A Few Good Reasons For Putting Nitrogen In Your Motorcycle Tires

While attending a motorcycle track day at Autobahn Raceway, I noticed a compressed nitrogen tank in my friend's hauler. Having sought out and taken his advice in the past, I decided to research the use of nitrogen in motorcycle tires. The results surprised me.

For everyday riders and track junkies alike, the conversation around nitrogen in motorcycle tires is hard to ignore.

My initial thought was naive at best: because nitrogen is lighter than air, perhaps it gives riders some sort of lightweight edge (not joking). The fact is that nitrogen's only 3% lighter than oxygen, so there are definitely other benefits at work. One of these benefits is more consistent air pressure.

Besides the obvious, the reason why air pressure is so important comes twofold. For one, motorcycles either cut between or roll across debris before self-correcting their line of motion. Without proper inflation, this behavior's compromised. Oxygen molecules are smaller than nitrogen molecules, enabling oxygen to escape through the tire's compound six times faster, hence our need to check pressure weekly. In short, nitrogen has bigger balls!

With nitrogen being inert, tire pressures tend to remain consistent throughout a ride. This helps reduce fuel consumption and tread wear, thereby providing additional safety. Nitrogen also better protects the tire's interior wall from oxidation. The fact that it's a dry gas (oxygen produces some water when compressed) helps preserve a wheel's metallic elements to boot. While many debate its purpose in riding, airlines and the military inflate airplane and military vehicles tires with nitrogen.

That's enough to convince me.

Should you decide to make the change to nitrogen in your tires, start by spending the modest price of $5 at your local dealer. They have vacuum deflation equipment that voids your tires of any remaining gases. Afterwards, top them off and you're all set. It's also wise to replace your valve caps with nitrogen tire indicators to remind not only yourself but others of the alternative contents.

If you're already experimenting with nitrogen in motorcycle tires, a quick label or colored cap helps prevent accidental air top-offs at the pump.

Both Costco and Sam's Club provide their members with free nitrogen tire inflation. If you ever find yourself needing more pressure while outside of localized access, adding oxygen is perfectly safe. You'll just want to repeat the vacuum/refill process eventually down the line.

For an at-home solution, consider Gentec's Gentec's GKNT20-TC Nitrogen Tire Inflation Kit.

What's Your Opinion On The Matter Of Nitrogen In Motorcycle Tires?

Results may vary. Share your take on the information above! Do you base it on specific science or simple convenience? Your input is invited. Leave a comment and/or write an article!