Comments on: Motorcycle Tire Pressure Monitors

By: DJFireUSA

DJFireUSA — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:24:09 +0000

Love my smartire, but had the rear sensor break loose inside the tire and destroyed itself. If anybody knows where I can get a replacement PLEASE let me know!!

Firefitr@cxp.com

Live in FL, am touring Alaska right now.

By: Howard

Howard — Sun, 03 May 2009 21:50:47 +0000

I have the Smart Tire on my Honda ST1300 and have been warned TWICE of low pressure. The first time I was 2.5 miles from home and sure enough, had a nail. Not sure how long I would have gone before noticing the tire low.

Then two nights ago my Smart Tire started flashing again, it was telling me I was 8 lbs low at the current tire temp, I could NOT tell I was low on pressure, and I was riding a tight circuit at the time, officiating at a bike race going around city blocks. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to finish the race (again, I was the Ref). I pulled off and added some air (with a hand pump) and then after the race, topped it off at a gas station for the ride home.

I am sorry to hear that Smart Tire is no longer selling for motorcycles and I am looking for something for my Suzuki DL650, I think having a pressure sensor system is important, and yes, I check my tire pressure every day.

By: Edward

Edward — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:13:18 +0000

Years ago I put a SmarTire unit on my Valkyrie Tourer. (By the way, try checking the rear tire pressure manually. Because of the saddlebags, you have to position the bike so the valve stem is at the bottom, and then lie down on the ground.) That thing saved my butt! I had just started a vacation ride from Seattle heading for the Yukon. As I’m nearing 100 Mile House (that’s the name of a town in Canada) it starts flashing at me. I press the button and see I’m six pounds down. Hmm. About 3 minutes later, I press the button again, and I’m already 10 pounds down. Yipe! Fortunately, I’m now AT 100 Mile House, so I stop. (It later turned out to be a cut in the valve stem.) At 70 miles an hour, I hadn’t noticed losing six pounds. If not for the SmarTire, I would have just rode on toward Williams Lake, and AT LEAST been stranded in the middle of nowhere.

I’ve ridden to the Yukon, Key West, and a LOT of places in between, and from now on EVERY bike I own will have one of these things.

By: Paul

Paul — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:16:31 +0000

To Seasoned Pilot -

What TPMS did you purchase, and why?

Paul
pc.king@verizon.net

By: Seasoned Pilot

Seasoned Pilot — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 16:02:34 +0000

I’ve been riding for 28 years and last September had a near fatal accident with my wife riding one up on my 2008 touring bike. Turned out to be a blowout due to a large nail hole in the tire that we did not know of until too late. Wobblies started at 75 mph and with all the weight of gear and an additional passenger the bike took control of us at 60 and went down. Three months of recovery, numerous surgeries, near loss of life and thousands of dollars in medical bills have led me to purchase one of these units. I have recovered from several blowouts over the years as any seasoned rider will likely have to do, but from now on I will know it’s coming and take any preventative measures possible. In addition, I have become an advocate for motorcycle safety and am petitioning all motorcycle manufatures to include a TPMS on all modles. A small price to pay to save lives. Had a tire repair kit and all we needed to know is that air was being lost. If your a serious rider like me than you will gladly pay the 250 bones to cover your butt.