One of the many checks performed before a customer picks up their motorcycle is to make sure the tires are at the factory recommended pressure. About 95% of the time we find tires lower than recommended and even more worrisome is the fact that of the 95% at least 80% of those are 10-15 PSI low. On a car that would be low but on a motorcycle it is dangerous.

We routinely ask our customers about checking tire pressure, and the response ranges from “I check it before a big ride” to “it was checked the last time you guys checked it.” Tires can quickly lose 1-3 PSI per month, so tire pressure can get to a critical point quickly.

The primary point about checking tire pressure is to take a look at your motorcycle tires. The tire manufactures have designed tires to have a specific contact patch. The contact patch is the portion of a tire that is in actual contact with the surface. Look at the point your tire comes in contact with the road. Measure that spot both length and width to come up with the square inch area of the contact patch of your tire. Not much right? Well, that’s all that is keeping you right side up. If you have an under-inflation issue, you deform the contact patch geometry, and of you over-inflate you are now minimizing the contact patch.

We recommend checking your tire pressure before every ride.

1. Check your owners manual and know what your tire pressure should be set to both single and with a passenger.

2. Most modern motorcycles have a manufacturer label on the frame, under the seat or other location that states the tire pressure(many even give the proper tire size). If the label is not easily visible, make a note within your phone notepad app of the tire pressure (Both front and rear), and no, the sidewall pressure marked on your tire is not your tire pressure! On touring motorcycles, we place a label inside the trunk with the proper pressure and if applicable the air pressure for the suspension ( again both single and with a passenger).

3. Get two good quality tire pressure gauges. (One for home use and one for travel.) Depending on the location and ease of access of your valve stem, you might need to try a few different ones until you find the one that works for your motorcycle. Check out these two Digital Tire Pressure Gauges. Both have lighted displays, so they are easy to read

Motion Pro 08-0648 0-60 PSI Digital Tire Pressure Gauge: https://amzn.to/2ns7DEL

TEKTON Instant Read Digital Tire Gauge: https://amzn.to/2nAii0l

4. Always check your tire pressure cold. Heat will raise the pressure reading.

5. Set it to the manufacturer recommended pressure and then adjust for your riding conditions.

6. Put the damn valve stem cap back on. It really serves a purpose not just to cover the threads.

When traveling, don’t be afraid to stop by a local shop to have your tires checked out. Most motorcycle shops will help you determine the proper pressure and like us, will let you use our gauges and air lines to perform a quick check. Poor tire inflation can ruin a ride.