Dangers of low tire pressure (Air em up boys-n-girls)

[gordonv]

I felt this should be posted here too.

DarkSider
http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,100577.0.html

My additional post on the bottom as a follow up and also a WARNING!!

Follow up;

I had the TPMS system sent to my USA mail house, instead of home. It arrived in 2 weeks instead of 3 months.

Put my MC on the road yesterday. Check those pressure indicator caps, all good. Mounted the TPMS system, put the front cap on, and it showed 25 psi. Put the air pump on, pumped up to 35 psi, on with the cap again, and the TPMS showed 39 psi.

Rear tire, looked at the tire cap, solid green, off, on with the pump, indicated 15 psi. Pumped it up to 35 psi. On with the new TPMS, showed 39 psi.

I was going to mount the display on the fairing, but temporary on the handle bars, found this was a good spot.



I like, I think it's going to stay there. I left it turned on, went inside washed up, and came out about 10 min later, and the screen was blank. I touched it, and it lite back up. Just need to see how long the battery lasts before a recharge. Rode home, and showed a different temp frnt/bck and the rear psi went up to 39 also.

Conclusion: Those air pressure caps aren't worth S&^t!

Thinking of a second one for the trailer. With how easy it is to mount the display, I can remove it for when I'm not towing.

[BobB]

I also believe that a TPMS is one of the most valuable items we can add to our motorcycles.  There are several out there, each have strong points and weaknesses.  Not sure I would want one that had to be charged, but a permanent USB connection is a possibility.

I had a Durand 360M on my Tourer for several years.  It operated on switched bike power and the sensers could be inside or outside of the tires with the steel valve stems that were supplied.  The down side to this TPMS is that it may take up to six minutes to get pressure readings after the power is switched on, as the sensors report in every six minutes.  The second major downside is that the sensor batteries are not replaceable.  Sensors cost $40 each and last one to two years.  However, if you are skilled, I have seen a how to video on battery replacement...

[Glaserbeam]

I've used the TireGard pressure sensors for years on three different bikes, including my Valk.  Accurate, and easy to replace the batteries:

https://www.ebay.com/p/Show-Chrome-TireGard-Wireless-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-System-13-315/1111827051?iid=192435962362&chn=ps

https://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Wireless-Tire-Pressure-System/dp/B00IBI4R9S/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1526660922&sr=8-2&keywords=tiregard+motorcycle+pressure

[gordonv]

As a follow up. I bought my original TPMS monitor on ebay, from China. Direct from China, the price is $10 CAD lower than what I paid for them.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33047094145.html?spm=a2g0o.tm313273.7744143770.61.22e32509s6NVw7&gps-id=seaZeus&scm=1007.25281.150765.0&scm_id=1007.25281.150765.0&scm-url=1007.25281.150765.0&pvid=4dc91236-ca7b-4484-8754-20a88d9f9af4

Here is a second one less expensive.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000528793184.html?spm=a2g0o.tm313273.7744143770.547.22e32509s6NVw7&gps-id=seaZeus&scm=1007.25281.150765.0&scm_id=1007.25281.150765.0&scm-url=1007.25281.150765.0&pvid=0253e06c-85ef-4001-8796-5fb8289f19ab

I see I hadn't added a pic of the valve caps. (DON"T use these, they're flawed)

[Valkorado]

I've been using the ones Gordon pictured on both bikes for several seasons now.  With my pressure gauge, which is an accurate dial type manual one, they're pretty much spot on.

I do wish the face was easier to read in bright daylight and the alarm was louder.  I also wish they'd reset after parking and give a new reading immediately when the bike is moved again --  mine always shows the last pressures and temperatures read until you get more movement on the tires than you can from moving before riding.  Mine usually takes a couple blocks of riding to reset, so if you're low you won't know until then.  This is my experience anyway.

Thankfully my tires rarely lose much pressure.  I do think the Ride-On helps maintain proper pressures.

Those TPMS units are good for the price.

[gordonv]

Mine usually takes a couple blocks of riding to reset, so if you're low you won't know until then.  This is my experience anyway.

Mine too, also with another 4 unit version I have in 2 of my personal cars. The unit on the air valve needs to wake up and start sending. So yes, I check my tire pressure as I'm driving away down my street from home, 1-2 blocks.

[yrunvs]

Doesnt the book say 33psi front and 33 psi rear? Is there a more preferrred psi?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Doesnt the book say 33psi front and 33 psi rear? Is there a more preferrred psi?

It`s been found thru experience these bikes do better with higher pressures. I run 40 up front. Some run even higher. I run a car tire on back at 34.

[CoreyP]

Doesnt the book say 33psi front and 33 psi rear? Is there a more preferred psi?

It`s been found thru experience these bikes do better with higher pressures. I run 40 up front. Some run even higher. I run a car tire on back at 34.

I've been playing with tire pressure for 6 months now, what exactly are you guys after? I'm after handling and grip, most on this forum seem to want higher mileage on their tires.

I don't think the tire recommendations are good. I like the feel of around 36 up front and 38 in the back. I tired higher pressures and the bike got a little twitchy to me. For long highway rides that wouldn't be a problem but I ride most of the time within an hour of where I am. I just keep reading about these high tire pressures and want to know why exactly?  I'm asking because I have never had a bike of this weight or size. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

Doesnt the book say 33psi front and 33 psi rear? Is there a more preferred psi?

It`s been found thru experience these bikes do better with higher pressures. I run 40 up front. Some run even higher. I run a car tire on back at 34.

I've been playing with tire pressure for 6 months now, what exactly are you guys after? I'm after handling and grip, most on this forum seem to want higher mileage on their tires.

I don't think the tire recommendations are good. I like the feel of around 36 up front and 38 in the back. I tired higher pressures and the bike got a little twitchy to me. For long highway rides that wouldn't be a problem but I ride most of the time within an hour of where I am. I just keep reading about these high tire pressures and want to know why exactly?  I'm asking because I have never had a bike of this weight or size. 

Mostly to reduce cupping of the tread. The pressures you are running are just fine. You may lose a little in mileage of the tire, but I doubt much.

[F6Dave]

For my F6B I got the TireGard from Show Chrome.  It uses a single AAA battery that lasts for a year.  It clearly displays both pressure and temperature on a fob I can easily see while riding.  I have a Garmin GPS and leave my phone in my pocket, so a Bluetooth TPMS would not be very useful.  If you prefer to carry the fob in your pocket it will vibrate whenever the pressure or temperature reach user-set limits.  That would work better with the Valk's ignition key location, though you could also attach it with Velcro.

The TireGard cap/sensors only weigh .4 ounces and cause no problem with balancing.  The entire kit only costs $65 through Amazon, so I plan on getting them for the Valks too.  Here are a few photos.  Look how hot that rear tire gets!  Ambient temperature was in the 80s when I took these.

I absolutely love having TPMS. Since tubeless tires rarely blow out but instead develop very slow leaks, TPMS virtually eliminates the need for a roadside repair. You'll know about a leak early and have plenty of time to find a safe place to deal with it.

PSI:


Temp:


Front sensor:

[gordonv]

Doesnt the book say 33psi front and 33 psi rear? Is there a more preferrred psi?

For me, in all my vehicles, it doesn't matter what the tires/car say they want the psi at, I go by the max psi on the actual tire on the vehicle, usually a few psi less than max.

I can't say it's better this way or lower, I have no problem with any of my vehicles. Recommendation is a firmer tire for max rolling co-efficient for mpg. I've yet to have any reason to lower or change my psi, riding a IS 2 up mostly. MC & CT, no difference.