Proper Tire Pressure???

[Dudley]

I ride 16 front, 28 rear and use a low pressure scale normal tire gauge. To me air pressure is not rocket science accuracy...a smiggin' won't make the Spyder ride any different.

 

[NancysToy]

So as to help with my tire pressure question........I'm female so weight telling is not in our genes but maybe weight is a consideration regarding tire pressure. I'm just under 5' 10" and weigh around 150lbs (there, I said it). I have a friend that is my height and weight that does occasionally ride with me. It seems everyone is running lower pressure in front and higher pressure in back. My RT has 1,500 miles on the original tires. You all know I'm also trying to learn to take the turns better so 17-18 front and 27-28 in the back for my initial try??? I also have the suspension set in the middle.......any thought on my height/weight/suspension statement.

Ya'll are the best!!!!!

More pressure in the rear is normal...even if you run the factory recommended pressures. Weight seems to make more of a difference for the suspension pre-load than the tire pressure on the Spyder. I think 17-18 front and 26-28 rear is very a good starting point. You probably won't notice much difference, though. The front pressure has the most noticeable effect, and yours was 20 to begin with, as I recall. Your steering may feel a bit firmer with the lower setting, though. Body roll may be slightly increased. For frequent two-up riding, I definitely would increase your pre-load setting at least one notch...maybe two. For yourself alone, it depends on your riding style and desires. With a higher setting, there is less body roll, but the suspension doesn't absorb the bumps as well...jarring you a bit more. Set lower, the ride will be softer, but you will lean more in the corners. If you are experiencing oversteer, or a need to correct midway through the corner, raise the preload a notch or two. Beyond that, it is personal preference at your weight...although my opinion is that the Spyder is better set a bit higher than the factory recommended settings. If you leave the springs set where they are, just slow a bit in the corners with a passenger. It also helps to instruct the passenger to look over your inside shoulder in the turns. To change the preload, jack the Spyder up, lube the adjusters with WD-40, and use the tool in your tool pouch to turn the adjusting ring.

 

[Flight Risk]

More pressure in the rear is normal...even if you run the factory recommended pressures. Weight seems to make more of a difference for the suspension pre-load than the tire pressure on the Spyder. I think 17-18 front and 26-28 rear is very a good starting point. You probably won't notice much difference, though. The front pressure has the most noticeable effect, and yours was 20 to begin with, as I recall. Your steering may feel a bit firmer with the lower setting, though. Body roll may be slightly increased. For frequent two-up riding, I definitely would increase your pre-load setting at least one notch...maybe two. For yourself alone, it depends on your riding style and desires. With a higher setting, there is less body roll, but the suspension doesn't absorb the bumps as well...jarring you a bit more. Set lower, the ride will be softer, but you will lean more in the corners. If you are experiencing oversteer, or a need to correct midway through the corner, raise the preload a notch or two. Beyond that, it is personal preference at your weight...although my opinion is that the Spyder is better set a bit higher than the factory recommended settings. If you leave the springs set where they are, just slow a bit in the corners with a passenger. It also helps to instruct the passenger to look over your inside shoulder in the turns. To change the preload, jack the Spyder up, lube the adjusters with WD-40, and use the tool in your tool pouch to turn the adjusting ring.

Thank you for the input........I know this sounds stupid but I thought the suspension on the RT-S SE5 was changed by pushing the button on the dash up or down.....Am I losing my mind here?

 

[rcantrell52]

Proper Tire Pressure

Flight,
The suspension is adjustable by using the switch on the dash of your RT-S. The other variable if you have Elka shocks on your Spyder. Changing your suspension to hard and having Elka shocks will make a consierable difference in how your Spyder will handle. When I ride alone I have the suspension set on hard, but riding two up I will soften the suspension. Hope this will help.
Reese

 

[arntufun]

What oil is best when using these tire pressures. opcorn:

 

[NancysToy]

Thank you for the input........I know this sounds stupid but I thought the suspension on the RT-S SE5 was changed by pushing the button on the dash up or down.....Am I losing my mind here?

Only the rear suspension. The front is adjusted with a wrench contained in the tool kit. This is covered in your manual.

 

[Flight Risk]

Just checked the shocks in the front.......they are set at 3, which is for a heavier rider than me. The back "air suspension" is set in the middle. Who knew there were so many ways to tweek!!!

Thank you all so much for the many suggestions you have offered....I appreciate you all !

Safe driving

 

[Bob Denman]

You'll have lots of fun tinkering with "this" and adjusting "that" until everything is just perfect! :2thumbs:

 

[lyonsden]

I use Baby Oil. Doesn't everyone?:dontknow:

What oil is best when using these tire pressures. opcorn:

 

[Bob Denman]

You might as well try Neets Foot oil too! There's not too many Neets running around anymore, so there's lots of oil available for their feet! :roflblack:

 

[spyryder]

Just checked the shocks in the front.......they are set at 3, which is for a heavier rider than me. The back "air suspension" is set in the middle. Who knew there were so many ways to tweek!!!

Thank you all so much for the many suggestions you have offered....I appreciate you all !

Safe driving

And once you have all of your suspension settings figured out, make sure your headlights are aimed properly. :2thumbs:

 

[Trickie Dick]

What oil is best when using these tire pressures. opcorn:

Cod liver oil if you want to go really fast:yikes:

 

[Bob Denman]

:shocked: Oops... :roflblack:

 

[Flight Risk]

And once you have all of your suspension settings figured out, make sure your headlights are aimed properly. :2thumbs:

Today I decided to make some changes due to all the wonderful suggestions made here. I took the front tire pressure from 20 to 17psi, back tire psi is now 28 instead of 20. I manually changed the front shocks from the middle #3 to #2 then automatically softened the suspension to the next softest. After this I took the RT out for a short ride and did a bunch of turns, etc., and am very happy to report a really major difference in performance. I also tried to stop controlling her and just ride. I got down lower in the turns, leanded deeper and pressed down with my outside foot.........OMG, the differences all this is making.

I have a 200 mile trip planned with the riding club on Sunday so that will be the real test.

Just wanted to thank all of you for the tire pressure advice as well as my other post regarding "turning"

 

[NancysToy]

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Enjoy the Ryde!

 

[Motogordo]

First thanks to all who have been so encouraging regarding my "turning" issues. Many wonderful suggestions.
On to tire pressure......for their convenience, my dealership sets all three tires to 20psi. I am wondering what the experienced Spyder RT riders are doing.

I am looking for better turning, tire life, better mpg......

Appreciating your assistance in advance!

Oct. 14, 2012
When I had my 2011 RTS/SE5 I ran 18/28 and front shocks at 5. These were excellent settings for great handling.
gordon

 

[Jeriatric]

Just my 2c

Thank you for the input........I know this sounds stupid but I thought the suspension on the RT-S SE5 was changed by pushing the button on the dash up or down.....Am I losing my mind here?

Front shocks have five levels of manual adjustment. Yours are probably on three now. I would recommend 4(just a little stiffer). Your dealer can do it for you in a flash.

Since you're riding one up set the rear tire pressure at 26 for your body weight and the fronts at say 16 psi. Leave the rear at 26 for now. Experiment with front pressures leaving the rear constant. Lets say you know you'll be riding two days in a row. From 16 move the fronts up to 18 on day two, and see if you notice any difference in control from day one.

Rear shock air adjustment is done with console switch. Try starting out with it on the bottom bar of the indicator for a while on your first day, then while still out on the first day, bump it up to the second bar and see if you notice a difference.

Just my suggestion on a starting setup and small incremental changes on one thing at a time. That gives you a much better chance of knowing whether it was a positive or negative move in the right direction. From there you can fine tune one of each of these settings until you get them all dialed in to your liking.

Tire pressure will likely change in a weeks time. So, if your rides are separated by a few days you should check tire pressures before each ride. Not fun,(I know) but you really need to.

 

[rollingstone]

rating pressure gauges

When I searched online for an accurate pressure gauge, I noticed that some were graded as A or B. I decided to go with a grade A that I bought from a local camping shop since the Spyder is so sensitive to pressure variations. Grade B is supposedly accurate to + or - 2% and I assume that Grade A would be somewhat better than that but I haven't been able to find any figures. The gauge included in the tool kit doesn't read anywhere near what my Grade A gauge does, so IMHO it is only useful for checking variations to show whether or not you are losing air from the tyres.

Robert

 

[MouthPiece]

For me 20psi on the front and 30psi in the rear works best. :doorag:

Me too.

Chris

 

[viperryder]

First thanks to all who have been so encouraging regarding my "turning" issues. Many wonderful suggestions.
On to tire pressure......for their convenience, my dealership sets all three tires to 20psi. I am wondering what the experienced Spyder RT riders are doing.

I am looking for better turning, tire life, better mpg......

Appreciating your assistance in advance!

I have a RT SE5 and tag on side of belt states 15 plus/minus 2 front and 28 plus/minus 2 in rear.