Blowhard

[ribbert]

Mike's incidental mention of Co2 canisters and my recent experience prompted me to write this.

I do about 20k a year and seem to have more than my share of tyre problems, a broken valve stem, a stick too big to pull out and plug, multiple holes, a poorly fitted plug (by someone else!) multiple punctures on the one trip, the usual screws and nails and mystery holes with the culprit long gone.

On my last trip to the Manshed weekend in Bermagui a week or so back I had this happen...



These were the first 2 of what was eventually 7 plugs needed just to stem the air loss sufficiently to get 30km's to a new tyre. There was still another 4 or 5 slow leaks.

My point is, not one of my tyre issues over the years could have been fixed with CO2 canisters, each requiring multiple inflations, and a bike with a flat tyre ain't goin' nowhere. Carrying a compressor, or at least making sure one person in your ride group has one, can make the difference between being stuck on the side of the road and reaching your destination and you can't limp a bike with a flat tyre to the convenience of the next town.
Most of my tyre issues have happened so far from home that trailering the bike home was never an option (and who wants to anyway)

My TPMS (tyre pressure monitor) saved the day yet again allowing to me to be stranded in a small township, with a suitable flat surface to carry out repairs, and food and coffee rather than on the side of the road in the country.

This most recent event happened at 4.00pm on a Friday afternoon a 1000km's from home in a tiny town that didn't even offer accommodation and nowhere near my destination. The only thing that saved the weekend was the compressor and an accommodating bike shop that bailed me out with a new tyre late in the day.

Just something to consider for anyone who rides further than walking distance from their home. Also, check your plugs. I replaced mine just prior to that trip as heat and time had taken their toll on the last lot.

Noel

[TexasDave]

Alright Noel the subject of this post is just click bait! I clicked on this post to see who you would be talking about as we do have a few Blowhards on this forum JMO.     Very good points made for carrying a compressor though.

Dave

[Motofun]

What is it about the roads down there in OZ?  A couple of hundred thousand miles in 35 years of riding and I've only had 1 flat.  (knocking on wood now)

[aviationfred]

  I have to agree with all three previous posts....
I have the same mentality as Noel concerning carrying a mini compressor in your luggage.

Dave..... That gave me a chuckle.

Motofun, I have similar experience over more than 200,000 motorcycle mile under my belt. One flat tire while riding.


Fred

[Pat Conlon]

Noel, traveling in your region I understand completely. I have never seen the nasty thorns you've picked up. Are you riding thru bushes?

I have had several flats thru the years, always a long distance from home. The worst multiple punctures that happened to me was when I ran over a bunch of roofing tacks that was spread across a freeway off ramp.. A box had fallen off the back of a contractors truck.
Picked up 3 in the front and 5 in the back. My Stop and Go mushroom plugs worked perfectly. Got me home.
I needed (3) 16oz CO2 cartridges for the front and 4 for the rear. I carry 10. Wear gloves (burrrr)

25 or so years ago I tried using a compressor, but I ended up running my battery down, although I understand the new generation compressors fill the tire quickly.
A water cooled bike, I have no problem letting it idle while the compressor fills the tire, but not a good idea with our air cooled bikes.
Perhaps it's time for me to revisit the new generation tire compressors.

It's important to carry both the mushroom style plugs for straight thru punctures, as well as the red rope style plugs for angled punctures, where the mushroom caps don't work. (lesson learned)

A TPMS is a very good idea....I'm looking for a system that does not use a sensor/transmitter on the tire stem.
I have no problem replacing the batteries on the internal sensors when I change my tires once a year.

Cheers

Pat

[FJmonkey]

Pat, Noel has a TPMS that is strapped to the wheel and does not rely on the valve stem. He posted here on it. http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=15850.0. It looks like a good system.

[aviationfred]

I have posted this before. I carry this exact compressor. http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-mini-compressor.html

I also carry a PODs jump start pack. It is the size of a cell phone and packs enough juice to jump start my Yukon with a 5.3 V8. I got mine at Cycle Gear. RPM sells one very similar, look in the accessories section of the RPM website.


Fred

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Mark, yep I looked at Mobiletron TPMS and it ticks off all the boxes...except....you can't replace the batteries in the wheel transmitters, you have to replace the whole Transmitter.

Yea Fred, you were reading my mind....
I think I'll go to the new air compressor route with no worries of running my FJ battery down.
I now have that bitchen RPM jump pack I carry which would handle any low battery condition. http://rpmracingca.com/proddetail.asp?prod=Acces%3ALightningUltraSlim ....along with lunch time re-charging of my cell phone and Sena intercom.

[racerrad8]

RPM sells one very similar, look in the accessories section of the RPM website.

Fred

Since Fred was kind enough to post the link for a compressor. I will take the time to post the link to the jumper battery and air compressor I offer here at RPM.

Lil Lightning Lithium Jump Start Pack Ultra Slim
Slime Electric 12v Tire Inflator

Pat, I also have access to BLU Technologies TPMS system. They offer internal sensors and use an app on your smartphone for the display. If you are interested, let me know.

You can read about them here:  BLU TPMS Internal Sensor System

Randy - RPM

[Pat Conlon]

Thanks Randy, the BLU internal system looks interesting.
Paired with my iPhone to combine music, phone, GPS maps, tpms all in one unit, linked to my Sena intercom.

I briefly looked on line for reviews and specs on the BLU system but could not find anything.
Question: on the internal transmitters, are the batteries replaceable?

Noel, sorry for the thread drift....Although you've convinced me to go the air compressor route.

[racerrad8]

Thanks Randy, the BLU internal system looks interesting.

Question: on the internal transmitters, are the batteries replaceable?

I will have to check with the salesman, I don't know. He is gone until after the first of the year, but I'll find out.

Randy - RPM

[FJmonkey]

It uses a CR2450N battery. Look in the additional information tab http://alliedutvaccessories.com/product/blu-tpms-internal/. I wonder if they will make right angle version?

[ribbert]

..... you have to replace the whole Transmitter.

That's true Pat but my front one just died after 6 years and over 100,000km and I know the the kits are not as fresh as the replacement transmitters, they can sit around for years before being sold. The GS has clocked 215,000km in 8 years on original transmitters and still going strong.

Noel

[ribbert]

Alright Noel the subject of this post is just click bait! I clicked on this post to see who you would be talking about as we do have a few Blowhards on this forum JMO.    
Dave

[ribbert]

Noel, traveling in your region I understand completely. I have never seen the nasty thorns you've picked up. Are you riding thru bushes?

...25 or so years ago I tried using a compressor, but I ended up running my battery down, although I understand the new generation compressors fill the tire quickly.

Perhaps it's time for me to revisit the new generation tire compressors.

It's important to carry both the mushroom style plugs for straight thru punctures, as well as the red rope style plugs for angled punctures, where the mushroom caps don't work. (lesson learned)

Pat

This most recent experience was an unsealed road after major rain and mudslides. The road was strewn in freshly fallen largish rocks that were super sharp on the corners.

Pat, not only have compressors become vastly more efficient, batteries have too. I must have inflated my tyre from fully flat about 10 times the other day and the bike fired straight up without even a hint of sluggishness.

I only carry the rope style plugs.