey

In my HydraEdge 205/65/16 i'm running 42psi right now...think I might try 40....rides good now but a little rough on bumps...might need to adjust my shocks with the new hardbag/trunk though.

37 in HE 205/65/16

I am new to the darkside but my father is not. I have a 96, 600 vlx and my dad has a 97 valk.
I tried 35 in my 165/80-15 and the bike wanted to wobble if you let go the handle bars...really bad.
dropped the press to 32 and the bike feels great.

My dad said "you don't run 44psi in your car which is twice or more the weight, so why would you run it on your bike."

not saying anyone that is riding lots a psi is wrong, we are all test pilots. also if you are trying to make a flat bottom tire round with press then it will wear in the center, cutting it's life. what is the max psi on the tire? mine is 36 I think.

just sayin if you haven't tried a lower press think about it.
Jonny Joha


Posts : 2
Joined : 24 Mar 2008
Location : mass

+1 on everything said. I'm looking at the feel, and the wear. I'm running 42 on a Kumho and it seems just about right.

And you are right about the rounding. I rode behind dave a few weeks ago. His tire does not round. It remains flat to the road, but on turns, the lean side of the tire will compress and the other side will lengthen giving the rider a very large and stable contact patch. Over pressure would result in less of a contact patch. Now, if he were doing 90 on twisties, all bets are off....