Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)

[petenomad]

My facebook friends may have already seen this. I used to own a Nomad, but traded it for a Concours when my wife decided to get her Spyder. One of the features of the Concours is bulit-in TPMS. Yesterday, I was riding along and heard an odd crunching sound. I was able to flip my display over to the TPMS screen which showed me my rear tire was loosing pressure. In this case I was only going about 35MPH, but I was able to see the impending doom. :) Thankfully I was able to pull into a parking lot and out of danger. I managed to plug the tire and get to a hotel for the night.

The next morning I decided I didn't want to trust the plug and headed for a dealer. As I was riding down the interstate I kept the display on the TPMS screen and about 7 miles from the hotel, I could see the rear starting to lose pressure again. This constant display of pressure may have saved my life! Instead of finding myself in the center lane at 65mph with a flat, I was able to recognize that I was losing pressure and safely pull off the road onto the shoulder. AFAIK, none of the Vulcan's have this system built in. I know it is not cheap or flashy, but I strongly recommend that you consider this next time you are thinking about some new bling. It could save you from a truly unpleasant day. :yep:

[HeyJoe]

I'm doing some research on TPMS - I'm a little tired of maneuvering my skoot to hand-check the TP every time I go out for a ride. Has anyone done any looking-into on this forum?

[roundman]

I'm doing some research on TPMS - I'm a little tired of maneuvering my skoot to hand-check the TP every time I go out for a ride. Has anyone done any looking-into on this forum?
The onle concern I have is that most of the ones I have seen on cars malfunction all the time, and have to be calibrated?

[roundman]

The onle concern I have is that most of the ones I have seen on cars malfunction all the time, and have to be calibrated?
Oh and is hey Joe like Hendrix?

[Silent Sam]

EEEeee GAdz I Hate Tire Problem's when I'm traveling...and yet thats the one problem I ever had..(several time's over the year's)

However in my case it's always been a "blow-out"...and I dont suppose a pressure monitoring system would have indicated any problem..until the problem !

[VulcanE]

I'm one of the one's that is an advocate for TPMS............ I like them a lot, and they are well worth the money.

[kawboysix]

The onle concern I have is that most of the ones I have seen on cars malfunction all the time, and have to be calibrated?

They only have to be re-calibrated if you have them rotated. the sensors are programmed to the position they are on the car. You don't have to worry about that on a bike. Although they do malfunction and go bad like any other electronic device and replacing them is expensive and then they have to be re-calibrated when you do.

99 cent tire pressure gauge and a dollars worth of quarters in the windshield pouch for the air pump at your favorite filling station.:tup:

[HeyJoe]

Oh and is hey Joe like Hendrix?
Folks have been asking me since the 60's where I was going with that gun in my hand ;)

[smbke]

EEEeee GAdz I Hate Tire Problem's when I'm traveling...and yet thats the one problem I ever had..(several time's over the year's)

However in my case it's always been a "blow-out"...and I dont suppose a pressure monitoring system would have indicated any problem..until the problem !

The TPMS might indicate high temperature before a blowout. Tires don't normally blow because of road hazards but from weaknesses in the tire.
This is the one I have. I love it! http://www.jpcycles.com/product/541-494

[Snake Ranch]

I'm doing some research on TPMS - I'm a little tired of maneuvering my skoot to hand-check the TP every time I go out for a ride. Has anyone done any looking-into on this forum?

I put one on my skoot. Works great. Check out www.doranmfg.com/tirepressuremonitorproducts.htm ,I think the peace of mind is worth the money I paid. It is easy to use, with good instructions and all the mounting hardware necessary.:tup:

[Snake Ranch]

EEEeee GAdz I Hate Tire Problem's when I'm traveling...and yet thats the one problem I ever had..(several time's over the year's)

However in my case it's always been a "blow-out"...and I dont suppose a pressure monitoring system would have indicated any problem..until the problem !

Running a tire under-inflated will over heat the sidewalls setting you up for a blow out. The system I have will alert you if the pressure is down or up if the pressure moves a percentage from the pressure you calibrate it to. I have seen three other bikes with blow outs, the side walls shredded, because they were running heavy and the tire was low on pressure for the weight it was carrying. Check out this system, www.doranmfg.com/tirepressuremonitorproducts.htm

[Silent Sam]

Thanks for the info...I'll check into it.

[houndawg]

I like nitrogen, tire pressure stays the same have never had to add air. but a tpms would be nice for piece of mind.

[smokey]

I tried a couple and could never get a good seal on the valve stem, if anyone has recommendations for a good, reliable one for motorcycles, I would be happy to see it.

[megraham]

I don't have the automatically monitoring system but have purchased valve stem caps at accu-pressure.com. When you order, you state which pressures you need. I have them on both bikes and the car. Just a quick look before riding. The only problem would be while riding you wouldn't know what the pressure is.

Mark Graham
VROC 2710

[landman]

love my concourse 14,seems to me if they come as standard equipment on a 15k concourse then kawi could make them standard on their 1700 Vulcans.

[JD Hog]

Thanks Mark for that info I just ordered a set for my bike :cheers:

[Snake Ranch]

I'm doing some research on TPMS - I'm a little tired of maneuvering my skoot to hand-check the TP every time I go out for a ride. Has anyone done any looking-into on this forum?

I purchased a TPMS from a company called DORAN. It was more money than some, right at $200.00. Installs easy enough. I made my own mounting bracket for my handle bars because of some other items I mounted there. But it comes with everything you need to mount the system. The system is easy to calibrate. I have had to do that only one time, and it has been over a year since I installed it. It works great and is spot on for the pressures it reports on the screen. The sensors can be mounted inside the tires on the valve stems which they provide, or on the out side. I recommend the inside, because it will make your life soooo much easier.

http://www.doranmfgstore.com/Categories.aspx?Category=b42f0f3a-382d-40c0-8dbe-85d5bdd464dc.

Check it out. I run 44 psi front and 46 psi rear. This last weekend my wife and I went to Oregon. 750 miles round trip. I have a digital temp gauge with the sensor mounted in front of the headlight inside the faring. Up through the central valley I saw temps as high as 125 degrees in the sun on the interstate. The same day at about 10:30 at night in the pass area on hwy 97 between Weed and Klamath Falls, Oregon it was down to about 48 degrees. The tire pressure in the heat of the day went up to 50 in the front and 55 in the rear. If your tire pressure is low to start with, you can overheat the side walls and cause a blow out. Gives me peace of mind.

[ponch]

If you get a TPMS that goes on the valve stem, replace the valve stems with metal ones.

It was an option on my model bike, but I can't install it as a dealer installed option. BMW won't release the computer changes that would make it work even if I put the parts in. Their new bikes come with it now pretty much standard. Even though I haven't had a flat with this bike, it would be a nice option to have.

[Snake Ranch]

If you get a TPMS that goes on the valve stem, replace the valve stems with metal ones.

It was an option on my model bike, but I can't install it as a dealer installed option. BMW won't release the computer changes that would make it work even if I put the parts in. Their new bikes come with it now pretty much standard. Even though I haven't had a flat with this bike, it would be a nice option to have.

The metal valve stems come in the kit from DORAN.
http://www.doranmfgstore.com/Categor...e-85d5bdd464dc.

[ponch]

The metal valve stems come in the kit from DORAN.
http://www.doranmfgstore.com/Categor...e-85d5bdd464dc.

Not with all kits.

[jjg3]

If you get a TPMS that goes on the valve stem, replace the valve stems with metal ones.

Heard this as a matter of routine but have never heard of first hand experience of a failure due to a rubber valve stem. I've used the TireGard (valve cap type) on several machines, with the exception of the tubed DR650, all had rubber valve stems. In 8 years and many thousands of miles there's never been an issue. I now have 2 sets so I don't have to transfer them to the bike of the day.
During ownership of an R1100RT, I replaced the stems with metal only because they were a part of the TireWatch TPMS that I'd gotten just to have the transmitter inside the tire and to test the system (from MurphsKits). The TireWatch was a cleaner setup once installed, but a pain having to take the tire off to install, and then the metal valve stem on one leaked requiring removal and installation on a different rim to get it to work. The TireWatch transmitter batteries were also not intended to be user replaceable, but rather the transmitters were suppose to be replaced when the batteries died (which mine did in less than 2 months of use). Murph replaced the unit free and it was still working when I sold the Beemer and gave the TPMS with it. The TireGard cap type batteries are much easier.

I did have a problem with a similar (but much less robust) valve cap type system that I put on a Tacoma (with rubber stems). The transmitters actually corroded to the valve stems and required cutting the valve stems to get them off. No such issue with the TireGard.

BTW, a riding partner with a Connie replaced his rubber valve stems with metal... but in less than a couple years went back to rubber because the metal valve stem rubber seals deteriorated and leaked. He also uses the TireGard.

YMMV

[ponch]

Heard this as a matter of routine but have never heard of first hand experience of a failure due to a rubber valve stem.

I have, that's why I mentioned it.

[27vulcan]

This sounds interesting , do you have to have your wheels re-balanced with the monitors on?

[smokey]

Just put the doran on mine, changed the rubber valve stem to metal on the front, so far no problems at all, easy to program and no balancing of the wheels needed as I have that liquid balancer in both wheels.

[jjg3]

Does the Doran have any instruction regarding use with a sealant?

[Work4crown]

Has anyone seen or tried the FOBO Bike TPMS (https://my-fobo.com/Product/FOBOBIKE#download+app)? I'm thinking of trying it. It costs $100. and uses my phone as a display. Since I aleady have my phone waterproofed, powered and mounted to my handlebars it seems ideal. Comments?

https://my-fobo.com/Product/FOBOBIKE#download+app

[smokey]

Well I have had no problem with the doran and the only thing is that when it is cold like it is now it will of course read below the set minimum, I did change to the balancing beads, but apart from that it holds up to use and is working great.

[ponch]

Has anyone seen or tried the FOBO Bike TPMS (https://my-fobo.com/Product/FOBOBIKE#download+app)? I'm thinking of trying it. It costs $100. and uses my phone as a display. Since I aleady have my phone waterproofed, powered and mounted to my handlebars it seems ideal. Comments?

https://my-fobo.com/Product/FOBOBIKE#download+app

Make sure you have steel stems for the air valves.

[minst7877]

http://www.doranmfgstore.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=%23360M&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=b42f0f3a-382d-40c0-8dbe-85d5bdd464dc

A corrected link for the Doran kit

DC

[markc9503]

I don't have the automatically monitoring system but have purchased valve stem caps at accu-pressure.com. When you order, you state which pressures you need. I have them on both bikes and the car. Just a quick look before riding. The only problem would be while riding you wouldn't know what the pressure is.

Mark Graham
VROC 2710

I have used valve caps from Ride-On for two years now and I have been quite happy with them. They are self-calibrating and so the LED will flash with the tire pressure drops 4 psi below where it was when the cap was put on. Considering how challenging it is to get to the rear tire of the Voyager these are really handy to have.

[Snake Ranch]

I'm doing some research on TPMS - I'm a little tired of maneuvering my skoot to hand-check the TP every time I go out for a ride. Has anyone done any looking-into on this forum?

Yes, I have. I bought a TPMS for $200.00. It works great. I had to calibrate it only once, when installed. It has been problem free. http://www.doranmfg.com/motorcycle-tire-pressure-monitoring-systems.htm Check it out. Its easy to set up. The sensors can be installed inside the tire or outside. Inside is the best when changing out your tire. I am happy the way the system works.:tup: