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.

The post Knowing When It’s Time To Replace Your Tires appeared first on Susquehanna Valley Harley Davidson.

Some riders put their bikes into storage in the colder months. But maybe you’re someone who tries to keep riding as far into the chillier months as you can. If you want to brave the colder weather, you need to make sure you have the right gear.

No matter what time of year it is, it’s smart to layer up while you ride. If you want to ride when it’s cold outside, you should consider all of your options. If you really want to stay toasty warm, pick up some battery-powered heated motorcycle gear.

Why Buy Heated Riding Gear?

Heated riding gear will help keep you nice and warm while you’re out on your ride. When your gear is better equipped to keep you comfortable, you can extend your riding season! There’s not much better than being able to keep your bike out of storage longer.

Heated riding gear is like other heated items, like heating pads or electric blankets. You’ll find heated gloves, jacket liners, socks and possibly more. These items get their power from connecting to your bike’s power source or from a rechargeable battery.

The main benefit of using heated riding gear is that it keeps you safer and lets you fully enjoy the ride. When you get too cold, it can affect how much control you have over your bike. Your fingers and hands may become stiff, making it harder to safely handle your bike.

Staying safe is just one part of the ride — you want to enjoy yourself, too! Your heated riding gear will keep you feeling great throughout your entire ride, no matter how long you stay out.

Tips for Choosing Heated Riding Apparel

If you’re ready to try out heated riding gear, you’re making a great pick! If you’re inexperienced with this type of gear, here are a few tips for buying and using this type of gear:

• Cost: Compared to other gear, heated riding gear will come at a higher cost than other options. This extra cost may be a worthy investment for seasoned riders, but for those just starting out, it may be too much.

• Fit: When you’re shopping for heated gear, it should have a snug fit. If it’s too loose, air will get between the gear and your body and you won’t stay as warm as you should.

• Wear: Your heated riding gear will only be one part of your layering — it’s usually the middle one. You need to remember that you should never wear your heated gear directly on your skin.

• Starting: After you’ve bought your heated gear and have layered it right, you shouldn’t turn it on right at the start of your trip. As you progress and start getting colder, you can turn on the power.

Heated riding gear has its advantages and disadvantages, which you should consider before investing in it. If you have questions about it or want to learn more about all of your options, stop by Susquehanna Valley H-D® today!

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In case you’re wondering what your best fit might be, Susquehanna Valley H-D® has put together a short timeline of the Big Twin’s history that highlights the unique characteristics of each mainstream model.

What Sets Different Harley-Davidson Engines Apart From Each Other?

When any company introduces a new model as part of its production line, it’s meant to improve upon and replace its predecessor. While that’s undoubtedly true in many regards with Harley-Davidson motors, older models still maintain an appeal for many riders for a number of different reasons. The most popular kinds of Big Twin engines include:

• Knucklehead: The Knucklehead, nicknamed for its recognizable fist-like engine valve covers, made history for the H-D brand when it became the company’s first twin to have overhead valves. Produced from 1936–47, this model touted innovations that established it as an influential forerunner for its successors. Its distinctive appearance also inspired enthusiasts to create short-hand terms for future motors.
• Panhead: The Panhead succeeded the Knucklehead, and it became incredibly popular due to its style and overall structure. Its original production run spanned nearly two decades between 1948–65, as it became known for its durability. It featured aluminum cylinder heads for the first time, and it added hydraulic valve lifters, improved oil circulation and crankpin roller bearings. Its popularity in mainstream culture received a significant boost when Panhead motorcycles made appearances in Peter Fonda’s famous 1969 film, “Easy Rider.”
• Shovelhead: The Panhead gave way to another long-running engine model, the Shovelhead, which H-D produced between 1966–84. This model was the company’s response to customers who called for a more powerful motor to compete with other brands, and it mostly delivered on that request. A series of changes — like a shallower combustion chamber and better porting — produced an extra 10 horsepower and a 26 percent sales increase for the company at launch. Due to the engine’s wide availability, accessible transmission and high torque, it’s a popular choice for a lot of restoration projects.
• Evolution: The Evolution model began production in 1984 and ran through the precipice of the new millennium (1999). Many people regard the engine as a game-changer for H-D, which was fighting off bankruptcy during the time of this engine’s inception. It featured significantly reduced weight compared to other models thanks to aluminum heads and cylinders, which also improved its cooling. It remains incredibly popular with a great deal of aftermarket support.
• Twin Cam 88: Before the introduction of the new Milwaukee-Eight in 2017, the Twin Cam 88 became H-D’s primary Big Twin engine from 1999–2016. It was nearly a total redesign from the Evo, utilizing an array of unique components while still adhering to the general aesthetic of previous models. It featured a far more efficient oil pump, while its new combustion chamber promoted better combustion and higher compression. Two chain-powered cam drives significantly reduce the motor’s noise.

If you need help with your motorcycle’s engine in any regard, Susquehanna Valley H-D® will assist you. Contact us today, and we’ll gladly answer your questions, provide advice and address your concerns.

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