Tire Pressure - Who TF Knows? 🤷🏼‍♂️

@Kevin frazier and I have been trading info on tire pressure recommendations and, as you'd expect from the motorcycle community, the information from experts is conflicting. Interested to see what others are doing- sticking to the manual, or going your own way.

I will say that I have stayed with the manual's recommended psi (set cold). On the newer Rockets that's 42R/42F. If anything, I might let it drop one or two psi, but never go higher.

It seems intuitive that with less air in the tire the contact patch will become larger. But I think we envision a dramatic change when we talk about lowering pressure I think, generally, most of us picture the rubber spreading out almost an inch or even more in all directions. But this video proves otherwise.... He gets into off-roading at one point- just ignore that section.


Here's another...

Now, the other camp suggesting you change your pressure based on your riding style and other factors.....

... and this one @Kevin frazier sent me, who gets credit for bringing all this to my attention.....

What'cha do'n?

How many new rockets have gone down, front just slid right out? I know of 2, both good riders. both at 42psi cold, Has triumph ever recommended 42 42 psi cold before? Why now? The tires i changed on a new 2500 heated up to 50psi in a 30 minute ride at 50 degrees f and the front was hard as a rock and slick, like rubber with a rock wrapped around it. Traxxion is a respected suspension specialist and if they say cupping has nothing to do with air pressure that its 100% the result of suspension and they state, running a tire at its max psi 42 is (Stupid) i have to atleast consider those opinions. Air pressure is like oil, this should be a good thread. Running hard in the mountains ( on the edge) also is not the same as putting down miles on the interstate, you would not take a triumph rocket to a track day and start with 42psi. Triumph recommends 36psi front for there flagship model, the touring and it feels pretty good.

Kevin frazier said:

How many new rockets have gone down, front just slid right out? I know of 2, both good riders. both at 42psi cold, Has triumph ever recommended 42 42 psi cold before? Why now? The tires i changed on a new 2500 heated up to 50psi in a 30 minute ride at 50 degrees f and the front was hard as a rock and slick, like rubber with a rock wrapped around it. Traxxion is a respected suspension specialist and if they say cupping has nothing to do with air pressure that its 100% the result of suspension and they state, running a tire at its max psi 42 is (Stupid) i have to atleast consider those opinions. Air pressure is like oil, this should be a good thread. Running hard in the mountains ( on the edge) also is not the same as putting down miles on the interstate, you would not take a triumph rocket to a track day and start with 42psi.

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For those that don't know, I'm one of the two riders you're referring to. I've been riding with the recommended psi for almost 30K miles on that bike (not including all of the others). I was riding very conservatively at the time, not usually the case- which continues to mess with me. What I think were the contributing factors (all coming together) was the low temps in the low 40s, north facing shady area, dew still on the ground (but long dried out on the sunnier pavement), and oil on the road.

Still, I admit that I am now wary of the Shinko I had on the front and waiting on the Cruisetec to arrive and will retire the Shinko early, and may consider lowering the psi slightly out of what feels more now like superstition. According to the first video I shared it will make, maybe, a mm of difference in contact patch size. Worth a try though. As I said, who TF knows?

Great info on tire pressure although the conversations continue on real world riding. There is always a friendly battle on tire pressure on this forum and every other motorcycle/car forum. Like most everyone on here I experiment a few pounds here and there. Then you hear the horror stores of under and over inflated tires. I have found that tires at the recommended inflation is a brutal ride in cars and motorcycles, hell, even bicycles. I know, if your tire is under inflated you will be cursed with cupping and tires that will over heat, explode and possibly a born child that likes the Buffalo Bills. I under inflate my tires at least 3 pounds to 4 pounds on the front of my Rocket in the summer. Anywhere from 37.5 to 38.5 for the front. The rear is usually at 40 and stays there but may hit 39.5 No biggie. On long rides I move them up a pound but the rear stays at 39-40. If I go to the recommended tire pressure my spine gets driven up into my neck and I feel every friggin bump in the road. It's brutal and I won't do it! This has always been the case on all my motorcycles no matter how I adjust the suspension. As of this day no tires have exploded yet, I do well in the twisties and no cupping as of yet. Also the kids still love the KC Chiefs so to me I'm good.

Well i do 38 on both and when one of them goes down to 33 then i air both of them back up to 38.
at 30 i can feel its not wright.
i just go to say it what a system

I think the old 'rule of thumb' was to get a 4-5 psi increase from cold to operating temperature.

Ishrub said:

I think the old 'rule of thumb' was to get a 4-5 psi increase from cold to operating temperature.

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The rocket hoodlums i run with are seeing very high pressures when heated. Please give those numbers youve seen @Journeyman

TURBO200R4 said:

Well i do 38 on both and when one of them goes down to 33 then i air both of them back up to 38.
at 30 i can feel its not wright.
i just go to say it what a system

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Keep in mind, everyone, that we are not only talking about the new Rockets here, but also the Classics, Roadsters, and Touring models which have a different recommended psi with the front being lower than the rear.

Kevin frazier said:

The rocket hoodlums i run with are seeing very high pressures when heated. Please give those numbers youve seen @Journeyman

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On the R3 I've seen it go to 48 on the rear starting from 42 cold, according to my FOBO (which, btw, I highly recommend).