I was running the recommended 32 PSI on my "P-51". I had such a bad high
speed shimmy that I was almost high sided of the bike at 120MPH! I went to
the tire recommended 40 PSI and my Mr. Max is steady to 145+ MPH. After 145
I do not have the balls to look down at the Speedo!!!! They say that this
was the problem with the Firestone Wilderness tires. Firestone recommended
38 PSI and Ford on the Explorer recommended as low as 25 PSI to aid in
prevention of roll overs. Don't ask me why but that was a memorandum
released by Ford. My Canine ride is a Ford Explorer with Wilderness tires.
Firestone stated the lower pressures in conjunction with summer heat and high
way speeds of 80HPH+ was the reason behind the tire tread separation. They
are still selling the Wilderness in locations through out the world. The
recall here in the states was voluntary. Again this is my humble opinion.
I have been known to be wrong in the past. But as long as you do not over
inflate the tire rcomended pressure, you are going to have less
heat/wear/cupping than if you were using a lower pressure. Each tire is
rated for a certain weight. As long as the load on that axel is under that
weight, the stated pressure is safe.
Now if you are talking the strip or the track, lower pressure (to a point)
does provide better contact/grip; but I think a race only type would serve
you better than screwing with the PSI.
I lost a friend in the early 80's that had a 800 Kawa. He placed NOS system
on board and was trying to get the rear tire to hook up. He went down to
15PSI and ended up having a rear blow out at 110MPH on I-10 in New Orleans.
Spent about a month in the hospital and lost a leg. Don't get me wrong I do
not think the tire rated pressure is God's word, BUT I do not think you can
go wrong by following it. Might not give you the best performance, but I
want to ride until I am an old man. Right Don?
LET THE ARROWS FLY!!!
>;-P
Kraig
VMOA 1328
The "P-51" Long Range Max
http://www.sayegh.org/images/Paul/P-51Me.jpg
(915)857-7345
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