redprodigy35
New Member
Ok so a quick story I thought I'd share with you guys.
Got on the bike yesterday and realized its been about 2 weeks since I checked my tires. I go over to my local Exxon, and put in 4 quarters to run the machine after I double checked that I was indeed low.
Topped off the front and back, I run 33/36. The front was @ 34 so I thought that was good enough, and the back (after I checked with my crappy gauge) was (I THOUGHT) @38. This is fine, I'm like cool it'll go down to 36 eventually and give me more time between air fills. Whats 2 PSI extra for a few days right? Later on I'll find out I didn't get a good seal with the crappy gauge and my reading was way off.
So la la la -- I go out to some familiar roads in the area with some limited twisties. One of my usual spirited riding routes...
Something was wrong -- very wrong. Bike felt stiff, took longer to come to a stop, all in all an awful feeling of "something is way off here".
I get to the twisty section and there is this one corner with a decreasing radius, blind setup. One of the most challenging corners for me to hold a good line while riding at a brisk speed. It's a commit fully or re-adjust awkwardly kind of corner. I love this corner, but it IS challenging for me. I must have taken it 200 + times by now, always working on my technique and keeping aware that I am somewhat pushing MY limits as I take it on.
I'm mid corner, I'm leaning, steady throttle increase... REAR WHEEL SLIPS. I instantaneously correct without thinking. I'm just about to let out an exhale to relax, when it happens again!
HOLY BANANAS (#&$%)!
I pull over 2 miles down @ a spot where i usually take a quick smoke/water break. I check the back tire...
48 PSI :zombie:
I think I could have easily popped it.
I let some air out and everything was fine for the ride back home.
Don't rely on made in China stuffs even if they are simple as a psi gauge. Double check your setups, and keep in mind that even routine maintenance and regular everyday stuff (safety checks) needs to be done thoroughly.
Got on the bike yesterday and realized its been about 2 weeks since I checked my tires. I go over to my local Exxon, and put in 4 quarters to run the machine after I double checked that I was indeed low.
Topped off the front and back, I run 33/36. The front was @ 34 so I thought that was good enough, and the back (after I checked with my crappy gauge) was (I THOUGHT) @38. This is fine, I'm like cool it'll go down to 36 eventually and give me more time between air fills. Whats 2 PSI extra for a few days right? Later on I'll find out I didn't get a good seal with the crappy gauge and my reading was way off.
So la la la -- I go out to some familiar roads in the area with some limited twisties. One of my usual spirited riding routes...
Something was wrong -- very wrong. Bike felt stiff, took longer to come to a stop, all in all an awful feeling of "something is way off here".
I get to the twisty section and there is this one corner with a decreasing radius, blind setup. One of the most challenging corners for me to hold a good line while riding at a brisk speed. It's a commit fully or re-adjust awkwardly kind of corner. I love this corner, but it IS challenging for me. I must have taken it 200 + times by now, always working on my technique and keeping aware that I am somewhat pushing MY limits as I take it on.
I'm mid corner, I'm leaning, steady throttle increase... REAR WHEEL SLIPS. I instantaneously correct without thinking. I'm just about to let out an exhale to relax, when it happens again!
HOLY BANANAS (#&$%)!
I pull over 2 miles down @ a spot where i usually take a quick smoke/water break. I check the back tire...
48 PSI :zombie:
I think I could have easily popped it.
I let some air out and everything was fine for the ride back home.
Don't rely on made in China stuffs even if they are simple as a psi gauge. Double check your setups, and keep in mind that even routine maintenance and regular everyday stuff (safety checks) needs to be done thoroughly.