Checking tire pressure - how frequently?

[OfficerImpersonator]

I'm horrible when it comes to checking my tire pressure. I think part of the reason is because every time I do check the tire pressure, it's always the same and never varies. Thus, I get lazy and only get around to laying on the ground and verifying tire pressure every three or four months.

Am I crazy for not checking more frequently?

[tommcgee]

I usually only check it when I'm going more than 200 miles --- and that's at least 3 times a week.

[henzilla]

call me anal, but I check before every roll out from home and every AM when on the road.Part of checking oil levels and general overall visual on two bikes as we travel a lot together. I got lazy on the GS that had the TPM and would let it check itself sometimes. Don't have that now,so back to everytime.
Part of the reason I guess is we sometimes take the "back up " bikes that sit for weeks without a run. And my compressor and guage nozzle are right there.

[Mongo]

I try and check them once per month. I usually don't have to add any air either.

[widebmw]

2 days before your big trip, that will give you time to get a new tire when you find the nail in it.

[philbytx]

Before every ride on my R1150RT (wifey is usually on the back and its anywhere from a 150 to 250 mile ride - or more!) and twice a week on my daily rider (R1100R).

[corbtown]

I check before EVERY ride. Small price to pay for huge benefit in risk reduction. And don't be lulled into false confidence because in the past the pressure hasn't varied. How else would you know if there is a nail, valve or other problem.

[_RockZ_]

So when u check the pressure do U have a digital or any old pressure checker Work?

[tommcgee]

So when u check the pressure do U have a digital or any old pressure checker Work?

I never did like those pop-up gauges and the most recent one I bought was way out of spec. I replaced it with a digital gauge and that reads exactly the same as the good mechanical dial gauge I've had for 30 years.

[mweiland2]

I check it every ride along with my lights, brakes, and basically follow the MSF T-CLOCS process (Most items not the full check list). I feel it is important to maintain our small but highly valuable contact patch in the best way possible. While I rarely have to put air in the tires I feel like it is cheap insurance before I ride.

[pffog]

I use a gauge every week or so, but check my tires every time before a ride and two or three times a day when on a trip with a good thump with the heal of my boot. Once you get use to the sound and bounce it is a very accurate indicator of tire pressure. I would bet I can sense a 5 PSI loss, and definitely a 10 lbs loss this way.

Nails usually show up during a ride, not just overnight.

[TexanRT]

I had a new tires installed for a big trip a few months ago. Rode around town for a few days on the new tires to scuff them in and make sure they were balanced. A few days before the trip I checked the tire pressure and it was fine. Then I lifted the bike and rotated the wheel(s) to do a tread inspection -- found a large machine screw embedded in the tread of my brand new rear tire. Fortunately, I'd checked the tires in time to get the rear replaced without delaying my departure. I've had a few flats that left me stranded so I've gotten very disciplined about checking the tire pressure, tread, and valve stems regularly.

[henzilla]

I had a new tires installed for a big trip a few months ago. Rode around town for a few days on the new tires to scuff them in and make sure they were balanced. A few days before the trip I checked the tire pressure and it was fine. Then I lifted the bike and rotated the wheel(s) to do a tread inspection -- found a large machine screw embedded in the tread of my brand new rear tire. Fortunately, I'd checked the tires in time to get the rear replaced without delaying my departure. I've had a few flats that left me stranded so I've gotten very disciplined about checking the tire pressure, tread, and valve stems regularly.

definitely Murphy's Law... When I commuted daily in the construction capital of Austin ,out of 5 NEW tires, I had nails or sheetrock screws in three within 200 miles of new...got to be laughable after awhile. The RT was a flat magnet, the GS faired better.
My brother in law got a new rear tire at the Wisconsin National Rally, rode to Beaver Dam as his tire went flat 40 minutes later...too funny...for me anyways!:banghead

[BBKME]

Hello. Pre-trip and/or post-trip inspections are essential no matter what the means of travel. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You don't you'll be doing what this guy is. :banghead

[OfficerImpersonator]

I check before EVERY ride. Small price to pay for huge benefit in risk reduction. And don't be lulled into false confidence because in the past the pressure hasn't varied. How else would you know if there is a nail, valve or other problem.

Because riding 12,000 miles a year, I can feel it when the tire pressure is lower than what it should be. The bike will feel a tiny bit "squirrelly" if the pressure is too low. At least that's how I knew I had a problem the last time I had a nail in a tire.

By the way, I run 42 psi rear and 36 psi front on my Metz 880s on my RTP. Those are the numbers specifically recommended in my RTP supplemental owner's manual, which is where I obtained those figures and why I use them. Any reasons I should run different pressures?

[OfficerImpersonator]

So when u check the pressure do U have a digital or any old pressure checker Work?

I keep a nice Topeak floor model bicycle pump next to my parking space in the garage. It has a very accurate gauge built-in to the pump, so I just attach the pump hose to the valve stem and read the pressure. If I need to add air, the pump is already attached to the tire.

[pffog]

,,,,,,,,,,,, I can feel it when the tire pressure is lower than what it should be. The bike will feel a tiny bit "squirrelly" if the pressure is too low. At least that's how I knew I had a problem the last time I had a nail in a tire.,................


That too. Last year I was riding in the Smokies and felt the bike was not tracking through the corners, it felt a little vague, almost like there were rain grooves in the pavement. I stopped at the first opportunity and found I was down to about 28PSI, from 35 PSI in the rear, due to a nice nail in the tread.

If it something feels different, it probably is, so stop and find an answer before continuing, your life may depend on it.

[jfremder]

I use a gauge every week or so, but check my tires every time before a ride and two or three times a day when on a trip with a good thump with the heal of my boot. Once you get use to the sound and bounce it is a very accurate indicator of tire pressure. I would bet I can sense a 5 PSI loss, and definitely a 10 lbs loss this way.

Nails usually show up during a ride, not just overnight.

This is the exact method I use as well. With practice you can 'hear' a 3psi difference. I do it on friends bikes all the time. It amazes them when I kick their tire and then say hmm about 24 psi, you should let me air that up for you :whistle

[kbasa]

I'm horrible when it comes to checking my tire pressure. I think part of the reason is because every time I do check the tire pressure, it's always the same and never varies. Thus, I get lazy and only get around to laying on the ground and verifying tire pressure every three or four months.

Am I crazy for not checking more frequently?

I check the modern bikes with tubeless tires once a month or so, but I check the old bikes, with tubed tires, every time I ride them. They're usually down a bit.

[kbasa]

Because riding 12,000 miles a year, I can feel it when the tire pressure is lower than what it should be. The bike will feel a tiny bit "squirrelly" if the pressure is too low. At least that's how I knew I had a problem the last time I had a nail in a tire.

By the way, I run 42 psi rear and 36 psi front on my Metz 880s on my RTP. Those are the numbers specifically recommended in my RTP supplemental owner's manual, which is where I obtained those figures and why I use them. Any reasons I should run different pressures?

Watch how your tires wear. If they wear in a very narrow line down the center of the tire, you might have them overinflated.