Steering mod - 17" rims

[FJ_Hooligan]

Low air pressure in the tires will make the bike handle like a truck.  I check air pressure every week or before every ride.

[Pat Conlon]

IMHO 42psi is too hard for a 180/55-17 radial. I like mine at 38 for solo riding.
Tire pressure dictates your footprint. Higher pressure, smaller footprint especially on the shoulders.
The oem bias ply tires needed higher pressures due to heat buildup in the tire carcass, but radial tires run cooler so they can get away with slightly lower tire pressures (thus a larger footprint).

To each his own.

[racerrad8]

IMHO 42psi is too hard...

Since the RPM shock uses the softer spring the tire pressure can be run closer to the manufactures recommended maximum pressures. This eliminate the tire acting as more of a spring than the means of adhesion to the roadway.

With every other aftermarket suspension set-up people run on the FJ, the springs are stiff and the tire becomes another suspension component. Plus, when you have stiff springs and the tire is too stiff you have slippage issues, so yes that tire pressure will be too much for your bike or anyone else running any other aftermarket shock other than the RPM shock.

Tire manufactures build their tires to the maximum pressure and the deflection of the sidewall & tread are rated at the pressure.

By running at the recommended pressure, especially with the heavy FJ you have less sidewall deflection and there will not be any tread distortion due to lower pressures.

By lowering the tire pressure you might increase the external area of the contact patch, but the middle usually deflects upward, away from the asphalt causing it to loose contact with the road; this is also call tread roll.

The other benefit of being able to run the appropriate pressures is that you will not longer see the cupping associated with low pressure and tire deflection.

12,000+ miles out of a set Michelin Pilot Road 2 tires, front & rear are being seen with guys using the RPM suspension components running higher air pressures.

So, based on the testing of the RPM suspension components with regard to shock valving, spring rates and tire pressures, the results of the tire pressure range closer to the manufactures recommended maximum range is the optimum performance for the system.

Air pressure is a tuning & personal feel setting, but we have to start with the basics...

But, one thing is for sure, RPM is re-writing the rules when it comes to FJ suspension components and the affect on the bikes handling ability and tire wear which are unparalleled.

Randy - RPM

[Sabre093]

Got to ride bike this morning....first impression....feels light very little imput to get it to turn,felt little uncomfortable in a short turn.. I'll learn more next time I take it out...Blue dot brakes....dam! they are awesome!!!

[Sabre093]

UPDATE....Now that I know what to expect from swap I pushed it a little and felt good...dry roads help too...lol