Smarttire problem with errors messages?

[dandiver]

About a month ago I installed the monitor, had local dealer install the sensors in the tires and at first it seemed to work as advertised. Several times after backing out of my garage (how I get out) and then starting on my daily ride, I would have to stop the bike, turn off the ignition, restart .This is supposedly normal. A PITA to have to come to a complete stop, and turn off the bike, restart again, but I guess OK.

Yesterday after starting on a 250 mile ride, the front sensor kept sending me message -7. I could manually check the pressure by pushing on the monitor button and it was OK, front pressure was 42. Back tire pressure readout was also OK. Several times, it I did nothing after getting error message, 10 minutes later monitor would read normal, but then 10-15 minutes later, same error message -7.

This error message is not in the manual.

[DanMartin]

About a month ago I installed the monitor, had local dealer install the sensors in the tires and at first it seemed to work as advertised. Several times after backing out of my garage (how I get out) and then starting on my daily ride, I would have to stop the bike, turn off the ignition, restart .This is supposedly normal. A PITA to have to come to a complete stop, and turn off the bike, restart again, but I guess OK.

Yesterday after starting on a 250 mile ride, the front sensor kept sending me message -7. I could manually check the pressure by pushing on the monitor button and it was OK, front pressure was 42. Back tire pressure readout was also OK. Several times, it I did nothing after getting error message, 10 minutes later monitor would read normal, but then 10-15 minutes later, same error message -7.

This error message is not in the manual.
Sounds like the system thinks the front should be 49 and it thinks you are low. Try re-initializing the system. When cold,start the bike and within 5 seconds hold down the button until "CP" appears. Then start driving and the system will get new pressure baseline to use.

Need more help,PM me for my cell number.

dan

[dandiver]

Thanks...... I'll add air, re-initialize and let you know.

[DanMartin]

Thanks...... I'll add air, re-initialize and let you know.
Why add air. The front is at 42. Isn't that what you want?

dan

[dandiver]

You are right! Me: Ready Fire - Aim........ off to the bike....... thanks again.

[dandiver]

Thanks Dan, you were correct. I simply reset the monitor per your instructions and all is good...... now if it would only stop raining for a while I could get out and ride without fear of the cages.....

[DanMartin]

Thanks Dan, you were correct. I simply reset the monitor per your instructions and all is good...... now if it would only stop raining for a while I could get out and ride without fear of the cages.....
Great,it's a useful item to have. I fear the cages,wet or dry.

[Dick]

Ed Zachery what happened to ole Toad yestiday, Dano. Run for a bit and all would be fine on the SmarTire display. Then, all of sudden, the alert would fire up and the monitor would read -7 for the front tire. In a few minutes, the thang would read -8. Ten minutes or so later, all would be well.

Sometime after a gas stop, I noticed the alert going off again. This time it wuz for the rear tire - the same -7 reading!!! Then, all would go back to normal and no more alert.

I asked Wolfgang, at the RTE, about it and he ran thru the re-setting feature. Wuzn't like the procedure in the book, which I never could get to work. He told me that Dan has the magic procedure.

So, today my plan is to use his procedure and see if all is well. I did check the tire pressures first thang this morning and they are 42F/48R, cold, using the Accuguage checker.

Thanks for posting this Dano. Timely coincidence - and thanks to Dan and Wolfgang for the resetting information.

[mtrevelino]

I installed my SmarTire system a couple of weeks ago. It works good except that it is reading backwards. The top is reading the rear tire, and the bottom is reading the front tire. I guess I will try resetting the system. I am amazed at the tire temperatures after running about ten miles. On hot days, the temperature gets to about 110 degrees.

[Gino]

I installed my SmarTire system a couple of weeks ago. It works good except that it is reading backwards. The top is reading the rear tire, and the bottom is reading the front tire.

I had the same issue - so to force it when "reinitializing" I placed the bike on the center stand, and when the "bottom" light (which I think comes on first) was looking for a transmitter, roll on the throttle while on the center stand - this forces the back tire to spin to 5+ MPH and transmits to the correct location (while the front tire is stationairy).

When it looks for the "top" (front) tire, push off the center stand and drive away. Be sure to turn off then back on the ignition to lock in the settings after everything comes up.

[Dick]

I installed my SmarTire system a couple of weeks ago. It works good except that it is reading backwards. The top is reading the rear tire, and the bottom is reading the front tire. I guess I will try resetting the system. I am amazed at the tire temperatures after running about ten miles. On hot days, the temperature gets to about 110 degrees.
Just turn the monitor upside down, Mike --- Fixed!!!!!!!! :histerica

I figger Dan prolly knows how that can happen - I can't figger it out!!

BTW - during yestidays 10 hour roundtrip run for the RTE, I saw 104 degrees on ole Toad's OBC, couple of times. The SmarTire displayed a high of 155 degrees during some of the alert runthroughs. We were traveling .... uh ... shall I say .... purdy rapeedolay. I do remember reading somewhere that the SmarTire sensors will register an alert if temps get in the 180s or so - not positive on that number; Dan prolly knows!!

[DanMartin]

I installed my SmarTire system a couple of weeks ago. It works good except that it is reading backwards. The top is reading the rear tire, and the bottom is reading the front tire. I guess I will try resetting the system. I am amazed at the tire temperatures after running about ten miles. On hot days, the temperature gets to about 110 degrees.Mike, to get the system to re-initialize:

Gine has the right idea.
Put the bike on the centerstand.
Hold down on the button while starting the bike.
Keep holding down until the system cycles through several steps.
Let go when a tire block lights up (could be front or back)
This signals the monitor to look for new sensors.
If the back,do as Gino says,put in gear and spin to 6mph. Then drive off.
If the front,I am standing in front of the bike and will push up on the fairing until the front wheel is free and spin it a few times. Then put it in gear and do the rear.

Very important to push the button again after both tires have registered as this locks in the memory.

Dick: the system alarms at 176 deg f.
I weigh a lot more than you and with a passenger I have seen 168 on mine.I just slow down a little and try to keep it in the 150's


dan

[meese]

I installed a SmarTire system just before CCR Wyoming with a new pair of BT020 bias tires. While running ~90 m.p.h. on I-15 between Las Vegas and St George in 107 degree air temps, I found out the temp alarm goes off at 187 degrees. It did reach 199 degrees at one point as well on the rear tire. Mind you, this was pretty much worse conditions (two up, loaded, fast, and very hot).

One the way back, air temps stayed closer to 90 degrees, but I still hit the 187 warning mark a couple of times.

My GT has the factory Tire Pressure Monitors, although it just gives you the corrected pressure, not actual pressure or current temperature. It'd be interesting to see how that compares but the data's just not there.

[mtrevelino]

Mike, to get the system to re-initialize:

If the back,do as Gino says,put in gear and spin to 6mph. Then drive off.

My only concern with putting the bike in gear and letting the tire spin to 6mph would trigger the abs. Is this something that I have to be careful about?

When I originally installed the system, I hand spun both tires, the monitor picked them up in the right sequence, but I did not "lock" in the settings.

[DanMartin]

My only concern with putting the bike in gear and letting the tire spin to 6mph would trigger the abs. Is this something that I have to be careful about?

When I originally installed the system, I hand spun both tires, the monitor picked them up in the right sequence, but I did not "lock" in the settings.
I know it doesn't affect the abs on '03. Not sure about '00 LT though.
I don't think it is an issue.

dan

[zippy_gg]

Yesterday after starting on a 250 mile ride, the front sensor kept sending me message -7.
This error message is not in the manual.Error -7 = July
Not just a smarttire, also a smartcalendar!!:D
I was considering getting a Smarttire system, but it seems the company decided it was too small a market with too little profit. Oh well... there are other farkles to be had!:rolleyes:;)

[dandiver]

Tanks!

Guess that the monitor will read -8 next month? Can't wait.........

[dfinazzo]

Running 2 up pulling a Unigo on the way back from BMWRA in Houghton, MI last month the tire temperatures on rear hit 170 degrees F and front tire ran about 120 degrees F.

:eek: WOW for the rear - I am trying to contact TJ Tennent and see what he has to say . . . specifically regarding tire strength and life versus tire temp.

No wonder rears wear out first. Looks like the front runs cooler because of free air and they have little horsepower being transferred.

Note I run 42 / 48 when cold!!

[Dick]

Running 2 up pulling a Unigo on the way back from BMWRA in Houghton, MI last month the tire temperatures on rear hit 170 degrees F and front tire ran about 120 degrees F.

:eek: WOW for the rear - I am trying to contact TJ Tennent and see what he has to say . . . specifically regarding tire strength and life versus tire temp.

No wonder rears wear out first. Looks like the front runs cooler because of free air and they have little horsepower being transferred.

Note I run 42 / 48 when cold!!
Hey, Dan - I run solo and no trailer, and frequently see high 150 degrees for the rear tire. Front will be in the high 140s. Also running 42f/48r.

Be interesting to see what TJ sez.

[Wolfgang]

Running 2 up pulling a Unigo on the way back from BMWRA in Houghton, MI last month the tire temperatures on rear hit 170 degrees F and front tire ran about 120 degrees F.

:eek: WOW for the rear - I am trying to contact TJ Tennent and see what he has to say . . . specifically regarding tire strength and life versus tire temp.

No wonder rears wear out first. Looks like the front runs cooler because of free air and they have little horsepower being transferred.

Note I run 42 / 48 when cold!!

Pretty much the same here: My front tire readings are uneventful. Start off at 42 and will go up to 46/48 on a hot day. Temp maxes out at 120.

The rear is a different story. Start out at 48, goes all the way to 58 quickly and the temp goes to 160+. This is on a 94 degree day with a light passenger, but even riding solo on a cool morning it's amazing how fast the rear tire gets hot and the pressure goes up. BT20's bias.
I guess that is the reason the rear tire gets chewed up so fast.

[ChasnRacin]

Anyone know where you can still get one of the Smartire systems? I was really looking forward to doing that farkle, but seems they quit manufacturing the motorcycle system :( Thanks

[DanMartin]

Anyone know where you can still get one of the Smartire systems? I was really looking forward to doing that farkle, but seems they quit manufacturing the motorcycle system :( Thanks

go to http://www.vulcantire.com/smartire_mot_tpms.htm

$169

or
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=smartire&category0=

about $95

I have bought from both. Very satisfied. One of the best farkles you can do.

Dan Martin
Houston,Tx

[ChasnRacin]

go to http://www.vulcantire.com/smartire_mot_tpms.htm

$169

or
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=smartire&category0=

about $95

I have bought from both. Very satisfied. One of the best farkles you can do.

Dan Martin
Houston,Tx

Thanks! The one on Vulcan shows it is a 3rd gen, but the one on ebay doesn't mention...is there any way to tell? Thanks!
Ken

[DanMartin]

Thanks! The one on Vulcan shows it is a 3rd gen, but the one on ebay doesn't mention...is there any way to tell? Thanks!
Ken
I don't think so. The ones I got from the ebay seller worked fine.

dan

[dfinazzo]

Bought mine off ebay - about $95 but $27 for shipping :eek: !!!
Box weights maybe 2 pounds at most!!

Beats the Vulcan price of $169 with free shipping!!

Unit works great :D . . .

[dfinazzo]

Little change of venue . . .

Got some investigation to do!!

It might be that the Smartire System is really not telling us the actual tire temperature. It could be high, it could be low or just maybe it could be accurate.

Since the sensor is strapped to the metal wheel with a metal strap it is certainly telling us the temperature of the metal wheel at this point. It is possible, in my way of thinking, that the tire is not actually this temperature.

I have an non contact infared temperature probe and will check it.

On the metal side:
The drive train - the drive shaft, input and output gears, bearings, housing and oil must be that temperature and are most certainly a source for heat input into the rear metal wheel. At some point the horsepower and energy delivered by the engine result in heat that raises the temperature of the drive chain components.

On the rubber side:
1. The road temperature
2. Tire conditions - weight it is supporting, current pressure and speed
3. Ambient air temperature
all have the ability to add temperature

So without trying to fo a big calculation I think I will just ride out for few miles and check everything out with probles.

Will report back my findings . . . any guesses?? :D
Or does anyone really know the anawer . . .

[ArthurKnowles]

Beats me. I just got my Smartire sensors installed today. I installed the monitor yesterday.

It was a good thing I took my motorcycle in to the delaer too. They found a buble in the sidewall of the front tire. A ME880. I got it replaced under the ME880 warrenty. :dance:

I will admit that my service manager's orgonal thought was to charge for the tire, but I asked if the ME880s had a warrenty. He thought for a minute and said yes he thought so and pulled out the dealer manual and read through the warrenty and on the spot decided he could repalce it under factory warrenty. Saved me $150.00 or so.

[DanMartin]

Little change of venue . . .

Got some investigation to do!!

It might be that the Smartire System is really not telling us the actual tire temperature. It could be high, it could be low or just maybe it could be accurate.

Since the sensor is strapped to the metal wheel with a metal strap it is certainly telling us the temperature of the metal wheel at this point. It is possible, in my way of thinking, that the tire is not actually this temperature.

I have an non contact infared temperature probe and will check it.

On the metal side:
The drive train - the drive shaft, input and output gears, bearings, housing and oil must be that temperature and are most certainly a source for heat input into the rear metal wheel. At some point the horsepower and energy delivered by the engine result in heat that raises the temperature of the drive chain components.

On the rubber side:
1. The road temperature
2. Tire conditions - weight it is supporting, current pressure and speed
3. Ambient air temperature
all have the ability to add temperature

So without trying to fo a big calculation I think I will just ride out for few miles and check everything out with probles.

Will report back my findings . . . any guesses?? :D
Or does anyone really know the anawer . . .
I am quite certain that the temperature on the Smartire is that of the air in the tire. The temperature is at least 99% generated by the rubber contact with the road and the flex of the sidewall. None by the drive unit.

dan