**psi in rear tires...who is right? You guys or the trike mfg tech??**

[tbird71]

**psi in rear tires...who is right? You guys or the trike mfg tech??**

OK, I'm hearing two different ideas here...

I have a GL1500 with a DFT Kit, everyone here says run 25 PSI in the rear.

The DFT Tech/Builder says you guys run 25 PSI because all of you have SOLID AXLES

The DFT Kit has IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) and that I should run 30-32

I pumped mine up to 30 but actually FELT better at 25...

Who if anyone is right and why? Your thoughts?? Thanks!

 

[tfdeputydawg]

Not sure why anyone would suggest that high of pressure in the rear tires on a trike. Being a trike "tech" does not mean one knows anything about tires, IMHO.

I ended up with 24psi in my left rear and 26psi in my right rear on my Hannigan. Rear end is off set to the right on a Hannigan to align with the bikes drive shaft output therefore, putting more weight on the right.

 

[Gorilla]

Tom everyone has an opinion on the subject. You need to make your own decision. All I can say is there many of us on this forum who have put thousands of miles on their trikes and can say from experience what we use. Most of us run some where in the mid 20's without issues on ride or wear. I ran my wifes Stallion with 25 lbs in the rears for 80 k miles. I removed the tires last year only 1/2 worn because of the age of the tire. I run 24 in the rear of my TRI-Glide have close to 50k miles on them with better then 1/2 of the thread still available. Bottom line it's your machine and your the one riding it. YOUR CALL.

 

[1dn5up]

Look at it as a basket ball , what bounces more , one with 20psi or one with 5 psi :Shrug:

 

[tbird71]

IRS?

I think his point was because the DFT has independent rear suspension it will not "bounce" like a single axle one will thus the higher PSI. Would really like to hear from someone who has IRS on theirs and hear their thoughts?

 

[chester]

IRS rear air

OK, I'm hearing two different ideas here...

I have a GL1500 with a DFT Kit, everyone here says run 25 PSI in the rear.

The DFT Tech/Builder says you guys run 25 PSI because all of you have SOLID AXLES

The DFT Kit has IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) and that I should run 30-32

I pumped mine up to 30 but actually FELT better at 25...

Who if anyone is right and why? Your thoughts?? Thanks!

I run 25 psi in the rear of my CSC unit,seems to be good there.Reccomended is 22 to 28 I believe.

 

[Papa Zook]

We do not all ride solid axles, a majority rides IRS. The opinions here have been formed over the years from thousands of trike owners, riding many thousands of miles on every make, model and brand of trike and sharing that information. The best ride is going to be in the low to mid 20s of rear tire pressure. This pressure is perfectly safe and better suited in every way. Read this article from Lehman, it backs this up:

http://www.lehmantrikes.com/assets/docs/uploads/Manuals/techbook-master.pdf

 

[tbird71]

What about this Leaman statement?

"Let me explain more fully. We, Lehman Trikes, have always recommended that you maintain the same pressure the motorcycle manufacturer lists on the compliance label for the front wheel. There is no reason to change this pressure.



That’s the “yes”"

OK Papa, I read the article. Now if one goes by THIS, then the FRONT tire should be at 33-36 which is the recommended pressure. Most here say go with 40.

Now on the BACK, I understand the reasoning, still do not know if IRS makes a difference BUT...

Going by the feel, it rode pretty good on way back, the PO had 25PSI in the rear tires and 33 in the front, I bumped the front up to 40 before I took off I liked the back with 25, at 30 seems to be more unstable, forget the DFT guy, I will lower the rear to 25 and stay there.

I will decrease the front to 36 and go from there. 40 is just too hard on that light front end I do not like the ride at ALL with 40 PSI front pressure



Air shocks are set at 33 by PO and feel just fine there. I'll leave them alone

What about Lehman's comments on leaving the front tire PSI at the factory recommended settings, Papa?

 

[Papa Zook]

"Let me explain more fully. We, Lehman Trikes, have always recommended that you maintain the same pressure the motorcycle manufacturer lists on the compliance label for the front wheel. There is no reason to change this pressure.



That’s the “yes”"

OK Papa, I read the article. Now if one goes by THIS, then the FRONT tire should be at 33-36 which is the recommended pressure. Most here say go with 40.

Now on the BACK, I understand the reasoning, still do not know if IRS makes a difference BUT...

Going by the feel, it rode pretty good on way back, the PO had 25PSI in the rear tires and 33 in the front, I bumped the front up to 40 before I took off I liked the back with 25, at 30 seems to be more unstable, forget the DFT guy, I will lower the rear to 25 and stay there.

I will decrease the front to 36 and go from there. 40 is just too hard on that light front end I do not like the ride at ALL with 40 PSI front pressure



Air shocks are set at 33 by PO and feel just fine there. I'll leave them alone

What about Lehman's comments on leaving the front tire PSI at the factory recommended settings, Papa?

Tom, I was responding to your original post which made no mention of front tire pressure, but to address that, the reason some folks run a higher front tire pressure (up to max factory recommended, but not over) is one, front tire design and specs have evolved and we see that factory tire pressure recommendations have increased.

The motorcycle tire and trike tire manufacturers recommended front tire pressures on the newer tires now typically range from the 38 lb range and some up to 41 lbs. Also, quite a few run rear a motorcycle rear tire in reverse on the front and those specs can be different as well.

Running the recommended front tire pressure per the tire manufacturers markings is the best practice, but some run max pressure due to the increased weight of the trike and a desire to increase tire life. I used to be one of those who agreed that running max pressure on a trike front tire could have benefits such as longer tire life, but anymore I do not voice an opinion on that.

Tire experts I have talked to have said that running max pressure is safe so I dont think if someone chose to do that there would be any issues. That said, running the recommended front tire pressure is always a safe bet.

 

[CrystalPistol]

You can try it both ways on those rear tires , but good chance that 30-32 is gonna eat out the centers, even on you IRS.

 

[mhgoldwing]

Per Roadsmith I run a min. of 28 in rears. When we're two up (heavy) + trailer, I will go to 32 psi. Currently I'm using Michelin MXV4 tires.

I also find that any pressure lower than 28 psi makes the tire feel like it is rolling under in fast, tight curves like we ride every day here in N.W. Arkansas. Trike feels better with 30 psi riding two up in the twisties.

 

[rhino 2]

OK, I'm hearing two different ideas here...

I have a GL1500 with a DFT Kit, everyone here says run 25 PSI in the rear.

The DFT Tech/Builder says you guys run 25 PSI because all of you have SOLID AXLES

The DFT Kit has IRS (Independent Rear Suspension) and that I should run 30-32

I pumped mine up to 30 but actually FELT better at 25...

Who if anyone is right and why? Your thoughts?? Thanks!

Whos right.......In a court of law the DFT/TECK Builder is right.....What feels better on your Maximum Gluteus us guys are right.....

 

[tbird71]

I set the rear tire PSI back to 25 we took a little ride today and everything seems good

Probably bump the air shocks up to 35 with both aboard

35-36 PSI in front felt better than 40 but I think I'll try 38 and get a good middle ground and should be good to go

Thanks, everyone for the comments! Keep em comin!

 

[Papa Zook]

I set the rear tire PSI back to 25 we took a little ride today and everything seems good

Probably bump the air shocks up to 35 with both aboard

35-36 PSI in front felt better than 40 but I think I'll try 38 and get a good middle ground and should be good to go

Thanks, everyone for the comments! Keep em comin!

What is the recommended tire pressure on your front tire?

 

[FRR]

2012 Wing with Hannigan kit. They say 28 LBS. I run 28 LBS.

 

[tbird71]

Honda says 33 PSI front We took a ride with about 35 and felt like they could stand a bit more, however riding 120 miles home with 40 PSI was TOO much it seemed to ride "hard" in front which is why I'll try 38PSI next and see how that feels. I figure 38 should handle pretty good yet still be a touch less "hard"?

 

[Papa Zook]

Honda says 33 PSI front We took a ride with about 35 and felt like they could stand a bit more, however riding 120 miles home with 40 PSI was TOO much it seemed to ride "hard" in front which is why I'll try 38PSI next and see how that feels. I figure 38 should handle pretty good yet still be a touch less "hard"?

What does the tire itself say the recommended tire pressure is? That is all that matters.

 

[Papa Zook]

Per Roadsmith I run a min. of 28 in rears. When we're two up (heavy) + trailer, I will go to 32 psi. Currently I'm using Michelin MXV4 tires.

I also find that any pressure lower than 28 psi makes the tire feel like it is rolling under in fast, tight curves like we ride every day here in N.W. Arkansas. Trike feels better with 30 psi riding two up in the twisties.

2012 Wing with Hannigan kit. They say 28 LBS. I run 28 LBS.

The trike conversion companies have a huge liability exposure and as Lehman's very honest article implies, all try to cover their azzes by staying within safety standards. Do you blame them? Running in the high 20s will make a trike ride like a covered wagon when compared with low 20s, but if a person is ok with their ride, more power to them.

Read what John Lehman had to say: http://www.lehmantrikes.com/assets/docs/uploads/Manuals/techbook-master.pdf

 

[FRR]

The trike conversion companies have a huge liability exposure and as Lehman's very honest article implies, all try to cover their azzes by staying within safety standards. Do you blame them? Running in the high 20s will make a trike ride like a covered wagon when compared with low 20s, but if a person is ok with their ride, more power to them.

Read what John Lehman had to say: http://www.lehmantrikes.com/assets/docs/uploads/Manuals/techbook-master.pdf

Interesting read Pappa. Think I'll take mine down a couple of pounds at least. Thanks for posting this article

 

[lgjhn]

Yep. Interesting read for sure.

I put some Michelins on the back awhile ago. I run 22 in em when riding single, no trailer, etc. but bump it to 24 when loaded down w/trailer for a trip.

So far, they have hardly any wear. I also look at my tire pattern if I should ride over some dust or water. At 22, all the tread is in contact with the pavement.

I run an Avon Cobra Trike tire on the front at 41 and it feels ok to me. I may try it at 38 just to see the difference.