Pressure Trap

[Yorkie]

Prior to heading off for RTE at Mundaring Weir Hotel I checked tyre pressures, front was 36, good enough for 160k return trip. Nearing the hotel the bike was like a hardly, or pig, not sure which, on checking front tyre pressure was 12psi, pumped it up to 45 for trip home, still at 45psi 3 days later.
My thoughts are for some reason the valve did not seat properly when I checked the pressures initially.
Something for others to be aware of, checking is good but can cause unwanted problems.

[Brock]

Well at least you got home safely..

[West Aussie Glen]

I used to always check with a little spit that the valve had reseated correctly after checking pressures.
I have just had the original 90 degree valve stem on my Goldwing fail. It would only loose pressure when riding.

[StinkyPete]

I have a couple of these fitted.
http://www.tyrecheckers.com.au/
They screw onto the valve in place of the cap and give a quick visual indicator if the pressure is lower than it should be.   You buy them to suit the pressure that your tyres run at, so I have two that are set for 42psi.

[West Aussie Glen]

I have a couple of these fitted.
http://www.tyrecheckers.com.au/
They screw onto the valve in place of the cap and give a quick visual indicator if the pressure is lower than it should be.   You buy them to suit the pressure that your tyres run at, so I have two that are set for 42psi.

I have the above fitted to my ST and they are good for a quick clance but not sure how accurate they are if you are keen on keeping your pressures spot on.

I have one of these fitted to my old Goldwing.

http://www.tyredog.com.au/store/2-wheel-wtpms/td-4100ax-motorcycle.html

They are great for picking up a any leak other than an instant failure. But to do so you have to mount them so they are in your normal line of vision and not on your handle bar where I initially had mine mounted. You need to see them flashing immediately they go into alarm and not when you look down because the rear tyre feels funny. Mine reads a little different from my Brock calibrated pressure gauge but it is all about change in pressure. The interesting thing was the increase in tyre pressure from cold to hot. Fully loaded, two up, top box and panneirs full, the wings back tyre pressure increase in warm weather is over 10 psi. The only draw back with them is there is a delay before the sensor starts talking to the readout after being stopped for any period of time. You have to wait until the you have riden a short distance before it initially updates.

[StinkyPete]

I have the above fitted to my ST and they are good for a quick clance but not sure how accurate they are if you are keen on keeping your pressures spot on.

It takes about a 5 psi pressure change to cause a significant and noticeable change in the indicator, so they are not a replacement for a decent tyre pressure gauge, but can indicate if a tyre is slowly deflating.    I do regular tyre pressure checks, but glance at the "Tyre Checkers" daily.

[hobs]

What pressure do you guys run at? Seems some of you run at higher pressure than OEM (36 - 40psi).
Is it better to run a little higher for handling and wear? Feed back would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Hobs

[Biggles]

A lot of us have found 290 kPa (42 psi) to be useful, front and back on the ST13.

[alans1100]

36 Front and 42 Rear which is the OEM figure stated under the seat on my 1100.

Mr Honda seems to say that air pressure is the same if your riding solo, with a pillion and/or fully loaded.

[hobs]

Your right Alan, my error 36 front, 42 back. too many vehicles to remember each one. Did my ride to Quorn and back, thanks for the ride tip, most enjoyable. Called into the local garage at Quorn to check the tyre pressure, but they only had one of those long handle inflators that make it impossible to put on the air valve. The garage lady said she had an adaptor that I could use to inflate my tyres. She handed me the adaptor and was willing to let me use it and give it back. I offered to pay for it and kept it as it will enable me to pull into any garage, no matter what tyre inflator they have and be able to pump up my tyres. Another example of good old country hospitality and helpfulness. I have attached a photo of the adapter, cost $11. It screws onto your existing tyre valve and has a regular valve at the end which prevents air escaping when you screw it on. Very easy to use at any servo.

[Neale]

Got this one at my local tyre place fro a little over $6. 

[alans1100]

Got this one at my local tyre place fro a little over $6. 

I bought a couple of those a few weeks back off of E-bay. Keeping one in the fairing pocket and a spare one at home.

[Sicman]

Got this one at my local tyre place fro a little over $6. 

yep thats what I use