[cwmoss]

The last couple times I have been out on the bike, I have noticed it handling a little stupid. I suspected the tire pressure, but with less than 400 miles on the bike, it couldn't be. Wrong, the front was about 7 and the rear was about 20. With it being so light, a low tire will not be obvious. Being a retired rural carrier, I am always eyeballing tires. You will not believe how many vehicles I see with a low tire.

 

[Yamamama]

Good advice. Small compressors and good tire gauges are inexpensive, and every motorcyclist should have both.

Just one thing - it's time, not mileage. Heat in the tires will affect pressure slightly, but not enough to really make a difference in the air seepage. If you'd done those 400 miles in one day, you'd likely be fine (though it's good practice to check your tire pressure before every ride, as part of the usual pre-ride checks). But if you rode 20 miles home from the dealer and then let the bike sit in the garage for a week, it's likely you'll have lost at least a couple-five pounds in each tire.

Still ... seven pounds in the front? I'd suspect a slow leak unless it had been months since you last checked your tires. Check the tread and sidewall very carefully.

 

[RobertNL]

Ha, indeed. I just drove out of the street and the first corner I felt like an absolute idiot. New tire - steel nail.

 

[cwmoss]

I checked with soapy water, no leaks. in the tire. I once found out that even with new tires and rims you could have leaks. The aluminum wheel was leaking air. There was a spot that I guess when it was formed, was porous, and that was where the air was leaking from.

 

[Nebs]

Mine has a slow leak as well, the dealership even mentioned the drop in tire pressure when I took it in for the 600 mile. It seems like I am down at least 10 psi in the front tire every week or two. No change in the back though. Very frustrating.

 

[FangShui]

I checked with soapy water, no leaks. in the tire. I once found out that even with new tires and rims you could have leaks. The aluminum wheel was leaking air. There was a spot that I guess when it was formed, was porous, and that was where the air was leaking from.

The KTM 390 wheels have suffered from porous castings as well. They don't just leak, they also shatter sometimes when hitting bad potholes.....

 

[cwmoss]

I checked it again yesterday and it was down again. Today after I finish installing my new Yoshi exhaust, I will be taking the complete wheel off and dunking it in a tub of water. That will show the leak.