Harley Tire Pressure

QuestionI’ve got a 2011 Harley Fat Boy Lo with stock tires. Jerry “Motorman” Palladino in his “Ride Like a Pro” DVD recommends running 40 psi tire pressure in the front tire to lighten steering loads and ease low-speed maneuvering.

The owner’s manual calls for 36 psi in the front tire. Will going to 40 psi cause any problems with the front end (i.e. excess wear or speed wobble), or will there be any problem with wear or damage to the front tire?

Thanks in advance,
Tom

Answer Tom,

Over-inflating a tire may cause it to wear more quickly, and you will typically feel more of the road because of the tire being harder. Keep in mind, engineers spend many hours studying and testing these tires and motorcycles before they resolve to a number (36 pounds). This tire pressure is what has been determined to be best for longevity of the tires, quality of the ride, and rider safety.

become a member

Related Video & Article:

Check out a video we produced on tires. It’s everything you need to know about your bike’s tires.

FRONT WHEEL

Harley-Davidson® Front Forks Service

Replacing the Front Caliper Pad on a Motorcycle – Brembo

Harley Brake Rotor Installation

Harley Front Wheel Removal & Replacement

Sealed Harley Wheel Bearings Replacement

REAR WHEEL

Harley-Davidson® Rear Tire Replacement

Harley Sportster Rear Tire Removal & Replacement

Harley Rear Axle, Belt Adjustment & Tire Inspection

Motorcycle Rear Shock Adj, Wheel Removal

Softail Harley Belt Replacement – Removal Part 3 of 3

Sportster Rear Belt Removal & Replacement

Harley-Davidson® Belt Removal on a Touring Model

Harley Rear Tire, Drive Pulley and Inner Race Removal

WHEEL LACING

Lacing a Wheel

CHECKING AND TRUING WHEELS

Harley Wheel Truing

SEALED WHEEL BEARINGS

Sealed Harley Wheel Bearings Replacement

Harley-Davidson® Wheel Bearings Replacement

How to Pack Wheel Bearings on a Motorcycle

TIRES

Motorcycle Tire Maintenance Tips

Harley Rear Axle, Belt Adjustment & Tire Inspection

Harley Tire Change

Mounting a Tire on Your Harley

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

Make a comment:
500 characters remaining

20 Responses to “Harley Tire Pressure”

  1. Bob McCarty

    Here one for you. You air your tires in the morning when it is cold. You are at sea level and leave on your ride and go a few hundred miles to an altitude of 7500 feet above sea level. Now your tires pressure are way above maximum. Again in the morning when it is cold you readjust the pressure. You continue your journey and return to sea level several hundred miles later. Now your tires are under inflated. What would you consider the proper procedure?

  2. Michael

    Tire pressure is determined with tire cool. As you ride, and especially on a hot day, the tire will heat up and increase pressure. Starting at 40psi cool might push the tire to an unsafe pressure once hot. It will also cause the center of the tire to wear faster because the weight will be concentrated on a narrower strip of the tire. It might be okay if you are just bugging around town and you want it to be easier turning while parking and manuevering but I would not recommend it for a long run on the highway.

  3. Steve Anderson

    2005 Heritage Softail with Michellin Commanger 2's. I weigh about 220 and ride 1 up 90% of the time. I randomly have another 20+ lbs of gear in my saddlebags for work/trips. I've been running 36 front, 40 rear but an HD service manager recommended running both higher because of the Commander 2's. The center is definitely wearing quicker on these boring straight roads. Normal riding, I'm fine with a few bumps if it extends life. Any input?

  4. Dale long

    Another Harley web site says follow the tires manufacturers recommended tire pressure of 41 now it says 36. Which one?

  5. Michael Goitiandia

    Tire pressure for a 2003 Dyna Low Rider?

  6. Ralph

    The tire manufactures also take into consideration that a rolling tire will get hot & the air will expand in the tire, I use & recommend air pressure that is stamped on the tire.

  7. RockherMan

    My 1979 FLH is runnin' Metzeler ME888 Marathon Ultra Wide White Walls and sidewall says MAX 50 psi. Michigan summers runnin' Front 42 & rear 46

  8. Barry Black

    Tire pressure for 2019 Harley Ultra Tri Glide ?

  9. stephen H parsons

    The suggested tyre pressure on the actual tyre of my 2007 fat boy is 42 psi front and back, where am i going wrong? Steve

  10. Rolando Benavides

    Do you have the tire pressure for a Sporter 48 2010 and for a Fat Boy 2016 , thanks