Nitrogen instead of air

[whm1226]

I had to get new tires on my car last week and they put nitrogen in them. The tire tech said the they lose less air because the molecules are four times the size of the oxygen molecules in air. Thus it does not seep out as well. He also said that the tire pressure would be more stable from cold to hot. Less pressure swing.
Everything that I read seems to indicate that it is the best thing since compressed air for tires. This made me think that nitrogen may work better in my motorcycle tires as well.
Does anyone have a thought or experience with nitrogen in motorcycle tires? Is there a downside to nitrogen in motorcycle tires?

 

[PGlaves]

Downside? Typically the rip-off cost. Advantage - leaks less through crappy rubber. Not a big deal. Less pressure change - only because it is dry. Dry air will do the same.

Bottom line. I like 78% nitrogen in my tires.

Edited: 78%, not 82%, my memory from 1960 failed me.

 

[David13]

Well I suppose there will be claims that it makes the bike run much much better.
But I'm not going to bother.
I regularly check the air, and inspect, as it's the best way to find a nail in a tire before it becomes a problem out on the road somewhere.
I never notice too much variation in altitude and temperature on the tires anyway.
dc

 

[cseltz]

Downside? Typically the rip-off cost. Advantage - leaks less through crappy rubber. Not a big deal. Less pressure change - only because it is dry. Dry air will do the same.

Bottom line. I like 82% nitrogen in my tires.

Just out of curiosity, what is the nitrogen content of air?

 

[jdubick]

Just out of curiosity, what is the nitrogen content of air?

Paul already answered that question, it's about 80 %.

 

[jdubick]

Just an aside, heavy aircraft tires are filled with nitrogen because the pressure won't vary at altitude as much and it's easier to air a tire that requires over 200psi out of a 1800 psi cylinder.

 

[ahd43]

The green valve caps would clash with my Midnight Blue paint...

Marty

 

[mikegalbicka]

Is there a downside to nitrogen in motorcycle tires?

Finding it while you are traveling?

 

[robsryder]

It has already been pointed out that Nitrogen comprises about 80% of the air that we breathe. I was interested to learn about the green valve stem caps signifying a nitrogen fill - I recently purchased a new BMW 4-wheel vehicle and it came with the green valve stem caps [the car also came with some other goodies like SiriusXM radio and leather heated seats - which are comfortable for more than 2 hours - alas, I can't say this about the stock motorcycle seats!!].

I did a little looking on the internet and found several articles regarding nitrogen filled tires. Links are provided below. For what it is worth, I'll keep filling my motorcycle tires with air from the air compressor in my garage (uses same air that I breathe). The water vapor tends to condense upon compression and can be drained from the bottom of the compressed air tank. Thus, the compressed air should have a much lower moisture content than "normal" air. The moisture content in air was one disadvantage often mentioned of using breathable air versus nitrogen. I don't know if I really accept the argument of a low leak rate resulting from use of nitrogen versus air; if I need to increase the pressure in my tires it will be done using whatever source is readily available (i.e., filling station if on the road or my air compressor if at home).

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/a3894/4302788/
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=191
http://www.edmunds.com/car-care/should-you-fill-your-cars-tires-with-nitrogen.html
http://www.tirebuyer.com/education/nitrogen-vs-air
http://www.nitrofill.com/nitrogen-in-tires.aspx
http://www.cartalk.com/blogs/tom-ray/whats-deal-nitrogen-filled-tires
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2007/10/nitrogen-in-tires-q-a/index.htm
http://www.getnitrogen.org/sub.php?view=getTheFacts&subpage=wherearedealers

 

[omega man]

Nitrogen is a versatile gas. I use it when I weld fuel tanks (displaces the air). I have used it in lieu of hauling a compressor to fill a large tire or blow out irrigation lines. I have a regulator set up with versatile couplings to run air tools- BTW, NASCAR air guns used for tire changes run nitrogen.
For tire use by the "average" driver- I don't see the need. This is mainly because when you do find you have a "soft" tire, thinking you have to go somewhere special to fill the tire......well you know.
I do find it is an interesting marketing strategy though.
OM

 

[36654]

At my last oil change, the dealership offered to service my car tires with Nitrogen. I asked them if they used bottled water to top off the radiators.......

 

[rangerreece]

Helium? Argon? If money, or practicality were no issue, what gas would be the optimal tire inflation medium?

 

[kthutchinson]

Just an aside, heavy aircraft tires are filled with nitrogen because the pressure won't vary at altitude as much and it's easier to air a tire that requires over 200psi out of a 1800 psi cylinder.

Aircraft tires also use nitrogen because it doesn't support combustion. In the event of a brake or hydraulic fire and a blown tire, the nitrogen won't feed the fire.

 

[PGlaves]

Helium? Argon? If money, or practicality were no issue, what gas would be the optimal tire inflation medium?

Not Helium - it's molecules are so small that exfilration would be a real problem. You want the non-flamable gas with the biggest molecules, ie highest atomic number. I have no idea what that is.

 

[36654]

Not Helium - it's molecules are so small that exfilration would be a real problem. You want the non-flamable gas with the biggest molecules, ie highest atomic number. I have no idea what that is.

It's somewhere on this chart.......


https://www.google.com/search?q=per...zIWd-cneM:&usg=__th4XpO6e4AQzMpoDqp4TenbhlBw=

 

[akbeemer]

If you go into a shop to have nitrogen put in your tires it is unlikely they will purge the tire of all the air. That air will decrease the percent of nitrogen by some amount; probably a significant amount. If you are like me, and often lose a little air from a tire when checking the pressure, then you will have to add air; once again reducing the precentage of nitrogen in the tire. And, even with nitrogen in the tire it will lose some pressure that you will replace with air. Given the small volume of motorcycle tires this all adds up to a waste of the $15/tire or so you will pay for the nitrogen.

When we lived up north we had a problem with the tire pressure system on our Toyota 4-Runner constantly showing a fault. We parked the vehicle in a heated garage at 55 degrees and when we pulled out into a -45 degree day the 100 degree difference caused a rather rapid decrease in pressure in the tire which set off the fault. All ideal gases (oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen all behave as ideal gasses in most cases) expand and contract at the same rate when temperatures change (Boyles Law) but nitrogen does not hold moisture like the air out of a compressor. It is the moisture, or lack there of, that acccounts for the degree of expansion/contraction of the tire. Many race teams use nitrogen to allow them to predict the preassure in a tire regardless of the temperature.

And the noble gas with the highest molecular weight is radioactive radon (Atomic #86). Very little leakage I would imagine, but might be a problem holding onto your hair.

 

[rangerreece]

That's funny.

And the noble gas with the highest molecular weight is radioactive radon (Atomic #86). Very little leakage I would imagine, but might be a problem holding onto your hair.

 

[36654]

If you go into a shop to have nitrogen put in your tires it is unlikely they will purge the tire of all the air. That air will decrease the percent of nitrogen by some amount; probably a significant amount. If you are like me, and often lose a little air from a tire when checking the pressure, then you will have to add air; once again reducing the precentage of nitrogen in the tire. And, even with nitrogen in the tire it will lose some pressure that you will replace with air. Given the small volume of motorcycle tires this all adds up to a waste of the $15/tire or so you will pay for the nitrogen.

When we lived up north we had a problem with the tire pressure system on our Toyota 4-Runner constantly showing a fault. We parked the vehicle in a heated garage at 55 degrees and when we pulled out into a -45 degree day the 100 degree difference caused a rather rapid decrease in pressure in the tire which set off the fault. All ideal gases (oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen all behave as ideal gasses in most cases) expand and contract at the same rate when temperatures change (Boyles Law) but nitrogen does not hold moisture like the air out of a compressor. It is the moisture, or lack there of, that acccounts for the degree of expansion/contraction of the tire. Many race teams use nitrogen to allow them to predict the preassure in a tire regardless of the temperature.

And the noble gas with the highest molecular weight is radioactive radon (Atomic #86). Very little leakage I would imagine, but might be a problem holding onto your hair.

You can get cylinders of dry (zero grade) air but industrial nitrogen is cheaper..........

 

[35634]

Nitrogen in street tires is an absolute non issue. better to waste time arguing the merits of gas additives and oil types.

 

[omega man]

Could always split the difference and just run the Green caps
OM