 Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Yesterday I read an article in our local newspaper about tuning up your vehicle for the summer months. One section was about substituing the air in your tires for nitrogen. Nitrogen has larger molecules so there is less leakage. Average air leakage is 2.7 psi per month, with nitrogen it's 0.7 psi per month. Also, there is virtually no change in psi with ambient temperature fluctuations. Nitrogen filled tires give 20% longer tread wear. You can get your tires purged of air, and replaced with nitrogen for $4/tire. I wish I had the article with me, as there were other advantages listed. These were all for automobile tires, but since safe biking is so dependant on the tires we ride on, I'm going to try the nitrogen fill at the local tire shop mentioned in the article. If you make a few phone calls to your local tire shops, some may offer nitrogen fills. I would be worth $8 to give it a try.
'06 Speedmaster, Long TORS, rest is stock (for now)
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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$8.00 is worth it. I have a friend who drives a race car. They use nitrogen in their tires for the heat factor. It is also lighter than air.
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Can you mix nitrogen with a regular air fill?
Kevin - Luceo Non Uro
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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I'll get the article out again and re-read. I remember it said that it's OK to use regular air to top the nitrogen up if necessary, but the tire shop recommends you come in to top up with nitrogen...I would imagine it wouldn't cost much to top up. I'm definately going to get this done before the riding season starts up full swing.
'06 Speedmaster, Long TORS, rest is stock (for now)
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Monkey Butt
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Monkey Butt
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The composition of the Earth's atmosphere is 79% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 1% other gases. So we're already using a 79% nitrogen mix 
We all like to think of ourselves as rugged individualists. But when push comes to shove most of us are sheep who do what we are told. Worst of all, a lot of us become unpaid agents of whoever is controlling the agenda by enforcing the current dogma on the few rugged individualists who actually exist.
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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I would wonder how they go about purging old air, risk of damageing a tube I'd think.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Quote:
I would wonder how they go about purging old air, risk of damageing a tube I'd think.
Just guessing, but could turn the wheel so the valve's at the bottom, release all the pressure and fill up on nitrogen, let it settle a minute, then let about 1/3 the pressure out again. Since nitrogen's lighter than air all the nitrogen'd be at the top of the tyre and would force the oxygen out. Then just top up on nitrogen.
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Learned Hand
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I'll assume the same way they purge a propane tank for a grill. put a little in and drain some out. repeat a few times.
mike
2006 neon blue speedmaster
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Quote:
The composition of the Earth's atmosphere is 79% nitrogen, 20% oxygen, and 1% other gases. So we're already using a 79% nitrogen mix
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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I'm not into the entire nitrogen hype, more so for bikes. By not having to check you tires as often, your not going to spot signs of a problem you would by looking at the wheel and tire as often. That's why I always tell people to clean their bikes as often as they can. You tend to spot stuff before it gets bad. This all started with aircraft, moved along to service vehicles such as fire trucks, then to cars, and now bikes. The flucuation in pressure is true, as is the leakage. Nitrogen also helps preserve rubber, but would be no good to tires with tubes in them. It would only help preserve the tube. As for 20% higher tread ware.......... check your tires every time you get on the bike if you don't ride daily, or every other day if you do, and you'll get the same 20% better ware. The most neglected thing I see on a daily bassis is tire pressure. It cracks me up to hear a customer ask if I did something to their suspension because the bike handles so much better after an oil change  If you do this, remember to have the tires set to about 3 to 3.5 PSI higher then you would normally set your tires cold being the heat normally generated causes the pressure to go up a few Lbs once your riding. I only know one person who has done this. He works for a car dealer, and gets it for free.
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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if you are concerned about it use that green tire slime and never check again until you need a new tire.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Jan 2005
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I would still CHECK my tires frequently, just not having to fill them is nice. Personally, I just top off the few PSI a couple times a year with my hand pump. I need the exercise
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
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Costco uses nitrogen to fill tires at their tire centers. If you're a member, they'll probably do your bike tires for free.
Sightglass has an excellent point though. Checking your tire pressure regularly may show a problem before you come out and find a flat tire. If you do it on a regular basis, you'll know how often you have to add air. If it becomes more frequent, look for the reason.
Nitrogen is also moisture free, so if you live in a humid climate you are adding a lot of water vapor with your air. As the smaller molecules seep through the rubber, the water stays. You add more air, and the water content inside your tire increases each time. You can see where this is going. I've seen car tires with a cup of water sloshing around inside.
So the old joke about changing the air in your tires has some validity. It's not usually a problem here, but I have a drier on my compressor anyway.
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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My thoughts exactly. And precisely why I think these new "higher mileage" motor oils are not such a good idea. Better oil? Sure! But most people I know don't need any more excuses to neglect their vehicle maintenance. Tell them they don't have to change their oil for 15000 miles, and it may be 2 years before they ever open the hood again! You know where I'm going with this. Nitrogen is a good thing, though. Something I think we all are going to get a lot more exposure to over the next few years. With all the new cars coming with tire pressure monitoring systems, the low tire lights drive customers and service departments CRAZY when the temperature changes in the Fall and Winter months. We want to take the systems seriously, but if it cries "wolf" too much.....people don't have time to fool around with such. If nitrogen can help make these systems more dependable, or stable, then that is a good thing.
Keith
Houston
Ridin'Texas
'04 Speedmaster
AI removed, Pingle, UNI Filter, 1 shim, straight-through slash-cut TORs, Stage 1 DynaJet, 140 mains, 3 turns, 16/42 final drive, 115K
2020 T120 Black
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Learned Hand
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170 psi pure Nitrogen for our boeing 717's, no moisture supposedly...
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Hmmm, I wonder how much it would cost to do my inflatable boat?
Morituri Nolumus Mori
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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All I can say to this hoopla is BALDERDASH! Common sense should tell people this is a bunch of hooey if they ever have even taken something like Earth science. If you would like to see a further discussion and even how some engineers can be misguided souls check this thread out. http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=120996&page=1
Ride On!
Airguy
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You gotta' be smart to be lazy(and get a job done)
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Nitrogen is without a doubt, the best way to go. The question is, for non aviation and non racing applications, is it worth it? At $16, will it offer a ROI? Probably not, but we've all spent more for less in return.
And from the Ripley's Believe it Or Not files:
My wife owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. AT 30,000 miles, and three years of mostly short hop driving, the OEM tires are all dead nuts at 32 lbs on our calibrated gage, and have NEVER had any air put into them.
(Unless maybe her boyfriend is topping them off?)
Believe it...
..Or Not!
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
My wife owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. AT 30,000 miles, and three years of mostly short hop driving, the OEM tires are all dead nuts at 32 lbs on our calibrated gage, and have NEVER had any air put into them.
(Unless maybe her boyfriend is topping them off?)
Well, I hate to burst your bubble here Martin, but your fellow Connecticut resident, Onejack, tells me that he and your lovely wife have had to stop at that Shell Station down the street from where you live THREE TIMES in order to pump a little air into those puppies since you bought that Honda o' yours.
(now let's see what happens here folks....THIS could get fun) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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We are breathing mostly nitrogen. I tend to think there is very little if any advantage.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Well Ian, I can vouch for ONE THING here. The high carbon-monoxide content in the air of Los Angeles sure doesn't help keep MY TIRES inflated at all!!! (and some people on this site think that there's ample evidence that it doesn't do much good for the brain functions of "some" people who reside here EITHER) 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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OK that is a variable I didn't think of and really have no idea the effect that might have on tires.
Carbon monoxide is a cumulative poisoning and dose greatly effect brain function so I could see possible human harm in great enough concentration in the air.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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The price is $4 per tire...not $8
'06 Speedmaster, Long TORS, rest is stock (for now)
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Whenever I fill my tires up, I do at the Dollar Store and use the helium they have there for the mylar balloons. Since helium is WAY lighter than most other inert gases, I thereby increase my power to weight ratio which adds to my ability to 'fly' down the expressway. This has another benefit in that I don't have to spend money on a Big Bore kit to up my acceleration.
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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AND Did I mention that it only costs a buck a tire, since it's the 'Dollar Store?'
JB
"Long live the Duck Force!"
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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yeah but do you have to tie it down when parked to keep it from floating away.
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Quote:
Quote:
My wife owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. AT 30,000 miles, and three years of mostly short hop driving, the OEM tires are all dead nuts at 32 lbs on our calibrated gage, and have NEVER had any air put into them.
(Unless maybe her boyfriend is topping them off?)
Well, I hate to burst your bubble here Martin, but your fellow Connecticut resident, Onejack, tells me that he and your lovely wife have had to stop at that Shell Station down the street from where you live THREE TIMES in order to pump a little air into those puppies since you bought that Honda o' yours.
(now let's see what happens here folks....THIS could get fun)
Dwight are you trying to get me killed?
The percentage you're paying is too high-priced
While you're living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he's made on your dreams
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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Joined: Feb 2005
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
My wife owns a 2004 Honda CR-V. AT 30,000 miles, and three years of mostly short hop driving, the OEM tires are all dead nuts at 32 lbs on our calibrated gage, and have NEVER had any air put into them.
(Unless maybe her boyfriend is topping them off?)
Well, I hate to burst your bubble here Martin, but your fellow Connecticut resident, Onejack, tells me that he and your lovely wife have had to stop at that Shell Station down the street from where you live THREE TIMES in order to pump a little air into those puppies since you bought that Honda o' yours.
(now let's see what happens here folks....THIS could get fun)
Dwight are you trying to get me killed?
Aah...come on Jack! I'm SURE Martin here knows when someone's yankin' his chain! Why I'll bet that ol' Martin's probably laughin' his fool head off at this very....(hold on a minute Jack...I'm getting a PM sent my way...I'll be right back)
Okay Jackson, I'm back.
Now...it's probably nothing, and I THINK I convinced him that this whole thing was nothin' but a little joke(that HE STARTED, BTW)...but...you wouldn't by chance happen to have a home security system already up and running in your home, would ya?! 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Nitrogen in Tires = many advantages !!
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We had a nitrogen station in the dealership I work in.
The service manager explained all the benefits etc in a brochure for the customers..great profit maker..The techs all put it in there cars for free and many didnt like the way the cars handled afterward..felt tires didnt hold the road as well.rather than get used to driving differently many took the nitrogen out.I think if it really were better for motorcycles we would be seeing it everywhere..like I said its a great profit maker for whoever is selling it but I wouldnt put it onto a two wheel vehicle.
02 red/silver bonneville america
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