I'd like to see this with a MC Cement Radial - NOT!

[storm]

OK before the finger shaking commences.
I am aware before the first spring ride things need to be checked. like gas, oil, coolant etc.
For the most part you check but already know all you need is gas as the rest will be as you left it last fall.
So in between snow storms and rail I would take one of the bikes for a short run only to sit for a week while the next storm cleared. Monday was our first mid 70's day so I left first thing in the morning and chase about the back roads south of Rochester (MN) Houston, Caledonia, Brownsville area. About 430 miles all told. As usual the bike was perfect, never missing a beat rode nice, stable and soft. I actually was thinking it odd how bad and pot holed the roads where yet the bike was so soft and smooth, pot hole dodging was not an option as I just charged right over them.
Today just for the heck of it I got the idea I never verified the tire pressures on the wing or valk. Yes it's one of those things one should not bypass. In checking the Wing I noted the front was at 24 psi and the rear at 21. I only have 335 mile on the wing this year so no big deal, topped them off at 30 rear and 32 front.
The Valk was more of a surprise, front was at 19 and rear 14 psi. Now I put approx 1200 miles on this bike so far but the front had no noticeable odd wear in fact it still looks like the day I installed it and the same with the rear. So I topped these off at the normal 28 and 30.

No harm done and to be honest the only change I noticed is now the ride is not as smooth and bump free as the tires are slightly harder than before.

I can only imagine the trouble and pieces of rubber flying around if these were CR's! I remember a leaky stem valve which caused my wings rear tire to drop to 28psi - the entire tread left the tire at only 300 miles!

You see all the ignorant postings regarding how wings and Valks are "designed for" CR's but the fact is - bias and CT's are extremely fault tolerant which is just the opposite case with CR's. And this is a case in point, doing everything wrong resulted in - nothing.
Can you imagine being out in the sticks faced with a low tire due to a nail or other problem, plugged but low on air? CT or bias you just take it easy and get to the nearest gas station. Running a CR - call the tow truck, your screwed.

[Valker]

Didn't know we were related 
All of my in-laws are in the Winona/La Crosse area. I get up there quite a bit.
Glad you had a good ride.

[dennisraz]

My darkside tire requires inflation pressure above what I put in regular motorcycle tires.
I usually run 32-35 psi in my front,about 40 psi in the rear.

Running low on air pressure,will get me some pretty funny handling.
I usually just feel the tire making sure the sidewall is good and hard.

If in doubt,I whip out my handy air pressure gauge.
I hang out at a full service garage which has any possible tool I could ever want,so maintenance gets done almost daily.
 8)

[Sludge]

Yea my darkside tire doesnt like low pressure either.  It handles loose in the rear end in curves.  Just like my bike tire did btw when it was low.  I run 38psi.  On straight and level flight it handles ok with low pressure.  Not really noticible until I start hitting the twisties.  Then its pretty evident if its off.

[storm]

All of my in-laws are in the Winona/La Crosse

I just can't get enough riding in that area - south down to Harpers Ferry and on the Wisconsin side all the way to St Croix falls - It' the best riding around this part of the world.

Don't forget the Grumpy old guys from Wabasha!