Ask any motorcycle rider, and they will tell you the importance of maintaining the right tire pressure. It is crucial for safety and smooth riding performance. It becomes even more important when you have a Harley Davidson motorcycle.
Harley Davidson always emphasizes using their recommended and specified tires. They say using a specified tire with the right pressure and size propels better performance. Also, it increases fuel efficiency and the longevity of the tire.
Thus, you should know Harley Davidson tire pressure to operate the motorcycle appropriately. If you don’t maintain the recommended tire pressure for Harley motorbikes, it can affect riding performance, stability, and efficiency. Also, you may lose control over the motorcycle on the wet and uneven roads resulting in injuries.
Harley Davidson recommends maintaining 36PSI and 40PSI pressure for the front and rear tires, respectively. However, the tire size will change depending on the model. So, we will discuss the ideal tire pressure, recommended tire size, and Harley’s preferred tire model for different motorcycle models.
Harley Davidson Tire Pressure Chart – Follow The Guide
As a standard, you should maintain 36PSI for the front and 40PSI for the rear tire. However, in some Harley motorcycle models, you will see different tire pressure. Hence, we will discuss the Harley Davidson tire pressure of all the popular motorcycles from Harley.
As you see, the tire pressure remains the same for almost all the Harley models. Also, the chart includes the tire pressures in cold temperatures only. You need to realize that the tire pressure changes in various temperatures and ambiance. So, the recommended tire pressure for Harley’s in a cold region won’t be ideal for motorcycles in hot and humid conditions. Hence, you must adjust the tire pressure to maintain the motorbike properly.
Harley Davidson Tire Pressure According To Different Versions
Over the years, Harley Davidson has presented us with many classic and stylish motorbikes. They have marked them of different generations and styles with distinctive names. Thus, in the next section, we will show you the recommended tire pressure for all the Haley Davidson generations.
Harley Davidson Models |
Recommended Tire Pressure |
Recommended Tire Pressure |
|
Front Tire |
Rear Tire |
Electra Glide |
36PSI |
40PSI |
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy |
36PSI |
42PSI |
Harley Forty-Eight |
36PSi |
40PSI |
Harley Forty-Eight Special |
36PSI |
40PSI |
Harley Iron 883 |
30PSI |
40PSI |
Street Rod |
32PSI |
36PSI |
Road King |
36PSI |
40PSI |
Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom |
30PSI |
36PSI |
Harley Low Rider |
32PSI |
36PSI |
Super Low Rider |
36PSI |
42PSI |
Heritage Softail Classic |
36PSI |
40PSI |
Dyna |
36PSI |
42PSI |
FXDC Super Glide |
30PSI |
36PSI |
Pan America 1250 |
32PSI |
36PSI |
As you see, Harley Davidson maintains around 36PSI to 40PSI for most of its motorcycle tires. However, in some models, the pressure will vary slightly. So, you need to follow this chart and the user manual of your motorcycle to ensure the best tire pressure. It will boost your riding performance.
An Important Note To Maintain The Right Tire Pressure
The tables we listed above have discussed the tire pressure in an ideal condition. Also, we measured it in cold conditions. But you won’t be driving in the ideal conditions always? Instead, you will take your motorcycle on different roads and ride it throughout the year in different weather.
That’s why we have figured out how to find the right tire pressure for motorcycles in different situations. Many motorcyclists prefer it as the “Rule of 2” because it requires adding or subtracting 2PSI. It includes:
Highway Streets
Add 2PSI pressure while riding on highway streets. For instance, Harley Davidson Softail tire pressure in col condition is 36PSI and 40PSI. You need to add 2PSI more for driving the Softail model on highways. It means the preferable tire pressure for Softail on highways will be 38PSI and 42PSI.
Driving In Summer
When you drive Harley motorcycles in summer, you must subtract 2PSI from its original pressure. It will help to maintain the right tire engagement. For instance, Street Glide models have 36PSI and 40PSI pressure for their front and rear tires. It is suitable for cold conditions.
When you ride the Street Glide in summer, you should reduce the pressure for both tires by 2PSI. So, its front and rear tire will require 34PSI and 40PSI in summer, respectively.
Driving In The Mountains
You must be careful when you drive through the mountain and high altitudes. As a result, you need to maintain the right tire pressure. Likewise, for driving pressure for summers, you will need to subtract 2PSI from the original tire pressure of the bike.
Tips On Measuring Tire Pressure
You have undergone the tire pressure chart for Harley Davidson motorcycles. But, how do you know if your motorcycle has the right pressure in its tire? In the next five steps, we will show you how to check tire pressure shortly.
- Find the air cap valve of the tire and remove it safely.
- As you open the valve, press the tire pressure-measuring gauge. You need to insert the gauge immediately and allow the air to work naturally.
- Now, check the reading on the tire pressure gauge monitor. You can use traditional or digital tire pressure gauges.
- Once you have the readings, compare them to the pressure chart Harley recommended.
- Adjust the pressure of the front or rear tires if need be.
The process will not take more than a couple of minutes. So, we suggest you measure and adjust the tire pressure at least twice a month.
Read More:
Harley Wheel Interchange Chart
Harley Davidson Torque Specifications
Conclusion
Maintaining the right air pressure for the tires is an essential safety feature for motorcycles. This Harley Davidson tire pressure chart guideline will help you easily maintain the air pressure in various road conditions. You need to make sure that you check the tire pressure timely. Plus, adjust it depending on your driving preference.
If you ride on highways more, add 2PSI pressure than the suggested level. Similarly, reduce the pressure by 2PSI for driving in summer and in the mountains. It will improve the riding performance and safety of your favorite Harley.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What Happens When The Tire Pressure Is Under-Inflating Or Over-Inflating?
Ans: An under-inflating tire will deform its original shape quickly. So, it becomes flattered quickly when it comes across the road. It will get damaged soon. On the other hand, the over-inflating tire will be exceedingly stiff. So, it will have fewer contact points with the road’s surface. It reduces your overall control of the bike and causes accidents.
2.What Is The Right Tire Pressure For Harley?
Ans: The right tire pressure for Harley ranges from 32PSI to 36PSI mostly. The rear tire will have 4PSI higher pressure than its front tire. You need to maintain this difference in air pressure for both tires. If the difference goes above 6PSI, it will cause over-inflating of the tire.
3.What PSI Is Dangerous For A Tire?
Ans: If your motorcycle’s tire pressure is more than 6PSI than its recommended level, it will be dangerous. It means if the tire has 32PSI suggested air pressure and goes beyond 38PSI, it will be dangerous.