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.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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]

Originally Posted by 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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

[HeyJoe]

Originally Posted by roundman

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]

Originally Posted by 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 !

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

[Snake Ranch]

Originally Posted by 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 !

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