Tire pressure monitor system, anyone use one?

[JSBail]

A couple of weeks ago I took my first ride on a motorcycle since wrecking a 75 cb400F back in July. My wife and I took my cb750 and her cb350 out for a ride to enjoy the fall colors and we had a great time although my nerves were a bit on edge being it was my first time on a bike since recuperating from a broken arm and torn hamstring muscle due to that accident. After we got back I decided to take the 83 Interstate out as well and the moment I took off on it, sumtin just wasn't right about it but I shrugged it off thinking it was because it was my first time on it in 3 months. As I was pulling out of a gas station after fueling up, I rolled into the throttle just a bit as I was turning and the front tire simply washed out from under the bike and I almost dropped it in the middle of the road. I pulled off to the side to see if there was any debris in the road that made my tire slip but didn't see anything so I continued. That's when I realized something was definitely wrong with the bike so I turned around and gently road it home. Come to find out my front tire was lucky if it had 12 pounds of air in it which pretty much explained why the bike felt funny and tire washing out. Keep in mind I check the tires on my 750 and 350 before riding but didn't check the GL before I took off on it.The irony of possibly wrecking a bike again kind of rattled me. It all happened due to my laziness and it almost cost me but tire pressure monitoring systems were brought to my attention and they seem reasonably priced. So any of you use one on any of your bikes? If so which one do you use?

[redglbx]

Scott, I have a stand alone system on my FJR that I bought off of Amazon for I believe around $50. I experienced a flat on my 86 1200 Sei on the Ohio Turnpike at 75-80mph. In my case a tire monitoring system probably wouldn’t have helped because the rear valve stem broke at the rim giving me a nearly instant flat, but like you something didn’t feel right so I started easing over before it was completely flat, always trust your feelings if something doesn’t feel right.

A tire TPS should’ve helped in your case so long as you occasionally glance at the display. On my FJR I added metal “T” valve stems (Tubless tires) so I could put the monitoring cap on the straight part but still be able to add air through the the other part. You must rebalance the tire with these valve stems. The cap sends the pressure data to a display I mounted on the dash, I’m happy with this system.

One thing I would add is take a close look at your valve stems as I’ve had a couple of rubber ones fail at the rim now, probably from an over zealous installer that maybe causes a small tear that grows with age/time, I only use metal valve stems these days because of this. Hope this helps ! Where you located in Indiana ?

[pidjones]

I had one of the older Steele Mate systems on the GL1800. Primarily due to the CT, which being a run-flat could suffer a puncture without obvious indication. I also switched from the standard Patchboy all-metal stem to the T stem to mount the sensor while having access to the tire valve. There isn't one on the Spyder yet, but it will probably get similar.

[JSBail]

Where you located in Indiana ?

I'm in Monticello, does Indiana Beach ring a bell?

[redglbx]

Yepper Scott, you’re basically in the neighborhood ! I’m in Rolling Prairie, grew up in South Bend.

[flyin900]

A couple of weeks ago I took my first ride on a motorcycle since wrecking a 75 cb400F back in July. My wife and I took my cb750 and her cb350 out for a ride to enjoy the fall colors and we had a great time although my nerves were a bit on edge being it was my first time on a bike since recuperating from a broken arm and torn hamstring muscle due to that accident. After we got back I decided to take the 83 Interstate out as well and the moment I took off on it, sumtin just wasn't right about it but I shrugged it off thinking it was because it was my first time on it in 3 months. As I was pulling out of a gas station after fueling up, I rolled into the throttle just a bit as I was turning and the front tire simply washed out from under the bike and I almost dropped it in the middle of the road. I pulled off to the side to see if there was any debris in the road that made my tire slip but didn't see anything so I continued. That's when I realized something was definitely wrong with the bike so I turned around and gently road it home. Come to find out my front tire was lucky if it had 12 pounds of air in it which pretty much explained why the bike felt funny and tire washing out. Keep in mind I check the tires on my 750 and 350 before riding but didn't check the GL before I took off on it.The irony of possibly wrecking a bike again kind of rattled me. It all happened due to my laziness and it almost cost me but tire pressure monitoring systems were brought to my attention and they seem reasonably priced. So any of you use one on any of your bikes? If so which one do you use?

A very simple system I purchased made by “Slime” the guys who make that green gunk to temporarily fix flats is a set of tire valve caps. They are calibrated in various pressure types ie 32 lbs 34 lbs etc and have a green indicator under a clear top cap. This shows when the tires are up to pressure and if they go down in pressure the indicator disappears.

I found them two years ago and have been running them on both my car and all my road bikes. I was concerned that the system presses down on the Schrader valve to work and could leak, yet a decent rubber seal is present in the cap and no leak down so far from them.

Benefit is a quick visual check tells me I have proper tire pressures in all my vehicles before riding or driving.

[CYBORG]

I have used them...but was concerned because they were plastic. I use metal valves on all my bikes, and adding plastic element to the mix is a little scary. I never had a problem with them, but my concerns with plastic exposed to the elements, have caused me to stop using them. I check pressure before every ride, not that hard, and I like the piece of mind it gives me. But that is just me.

[CYBORG]

Also I had a system on a corvette I owned, that incorporated a sensor inside the tire that showed the pressure of ech tire on the dash. Very handy. Bit of a pain when changing tires. I would use a system like that on the bikes.

[flyin900]

I have used them...but was concerned because they were plastic. I use metal valves on all my bikes, and adding plastic element to the mix is a little scary. I never had a problem with them, but my concerns with plastic exposed to the elements, have caused me to stop using them. I check pressure before every ride, not that hard, and I like the piece of mind it gives me. But that is just me.

These are a metal body with a plastic top cap and I have run them on my winter tires for one season too, this will be the second season and no issues. When I stored the tires for the summer they were still reading 32 lbs and when I pulled the tires and rims out of storage this fall they still showed 32 lbs.

Here is what the item looks like on the winter tires and rims.

P1080833.JPG (111.63 KiB) Viewed 436 times

[CYBORG]

Those would work for me as well

[redglbx]

The TPS system I bought from Amazon has a readout that I have mounted on the dawn of my FJR, the thing I really like about it (besides the price) is that a quick glance will give you the air pressures in your tires even on the fly at 100+ mph , I made a bracket to mount it next to the gauges so it’s easy to see. I plan to add this same system to my 76 at the next tire change.

The only negative in my opinion is that the added weight of the metal “T” valves which does affect the balance, but on my fjr the balance has been verified to 100+mph and is smooth as silk ! But don’t tell the cops .

[5speed]

These are a metal body with a plastic top cap and I have run them on my winter tires for one season too, this will be the second season and no issues. When I stored the tires for the summer they were still reading 32 lbs and when I pulled the tires and rims out of storage this fall they still showed 32 lbs.

Here is what the item looks like on the winter tires and rims.


P1080833.JPG

do you have a source for them? I checked his website and they aren't listed.

[Sidecar Bob]

I tried valve cap indicators on the winter machine many years ago. Fortunately the one that failed was on the rear shock so I only had a harsh ride home. I changed back to plain metal caps and checking with a gauge every few weeks after that.

[flyin900]

These are a metal body with a plastic top cap and I have run them on my winter tires for one season too, this will be the second season and no issues. When I stored the tires for the summer they were still reading 32 lbs and when I pulled the tires and rims out of storage this fall they still showed 32 lbs.

Here is what the item looks like on the winter tires and rims.


P1080833.JPG

do you have a source for them? I checked his website and they aren't listed.

I bought them from Princess Auto in their Clearance Surplus section at $2.99 for 4 pcs per pack. So likely not something that is still available from them, yet if you have a PA local store it’s worth a check.

A quick check on Amazon shows a variety of cheaper Chinese units offering the same style of sensors. There was one set for about $16. for a 4 pack and the quality on that style looks more like what I got under the Slime brand name.

Still using them on a number of bikes and my car again this winter, so I will see how they continue to perform. So far no issues with either the bikes or car with any failures.

[5speed]

Tks flyin900