Rear tire pressure

[Phu Cat]

Ma's not real happy about how harsh the ride is on the back of the T-glide. In an effort to soften the ride some I'm only running 4 lbs of air in the rear shocks and 15lbs of air in the rear tires. At some point I really should put on softer riding shocks I guess, but in the mean time, how much lower can I go on the rear tire pressure to keep the ride from being so rough for Ma?

Phu Cat

[JJHog]

Your ride is rough because you are running way to low of a pressure in your rear shocks. At only 4# your wife is feeling every single bump because the shocks are bottoming out. I suggest you put a minimum of 30# when riding 2up and see how that feels. The purpose of the rear shocks is to absorb the bumps without bottoming out. When the shock bottoms out it jars the rear passenger. If the shock is still bottoming out with 30# then increase it a 2# increments until when you go over medium/large bumps the shock does not bottom out.

Tire pressures are a personal thing. Myself, I don't like running my tire pressure that low because if makes the TG sway when going into and around turns. Perhaps you might consider the DK Products Comfort Soft Lift Kit. I've installed it and it does help smooth out the ride and enhance the steering a bit.

[Shocker]

JJHog hit the nail on the head! The same thing happened to me at first. My wife and I are not light weights and run 50# and get a super ride. Customize the pressure to your personal comfort. You'll be surprised.

[Rod69]

Both the wife and I are a little bit more than I'm supposed to say. I run 28 to 30 in the shocks and 26#'s in the rear tires. Run 36#'s in the front tire. Gives us a very good ride.

[Sloufoot]

For sure there are much better shocks out there than the OEM Harley. BUT,,,,, they tend to be expensive with a varied opinion on the return for the bucks. Between the wife & I push the passenger load up a ways also.... (all her fault). I have found that 50# isn't too much with 2up. 25#-30# single, unless I'm going to be in a lot of twisties. Then back up to 50#. I have considered changing the oil to a slightly heavier oil in the rear shocks also.
What will get to you seems to be the sharp edged changes on the road like a straight across seam that changes elevation by an inch or so, & man hole covers that are tall, or have been cut out around the cover. Most times they are hard to miss with three wheels. Sometimes it is better to slow down & take the bump with the front wheel & miss the rear wheels.
Tire pressure won't go below 24# rear, & 36# front. Ya don't want that rear tire breaking the bead in a corner ! NOT GOOD !!

[pcombe]

My old tour glide is different i reckon?

With two up i run 30lbs in the rear shocks( the limit), 28 lbs in the rear tires and 40lbs in the front. It works on all but the roughest bumps.
For single riding i run about 20lbs in the rear shocks. I don't change that much when pulling my trailer.

[5x40]

X2 what Sloufoot stated except that whole "Wife's Fault" thing...I'll have to take the hit on that one...

[Tuccandler]

As usual the comments are spot on. The rear tires set at 25/26 psi will help we the small road imperfections but at the end of the day the air shocks absorb the final blow. We have our shocks at 30, Rear tires at 25 and front 38-40 psi.
Had a bad experience out of the 1000 mile service at the OEM. Seems they don't read their own placards and set the rear tires at 35 psi, shocks at 50 at front at 35. Trike road like a piece of sh.., wife noticed the bad ride in first 5 miles. I reset pressures and all is well for another 4000 miles. This time I do the service myself.

Just set them and make 1-2 psi adjustments until you find the sweet spot.

[rap47]

Yep, my 2011 Tri Glide seems to do well with 24# in rear tires, 36# in front tire, and 30# in shocks riding two up. When by myself I run 10# in the rear shocks.

[DK Custom Products]

I run 36 in front, 22-24 in rear tires.

Even as little as 2 PSI difference in the rear shocks can make a difference. I suggest finding a stretch of road with some good bumps in it. Start where you are and add 2 PSI on each pass of that same road. You will find the sweet spot.

Kevin

[Sloufoot]

X2 what Sloufoot stated except that whole "Wife's Fault" thing...I'll have to take the hit on that one...

It couldn't be me with my petite 250#. Alone I can still get the front wheel off the ground! But when she's onboard there seems to be something hitting me about the shoulders every time I try that ! So there ! Her fault !

[Phu Cat]

OK, I'll try more air pressure, I thought we could feel the shocks bottoming out @ 3# of air, that's why I added another pound. I'll try your way.

Phu Cat

[JJHog]

OK, I'll try more air pressure, I thought we could feel the shocks bottoming out @ 3# of air, that's why I added another pound. I'll try your way.

Phu Cat

PHU,

Just want to make sure you understand there is no physical spring inside the HD rear shock. The air that you put into the shock acts as your spring. At 3-4# that would be comparable to putting nothing in you shocks so as soon as you and MA sit on the Trike you are already bottoming out the shock. Matter of fact I don't even think the shock is supporting the weight of the Trike at 4#. Also, what are you using to add air to your shocks?

[captdanwh]

personally, i like 20 lbs. in the rear shocks riding single and if two up i will bump the shock pressure to 25. in my rear tires i always leave them at 25lbs. and my front tire is always at 38lbs. i am sure everybody has to tweak their ride until they find the sweet spot where it rides like you want it so keep tweaking and ride safe.