Tire Pressure Monitors

[Jerrym]

Has anyone ever used these Tire Wise Tire Pressure Monitors? www.anythingtruck.com/commercial/tire_valve_caps.html

I have been thinking about putting a Smart Tire System on my bike. I just helped install a Smart Tire System on a Gold Wing and was not that impressed for what the cost of it is. If these caps worked it would be easy to just look at them at stops to see if your tires were low. Sure be cheaper than Smart Tire.

Jerry

[DaveDragon]

Only problem with this type of system is it opens the valve stem and when the caps start leaking your out of luck if you don't carry a compressor onboard.

A few folks here have had bad experiences with these.

[Jerrym]

Dave

Thanks for the reply. I had never seen these until today I found them on the internet.

Jerry

[RonKMiller]

The only problem I have with these is that they offer an "approximate 10%" warning which I guess is OK for a cage. I really prefer steel to hold the air in my tires vs. Lexan - which although is extremely tough can dessicate and fracture over time when exposed to heat and UV.

With the extreme sensitivity our tires exhibit to under inflation - no matter what the brand - and the accompanying strange wear patterns I would prefer a more accurate tire gauge ...plus getting down on your hands and knees gives you a chance to physically inspect each tire for problems on a more frequent basis.

You also may want to consider inflating your tires with Nitrogen. Not only does it take practically forever for it to leak out there is a lot of evidence that it makes the sidewalls last much longer due to it's inert qualities - not to mention more stable and correct pressure at all times. Every vehicle I own has Nitrogen charged tires. I like saving money. ;)

And the best part: it's free at many specialty tire shops these days just for asking nicely. Even Costco has jumped on the bandwagon, but they won't touch motorcycles.

[jorawro]

Jerry - I had these on my cars and my bike and initially thought that they "were the answer" but -------- about a month ago I had just parked my bike in the garage and as I walked away the plastic top of the one on my front tire blew off and bounce across the garage. It was amazing how quickly that tire deflated and how lucky I was that it didn't happen at highway speeds.

Won't be happening again !!

[meese]

Don't mess with cheap plastic caps that can fail and cause a sudden loss of tire pressure. What's the point of a "safety" system that easily fails and causes the exact condition you're trying to avoid?

Just get the SmarTire (http://www.smartire.com/products/motorcycles/index.html) system and be done with it. It may be a bit pricey, but it just plain works.

[AlaskaFish]

I have had the SmarTire system installed for a couple of years now and had absolutely no problems. The company does stand behind their product too!

When there were some problems early on with the wheel sensors breaking, the company went ahead and replaced them on their own dollar! One of my early sensors had started to come apart, unbeknownst to me till I took the wheel apart to install the newer version sensor they had sent me! Like I said, no problems with the system or the company.

I really appreciate the ability to call up the tire pressure any time I wish. Very reassuring!

John

[Keith]

The only thing that bugs me about Smart Tire is this. Why dont they supply an internal weight to place opposite their sender INSIDE the tire? It could be secured with the same strap. Then you wouldn't have to load up your rim with dopey looking lead weights. :think:

[Dick]

The only thing that bugs me about Smart Tire is this. Why dont they supply an internal weight to place opposite their sender INSIDE the tire? It could be secured with the same strap. Then you wouldn't have to load up your rim with dopey looking lead weights. :think:
Hey Keith - great idea. Whyn't you send Diane (Customer Service Rep) an e-mail containing your suggestion and ax her to forward it to the engineer dept or wherever. That delightful gal, Jana, is no longer with SmarTire; Diane Campbell took over her job and is equally helpful. Betcha your suggestion will at least git some attention. I've got e-mail addy, as well as phone numbers and snail-mail addy if you wanna go either route.

Again, great suggestion!

[mikey]

The only problem I have with these is that they offer an "approximate 10%" warning which I guess is OK for a cage. I really prefer steel to hold the air in my tires vs. Lexan - which although is extremely tough can dessicate and fracture over time when exposed to heat and UV.

With the extreme sensitivity our tires exhibit to under inflation - no matter what the brand - and the accompanying strange wear patterns I would prefer a more accurate tire gauge ...plus getting down on your hands and knees gives you a chance to physically inspect each tire for problems on a more frequent basis.

You also may want to consider inflating your tires with Nitrogen. Not only does it take practically forever for it to leak out there is a lot of evidence that it makes the sidewalls last much longer due to it's inert qualities - not to mention more stable and correct pressure at all times. Every vehicle I own has Nitrogen charged tires. I like saving money. ;)

And the best part: it's free at many specialty tire shops these days just for asking nicely. Even Costco has jumped on the bandwagon, but they won't touch motorcycles.


If I may ask a crazy question, is it ok to mix air if you are ever low and not able to get to a place that has Nitrogen?

[mwnahas]

If I may ask a crazy question, is it ok to mix air if you are ever low and not able to get to a place that has Nitrogen?

Well Air is mostly Nitrogen, about 78% so, I think you'll be ok ;)

[meese]

They do, Keith.

The sender is supposed to go opposite the valve stem, and there is a metal "bridge" that you place over the valve stem area so the large hose clamp doesn't block the hole. At first I though the metal bridge was over-engineered, then I realized that it weighed about the same as the sender unit so it canceled out the extra weight. There are even specific instructions as to where to put the sender, the counterweight bridge, and the screw portion of the hose clamp.

I had my mechanic balance just the rims after installing the SmarTire, and there was no real difference in the before and after balance. I think you'll see more variation in individual tires than anything else.

[Jerrym]

I want to thank all you guys for the replies. This is what is great about this site. I know now I will not be purchasing the tire monitor caps. I am going to go a head with the Smart Tire. Thanks again.

Jerry

[hschisler]

Just get the SmarTire (http://www.smartire.com/products/motorcycles/index.html) system and be done with it. It may be a bit pricey, but it just plain works.Ken, I checked their web site and didn't see a price. Do you have that # handy? (excuse in advance if the price was on their site; I just didn't find it)

Thanks.

[DanMartin]

Ken, I checked their web site and didn't see a price. Do you have that # handy? (excuse in advance if the price was on their site; I just didn't find it)

Thanks.

Go to their website, click on where to buy.
I have used Vulcan Tire with good success to order replacement
sensors. Locally they were $88 each, Vulcan had them for $50 each

[steamboatjohn]

Vulcan Tire appears to be the one to buy from. Pretty reasonable price for product. Maybe my newly purchased caps will not make it onto the bike and will just grow dust till my next garage sale....

[Jerrym]

I just placed an order for a Smart Tire with Vulcan Tire. I am glad I posted a thread on here about the tire caps. I was really thinking of trying them.

Jerry