MiniMan

So I've been pushing wide in turns of late and I honestly couldn't figure out why the bike felt so sketch carving up the corners. After a couple of days I checked the tire pressure only to find there was all of 12 psi up front!

Saying my graces and praising my good fortune that nothing bad happened when I cracked the R1 open on a closed road a few days ago.

s.carder

hence the 90 degree stem you see on many fast bikes. the tire wouldn't need air at that speed either. It's getting up to and down from that speed that's dangerous.

You gots to check that **** more often bro. what else have you been neglecting?

MiniMan

My throat aids... I need to buy some Cold-FX... that stuff is the *******.

MonkeyLover

He's INCREDIBLY lucky to even be alive...seriously. A R1 would top out at around 174mph. At that speed there is an insane amount of heat generated in the tire due to contact friction with the pavement. At only 12psi that heat is multiplied MANY times over. I'm assuming this was just a quick run up to redline that took around 30-45 seconds because any significant length of time at that speed, and at the corresponding heat due to the underinflated tire, you run the extreme risk of deforming the tire to the point it seperates from the rim. Losing the tire off your rim at 170+mph = extremely dead. Your statement was completely FALSE. Please be careful of the information you give out if you're not 100% sure of it.

I do agree that Mini needs to check his tire pressure regularly. If I'm commuting 6 days a week I check it every 3-4 days. If I'm going on an extended ride I check it before and at every other gas stop. Be careful, man!

Schadenfreude

At that air pressure, you could easily pinch the edge of the tire. There could be damage inside that you'll never see until the tread lets go at high load. I killed a tire on my old CB750 dropping down to around 15lbs. When the tire came off there was a groove inside and wear marks from rubbing against the rim surface. Not worth risky IMO

MonkeyLover

...if not, buy a new set. What brand/model of tires are they? I actually have a Bridgestone front sitting around somewhere.

sidespar

that takes my breath away just thinking about it.

MonkeyLover

...and I'm not going to pretend like I haven't done it a handful of times, but I can easily admit it was incredibly stupid. It's the adrenaline rush that makes it worthwhile for that minute or so. It sounds like a friggin' freight train in your helmet if you pop like 2 inches out of full tuck position...which what I enjoyed the least.

sidespar

and then never again if i make it.

I'm more scared by hearing things like "this guy took me 120mph on the back of his bike one time!" - my gf.

MonkeyLover

...that is ridiculously irresponsible, to say the least. It's one thing to put your own life at risk, but risking the life of your passenger (especially a loved one) is completely unacceptable. I hope she dumped that guy immediately afterwards.

BTW, I don't recommend anyone exceed the speed limit ever. It IS stupid, unfortunately. We need a lot more accessible tracks to ride on.