Tire Pressure Revisited

[adlowe]

Originally Posted by Earthling789

WARNING - SCIENCE LESSON

Good job.

You handled that FAR BETTER than I would have! Not that I intended to be surly about it -- I just manage to do that well with the keyboard.

[Earthling789]

Originally Posted by adlowe

Good job.

You handled that FAR BETTER than I would have! Not that I intended to be surly about it -- I just manage to do that well with the keyboard.

Thanks... wasn't trying to steal anyone's thunder... just wanted to share some knowledge and facts that have been swimming around in the grey-matter, waiting for a chance to get out, lol, (and sometimes the science teacher in me tends to "escape")

[damanning71]

Cool Beans! I learned something new today!

[Scrapdog2grand]

Yup, very nice, well put Earthling.
when someone comes in for service where I work, and say they just got there and waiting, I set the tires to +4 psi.

["Captain D"]

I run swingarm sticker suggestion, that`ll heat up and cool off as I ride...
I`ve run different pressures but on this set, I`m running swingarm sticker 29# front & Rear just to see any difference...
I learn everytime I visit here at HSN Technical,
Dennis

[kokopellioh]

Originally Posted by Earthling789

No problems being a Noob, and the course is designed with Noobs in mind
Of course, I do agree, if you're not worrying about "how to work a clutch", you'll be more attentive to learn some good info an advice about "riding" ...

That is what I am shooting for. Also worried about whether I'll have to reschedule due to marginal front tire (well, not as new as the rear), pipes barking too much, someone not liking the aftermarket grips, the #@&% u-turn exercise, etc.

Originally Posted by Earthling789

WARNING - SCIENCE LESSON

Now, as for the comments about measuring tire pressure "cold", that simply means "tires at same temp as ambient air"... in other words.. tires that have been stationary for several hours, and allowed to cool (internally and externally) to the same relative temperature as the air temp.

Good to know, since in The Valley of the Sun, the same relative temperature is about as good as it gets most of the year. I can't get too anal er obsessed , as a lot of days in the summer it will be over 100° when Leno hits the airwaves ... and sometimes first thing in the morning as well!

I did check, and in the half mile ride from my place to the free air pump the pressure stayed the same. Now 32 in the Front, 36 rear.

The wife, for her part, will take off on a 2400 mile business trip (Native American Flute gathering, Pow Wow, Civil War Re-enactment) and check the air pressure in the van in the garage before she leaves, and once again before we leave the motel to drop me at the airport. She used to check at every pit stop because "the front tires looked a little low" and found them (a) hot to the touch, and (b) on the high side of the air pressure range.

I may revisit when I switch the front for a Metzler until I find a pressure that rides well and grips well. Then I think checking weekly is reasonable. Until then, there is that 1st to 2nd gear shift to worry about.

Thanks again for the Science Lesson!

[Earthling789]

Originally Posted by kokopellioh

That is what I am shooting for. Also worried about whether I'll have to reschedule due to marginal front tire (well, not as new as the rear), pipes barking too much, someone not liking the aftermarket grips, the #@&% u-turn exercise, etc.

Not sure which level of course you are taking, but I thought you said the weekend course, which would be BRC Level-1...

I'm not sure how they do it in AZ, but most places/states I am aware of, the course supplies bikes in the 125-250cc range for you to use on the "learning to ride" part of the BRC Level-1 course. Our local college hosts the BRC and ARC courses, and they supply 250cc Rebels, 250cc V-stars, and 125cc Kawasaki Eliminators for the weekend courses (they also supply helmets if you don't have one).

Only on the BRC II, ARC, or ARC II, (all 8-hr courses) should they require you to bring your own bike.

I'm going with my son to the BRC-I course this weekend so he won't be going alone, and so I can get a "refresher" myself I may be riding my Shadow to the course, but I'll be riding one of their Rebel's on Saturday and Sunday... burning their gas


And, I'm glad the tire pressure info has helped everyone out...

[kokopellioh]

Originally Posted by Earthling789

Not sure which level of course you are taking, but I thought you said the weekend course, which would be BRC Level-1...

Confident Rider Course, which is BYOB. Other than I am 6' 4", 34~36 inseam, I'd love to use a Rebel/GX250 for the morning. Covers a lot of territory, not the least of which is "skill test waiver for licensing".

Better to handle the skills portion with folks who want me to succeed rather than with a steely-eyed examiner who has no interest in success, and is watching the thermometer to see if s/he can call it quits early. (Yes, AZ has a temperature limit, above which No Skills Test For You.)

[PainterD]

...and make sure to take the winter air out and put summer air in before you head out this season! Winter air doesn't handle very well on hot pavement. Just sayin'.

[rjdaines]

Originally Posted by PainterD

...and make sure to take the winter air out and put summer air in before you head out this season! Winter air doesn't handle very well on hot pavement. Just sayin'.

Yep, winter air is denser, less moisture.