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
Jeff says
More stuff for the gadget geeks .
Skizick says
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.
Ben says
“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.
Skizick says
Thank Ben, Worth investigatin’
vic says
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.
Redmond says
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!
OMMAG says
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.
Skizick says
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.
Hawk says
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.
Gary says
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.
Jeff says
How many of you check your tire pressure before every ride ?
Skizick says
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?
Andrew says
My Concours has ’em and they’re great! Already helped me discover a small puncture before it caused a problem.
Andrew says
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!
Jeff says
🙂 My point is this should make it easy for you to check your tire pressures . I still do it the old fashion way with tire gauge . I think this gadget is a great Idea for Sport Touring and Touring bikes ….or all bikes for that matter if you like gadgets makes it easy nothing wrong with that . But……….before the gadget era did you check your tire pressure before every ride ? I always did and still do 🙂 As for getting a flat on the roll the last thing I’m going to look at is the tire pressure . A seasoned pilot gets what I mean .
ROHORN says
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…..
Jeff says
I’m stick and rudder all the way 🙂
Seasoned Pilot says
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.
Paul says
To Seasoned Pilot –
What TPMS did you purchase, and why?
Paul
pc.king@verizon.net
Edward says
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.
Howard says
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.
DJFireUSA says
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.
Russ says
I too have had a smart tire clamp let go inside my rear tire. It looks as if the mechanic tire ironed the hose clamp and didn’t tell me about it and or didn’t even look to check it out.
So I am looking for a hose clamp, sensor and possible a valve stem protector. This product is the best…!