bngarner Posted September 10, 2013 #1 Posted September 10, 2013 I bought a 06 RSTD on the 13th of July and crashed it on the 14th. My wife and I have been recovering and I have been working on the bike (damage was all cosmetic). When I bought the bike I paid the dealer to do a complete service so I assumed everything was straight. The accident was very strange and it was hard to describe what happened, it drifted right and just went down in a blink of an eye (I have been riding for several years). I test rode the bike this Saturday around my circle (very low speed), the bike felt very uncomfortable and I almost had a panic attack. Today at work I started thinking about the tire pressure so when I got home I checked the front and it read 15 lbs. could the fact that we were riding 2 up with that low of pressure have contributed to an accident??
XV1100SE Posted September 11, 2013 #2 Posted September 11, 2013 Considering the pressure on the front should be 34psi and you were 20psi low.... I'd say yes. Back pressure should be 36psi. (I run 36 front and 40 rear on my RSV)
Evan Posted September 11, 2013 #3 Posted September 11, 2013 While I am not a tire expert, I agree with Don based on my own experience, which, in my case, was with my 88VR.
Flyinfool Posted September 11, 2013 #4 Posted September 11, 2013 I feel my bike start to get squirmy when the pressure is down just 5 lbs.
Barrycuda Posted September 11, 2013 #5 Posted September 11, 2013 I feel my bike start to get squirmy when the pressure is down just 5 lbs. +1 on that. My bike runs smoothly with 40/40
syscrusher Posted September 11, 2013 #6 Posted September 11, 2013 I bought a 06 RSTD on the 13th of July and crashed it on the 14th. My wife and I have been recovering and I have been working on the bike (damage was all cosmetic). When I bought the bike I paid the dealer to do a complete service so I assumed everything was straight. The accident was very strange and it was hard to describe what happened, it drifted right and just went down in a blink of an eye (I have been riding for several years). I test rode the bike this Saturday around my circle (very low speed), the bike felt very uncomfortable and I almost had a panic attack. Today at work I started thinking about the tire pressure so when I got home I checked the front and it read 15 lbs. could the fact that we were riding 2 up with that low of pressure have contributed to an accident?? If you had an accident on it in mid July the tire pressure could have been perfect back then and could have easily deflated to 15 pounds sitting in the garage for 2 months.
MiCarl Posted September 11, 2013 #7 Posted September 11, 2013 My 89 would have been sitting on the rim after that much time.
Brake Pad Posted September 11, 2013 #8 Posted September 11, 2013 For some of us, that we have become one with our bikes ( meaning we can feel every little thing when it goes wrong ) know, when our tires feel low. I put a stop to that, I always ( and I mean always check the tires before I leave the garage ) What's that old saying? An Ounce of Prevention, Beats a pound of Hardship?
Mike G in SC Posted September 11, 2013 #9 Posted September 11, 2013 Kick your tires every day! Dead on, front and back. Just one swift kick. If it hurts your toe, it is probably safe. If it is dull then check them. We group ride a fair amount. Amazing how often someone has a tire 20 pounds low. Usually the same people. I keep a Slime pump for me AND my friends. That bike, at 15 pounds should have been hard to steer.
IronMike Posted September 11, 2013 #10 Posted September 11, 2013 Yep, And i say they only way to actually check them is with a gauge, kicking determines nothing, the tire is so thick anyways a kick does nothing. I would think that low would make it squishy enough to flip you. Dealer carries no blame, you should check you own tires prior to every trip, you can run over something and a slow leak down can happen any time.
bngarner Posted September 11, 2013 Author #11 Posted September 11, 2013 Thanks everyone. I am not trying to lay blame on anyone but myself. I am just trying to get straight in my mind what could have happened.
Condor Posted September 11, 2013 #12 Posted September 11, 2013 I bought a 06 RSTD on the 13th of July and crashed it on the 14th. My wife and I have been recovering and I have been working on the bike (damage was all cosmetic). When I bought the bike I paid the dealer to do a complete service so I assumed everything was straight. The accident was very strange and it was hard to describe what happened, it drifted right and just went down in a blink of an eye (I have been riding for several years). I test rode the bike this Saturday around my circle (very low speed), the bike felt very uncomfortable and I almost had a panic attack. Today at work I started thinking about the tire pressure so when I got home I checked the front and it read 15 lbs. could the fact that we were riding 2 up with that low of pressure have contributed to an accident?? Simple answer... Yes. Will it be hard to prove?..... Yes. Pump the tire up to 40psi and let it sit for a week. If it leaks down some you may have a very slow leaker, and it could have caused the knock down. 15psi will handle like mush... You never did mention the brand of tire??? Age?? Miles? Etc....
Brake Pad Posted September 11, 2013 #13 Posted September 11, 2013 Metzeler ME 880, the bike was one day old to him
Mike G in SC Posted September 11, 2013 #14 Posted September 11, 2013 Kick your tires every day! Dead on, front and back. Just one swift kick. If it hurts your toe, it is probably safe. If it is dull then check them. . Not saying toss your gauge. Saying learn your bike. You should be able to tell the difference when you kick your MC tire. If you don't, kick it a couple of times straight on. At 40 pounds, it is firm and has kick back. Let out air at 5 pound increments, keep kicking. Like bouncing a ball, you will know the difference between 40,30 and 20 pounds and it is obvious. If not you should consult your foot doctor. (remember to put air back in) My guess is usually within a few pounds of a gauge. Being realistic, most people won't put a gauge to their bike often. Show of hands for daily?? But it takes seconds to do a kick test to make sure, I do that daily. Mike G.
aharbi Posted September 11, 2013 #15 Posted September 11, 2013 Not to lecture but I check tire pressure before each ride. I run Avon's with 40 up front and 50 in back.
RSTDdog Posted September 12, 2013 #16 Posted September 12, 2013 (edited) He bought a bike from a dealer on one day, paid the dealer to service it, and crashes it the next day. Not blaming the dealer BUT If the dealer put in 36PSI F and 40 R and it lost enough pressure to cause him to lose control, then either he had the misfortune of picking up a nail after leaving the dealership (which should still be there now) or it had a nail or other slow leak that the dealer did not pick up on when they "serviced" it. My bike will absolutely not drop from 36 PSI to 15 in two months and really no tire should unless there is problem (nail, bead leak, valves stem issue, small nail, etc). For reference My Stock rim and Dunlop E3 that I removed two years ago when swapping to the Stratoliner rim still has 15psi. Should you have to check the tire pressure on your bike when picking it up after purchase from a dealer, no you really shouldn't. What is sad however is that you probably need to given that quality and competency in dealers can vary greatly. Out of curiosity what was the rear tire pressure? Edited September 12, 2013 by RSTDdog
IronMike Posted September 12, 2013 #17 Posted September 12, 2013 Air pressure and mechanical fitness of the bike is sole responsibly if the rider. Period. Period Period. Who gets road rash or dies if something is wrong rider or mechanic? You can take it to dealer but is your responsibly to check his work before riding. Think it through.
billmac Posted September 12, 2013 #18 Posted September 12, 2013 Do you really trust a dealer to do it right. I've seen missing/loose bolts low fluids and once they forget to put oil back in after a oil change. yes their is really good dealers and dealers who should not be in business. Sure everyone as had dealer work and something not right or done at all.
Rick Haywood Posted September 12, 2013 #19 Posted September 12, 2013 How could you not know the tire only had 15 pounds of air. I'd know before I rode it 1 block.
bostonlawman2003 Posted September 13, 2013 #20 Posted September 13, 2013 I bought my 05 RSV 3 years ago next month from a Motor Officer in South Carolina. I drove down to get it and dragged her home in a trailer. When we got home I didn't give any thought to the tire pressure, I had bought the bike from a police officer who had been riding for many years, so I assumed the tires were good. Got home and was so excited to go for a ride with my bride, we went out and put close to 100 miles on the bike and I hated every minute of it. I described it to friends that the bike handled like a cement truck, just wouldn't turn at all. Turns out the front tire had a whopping 8 lbs of pressure in it. It appeared fine to the eye, but man did it handle like dog crap. What a difference 28 more lbs made! I Love my bike! Check the pressure at least once a week now, and always before riding two up. Better safe than sorry. Glad you guys are ok, hope your back on two wheels soon!
cabreco Posted September 14, 2013 #21 Posted September 14, 2013 could the fact that we were riding 2 up with that low of pressure have contributed to an accident?? Most definitely, with 15 psi the sidewalls probably flexed. I usually run 38/40 when 2 up. I also added those valve stem pressure indicator caps at Walmart. they are $5 for 4 a pack of and work great. I bought the 36psi ones. Much easier to keep track of the tire pressure on a daily basis http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gas-Saver-Valve-Cap-36psi/16776208 http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/09/23/29/13/0009232913437_180X180.jpg
bngarner Posted September 15, 2013 Author #22 Posted September 15, 2013 Thanks for everyone's responses. I am the only one responsible but I hate that my days of riding are over because of something this simple.
cabreco Posted September 15, 2013 #23 Posted September 15, 2013 Thanks for everyone's responses. I am the only one responsible but I hate that my days of riding are over because of something this simple. Don't beat yourself up too much. If you paid the dealer to do a complete service, I would expect the tires to be at proper pressure as well as the oil level etc. BEFORE I left the dealer. Moreover I would be complaining!
syscrusher Posted September 15, 2013 #24 Posted September 15, 2013 Most definitely, with 15 psi the sidewalls probably flexed. I usually run 38/40 when 2 up. I also added those valve stem pressure indicator caps at Walmart. they are $5 for 4 a pack of and work great. I bought the 36psi ones. Much easier to keep track of the tire pressure on a daily basis http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gas-Saver-Valve-Cap-36psi/16776208 http://i.walmartimages.com/i/p/00/09/23/29/13/0009232913437_180X180.jpg The thing about those caps is that if one of them leaks then you're letting the air out of your tire with it. The seal design is not as fool-proof as the Schrader valve on your tire, which itself is not as good as the european Presta valve I have on my bicycles but that's another story.
cabreco Posted September 15, 2013 #25 Posted September 15, 2013 The thing about those caps is that if one of them leaks then you're letting the air out of your tire with it. The seal design is not as fool-proof as the Schrader valve on your tire, which itself is not as good as the european Presta valve I have on my bicycles but that's another story. Absolutley. I don't depend my life on these but I use them as a guide. When I install them I spary them down with soapy water to make sure nothing is leaking. Of course it goes without saying that before any lengthy ride that I do take a pressure check with a gauge as tire with 15 psi looks as good as 40psi on the sidestand. These are just a helpful tool that at a quick glace would warn you that your tire pressure is significantly & dangerously low.
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