We’ve been sharing pictures of the motorcycle build so far and build updates on our Facebook page (head on over and “like” our page to stay updated!) but we wanted to take an opportunity and ask Scott some questions about himself, his interests, the bike build and where his future plans take him.

SVHD: Where do you go to school and what are you going for?

Scott: I go to school at Dauphin County Technical School and I study small engines – anything from a chainsaw to a motorcycle.

SVHD: What made you want to get involved with Harley Davidson?

Scott: I wanted a Sportster 883 when I was little and always loved Harley motorcycles. I decided in freshman year I wanted to be a motorcycle mechanic and didn’t know where to go, then I learned this dealership was here and wanted to work here.

SVHD: Tell me about the bike…

Scott: The bike is a 2019 Sportster 48 special, with slammed shocks, a Roland Sands Velocity stack filter, a Roland Sands tracker 2-1 style exhaust, LED everything, ape hangers, a chain-drive conversion, and a unique “Suicide” Shifter. For the body, we have the dealership name and logo ghosted into the rear fender along with a 3-D paint on the gas tank.

SVHD: What has been the most challenging part of this project?

Scott: The most challenging part of this project was learning how to do all this. The guys here helped me a lot with it, but some stuff I had to figure out on my own, like how to do the chain drive conversion and how to make the “suicide” shifter work.

SVHD: What have you learned from this hands-on experience?

Scott: I have learned a lot from this experience. Between working on the project and talking with the other technicians I have learned all about the endless customization options of a Harley Davidson motorcycle. I also learned what technicians face on a daily basis.

SVHD: Scott – What’s next?

Scott: I plan on trying to become a technician here in the future and work my way up to a master technician as I get older.

Scott has been working hard on the build and we’re so excited to unveil the completed bike at our upcoming Spring Open House on April 27th. Stop out and join us from 12-3pm and witness the bike unveiling with Scott, the SVH-D team and fellow friends and enthusiasts alike. It’s bound to be a great time and local 80’s metal band, TIME BOMB, will be there. It’s our annual event that’s not to miss. We hope to see you there! Until then, here are a couple snapshots of the build to hold you over until the 27^th!

The post Battle of the Kings Biker Build Off – Interview with Scott Boughter appeared first on Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson.

Your tires are a key part of your bike. They take the most stress from tough roads, inclement weather and more. Motorcycle tires can last a long time, but it’s important to replace them when necessary. Here’s what you need to know to buy the right motorcycle tires for your bike.

How to Find Your Motorcycle’s Tire Diameter

Choosing the right tires is a numbers game. Tire manufacturers want to make it as easy as possible for motorcycle owners to buy the right tires, so they print some important information right onto the tire itself. But, the numbers won’t be helpful while you shop unless you know how to read them.

There are two different ways that tire manufacturers print their information onto their tires — with a number system or with a number and letter system. Even though you may see different labeling systems between tires, they usually display the same information in the same order.

From left to right, the tires will tell you tire width, aspect ratio, rim diameter, load rating and speed rating. Be sure to keep in mind that this is a quick guide. Every manufacturer is a little different and may have their own way of printing their motorcycle tire size chart.

How Much Can a Set of Tires Cost?

The cost is also an important number to you while you’re looking for new tires. Like the labeling on different tires, your cost will also vary. Motorcycle tires on the lower end of price are usually around $120, and tires at the higher end can be over $200.

Before you start shopping, it’s important to put together some information to make your tire shopping a breeze. Rim diameter, the sizes of your older tires and other specs about your motorcycle can help you find the right tires for your bike. If you need to find this information, just check out your owner’s manual or stop by the dealership and talk to someone.

What Are Some of the Best Motorcycle Tires?

Since you depend so much on your tires, you want to find a brand you can trust. These are some of the best brands for motorcycle tires:

• Dunlop
• Michelin
• Metzeler

We really think you can’t go wrong with any of these brands, as long as you choose the right size!

Our recommendation is to use the same type of tires that were used originally on your bike, especially if you’re still learning its characteristics. If you have a little more experience, you can experiment with different types of tires, as long as you convert the sizes properly. Just keep in mind that using the wrong motorcycle tire diameters or conversions can lead to serious injury and damage to your bike.

If you need help picking out the right tires for your Harley, visit us at Susquehanna Valley H-D®. Our team can answer any questions you have and give you their own expert recommendations.

The post Buying The Best Motorcycle Tires & How To Read Tire Sizing appeared first on Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson.

A motorcycle is a complex machine with many different parts working together to give you that experience of freedom and lightheartedness that keeps you riding. Your motorcycle’s tires are one of those parts, and they need the proper care to ensure they work as they should and keep you safe.

How Much PSI Should a Motorcycle Tire Have?

Filling your motorcycle tires to reach the right pressure is key in safe riding. Having underinflated tires is dangerous, but so is overfilling them.

You can check your motorcycle’s tires using a pressure gauge. Be sure to do it when the tires are cold to get the most accurate reading possible.

Proper tire pressure varies. Different factors like the size of the tires, the weight of the bike and more will all affect the proper PSI. To get the exact PSI for your own bike, check out the owner’s manual. Your bike’s PSI may also be different for the front and rear tires, which is important to keep in mind.

Your owner’s manual will give you the exact PSI to keep your tires at, but as a rule-of-thumb, the number is usually in the mid to upper 30s. It is often closer to 40 PSI for the rear tire and a little lower for the front.

When Should a Tire Be Replaced?

The tire’s tread is another part of the tire to check regularly. You can ask your Harley technician to inspect the tread during a routine inspection, but you also need to know how to check the tread yourself.

The grooves in your tire should be between 1/32 of an inch and 2/32 of an inch. Tires also often have indicators that show up when the tread has been worn down to the point it will no longer have adequate traction on the road. If you see these indicators, change the tires as soon as possible.

How Long Are Motorcycle Tires Good For?

Keep track of the age of your tires. Your tires should be perfectly fine for up to five years. After that mark, you need to have your tires inspected about once a year to keep an eye on them. If you rarely ride your bike, you can theoretically keep the same tires for up to about 10 years. After 10 years, though, the rubber becomes too hard, and it’s time for replacements. You should also watch for cracking in the tread or sidewalls, as this is another tell-tale sign that it’s time to start shopping.

How Many Miles Can You Get?

It’s also important to track the tires’ mileage. Rear motorcycle tires wear out faster than the front tires — typically, every other time that you replace your rear tires, you should also replace the front tires. Expect to get around 20,000 miles out of your front tires and 10,000 miles on your rear tires. But, these estimates also vary and depend on how you ride your bike.

When you’re replacing tires, be sure to install the proper ones. Front and rear tires are different and should not be used interchangeably. Most brands can’t even be used interchangeably at all, but some can, as long as you adjust the direction of the rotation. To stay safe, just use front tires on the front and rear tires on the rear.

If you need work done on your Harley’s tires, contact us to make an appointment or stop by for a visit.

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