justin_o_guy2 wrote on 10/07/11 at 10:47:47:


I completely agree with that.  I love riding this bike between 50 - 55 it feels perfect.  When I start to get faster than that it feels a lot more intense than going fast all the time on my old ninja felt.

Well actually, the number stamped in the side of the tire is what the tire manufacturer says is the maximum pressure you can run that tire at.

Vehicle manufacturers contract with the tire company for a specific tire, for a specific size, load and tread design. The tire manufacturer then builds a tire to meet their specific needs, although that tire may also be used on a number of other vehicles.

In other words, you can run a 205/70R/15 on a Chrysler Cirrus, or on a full size Chevy Caprice. You would run the Caprice at 36-38 psi. On the Cirrus, you would run it at 32 psi. But if "Max Pressure 40 psi" is stamped on it, don't put it on your Ram 1500.  

Still, it's best to inflate to the vehicle manufacturers specs. They design their vehicles to perform and handle the best, at their specified pressure. They don't care how long the tire lasts, as long as it performs.

It has nothing to do with politics. (Yes, I worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 13 years.)

   

I have the same problem. I have ridden bikes for about 35 years. On previous bikes that became squirrelly, unstable at speed there are a few things that usually cause this.
Old fork oil is on the top of the list.
Dunlop 404 tires cause this.
Cheap tires.
Loose, tight or ungreased steering tube bearings.
Steering tube bearing has a worn spot, click in it when turning.

When I purchased my Savage with 13,000 miles on it was very unstable at 55 mph.
I put Metzler 880's on it, changed the fork oil, loosened the steering tube bearing as it was tight. Very much improved.

Noticed my handlebars were not aligned with my Forks. The triple tree was twisted. Loosened everything and got that straightened out, follow the manual to do this.  Still had a little unstability at speed.

One seat bolt was missing, replaced that bolt, ,,,,slap my forehead

I think I have narrowed down the remaining stability issue to the rear shocks. Engine vibration at 70 mph on the Savage is also above my comfort level for extended travel.

The savage is not a high speed bike, compared to other bikes I own. My 82 virago 920 and my 82 harley fxr will cruise one handed at 100 mph. My 2007 shadow spirit 1100 will cruise at only 75 mph with 2 hands required. I would say that I am pretty comfortable on my Savage one handed at 65 mph, hold on tight for any thing faster than that.

So, in other words, you're saying it IS politics. Or is a bureacrat not a politician? And what law are you talking about, that says they have to put that number there? Or are you just assuming, and spewing your uneducated opinion, yet again?

That number is there for a reason. (As I previously stated) They are not forced to put it there.

Another reason it is there is so that some dumba$$, with or without an air gauge, doesn't blow the tire up by grossly overinflating it. Ya, it would take quite a bit more than the stamped on pressure to cause a tire to blow, but after 23 years in the business, I have seen some idiots give it a hell of a try. Like a 155/80R/13 tire aired up to 98 psi.

"That number has little relevance to proper use of the tire"? So, if "Max Pressure 40 psi" is stamped on the tire, it's ok to inflate it to 20 psi, or 80 psi? WRONG!

The relevance is simply this:
Rule of thumb. On a compact car, the pressure can be as low as 28 psi, or as high as the max pressure, when loaded. On a midsize car, the pressure can be as low as 32 psi, or as high as the max pressure, when loaded. On a full size car, the pressure can be as low as 36 psi, or as high as the max pressure, when loaded. Any deviation from these recommended pressures CAN cause a blowout and/or loss of performance and tire life. Period.

Got any 3's?

lucky no one got hurt,,, dang,, I hope you gave them a tire gauge & some lessons,,

verslagen1 wrote on 10/07/11 at 08:15:03:


What if it's hung?

drums1 wrote on 10/09/11 at 18:26:14:


This kind of "logic" is amusing.  
                                                                 

Saying a bureaucrat is a politician is like saying a garbage man is voting technician because he unloaded the voting machines for his union's last election.

Your whiny protestations notwithstanding, the number molded on the side of the tire is at best meaningless, and at worst can lead people into using that pressure for something when they have no clue about its reason for being.

drums1 wrote on 10/10/11 at 10:09:11:



My my my,.. we do get our panties in a wad easily, don't we??  

I've always taken it as a form of unintended congratulations when a fellow discusser slings insults instead of discussion.  Thanks.  

Your emotional distress over the meaninglessness of the pressure printed on the tire is wasted.  Life is good.  Spend your energy on subjects of more import.  

BTW, here is a copy/paste of protestation: protˇesˇtaˇtion (prt-stshn, prt-, -t-)  n.  1. An emphatic declaration

To decrease your ineffectiveness in these discussions, you might want to look up "ad hominem."  It deals with shooting yourself in the foot.

To sum up, and to maintain some relevance to the thread, let me restate our point of agreement.  The vehicle operator should use the vehicle manufacturer's recommended tire pressure.