Real tire pressure monitoring

[EasyRider]

I just installed a new tire pressure monitoring system. I thought it also monitored the temp as well, but it dose not. My fault for not researching it better. Normally I do spend a lot of time looking into the products I buy.

Thats not the big problem though. In the advertising for the product, I saw pictures of the display showing pressure readouts for each tires. I assumed the system would show the real pressure in each tire. I dose not. :angry2:

In reality it is only a pressure change monitor. During initial setup the directions direct one to first set the tires a the correct cold pressure, then enter those values into the monitor control unit. The unit dose not show the real pressure the as the tires heat up. It reduces the display one pond for every 10 degrees of temperature ingress, and I have know idea why, and I don't know where it gets the temperature. And when the bike is shut off and restarted, it starts the pressure display at the values input at initial set up.

So, suppose I stop for a quick bit to eat and I pick up a nail on the way into the parking lot. The rear tire pressure goes down 22 lbs wile the bike is off wile I'm inside. Now I come out and start the bike. The system tells me I have 40 front and 42 rear as was input in the initial setup. Now I happily pull away thinking I have 40 and 42, but the rear tire is short by 22 lbs, but I don't get a warning till I'm down to 17 lbs. But It gets worse, I think I'm still in good shape for a wile till I get to a air pump because the effected tire still shows on the display as having 39 lbs. It thinks the tire rear tire started off at 42 lbs when it really had 20 lbs and dose not warn me of trouble till it thinks its at 39 but it is in reality its at 17 lbs.

Is this set up totally flawed or what? Now I have to yank this system out. :angry2: Two hundred dollers latter for installing the new sensors in the tires. :angry2:

Dose any one make one that shows the real pressure as it goes up and down and inside tire temperature.

 

[cota95]

Smartire

 

[EasyRider]

Thanks for the Smartire tip. It looks good, but it looks like a would not be able to see both tire simultaneously.

I'm asking here because the advertising for these products can be is misleading. I found that out the hard way. :angry2:

Dose any one make a real pressure monitor with a display that will show both front a rear on the display simultaneously for me to look

down at wile on the bike.

I already got burned once with a deficient system so I would like to see what others are using here.

 

[ngarider]

Tirewatch. Both tires, plus temperature. No silly hose clamp.

 

[EasyRider]

Tirewatch. Both tires, plus temperature. No silly hose clamp.

Can it display pounds fahrenheit?

 

[ngarider]

Info

 

[EasyRider]

Info

Thanks for the help.

Now I have to call the manufacture about returning the first system and getting my money back. :angry2:

 

[El Toro]

Most of the tire pressure monitors I've seen, including those on cars and trucks, are differential pressure monitors. They tell you there's a problem if the pressure drops 4 psi from the initial set point. You can reset the set point if you like, but it shouldn't reset itself as you have suggested. I think that if you picked up a nail and were 20 pounds low, that the monitor would tell you there was a problem, unless the system you bought truly sucks.

 

[EasyRider]

Most of the tire pressure monitors I've seen, including those on cars and trucks, are differential pressure monitors. They tell you there's a problem if the pressure drops 4 psi from the initial set point. You can reset the set point if you like, but it shouldn't reset itself as you have suggested. I think that if you picked up a nail and were 20 pounds low, that the monitor would tell you there was a problem, unless the system you bought truly sucks.

So dose TireWatch just tell you how much change in the tires from a preset amount that resets at every start up, or dose it display the actual pressure and temperature?

Some tire monitor system manufactures advertising states, "real time pressure monitoring" like the one I bought, but it dose not show true pressure. It only shows how much change since the last start up witch resets to the unit to the preset values. Thats how I fell I was mislead with the advertising for the product I bought. The Advertising also indicated it monitors temperate in the same line is calmed to monitor and display "real time tire pressure". Mine even rolls back one pound on the display for every 10 degrees of the temperature increases.

This is driving me freakin nuts. I dont know why they have to get so complicated. I just want to know what the actual presure in the tires is wile I'm riding. How hard is that?

 

[El Toro]

Rant: :boredom: Is there any reason to care what the tire pressure is while you're riding? I just take a gage and measure it when the tires are cold about once every week or two. If they're low, I air them up to spec and forget about it.

If you have an event that causes you to lose pressure, like a puncture or impact problem, the bike will let you know with crummy handling. You won't need a gage to tell you that you've lost 20 psi.

This is just overpriced needless gadgetry that is primarily for folks who don't want to measure their tire pressure.

Oil level gages are in the same category. If you have an oil level gage, it generally tells you your level is low.... the same information that is available by taking a look at the site glass after each ride. If you've got an actual problem with your oil, the oil pressure sensor is going to give you a heads up mighty fast, so this is just more redundant unnecessary junk for lazy folks. :bye:

 

[ngarider]

Rant: :boredom: Is there any reason to care what the tire pressure is while you're riding? I just take a gage and measure it when the tires are cold about once every week or two. If they're low, I air them up to spec and forget about it.
If you have an event that causes you to lose pressure, like a puncture or impact problem, the bike will let you know with crummy handling. You won't need a gage to tell you that you've lost 20 psi.

This is just overpriced needless gadgetry that is primarily for folks who don't want to measure their tire pressure.

Oil level gages are in the same category. If you have an oil level gage, it generally tells you your level is low.... the same information that is available by taking a look at the site glass after each ride. If you've got an actual problem with your oil, the oil pressure sensor is going to give you a heads up mighty fast, so this is just more redundant unnecessary junk for lazy folks. :bye:

Ok, first, its GAUGE. A gage is a valued object deposited as a show of good faith.

So, first, you realize that every time you check your pressure, you lose pressure? With such diminutive volume, you can easily lose a half pound checking pressure (depending on gauge and technique). My TPMS lets me know without any pressure loss.

Next, some folks (myself included) are very interested in tire pressure WHILE riding. I know exactly when my tires are up to temperature and pressure and good for spirited riding. When, wise sage, do YOU know when your tires are up to temperature?

So, lets just say you don't lean much, push it at all, and could ride around on BigWheels plastic tires. Tire pressure means nothing to you.

What happens when you do have a loss of pressure due to a puncture? With my TPMS, I know as soon as the pressure drops below a threshold I set. Lets say I'm running cold pressure of 40psi. At speed, pressure will increase to 43/44psi. I set my low pressure threshold to 38. Can you tell a 2PSI difference, Nostradamus? I think not.

This lets me know instantly that I'm having an issue. I can begin maneuvers to stop the bike and evaluate. What are you doing? Still riding, until you hit a low enough PSI that the front end washes out? Good plan. And who's more likely to be riding on a rim, or sliding on their ass?

And as far as the cost, my system was something like $300 IIRC. Do you have a big screen TV? Satellite TV? It's about priorities and risk mitigation. What's it worth to me to have 30 seconds or 1 minute warning that my front tire picked up a nail? $300? You bet your ass. Ever lost pressure on a front tire at 80mph+? I have.

I find it humorous that anyone with a $13K bike thinks $300 is too expensive. But, that's typically the 'I financed it' crowd. Screw the total, all about monthly payments (I don't know your particular situation, more a general comment).

So, I see your rant and raise you one. :clapping:

 

[El Toro]

So, first, you realize that every time you check your pressure, you lose pressure? With such diminutive volume, you can easily lose a half pound checking pressure (depending on gauge and technique). My TPMS lets me know without any pressure loss.
Next, some folks (myself included) are very interested in tire pressure WHILE riding. I know exactly when my tires are up to temperature and pressure and good for spirited riding. When, wise sage, do YOU know when your tires are up to temperature?

So, lets just say you don't lean much, push it at all, and could ride around on BigWheels plastic tires. Tire pressure means nothing to you.

What happens when you do have a loss of pressure due to a puncture? With my TPMS, I know as soon as the pressure drops below a threshold I set. Lets say I'm running cold pressure of 40psi. At speed, pressure will increase to 43/44psi. I set my low pressure threshold to 38. Can you tell a 2PSI difference, Nostradamus? I think not.

This lets me know instantly that I'm having an issue. I can begin maneuvers to stop the bike and evaluate. What are you doing? Still riding, until you hit a low enough PSI that the front end washes out? Good plan. And who's more likely to be riding on a rim, or sliding on their ass?

And as far as the cost, my system was something like $300 IIRC. Do you have a big screen TV? Satellite TV? It's about priorities and risk mitigation. What's it worth to me to have 30 seconds or 1 minute warning that my front tire picked up a nail? $300? You bet your ass. Ever lost pressure on a front tire at 80mph+? I have.

I find it humorous that anyone with a $13K bike thinks $300 is too expensive. But, that's typically the 'I financed it' crowd. Screw the total, all about monthly payments (I don't know your particular situation, more a general comment).

So, I see your rant and raise you one. :clapping:

Man, your bikes must really suck big time. I've never had a bike lose pressure on a ride, whether doing the Agostini Surteese impression, or not.

You lose almost nothing when you check the pressure if you do it right and have a good gage.

Hey, farkle away.... I think the motorsports industry is the place where they invented the phrase "a fool and his money are soon parted." I don't care nothin' about the cost of the farkle. Its the uselessness of the data that bugs me.

If you want serious data logging, get a real data logger and monitor everything as you go. I wanna know exact oil temp, oil pressure, induction air temp and pressure, etc. Heck, I wanna have a special multiplier that I can use to override the standard ecu instructions for fuel and timing.

As for your oil, I sure would highly recommend AMSOIL. I've seen guys putting it in their big rigs, with no problems for hundreds of thousands of miles, and it also works well in the Suzuki Burgmans.

 

[smitty141]

I seen a ad for this monitor on a BMW-MOA mag. I am thinking about it.. What makes this so simple, you just replace the valve cap, or mount them inside the wheel. It does not look like shows temp though.

$250.00 for the bike kit.

Has anyone tried this unit yet?? It is from Doran..Doran

 

[EasyRider]

I just took another look at the Smartire.com again and looked at the owners manual. I think its a winner.

The Smartire system looks like the real deal. It dose not require one to put in a pesure value. It only requires one to confirm the pressure data in picks up on its own. It all simultaneously show the pressure deviation from the cold start pressure when they heat up. And it will give and aleart with the heat deviation taken into account.

I guess I can live with only seeing one tire at a time. The display will switch to the tire that has an issue on its own or I can push the button when stopped to look at the other tire to see what its up to.

169.00 plus shiping and no wires to run.

Just another tire $200.00 removal to get the sensors in. :angry2:

 

[RonBB]

A good friend & riding buddy has used the Smartire system on a GW1800 for a couple of years now & is very happy with it. Personally I have no experience or connection with Smartire. I think it monitors both front & rear with temperture & pressure.

Not sure about the law for motorcycles but I think the Feds mandated tire monitors on autos starting soon if not already. I assume it is coming for motorcycles as it is included on the Concours 1400 now.

 

[ngarider]

So, you've never had a tire lose pressure at speed, AND you simply can't see the value in a pressure monitor?

Ya know, I've never had HIV -- what's the point of rubbers?

Ok, great. I'll get a datalogger. Where's the sensor that Yamaha put in my tires? Hmmm??? Oh, not there. GOSH. Guess you're right, there must not be any point whatsoever to monitor that. BUT, thank GOD we have instant MPG on the display. I can't count the number of times that's come in handy. You know, WAY more useful than monitoring tire pressure. <_<

'special multiplier' ?? Right. Well, there's this thing called a Power Commander. Guess that's another way fools and their money are parted, eh?

That's funny, you recommending something and trying to make fun. So witty!

Man, your bikes must really suck big time. I've never had a bike lose pressure on a ride, whether doing the Agostini Surteese impression, or not.You lose almost nothing when you check the pressure if you do it right and have a good gage.

Hey, farkle away.... I think the motorsports industry is the place where they invented the phrase "a fool and his money are soon parted." I don't care nothin' about the cost of the farkle. Its the uselessness of the data that bugs me.

If you want serious data logging, get a real data logger and monitor everything as you go. I wanna know exact oil temp, oil pressure, induction air temp and pressure, etc. Heck, I wanna have a special multiplier that I can use to override the standard ecu instructions for fuel and timing.

As for your oil, I sure would highly recommend AMSOIL. I've seen guys putting it in their big rigs, with no problems for hundreds of thousands of miles, and it also works well in the Suzuki Burgmans.

 

[Checkswrecks]

To each of you, go for it.

That why it's called your bike

Jeez guys....

 

[EasyRider]

My pressure monitoring system is having an attack of indecision.

When strarting my five hour ride today it showed the preset pressure of 40 front and 42 rear. It dose that at every start up. Later in the day it showed 59 front and 42 rear. But near the end of my ride it showed 52 rear and 70 front. I checked it two minutes later after the 52 and 70 and the real pressure was 45 rear and 42 front. It was only running 2 high in the front and 3 high in the rear from the cold temp pressure.

So the whole system is coming out. :angry2: Its been a huge head ace. I had to go through two sets of custom mounts from the system manufacturer for the front and rear receivers after it turned out the originals were never test fitted on a 07 FJR. :angry2:

I'll have to wait till I get a Smartire sytsem before so the old stuff come out the the tires so the new stuff can go in at the same time.

 

[FJRBluesman]

I use this ingenious cool thing called a tire pressure gauge. It's manual and I use it once a week. Works great no issues cost me about $10, a few years back.

Sears clicky

No worries.