Desert Riding
Riding in the desert or any wide open area just begs for higher speeds. And the desert is full of hidden “road hazards” that can be challenging to navigate at high speed. In situations like this running a higher air pressure (at or near max PSI) can make an enormous performance improvement.
For one, your tires will be aired to a point that will help give you their greatest strength potential and help with sidewall puncture resistance. And you’ll more than likely experience better high speed handling. Overall, you’ll notice an increased stability feeling due to less sidewall flex. And again, keep in mind that every tire will perform different from another due to different manufacturing processes and carcass designs. Adjust air pressure accordingly.
Rock Crawling
If you frequently ride in rocky areas like Moab, UT, you probably already have your ideal tire PSI figured out. If you are just getting into rock crawling here’s what you need to know. Lowering the air pressure in your tires by a substantial amount will increase your tire’s footprint and help you gain as much traction as possible.
The lower air pressure allows your tire to flex and mold around the rocks, helping you put that low-end torque to use. It is not uncommon to hear of people running as little as 5-10 PSI in their tires in efforts to gain additional traction. This low pressure can be ok to use in situations like this where maximum traction is needed.
Just be aware of the added risks of using extremely low air pressure in your tires. By doing so, you are reducing the overall strength of the tire. Sidewall punctures or “pinch flats” can become a real issue. A pinch flat is when the sidewall of the tire flexes so much that it allows the wheel to “pinch” the tire between the wheel and a rock causing damage to the tire. Operating your vehicle at low speeds and watching your line selection carefully are vital to keeping your tires healthy while rock crawling.
Finding a tire pressure that works for you and your riding style is not difficult. It will take some effort on your part to learn some basic information from your vehicle’s owner’s manual and from the recommend specifications listed on the sidewall of your tires. Plus, a little testing while out riding is helpful.
So go get yourself a good tire gauge, a portable air compressor and go ride.
(Lukoic is brand manager for Sedona Tire & Wheel. For more information, visit www.sedonatires.com.)
