TPC

[MrChicken]

My R came optioned with the Tyre Pressure Control system which I thought was a good idea but wasn’t really convinced that I’d need it. How wrong could I have been? After just 2,000 kms on the new beastie I picked up a screw into my rear tyre and the inevitable slow leak resulted. It happened on my way to work so it had the day to deflate. When I climbed aboard in the evening, I was greeted with a low pressure reading and flashing warning light (which goes from orange to red as the pressure drops). Knowing exactly how much pressure was still in the tyre allowed me to limp to a service station for air, and then home. Sensational. Unfortunately, the hole couldn’t be plugged, so goodbye Conti Attack (and $A350) and hello Metzeller, but a big thumbs up for the TPC system. Highly recommended.

[celticus]

And this is a BMW option?
Mark

[famousperson]

What is it about the 2000 km (1200 mile) mark and holes in the Conti Attack? I was able to plug the screw hole I got at that point sufficiently to get it to the dealer's shop. What I have are the caps that change color if your air pressure drops below 32 psi in the front or 40 psi in the rear. They don't do any good while I'm riding but work well for the check before I take the bike out. I've checked them with a gauge and they do what they're supposed to.

Anyway, my question is: Why did you choose to replace the Conti with a Metzler? Are you replacing both front and rear)?

[MrChicken]

Celticus, TPC is certainly an option here in Oz, not sure about elsewhere.

Famousperson, I've just changed the rear, and to be honest, the Metzeler is what my BMW dealer had in stock at the time & recommended. I'm not a big fan of running different brands front and rear, but was assured it wouldn't be a problem. I will switch the front when the time comes. I have heard good things about the Metzeler and would possibly have changed across anyway. I sure wasn't planning on doing it so early though, but two attempts to plug the hole failed - bummer.

Cheers
Geoff

[deilenberger]

Just as an aside.. the only "long-term" sort of hole patch I will use is the patch-plug that is installed from the inside..


I've used these a number of times when I had almost new tires get a puncture, and after wearing the tire out, I tried to remove it. It's impossible to remove once installed correctly, it bonds to the rubber in the tire and isn't going anywhere. The tire has to be removed to install one, but it can save a tire and make it useable again.

More info on the same type: http://www.mz3.net/articles/156.html -these are considered "Z" rated repairs, restoring a Z rated (135mph+) car tire to fun functionality.

I do carry a plug-n-go, and stringy thingies - for side of the road temporary repairs - but as soon as I can get to civilization, if I'm going to keep the tire - the type above goes into the hole.

And I wish I had a Tire-Pressure-Monitor. BTDT with the slow leak suddenly becoming a fast leak, and at 70mph it's not a bunch'a fun.

[icecave]

The TPC is a great feature and educational at times. Monitoring the tires as they warm up, I find the pressure increases to a max and then later (>15 min.) it will drop off about a 0.5 lbs.

Looking into the z-rated repair it appears to support up to a 0.25 inch holes.(http://www.techtirerepairs.com/catalog/ ... rChart.htm). Certainly in the range of holes I've been getting over the years with all the housing starts and repairs in the neighborhood. This begs the question, if the "nail" body is still lodged in the tire, applying a standard rubber patch on the inside considered "good" repair.

Does anybody have experience with the following air pump?: http://cyclepump.com/

[deilenberger]

Looking into the z-rated repair it appears to support up to a 0.25 inch holes.
(http://www.techtirerepairs.com/catalog/ ... rChart.htm). Certainly in the range of holes I've been getting over the years with all the housing starts and repairs in the neighborhood.

They come in different sizes, up to 3/8" hole size..

This begs the question, if the "nail" body is still lodged in the tire, applying a standard rubber patch on the inside considered "good" repair.

Since you remove the tire from the rim to do an inside patch - why would the nail body still be in the tire? I don't think you'd want any metal left in the tire.. it can do nothing but cause more problems..

The plus' to the plug-patch are:
- Inner patch seals the inside of the tire - keeping air from migrating down the plug and into the cords of the tire eventually causing a bubble.
- Plug seals the tire from outside contamination
- Gets "vulcanized" (glued basically) in place, bonding the rubber to the rubber well enough I've never been able to seperate them when I replaced the tire.

Dunno if I'd go up to a 3/8" hole (anything I can stick my pinkie in might concern me..) unless there was no alternative, but for the average screw/nail puncture, I've had very good luck with this sort of patch/plug.

I also have treated both my tires with "RideOn" tire-sealant. http://www.ride-on.com/prod_mot.asp - my experience with this was it sealed almost instantly a very small leak I had in my first rear Conti RoadAttack. It was a leak that appeared to go through solid rubber (no puncture was visible even under magnification.) And when I got that tire replaced, the mechanic who did it said it caused no problems - the sealant was evenly distributed in a 2" wide band on the inside of the tire.. none on the rim to cause a mess. So... the new tire got it as soon as I got home, and the new front tire got it on Saturday when I installed it. Although they suggest it will balance the tire - I had both of mine balanced before adding the RideOn, and have noticed no imbalance symptoms.

Good stuff if it prevents one leak incident..

[deilenberger]

I've put an inquiry to a friendly dealer about retrofitting the Tire Pressure Monitor.. will post what I find out.

[r12r-don]

I have the TPC - after several encounters with tire pressure it was a must have for me on the new R12R and I have had similar stories where I was warned of trouble and had enough air to get to help. Before I wouldn't know until it was too late.

[Graf]

I've put an inquiry to a friendly dealer about retrofitting the Tire Pressure Monitor.. will post what I find out.

...impatiently awaiting the answer........

[ShinySideUp]

Does anybody have experience with the following air pump?: http://cyclepump.com/

I've got one and it works well. I've had to use it on the road and, not trusting the CANBUS accessory port to not shut down, I just took my seat off and attached the leads with supplied clips directly to the battery. It dances around a bit on the ground, and filled the tire in a reasonable amount of time without getting very hot.

I'd also recommend their companion tire gauge. It's got a nice round dial, latches on to the valve stem, and goes inline with the pump so you can monitor you filling progress continuously.

[icecave]

I also have treated both my tires with "RideOn" tire-sealant. http://www.ride-on.com/prod_mot.asp - my experience with this was it sealed almost instantly a very small leak I had in my first rear Conti RoadAttack.

One potential downside of the TPC system is if the tire-sealant will interfer with the value stem sensor.

Bike magazine states the "British Standard BSAU 159f states you cannot repair a Z-rated tire. It is not illegal to repair one, but the guarantee would need to come from the repairer." This appears to be a tire lobby rule. As anyone seen similar language with their tire documentation, e.g. that would void the warranty if the tire is repaired? Seems like a "catch-22" for those folks under BSAU 159f and a roadside flat.

[deilenberger]

I also have treated both my tires with "RideOn" tire-sealant. http://www.ride-on.com/prod_mot.asp - my experience with this was it sealed almost instantly a very small leak I had in my first rear Conti RoadAttack.

One potential downside of the TPC system is if the tire-sealant will interfer with the value stem sensor.

I guess that depends on the sensor.. the standard valve core isn't plugged up. According to the mechanic who changed the defective tire with the sealant in it - it was distributed in a band about 2" wide around the center inside of the tire - opposite the tread. Where you'd expect centrifugal force to throw it. He said there was none on the rim.

Bike magazine states the "British Standard BSAU 159f states you cannot repair a Z-rated tire. It is not illegal to repair one, but the guarantee would need to come from the repairer." This appears to be a tire lobby rule. As anyone seen similar language with their tire documentation, e.g. that would void the warranty if the tire is repaired? Seems like a "catch-22" for those folks under BSAU 159f and a roadside flat.

I didn't know tires had much of a warranty - especially once punctured. The only brand I know of with a road-hazard warranty is Avon, with a limited hazard warranty until a certain wear point is reached. Conti was quite good once I tracked down the Conti employee in the USA for the bike tires (I think there is only one..) I asked for coverage under the original manufacturer's warranty as stated in the BMW owners warranty handbook. It appeared this tire was leaking from a solid block of rubber - no puncture visible even under magnification, simply a tiny air bubble every few moments coming out of the rubber. He checked with the home office in Germany, they agreed to warranty it, and then to cover the cost of mounting - gave my dealer a second tire that they could stock and sell. I couldn't ask for better treatment - so when the time came - I replaced the worn front Conti with another Conti.

[Radar in oz]

I've put an inquiry to a friendly dealer about retrofitting the Tire Pressure Monitor.. will post what I find out.

...impatiently awaiting the answer........

I haven't been able to find the answer to this question, did anyone ever find out?

Cheers
Radar