Motorcycle Tire Pressure Monitors
October 6th, 2008 at 10:34 am by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"
Tire pressure monitors have begun to appear on cars and I notice the new 2009 Honda Gold Wing will include a pressure monitoring system, but what can you do for your current bike? Here’s an option from Doran Mfg., the Doran 360M, a system that mounts in special valve stems to constantly monitor tire pressure and deliver the information to a remote display you can mount in any convenient location.
The sensors can be mounted either inside or outside the tire rim. The monitor readout can be mounted in one spot with a separate warning light mounted in a more conspicuous location, depending on the space available. The whole setup is priced at $249.99.
There are other units out there, this one has the advantage of being able to be installed outside the rim, but I think this is a bit of technology that’s far more useful than some of the bolt ons you’ll find for sale in the average parts catalog. If you’ve ever had the experience of picking up a nail in your tire, going around a turn and feeling that slippery wallow as your tire slides around, you know what I mean.
Link: Doran 360M
Posted in Motorcycle Accessories, Motorcycle Safety, Motorcycle Technology
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17 Responses to “Motorcycle Tire Pressure Monitors”
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October 6th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
More stuff for the gadget geeks .
October 6th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Having been a gadget geek that has had that flat tire “wallow” almost lead to a flying dismount, I only wish it were available for tubed tires.
October 6th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
“Wireless sensors can be screwed onto the end of the valve stems replacing the existing valve caps.”
Sounds like it would work with Tubes… I think this would be neat on my KLX650, but I’m way too cheap.
October 6th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Thank Ben, Worth investigatin’
October 6th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Useless. Most of us can tell when our tire pressure is just 3 to 5 psi below specs or easily notice the difference between cold and warm tires.
October 6th, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Beemer folks will jump on this like foam on beer. Goldwingers too cheap!
If I did a lot of X country traveling (especially with passenger and load) I’d buy one!
October 6th, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Good find Paul….
Whether or not any of us need it is not really the issue.
It’s good technology and if you want to you can now have it for your own peace of mind.
I’d rate this gadget as 4 and 1/2 out of 5 points for being a good idea.
October 6th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I don’t think anyone could walk up to their bike and tell if the air pressure was 3 to 5 lbs low before riding off. I feel it might be pretty cool to know oil level, fuel level, and tire pressure prior to hopping on the road. Slighty low air pressure of a steady nature can be remedied at the next service station. Steadly diminishing air pressure can now be properly addressed before it becomes a safety issue. This could be measured in terms of miles or feet depending on serverity.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I purchased a SmarTire unit from the manufacturer in Richmond, BC. (Google “SmarTire”) Sadly, they have discontinued the motorcycle product (It was about CA$200). I’m still using it on my GoldWing and swear by it.
A couple of years ago, I drove a 3″ piece of rod through a brand new rear Dunlop … and it hit (and broke) the sensor. I was only going about 60 kph (40 mph) but instantly the unit was giving me a warning and decreasing pressure readouts every 2 seconds. I actually had enough time to slow from a much higher speed before the wobblies would have got me.
Every time I turn the ignition on and roll away, this gizmo gives me the pressures on both ends. It also compensates for temperature caused increases and is easily resettable if I decide to change my baseline pressures - like to play or go two-up.
Oh sure, we should always do our pressure checks every time we ride but seriously, have you ever tried to find that elusive valve stem buried under the bags of a Wing? All too often, “I’ll check it next time, eh?”
I won’t say $250 is cheap …. but it’s a lot cheaper than a come-off.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Its cool, but I’m kinda luke-warm about it. Maybe it works better than what Kawasaki built into the new Concours. It runs about 1 to 3 pounds less than what is in the tires. After the warnenty (sp) runs out, I’ll not bother keeping it operational.
October 6th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
How many of you check your tire pressure before every ride ?
October 6th, 2008 at 11:04 pm
How often do you check your pressure?? That’s one of the best points. Pressure at a glance. You don’t even have to think about it. There it is. Does it split readings front and rear? Do you have to push a button to get it to change?
October 7th, 2008 at 3:56 am
My Concours has ‘em and they’re great! Already helped me discover a small puncture before it caused a problem.
October 7th, 2008 at 3:59 am
Just read post 12. On the Connie you cycle between 5 different displays so it’s up to you what you’re looking at. One screen shows both tyre pressures. But, if either tyre pressure drops below 33psi you get a warning screen - great system!
October 7th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
October 7th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Yeah, this is the sort of thing Authentic Seasoned Pilots ™ hold with utter disdain, along with electric starts, rear suspension (hey, ya too dimwitted to ride around the bumps?), automatic ignition advance, gas gages, clocks (too modern to use a sundial, metro boy?), etc…..
October 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I’m stick and rudder all the way