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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Lavon, TX | I 've been using the SmarTire Tire Pressure Monitoring System (tpms) since day one on my bike. It provides both pressure and temperature readings for the tires (pressure is temperature compensated), with separate warnings at 15% and 25% pressure loss as well as overtemp (185degF). Being that I mainly ride two-up pulling a "stuffed" BushTec trailer, the overtemp alarm has been very valuable - warning me of this condition while traversing the interstates at 80mph during the Summer heat. The tire temperature will drop again once I slow down to around 60mph for about 10 minutes or so. A press of the display button will give me instantaneous readings of both pressure and temperature for each of the tires. I run 40psi in both front and rear factory Dunlop E3 tires. My dealer will invariably drop the tire pressure to 36psi upon each service; a quick read of my display and I know that I need to add air again. Anytime the tires feel "squirrely", all I have to do is push my display button to be reassured that the tires are fine. This past Sunday, I experienced the pressure loss alarm for the first time. We were running 80mph two-up pulling the trailer about 20 miles from home when the alarm started flashing - first showing -8psi on rear tire. Note that I felt zero difference in the handling of the bike. I immediately backed off the throttle, turned on my hazards, and started moving toward the sholder. I watched with amazement at how fast the pressure dropped in the rear tire (still didn't feel anything different). Another 100 yds and I safely exited the interstate. By the time I made the right turn at the end of the ramp to pull into the adjacent gas station, the rear tire only had 4psi. I came very close to dropping the bike while making the turn (I believe that the trailer actually helped to minimize the swing of the rear end). We called a friend with a bike to trailer to come and rescue us. The tpms system quite literally may have saved our life - for it scares me to think of what might have happened while running that fast with no awareness of the pressure loss until the tire was almost flat. I really do not understand why bikes are not REQUIRED to have a tpms. Unfortunately, the dealer broke my sensor during the tire change. The SmarTire system for motorcycles ceased production back in 2006, and there are no longer any replacement parts within North America (per Vulcan Tire). So, the dealer is replacing my system (for free) with the Doran 360M. This system does not prove tire temperature sensing, so I guess I'm finally going to get around to figuring out how to provide some RAM airflow to the rear tire. |
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Tourer
Posts: 575
Spirit Lake IA "Birthplace of Victory Motorcycles" | I have the Doran for the same reasons. Love it! Plus it allows me to not have to crawl under my bike to check the rear tire. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | Why did the tire loose pressure? I have looked at the different tire monitors and have heard of a lot of failures and comments about not worth it. Thanks for the info.
Edited by VisionTex 2010-09-16 10:03 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 88
Lavon, TX | I had specifically requested that the shop determine the root cause of my rapid pressure loss. My concern was that perhaps my primary dealer might not have been changing the stubby rubber valve stem upon each tire install (I wear out a rear tire every six months) due to the added complication of having to remove the worm gear that held the SmarTire sensor against the inside of the rim. Other possibilies included premature failure of the tire due to its regularly reaching >185degF during this summer rally season (although this year was no hotter than the past two). Or overloading with two-up and "stuffed" trailer (though this is how we have always traveled). Or internal damage to the tire (exceeding its speed rating) from the >130mph riding (since the recent addition of Lloyd's Rev Ext).
Unfortunately, this shop did not take the time to air up the original tire and determine the source of the leak prior to doing the tire change. Service Advisor stated that he saw no obvious damage to either the tire or valve stem, and felt that probably something (like a nail) had pierced the tire but not stayed in - so the damage would be hard to find with the naked eye.
The TireGuard system is the cheapest, but is very problematic - has keychain indicator (not water resistant, small, hard to see) and the sensors have user-replaceable batteries (meaning that moisture will eventually seep in and ruin them). However, it does include tire temperature monitoring.
The SmarTire system was, by far, the best system available - in its day. This company still makes the premium system for OTR trucking and RV industries, but has ceased to manufacture/support their motorcycle system.
The Doran 360M is the best system on-the-market today - monitor is waterproof, sensors are sealed, comes with patented metal valve stems for inside the rim mounting. Sensor life is about 3 years, and replacement sensors are $50. It comes as standard equipment on the latest GoldWing. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 219
Pittsburgh, PA | I'm interested in one of these systems. Are the sensors just screwed on where the valve cap goes or does it go inside the tire? I know of some cheap items sold at RV dealers that just screw on the valve cap but all my RV usage reviews seem to say they are hit or miss. I'll look up the Doran system and do some research. |
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Tourer
Posts: 575
Spirit Lake IA "Birthplace of Victory Motorcycles" | The kit they sell has both internal and external sensors. I just have external on now until I do my next tire change |
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Say if didn't read what I told some one ells stop by a auto tire place and ask them to nitrogen in your tires. New cars come with it and have green valve caps so dealers know. The nitrogen takes longer to leak out of a tire so it last longer. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 60
Vancouver, B.C. & La Quinta, CA | I use the Doran system with sensors inside the tire. Excellent results! I placed the gauge inside a saddlebag as it is big and not too pretty for the dash. The beauty of this system is that ot has a small but very bright (read impossible to miss) light for installing descreetly on the dash. It can be set for two pressure loss settings. Mine goes off after a loss of 4 lbs. It worked one morning at Yellowstone Park this August. It warned me that I was down 4 lbs. I rode it for a few minutes and it was fine. The very low temp overnight caused my tire to drop air but when warmed by riding a couple of minutes it expanded to proper inflation and the light went off. If I really need to see exact pressures I just open a saddlebag and look.
Cheers |
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Tourer
Posts: 575
Spirit Lake IA "Birthplace of Victory Motorcycles" | I mounted my unit by tapping on the RH handlebar. Doesn't look too bad here and I can see my pressures as part of my check before I ride.
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Iron Butt
Posts: 741
Central New York | Sure, these are nice gadgets. Definitely good for those that don't like checking their bike. But please, lets stop the 'MANDATORY' crap. We have far more government intervention in our lives now without adding TPMS and the upcoming TPMS police to watch for them.
Your bike - your responsibility, my bike - my responsibility. The cost of a good bike is high enough without forcing more unwanted add-ons to drive the cost higher. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1117
Northeast Ohio | I would love to see a factory option for this. Man314, your setup looks perfect. I have had the TireGuard system for two years now with zero issues. I have a piece of 3M duralock on the back and is affixed to my cupholder bracket. Is the Doran unit backlit? With the Tireguard unit, you can press a button to turn on the back light for a few seconds. |
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TPMS should be mandatory
