Air Pressure

I'm running the Avon 100x90x19 Roadriders 32lb front and 36lb rear and wondering what other run. :?:

I think your Commando may handle with a little less anxiety if you tried 28F, 30R for start. If you weigh over 200lbs then try with 30F, 32R. 32F and 36R works well with radial tires on sport touring and adventure bikes that carry operator and luggage. On my HyperMotard (radials) I go with 30F, 34R. I know that when any of my bikes begin to "plow" (with a tendency to not want to corner) when I heel them over it is time for more pressure, if my bikes show a tendency to slide when heeled over then its time to let some pressure off.

Find a "test" track where you feel confident about not getting killed and start at the speed limit, increase your speed by 3-5 MPH increments, using the same corner(s) until you know that you or the bike is at its' limits. Raise or lower your TP and do it again, keep this up until you have maximized your handeling from a TP point of view, you can do this with spring pre-load and fork oil weight, you will really know your ride when you are satisified.

If your suspension is considerably less older then the frame you should be good to go; if you are running on original ISOs and springs it won't make a lot difference how much, or little TP you run.

Best wishes,

RS

I like 28F 30R for all around on-off road use. I loaded or racing about on tarmac I'll bump up 30F 32 R. I weight 175 suited. Tire type and age make some air play worth while. Prior posts are what I end up liking on under 500 lb bikes. On real rough stuff I'll lower down to 18 rear 12 front. Can ride it fine on hwy is you stay near normal legal rates. Take this time to learn what a half aired tire feel like then both to never get caught out by flat surprise handling. As a quick judge if tire in range to ride ok I kick with boot heel to feel if can deform or small rocks yet not dent in much beyond that. Main air weirdness is if front is harder than rear,ugh.

I was told directly by Avon to run 32/35 in my road riders, so I do.

But I leak about four pounds of air every two days, despite using powder and being very careful with the tubes.

Are there better, stronger, thicker tubes that do not leak air?

highdesert said:

Are there better, stronger, thicker tubes that do not leak air?

Click to expand...

Instead of?....

highdesert said:

I was told directly by Avon to run 32/35 in my road riders, so I do.

But I leak about four pounds of air every two days, despite using powder and being very careful with the tubes.

Are there better, stronger, thicker tubes that do not leak air?

Click to expand...

I am with you on 32/35. I find my bike feels heavy with road riders with less pressure.

I just use Bike Master's basic inner tube and loose about 5 lbs a month. There are much heavier tubes available but they are not recommended for street use because they build a lot more heat. Jim

LAB, that would be instead of my standard tubes that DO leak air, in spite of being very carefully installed with powder and prayer.

highdesert said:

LAB, that would be instead of my standard tubes that DO leak air, in spite of being very carefully installed with powder and prayer.

Click to expand...

Which particular brand of tube do you regard as standard? As I haven't seen Avon inner tubes for years.

Good quality tubes such as Michelin or Continental shouldn't usually lose anywhere near the "4 lbs. in 2 days" you mentioned? I would be concerned if I had a tube that lost 4 lbs. in 2 weeks.

I had a rear go soft on a big day out and in the morning the tyre was dead flat. Took the wheel up to a m/c tyre shop as its a Borrani alloy rim as I won't risk scoring it with hand levers, they got a machine that does it in 10 seconds no drama. The valve neck detached as they pulled the tube! Tube was an Asian brand, Cheng Shin I think. The tyre fitter said for better quality rubber and strength he recommended Michelin tubes. So far, so good. I run 28 front and 30 rear but the front is Dunlop K81 GP 19/390 and the rear TT 19/410 which I find a better mix than the stock 410 front and rear.

Mick