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SPYDER RTS/ES5 TIRE PRESSURE

Motogordo

New member
Just having finished my 600 mile service, I asked the mechanic what he suggests for front and rear tire pressure. He said he prefers 20lbs in the front and 28lbs in the rear. After reading the manual they recommend 15 & 28. The company's recommend is 17 max and 30 max in the rear. What can any of your experts tell me about where the tire pressure should be from your experience and the 20lbs in the front, what effect will that have ? Also, how do we know that the gauge we use is accurate ? I used the one the bpr put in the took kit. It is digital and small. However, I have 3 other gauges which I can also check at the same time. Each time I check there will always be a little air in the tire, so how can we ever get an accurate reading ? The shop also said they have a special airhose extension, since it is almost impossible to get the air hose on the valve. Why don't the manufacturers think of these simple things ? I guess they did have to put tons of Tupperware on the Spyder or it wouldn't look the way it does. What else could they have done ? The Goldwings are covered with Tupperware also. You gotta luv it. LOL

Gordon L.
Delanco, New Jersey
6-27-2011
Correction:RTS/SE5
 
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I run 18-20 in the front and 30 in the rear. My biggest inprovement is in the handling on the freeway. No side to side wandering.
 
tire pressure

When I picked my spyder up last Friday, I assumed that it had all been checked over and ready to ride. After fighting to keep it in a streight line I checked the front tire pressure. Both tires had less than 10 PS I. I adjusted them to 20 PS I. I was amazed at the deffernce. The spyder now tracks straight and is a pleasure to drive. I have not checked the rear, could not get a guage on the rear valve stem. It goes in in the morning for the 600 mile check up. I will have them put 30 PS I in the rear.
Did I mention I was not a happy camper until I got the ride to improve. For the kind of money we pay for these toys they should perform flawsley out of the box.

Bob
 
The dealer certainly should go over it better than to let you leave with low tire pressure. Might make you nervous as to what else they might have missed.
 
TIRE PRESSURE

I want to thank all of you for your responses about tire pressure. It seems as though the consensus is 20/28-30. I agree the important thing is that the Spyder tracks properly on the roads. Thanks again.
Motogordo
Gordon L. Delanco, New Jersey
Those tire pressures 20/28 were given to me at the dealer today when I was in for my 600 mile service.

EAST COAST CYCLE CENTER, BENSALEM, PA.:chat:
 
I picked up spyder 2 weeks ago and I still see 20 upfront and 30 at the back. It seems dealerships use the same rule as the pro's here :clap:
 
When I picked my spyder up last Friday, I assumed that it had all been checked over and ready to ride. After fighting to keep it in a streight line I checked the front tire pressure. Both tires had less than 10 PS I. I adjusted them to 20 PS I. I was amazed at the deffernce. The spyder now tracks straight and is a pleasure to drive. I have not checked the rear, could not get a guage on the rear valve stem. It goes in in the morning for the 600 mile check up. I will have them put 30 PS I in the rear.
Did I mention I was not a happy camper until I got the ride to improve. For the kind of money we pay for these toys they should perform flawsley out of the box.

Bob
For a good gage for rear tire pressure look up JerzeeeCustoms.com. Just got mine ytoday and it really works! Thanks to whoever put this on sl.com
 
Looks like I'm tail-end Charlie. That's what happens when you go to work early......................
After my (hopefully) last adjustment to the front end alignment, I increased the front tire pressure to 20 psig.
I'll give you what I believe are general guidlines. The specificsmay vary depending on weight and riding style.
Between about 15 and 18, the tire profile flattens out increasing the contact patch and it makes it hard to steer. Below 13 psig and the sidewalls squish in making for a very entertaining and heart thumping ride. Above 22 Psig, and the bike stands up on the balls of its feet, making it very responsive, but perhaps too responsive on the highway. It might feel a little squiggley.
28 to 30 seems good in the rear. Too much and the rear tire rounds out causing excessive weaar in the center. Too little and you get thev soft side-wall wiggle.

At least that's been my experience. I'm sure there are other opinions.

Of course, as always my free advice comes with a double your money back guarantee.
 
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18 front
30 rear

If 20 up front feels a bit too sensitive to road irregularities you can dial it back a couple of psi... :thumbup:
 
:dontknow:
Any one know how to calibrate an air gauge ,I have 3 and none of them read the same, And when i add my Sons gauge in the mix that doesn't match any of the others. ie; The first gauge will read 22psi, the third will read 28psi.:shocked: Anyone out there ever check their gauge against another gauge.
 
My dealers 20something mechanic has been experimenting with RT tire pressures . The one he prefers and the one I like too are 25lbs in the front and 30lbs in the rear. BRP recommended tire pressures make the front feel mushy with lots of body roll .

JHMO:D
 
I think it depends on what shocks you are running. I ran 20 lbs. in the front when I had the stock shocks on my 2010 RT limited. When I put the Elka's on I had to drop it to 17 lbs. and it rides great. I think every bike is different with different rider weights, different shocks, and how you aggressive you ride. :doorag:
 
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