[jeheap]

I've seen a number of discussions around tires, but I've noticed that there appears to be differing views on air pressure. I've only got 2000 miles on my new 1800F on the stock tires, and the book and stickers indicate I should run these with 33 in the front and 42 in the rear - which is what I've been doing. I would be interested in folks' views on air pressures and how this affects safety, performance and length of service.

Jim

 

[MadCal]

I bought my 03 1800s earlier this year new from the dealer. I took it in for the 8k service at 7500 miles and had to change the front tire. It had worn so much that it had become dangerous - especially on the left edge. The tire pressure was low for a little while during the first 1500miles - until someone had pointed ti out to me. This may the cause, but I'm not so sure. I religiously kept them at the spec on the bike (33front, 36Rear - cold). The dealer put on a new Dunlop D206F front tire and recommended that I keep them both up between 36 and 40 psi.

I was suprised and a bit disappointed that it had worn so quickly after on ly one season of riding.

 

[Retro Rocket]

I keep them both at 41 psi and so far I've gotten 17 thousand miles out of my tires. The front one will need replacing soon but my back tire still looks like new. Pretty good for spinning it all the time LOL !

 

[Captain X]

38 front, 41 rear

 

[Lupus Yonderboy]

dunlop says...

I'd recommend using the specs from the tire manufacturer's web site. In this case Dunlop. http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/fitmentguide.asp Higher pressures seem to reduce cupping and other early wear problems.

Honda tends to recommend lower pressures, probably to compensate for the lousy suspension characteristics of the 1800.

 

[flattracker]

tire pressure

Yep,
I run 40 in the front and 38 in the rear one up and 41 in the rear two up and loaded, it sure showed a marked decrease in the cupping problem on the last set of treads since starting this practice. One note though, please don't skimp on a pressure gauge, regular slide gauges are not to be counted on if they get dinged, dirty or are cheap ones. Most will find that if you buy a premium glycol filled gauge that you will see a 4-7 pound difference than your friends slide gauge shows, it's almost seems to me like the tire manuf. and pay china to flood our markets with low reading gauges to speed up tire wear, I know it's not true , just a thought. I know that when I hit tripple digits going around a long truck heading into a nice sweeping turn that since I only have two tires on the pavement that it's good to "know" what pressure I have in em. Buy the way i run dunlop E3's and love em 4500 miles on this set, lots of tread left.

 

[jeheap]

Thanks to all for your replys! I really appreciate the Dunlop web site!

 

[Grant]

40/40 on VTX 1800's.
VTX 1300's can run 38/40 but it's easier for most people to just remember 40/40.
The tire manufacturers don't know how much your bike weighs so their recommendations are only based on the maximum pressure their tires are designed to be run at. No one knows where Honda gets their numbers but if you follow their specs. you'll wear out front tires quickly due to cupping issues. It's necessary to check pressures often as well. I check mine weekly and before every long ride. 1800's still go through tires twice as fast as 1300's though. More weight, more power = fewer tire miles.

 

[tejasvtx]

I bought my 03 1800s earlier this year new from the dealer. I took it in for the 8k service at 7500 miles and had to change the front tire. It had worn so much that it had become dangerous - especially on the left edge. The tire pressure was low for a little while during the first 1500miles - until someone had pointed ti out to me. This may the cause, but I'm not so sure. I religiously kept them at the spec on the bike (33front, 36Rear - cold). The dealer put on a new Dunlop D206F front tire and recommended that I keep them both up between 36 and 40 psi.

I was suprised and a bit disappointed that it had worn so quickly after on ly one season of riding.

I have been running 36R/33F for three years now on my 13R and I have 12k on the tires and still have a lot of thread left. I ride one up with very little extra weight other than my fat behind.

 

[Lupus Yonderboy]

40/40 on VTX 1800's.
VTX 1300's can run 38/40 but it's easier for most people to just remember 40/40.
The tire manufacturers don't know how much your bike weighs so their recommendations are only based on the maximum pressure their tires are designed to be run at. No one knows where Honda gets their numbers but if you follow their specs. you'll wear out front tires quickly due to cupping issues. It's necessary to check pressures often as well. I check mine weekly and before every long ride. 1800's still go through tires twice as fast as 1300's though. More weight, more power = fewer tire miles.

With all due respect (and I DO respect Xchopper's opinion) the tire manufacturers specs are specific for the motorcycle you are mounting the tire on. I know this is true of Dunlop and Avon, anyway. Since Dunlop makes the OEM tire for the VTX I'm pretty sure they know the weight of the bike. What they don't know is YOUR weight :hmm2: and whether you're riding two up with full touring luggage, etc. That's why they propose different pressures for different situations.

 

[crewsn]

I bought my 03 1800s earlier this year new from the dealer. I took it in for the 8k service at 7500 miles and had to change the front tire. It had worn so much that it had become dangerous - especially on the left edge. The tire pressure was low for a little while during the first 1500miles - until someone had pointed ti out to me. This may the cause, but I'm not so sure. I religiously kept them at the spec on the bike (33front, 36Rear - cold). The dealer put on a new Dunlop D206F front tire and recommended that I keep them both up between 36 and 40 psi.

I was suprised and a bit disappointed that it had worn so quickly after on ly one season of riding.

new to the board. this may help answer the statement about left edge tire wear. http://www.rattlebars.com/valkfaq/tirewear/
as far as air pressure, i keep 40 lbs front and rear.

 

[Grant]

With all due respect (and I DO respect Xchopper's opinion) the tire manufacturers specs are specific for the motorcycle you are mounting the tire on. I know this is true of Dunlop and Avon, anyway. Since Dunlop makes the OEM tire for the VTX I'm pretty sure they know the weight of the bike. What they don't know is YOUR weight :hmm2: and whether you're riding two up with full touring luggage, etc. That's why they propose different pressures for different situations.

Interesting. :hmm2:
I stand corrected then. :redface:
I haven't seen model specific specs. posted by Dunlop. I would be interested to see them if you could post a link?
Thanks man!

 

[Lupus Yonderboy]

Interesting. :hmm2:
I stand corrected then. :redface:
I haven't seen model specific specs. posted by Dunlop. I would be interested to see them if you could post a link?
Thanks man!

Hey, *********, if you go to the fitment guide I posted earlier and pick out your model it will have recommended inflation pressures for the recommended and OEM tire.

 

[Grant]

Thanks for the link bud!
I still prefer to run 40 front and rear but I respect your logic for following Dunlops reccommendations. Please let us know if your tires wear evenly without cupping. Problems with front tires cupping is why everyone went to running higher pressures. Too bad Metzeler and Avon don't publish model specific specs. like Dunlop does. I'm thinking I may try Dunlops the next time I need new tires, now that they manufacture a 250 rear. I like my Metzeler's but they wear pretty quickly. My new 21" front tire seems to be lasting longer than the previous 18" Metz did though. The last 2 only went 6K each (front & rear).

 

[Lupus Yonderboy]

Thanks for the link bud!
Please let us know if your tires wear evenly without cupping. Problems with front tires cupping is why everyone went to running higher pressures. Too bad Metzeler and Avon don't publish model specific specs. like Dunlop does. I'm thinking I may try Dunlops the next time I need new tires, now that they manufacture a 250 rear.

Avon does for the Venom. That's what I have on the front now, running at 36 per Avon specs. All of the mfg's. suggest higher pressures than Honda does, but most recommend a little lighter in the front. I had some modest cupping with my original dunnies (replaced with tread left at about 13k miles - I'm not very hard on tires. ), none so far with the Avon at about 6k miles. I have a BattleAx 200 on the rear and keep it at 42 per the Bridgestone spec. I may go to the Elite 3 next change out.

Bob

 

[gregmcb]

So what is the final decision on this

I have been riding my bike for 4K miles on recomendations and have no tire problems but am very concerned with the variant answers for this question.