proper air pressure on my 1500

[scott_cbc]

so the factory says 28/36, but i read a lot about guys running 38/40 or 40/40. how about a little pros and cons. my bike has new metzlers i just put on. seems a tad squirrley but this is the only vulcan i have ridden so not sure if that is just the way they are.
thanks

[rbentnail]

IMHO, ignore the "factory". Look on the side of each tire (or tyre) and see what the maximum pressure is. Subtract 3. Pressurize your tires to that. The squirrely feeling comes from them being too soft, as if the rear end is mushy in a turn, kind of wobbley like you are in hot and mushy road-patching, roofing tar. I'm running 38-39 front and rear with 41 max on the tires. Makes a huge difference.

[1400pilot]

run 41 or 42 psi in the front and rear.............the tires will last longer, wont cup/chop

[NY_Guy]

Originally Posted by scott_cbc

so the factory says 28/36, but i read a lot about guys running 38/40 or 40/40. how about a little pros and cons. my bike has new metzlers i just put on. seems a tad squirrley but this is the only vulcan i have ridden so not sure if that is just the way they are.
thanks

I've always inflated my Metzler, Avon, etc. tires to maximum COLD pressure, which is stamped on the side of the tire, and gotten high miles with even wear.

[Spok]

I run 38 front 40 rear..more if I pack a load.

[scott_cbc]

thanks...i ran 39 psi in both and got on it to try it out....350 miles later my wife says "that was a long test ride dear"....
gotta love that woman!

[2WheelFun]

Originally Posted by scott_cbc

thanks...i ran 39 psi in both and got on it to try it out....350 miles later my wife says "that was a long test ride dear"....
gotta love that woman!

LOL...good thing you had her to help you test the tire pressure! Sometimes they just don't realize how valuable they really are.

I also run 38 front and 40 rear and now have 9800 miles on my Michelin Commanders. May be able to get another 1000 miles out of the rear tire before replacing it. With increased pressure the bike handles so much better and rides much better also.

[Peewee]

I run 40/40 ,have 9,400 miles still great condition(oe tires)

[Chuckster]

I hate to admit this but I'm going to anyway. I just got my 2001 Vulcan 1500 Classic at the end of July. I'm just getting around to doing some routine maintenance on it (oil change, etc.). Every chance I get, I hop on it and go for a spin. I really hadn't had time to check the air in the tires and they "looked" fine to me. After all, I'm a busy man and can't waste any time! (downright shameful after having already taken the MSF course). Anyway, the other day I get out the digital tire guage and check the tires after a 100 mile ride. I had 22 pounds in the front tire and 15 pounds in the rear tire!!! And I thought it was just the weight of the bike was the reason I was having such a hard time pushing it around my carport!! It's amazing what a little (or in my case a lot) of air will do for your ride!