I need to check my tire pressure more often damn.

[Tuneforkfreak]

In all the things I do to my bike all the time it seems that I always just look past the valve stems because the tires seem to look OK. My tires call for 40psi my rear was 30 and my front was 25psi. That's piss poor motorcycle etiquette and I need a kick in the ass for allowing myself to overlook something so potentially dangerous and hazardous. Bike rides much nicer with proper tire inflation. Check your tires , it only takes a few seconds.

[Urban_Legend]

With all of the "tinkering/moditis" we do with these bikes, sometimes it is really easy to overlook the basics.

Mark

[red]

Tuneforkfreak,

There are several Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems available, with handlebar display units and audible alarms, these days.  Set the alarms for any pressure you want.  They are light and fairly inexpensive, for what you get.  Some systems just replace your valve stem cap with a smarter one, other systems mount something inside the tire.  The wheel units may or may not have replaceable batteries, so check on that.

I think the idea is great for any vehicle, really.  I plan to get a TPMS as soon as I scrape together enough coinage.   

Cheers,
Red

[biggo]

I have TPMS valve sensors that bluetooth to my Garmin Zumo.
They are great I give them a flick with my finger before getting my bike our for a ride and it gives me the cold  tyre  pressure reading.
What I also found interesting is that after about 4-5 kms the tyres warm up enough to raise the pressures about 4 psi. So by the time I get to the gas station tyre gauge the pressure have already risen a significant amount.
Not cheap but a great addition to any bike

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/shop-by-accessories/sensors/tire-pressure-monitor-sensor/prod131744.html

[Tuneforkfreak]

TPMS is a good idea, I never thought to look for something aftermarket for a motorcycle.

[ribbert]

TPMS is a good idea, I never thought to look for something aftermarket for a motorcycle.

Not sure how they could get that low and not notice, the front anyway. Mine becomes noticeably heavy at the bars when it's only 4 or 5 psi down.

We had (or might still have) a member some years ago who admitted to discovering both his tyres were in the high teens! He discovered this on a trip.

I've had a TPMS unit for years and love it, not so much for the pre ride check but for monitoring while riding, it has saved me a few times. On one occasion it (and a compressor) saved me a night in an Alpine park, no houses, no farms, no traffic and temps falling below zero and with no gear, food or water. It would have been a very miserable night.



I chose this unit because it displays F & R tyre pressures simultaneously, many need to be scrolled between the two. It also has a simple clean readout free of multi coloured displays, stylised motorbikes and excessive information, all of which looks very cool but makes reading it on the fly difficult.
Another reason for the choice was the company, one of the worlds biggest manufacturers of OEM TPMS units and replacement transmitters. My bike has done about 80,000kms over some 4 years since fitting them and is still on the original batteries.
I opted for the larger transmitter inside the wheel but I think there is a valve cap option.

When the ignition is turned on it briefly shows battery voltage on the screen and has a low voltage warning when running which is a flashing red light and I think it comes up on the screen as well (never had it happen) overriding the tyre information.
High and low alarms are programmable for both pressure and temp.

Most punctures don't result in instant deflation and being alerted to a dropping pressure you are less likely to fall off as a result and it gives you a bit of time to find an appropriate place to pull over and repair it, or, being able to monitor the rate at which it's going down, perhaps limp into the next town.

Yep, anyone thinking of getting one, I highly recommend them.

[red]

Tuneforkfreak,

This is one TPMS that I was looking at.  Not too expensive, but you can spend more.  Monitors battery voltage and tire pressure.  
I can't say anything about it, beyond what is in the ad.  There is version for cars, there.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015SPVDJI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Cheers,
Red

[fjbiker84]

I try to think about visually checking my tires before each ride but have to admit sometimes I don't.  I do check pressure monthly and it seems that my Avons lose about a pound a month.  My experience is that after picking up a nail while on a ride the loss of air pressure wasn't noticeable until checking out the bike the following day - when the tire was obviously low.  I carry a very compact air pump in my tank bag that hooks to the battery.  Never had to use it but hopefully that would be enough to get me home.

[FJmonkey]

I had a valve stem crack at the base. I discovered this while I was leaving for a ride. The front felt wrong so when I stopped for fuel I checked the air pressure. The front was under 20 psi. Added more air and I could hear a hiss. When pulled valve cap off the hiss sound would change. Wiggled the valve some more and found the failure. Added more air and scooted back home.  I have since changed over to metal right angle valve stems and tend to be much more diligent about checking air before I ride off. I leave my pressure gauge on the fuel cap as a reminder. I also use metal valve caps with a seal in them. I once found a loose valve leaking air after I had a new tire installed. Two seals are better than one and the cost is minimal.

[ZOA NOM]

Check these out from our host...

Simple LED indicator when pressure falls. Combined with the 90-degree aluminum stems is perfect.

[racerrad8]

Here at RPM we offer a couple different options for the TPMS systems.

Ride On LED Smart Tire Valve Cap These LED caps also come with a free year of roadside assistance for North American riders.

For that added peace of mind our North American riders. We also offer complete road side assistance for about $2 a month.  
Ride On Motorcycle Roadside Assistance 1 Year

For those looking for a TPMS with their newer Garmin Zumo GPS that have the TPMS technology systems we offer these
TPMS Valve Cap

And if you are looking to upgrade your GPS systems we offer a couple Garmin units that are compatible with the TPMS system
zūmo 390LM, North America
zūmo 590LM, North America


Don't forget we also offer many other parts, accessories, riding gear, and off road/atv parts as well from Western Power Sports

Robert - RPM

[Pat Conlon]

IMHO On angled valve stems the cap style TPMS transmitters concerns me.
On straight stems, no problem, but on angled stems at high tire speeds, the added weight of the TPMS cap and put a load on the stem that *may* cause the angled stem to crack and lose air.

I think the internal transmitters are better. You just have to remember to change the batteries every other tire change.

Again, just my opinion.......

[ZOA NOM]

IMHO On angled valve stems the cap style TPMS transmitters concerns me.
On straight stems, no problem, but on angled stems at high tire speeds, the added weight of the TPMS cap and put a load on the stem that *may* cause the angled stem to crack and lose air.

I think the internal transmitters are better. You just have to remember to change the batteries every other tire change.

Again, just my opinion.......

Pat, I had the exact same concerns, and I no longer do after seeing Robert do the install. There is significant rigidity in the stem, and the LED cap is light. Robert balanced with them installed. I posted video of a Mt Hamilton run Saturday with some 100mph+ speeds, no issues. It's really nice to be able to glance at the stem to know your pressure is good.

I considered angling the stem toward the centerline, but after seeing how light the caps are, I preferred the access for the air hose over the worries of centrifugal force. 

***NOTE*** Install the stems so they face away from the kickstand so you can see the LED's when the bike is leaned over.