Trike tire pressure

[alwrmcusn]

As I scan around the various bike forums I'm finding some info that seems at odds with 50+ years of driving (cars). I notice several riders that recommend a much lower tire pressure for the trikes rear tires than the tire side wall recommends.
My 2009 Venture Hannigan trike has Kumho 195/55R16 87V tires. The sidewall recommends a maximum (note maximum!) PSI of 51. I have been running about 36psi in those tires. But I'm seeing a number of riders that are saying it should be much lower than that. I find every thing from 22 to 28psi.
Should I be lowering my rear tire pressure? If so is there a good "average" for my trike. We usually ride two up and lightly loaded but we have two long rides coming up and we'll be packed much heavier (STAR Days) and I'd really like to get some logical information on this subject.

 

[rmrc51]

I've been running 41 up front and 20-22 in the rear. I find that running the rear tires any higher adversely affects the ride comfort. And I'm all for the smoothest and most comfortable ride as possible! I've never noticed any unusual tread wear with the lower pressure which is probably due to the reduced weight of the trike as compared to a car.

 

[Cougar]

I run 24 on the left and 26 on the right for the road crown we have
been fine for the past 6 years
51 would be way to high and you dont have the wieght of a car on them
tires as well. Kinda like my old beetles We have we run 24 lbs in each tire.

Jeff

 

[Rosy]

Shop recommends I run 22 psi in the rear and MPA mounted reverse front at 41 psi.
You are correct in running different rear tire pressures if you have a large crown on the road in your area. We don't have large crowns in NH, so even rear tire pressures are OK.

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

 

[alwrmcusn]

So I need to go out to the trike and drop to about 22-24PSI and give it a ride and see how she feels. I'm guessing that since no one commented that I probably will not feel much difference in slingin' her around corners? I just rode the "Dragon" two weeks ago and she felt rock solid.
Also (just my opinion) I have never bought into the theory of road camber requiring different PSI on each side.

 

[Cougar]

yup, you will be just fine

 

[alwrmcusn]

Thanks all I'll be doing that in just a few minutes. Test ride tomorrow, I need to drop off some flyers at a few locations.

 

[willom]

Tire pressure on trikes is a very confusing question. I have done a lot of research on this and never yet found any concrete answers. This is my take on the question: Tire manufacturers will recommend a higher tire pressure on tires based on the rigidity of the sidewalls, trike manufacturers recommend a lower tire pressure due to the lower weight. I have experimented with my trike and found that if I use lower pressure of around 20-24 lbs. the trike tends to be soft and less solid in the turns so I am running 26 lbs which is comfortable for me. My tires are the dunlops provided with the champion kit, I am sure other makes of tires have different sidewall and characteristics. I just tested until I found what worked for me. I have many friends riding at lower pressures and are happy with it, but that is what they like. If you want to get optimal pressure for your tires and weight maybe set a pressure, get the tires wet and take a print on dry concrete to see what tread is actually on the ground and adjust pressure until you have the amount of ground contact that gives the most traction and still rolls easily. I would just recommend trial and error rides until you are happy.

 

[alwrmcusn]

Just a few comments on the subject of trike tire pressures (see above posts).
I just did a ride of approx 50 miles on two lane and interstates. Straight, curvy and high speed. I honestly do not believe lowering the rear tire pressure from 36psi down to 26psi created any difference in the ride/handling at all. It still rides and tracks like it is on rails. So no complaints from me ThumbUp.

 

[Rosy]

Just a few comments on the subject of trike tire pressures (see above posts).
I just did a ride of approx 50 miles on two lane and interstates. Straight, curvy and high speed. I honestly do not believe lowering the rear tire pressure from 36psi down to 26psi created any difference in the ride/handling at all. It still rides and tracks like it is on rails. So no complaints from me ThumbUp.

Have you taken a ride two up? If you do, ask the person behind you what they think. I bet they will say the ride is smoother than before.
Please let us know what they say, Thanks!

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

 

[Deacon Don]

Have you taken a ride two up? If you do, ask the person behind you what they think. I bet they will say the ride is smoother than before.
Please let us know what they say, Thanks!

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

ha try 20 in the rear, that works good for me...ThumbUp

 

[beenthere]

I run 20# in rear and 41# in front,works for me 1500se RS

 

[Deacon Don]

Have you taken a ride two up? If you do, ask the person behind you what they think. I bet they will say the ride is smoother than before.
Please let us know what they say, Thanks!

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

Ya My Gal likes the ride better with 20 in back...

 

[Deacon Don]

I run 20 in the rear. But i am having a luggage rack built that hangs off the trailer hitch in back. When i load up for a trip do u think i should up the pressure ? <img src="images/smilies/smiley confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="confused" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Rosy]

We ride two up and a trailer loaded with the kitchen sink in it and a trunk full at 20 psi for 12 hours one way trip and it road great. I ride with Michelins in the rear, so I do not worry. My brother-in-law was behind me all the way and he said the trike and trailer road great. At times I forgot I was pulling a trailer.
Remember, 20 psi cold, they will heat up as you ride, what pressures they end up at, I haven't taken the time to check. So, they will be greater than 20 psi.

Regards,

Rosy & Janice
From NH

 

[Deacon Don]

I have a luggage rack being maid to hang from the trailer hitch, with luggage 50 -60 lbs. do you think I will have to raise the rear pressure ? I now have 20 in the rear tires... <img src="images/smilies/smiley confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="confused" class="inlineimg" />

 

[Rosy]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>Deacon Don</strong>
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<div class="message">I have a luggage rack being maid to hang from the trailer hitch, with luggage 50 -60 lbs. do you think I will have to raise the rear pressure ? I now have 20 in the rear tires... <img src="images/smilies/smiley confused.gif" border="0" alt="" title="confused" class="inlineimg" /></div>

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</div>First thing, what is your trailer hitch rated for tongue weight? I would check into this before I would hang anything off the trailer hitch. Some are only made to hold 20 lbs, but can pull 200. See what I mean.<br />
I know lots of people for one reason or another don't pull a trailer, but I think that's the safest way to go.<br />
On tire pressure, think about what you have for tires, are they new, because tires have a born date. Also, I would think a good radial is better than a bias belted tire to run low pressures on. <br />
I haven't seen anything on this, but if someone has info on it, please chime in:<br />
If you put a large load on the rear of a trike like the carrier you are having built which will stick beyond the foot print of the trike, will this make the front end of the trike lighter and cause steering problems? Just like when you load a pickup truck and the front end is just touching the ground and steering is very light at higher speeds.<br />
Lots of questions and maybe some good answers heading this way<br />
<br />
Regards,<br />
<br />
Rosy<br />
From NH

 

[CSCguy]

Get you a tire tread depth gage if this is that important of a subject. The tire pressure is a tricky formula in which vehicle weight and tire contact area (size) are considered. <br />
<br />
Essentially, you want the tire to contact the pavement evenly across the tire contact patch. It is different for each bike. If you measure your thread depth occasionally, the inside of the tread should have the same wear as the edges... if not adjust:<br />
<br />
Middle worn more, let air out.<br />
Edges worn more, add air.<br />
<br />
<br />
With all of that said, 25-28psi is a good area for most trikes. You can go with 20psi, but this guy has rolled a tire off the rim off-roading my pickup at 20psi and it really sucked.

 

[beenthere]

I have been running 20# Road Smith GL1500SE with hitch trunk carrying 50#.
RS rec,75# tops.I find the front end rides the short sharp bumps better.:Shrug:
With longer wheel base I think it takes some of weight off front end.pepper
BTW ,20# in back & 41# in front & !0# / 35# in shocks works for us.
Wish you well.BTThumbUp

 

[Tinbasher]

My trike converter recommends 32# front and 15# !! Rear. A little counter intuitive to me but it rides very well indeed.