Shock Air Pressure ??

[usranger74]

I miss placed my notes, so I need to ask.

What air pressure would you recommend in my shocks.

2007 Nomad

I ride solo but with camping gear total wt = 300 lbs.

[jandreu]

DEpends on how stiff you want your ride. At 300#'s I'd use around 20psi.

I ride two up total weight around 375 with 20 psi and like the feel.

[ringadingh]

I ride solo, and usually pump 35psi into the shocks.

[Blueraven]

I have put 40# in mine.

[Top Cat]

The way I understand this, the air takes the shock from compression when hitting a bump and the spring is to keep the tire on the ground when the shock is un-compressing. Am I close?
If so , them the more air the harsher the ride. I have 16 in mine and it rides pretty rough on larger bumps.

[Sin City Stan]

It's not only the weight you carry but the road surface you're riding on that will determine the shock pressure & rebound settings for a safe / comfortable ride. I've stopped many times in the last couple years and adjusted pressure or rebound because of a rough rode.

Sometimes the safest adjustments are not the most comfortable.

[VulcanE]

Originally Posted by Top Cat (TC)

The way I understand this, the air takes the shock from compression when hitting a bump and the spring is to keep the tire on the ground when the shock is un-compressing. Am I close?
If so , them the more air the harsher the ride. I have 16 in mine and it rides pretty rough on larger bumps.

TC, the air pressure regulates how much/fast the shocks compress when you hit a bump, and the dampener (little wheel on the shocks with the I,II,III,IIII markings) regulate how fast the shock expands to get the tire back down onto the ground. The higher the setting, the quicker the motion. High pressure in the shocks will keep the shock from compressing quickly, thus giving the rough ride, and if you have high pressure, and high dampening, it'll give a two horse wagon ride. All this will vary by the weight of the load the bike is carrying. What works smoothly for me (I'm a good sized fellow) would be very rough for a smaller/lighter fellow.

[aldridgekennedy]

i get there are a large number of variables that dictate the ride adjustment combination. Can someone give some sample settings for different loads/road surface combinations so we can get a feel for the ratios.

[Cajunrider]

Riding 2 up most of the time, I keep 30# in the shocks with the rebound on II.

[coacha]

I keep 30 and set at 3 most of the time. We are two up, CT on the bike and carry 4 gallon auxiliary gas tank on back. By the way, we aren't little people :)

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I ride solo and keep them at 20 pounds.

[landman]

20 psi at #3 setting.

[BudMan]

2 up most of the time. 25.lbs. & III

[crapper]

i keep around 30 lbs in mine and still may need a bit more.2 of us weigh less than 300 lbs
roads around these parts are awfull and when you bottom out on a nomad with a passanger sitting behind you, seems like the whole swingarm ,back wheel etc just broke right off the bike
when she hits, she hits hard...
like someone said earlier, a smooth ride might not be the safest ride

[Top Cat]

Originally Posted by crapper

i keep around 30 lbs in mine and still may need a bit more.2 of us weigh less than 300 lbs
roads around these parts are awfull and when you bottom out on a nomad with a passanger sitting behind you, seems like the whole swingarm ,back wheel etc just broke right off the bike
when she hits, she hits hard...
like someone said earlier, a smooth ride might not be the safest ride

Someboy needs to eat a few cheesburgers