Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) - Optical?

[jgburns]

The dealer told me TPM optically gauges the tire inflation from the outside? How? Is it as reliable or better than the internal smartire sensor?

[cfell]

They can work and are made for specific tire "pressure range". They mount to the valve stem, sorta like a cap. On the cap is a clear cover. Inside the clear cover is an incremental gauge, similar to the knd on the "pencil" type gauges. The gauge has 3 colors, red, greeen and yellow to indicate the pressure status.

If you damage the cap, you can lose air pressure. Also, the additional weight on the valve stem will put other stresses on it.

I tried them on my LT but they pass a little too close to the brake caliper. To have the cap strike the caliper and break the cap would most likely cause a tire deflation.. (bad)

[stevek1200lt]

In what context did he mention this? On BMW cars like the MINI Cooper, BMW uses the ABS sensor rings to calculate when a tires pressure lowers and sets off the low tire warning.

Steve
Olympia


The dealer told me TPM optically gauges the tire inflation from the outside? How? Is it as reliable or better than the internal smartire sensor?

[jgburns]

In what context did he mention this? On BMW cars like the MINI Cooper, BMW uses the ABS sensor rings to calculate when a tires pressure lowers and sets off the low tire warning.

Steve
OlympiaSteve, I opened that discussion by talking about the Smartire system with the salesman, and I asked him to compare and contrast it to the BMW TPM system. He wasn't specific, rather he said it's optical and it can detect changes in the tire. It sure leaves a lot to my imagination. I got the impression he doesn't really know how it works--that's why I'm asking.

BTW, it's not the after-market caps. The BMW TPM system provides in transit warning, probably through the on-board computer (I'm speculating). Having in transit feedback on tire pressure could mitigate a high speed blowout (been there, done that).

[Randy]

The dealer told me TPM optically gauges the tire inflation from the outside? How? Is it as reliable or better than the internal smartire sensor?I'm not sure your dealer had it right. The prevailing wisdom is that the BMW TPM will be an RF device much like the SmartTire, mounted internally at the valve stem. Rumor also had it that Continental Teves was working with the Philips RFID chip tire pressure monitoring device. Since BMW switched to the Continental Teves braking system, it would be a natural to use them if they make a device. Here (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/cas/cas/themes/products/electronic_brake_and_safety_systems/tire_pressure_monitoring_systems/tpms_210205_en.html) is the Continental system for automobiles. The BMW motorcycle TPM has been delayed to at least 1Q 2007 so until we see the system it is anyone's guess. There is still strong belief among the dealers that he system can be retrofitted to the '06 GTs.

[Randy]

In what context did he mention this? On BMW cars like the MINI Cooper, BMW uses the ABS sensor rings to calculate when a tires pressure lowers and sets off the low tire warning.

Steve
OlympiaThat is a system similar to the Continental Teves DDS (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/cas/cas/themes/products/electronic_brake_and_safety_systems/tire_pressure_monitoring_systems/dds_210205_en.html) wich is not active tire monitoring, but a simple deflation detection done by anylizing ABS pulse data.

[jgburns]

The BMW motorcycle TPM has been delayed to at least 1Q 2007 so until we see the system it is anyone's guess. The dealers seem to be in the dark.
Thanks Randy. I may wait until they have the system available instead of scratching the GSA itch now.

[tmgs]

Steve, I opened that discussion by talking about the Smartire system with the salesman, and I asked him to compare and contrast it to the BMW TPM system. He wasn't specific, rather he said it's optical and it can detect changes in the tire. It sure leaves a lot to my imagination. I got the impression he doesn't really know how it works--that's why I'm asking.

BTW, it's not the after-market caps. The BMW TPM system provides in transit warning, probably through the on-board computer (I'm speculating). Having in transit feedback on tire pressure could mitigate a high speed blowout (been there, done that).


I was told it is made by smartire, and the reason I did not order it on the bike......

[dronning]

Just read that BMW my no longer offer this option on GS/GS Adv models.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3488178&postcount=3

Dave

[Randy]

Just read that BMW my no longer offer this option on GS/GS Adv models.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3488178&postcount=3

DaveWhile it was originally offered on the GSA (and with the wire wheel option on the GS) there were never any of these models released with TPM. It is because the transmitters will not work with spoked wheels. It is a mechanical issue with the design of the pressure transmitter. The transmitter is mounted to the wheel by replacing the valve stem.

It is still available with cast wheels on the GS.

[Texas42]

I just got a 2007 GS and the TPM documentation is in the manual but you couldn't order it yet and you couldn't get the ASC (automatic stability control) both are supposed to be available sometime next year. ????