Tire Inflators?

[AllanCook]

So my SO and I were sitting around thinking, Wouldn't it be nice to be able to maintain our tire pressure at home instead of at gas stations? I have looked around a little bit, but the stuff I've seen seems either too chintzy or way too expensive. Do any of you maintain your tire pressure at home, and if so, what do you use? Ideally, I'd like a small, sturdy unit that I can run on a standard household current.

[MJB]

I bought a small portable 12-volt portable pump, which I take with me; or I should take with me on all trips, including a tire repair kit.
The pump has a cigarette lighter end, which I plug into my 12-volt accessory plug, which I also installed on the bike.

The 12-volt are pump was about $15.00
The 12-volt accessory plug was also about $15.00
In Canadian bucks

http://www.activeproducts.com/ecac_large.php

[TAG-Caver]

I bought a small air compressor/tire pump that I use for my motorcycles, truck and bicycles. It's pretty old, has taken a bit of a beating, but still works well. Below is a link for what looks to be a comparable product, although I don't know if it could take being dropped on concrete like mine was. Several times.

http://www.buyhardwaresupplies.com/?t=5 ... er=8109092

[deilenberger]

If you're looking for a smallish cheap air-compressor, Harbor Freight comes to the rescue. I have one that was about $100, runs off 120V, pumps up to 125PSI and has reasonable recovery time and a decent sized tank. It's not for commercial use, but for the occasional topping up tires and running my impact wrench to do season wheel swaps on the bimmers, it works fine.

[eisen]

For my long(ish) trips i carry one of these:

http://www.wingstuff.com/pgroup_detail/ ... s%2Fdes%2F

and one of these:

http://www.wingstuff.com/pgroup_detail/ ... r%2Fdes%2F

I have bought quite alot of stuff from wingstuff.com & their service has always been top notch. I highly recommend them.

[Dauntless]

If you do any type of repair work at home, get an air compressor for about $200-$300 and some air tools. For instance, if you ever do brake pad replacements on your car you can use an impact wrench to get the tire off. Once you use air tools you will wonder what took so long for you to buy them. Even if you are just going to nail some new trim in your house, a small compressor and a finish nail gun will save you time and frustration.

If you don't plan on doing any repairs, I would still get at least a 5 gallon compressor to fill tires. The 12 volt compressors take too long. Buy a used one off Craig's list.

[Ves]

Foot Pump... I even use it on my car tires... CHEAP and cardiovascularily beneficial...

[ErikM]

I found a really nice Sears Craftsman air compressor on sale with all kinds of attachments for $99.00

[xprof]

Not for everybody, but I fill mine off my SCUBA tank. Just snap a tire-filler on the power-inflator hose.

[NeilS]

Not for everybody, but I fill mine off my SCUBA tank. Just snap a tire-filler on the power-inflator hose.

Great idea! About how much does the tank pressure drop off when filling a "typical" motorcycle tire?

[xprof]

Not much, Niel. You can get lots and lots of fills and top-offs before you need to have the tank topped. I even use it to fill my truck tires.

BTW, contrary to some advice, I keep my tanks (2 old steel 72s) always full, and they have over 40 years on each and continue to pass hydro.

[Tak]

You can buy 120V air compressors for under $50. Mine has lasted for many years. Don't rely on the built-in gage though. Buy a good tire gage, preferably one with a bleed off valve. I use an Accugage mechanical dial type gage with a short hose (about $22). Just use the compressor to fill a couple psi over what you want then use the tire gage bleed off to set the pressure to the desired value. Very simple.

I also carry a Slime 12V air compressor with a small Tire Plugger kit.

[Tak]

Clarification to my previous post --- By 120V I was referring to regular AC house current here in the US.

[Bill Stevenson]

I highly recommend this one from Sears. http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... +Inflators

Bill

[Phillo]

You can also I am sure get something like the compressor I have in the USA or GB - go to www.bikegear.co.za and check under " NEW ITEMS" to see.

[daveyator]

I simply have a 2.5 gal compressor I got a home depot. Its does all our tires as I have a gas station type filler with a pop up pressure gauge. Its funny though its rare that I find a tire low except for the RV. When I used to do it at gas stations they would always be 5 tp 10 lbs low. I have yet to actually add air to the beemer.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

What about the Cyclepump ? Is it a good product ?
to carry on the bike or use at home...

$150 for Cyclepump Complete Kit--->http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-137-c ... -pack.aspx

$68 for this pressure gauge also claimed as very accurate ---> http://www.roadgear.com/index.php?page=Product&id=54

[bobw]

Frede

I carry the plug kit and my friend carries the airpump. It works very well and is a nice compact size. I carry a good "pencil" tire gauge when on the road. If you have the room that large one you linked to looks like a nice product, just too big for me.

I check my pressure prior to every ride and every day on a trip. I notice a pound or two of lost air pressure over time that is likely caused by my constant checking. Larger "losses" have been noted with seasonal/regional temp ranges and I adjust pressure as required.

Safe travels!

[GregX999]

What about the Cyclepump ? Is it a good product ?
to carry on the bike or use at home...

$150 for Cyclepump Complete Kit--->http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-137-c ... -pack.aspx

$68 for this pressure gauge also claimed as very accurate ---> http://www.roadgear.com/index.php?page=Product&id=54

I have a Cyclepump that I used when I had my R1200GS and it worked like a charm - plugs right into the accessory socket, even on a canbus bike. I only used it when the bike was actually running - but I'm not sure if you HAVE to do that.

[NeilS]

I have an "EnginAir" pump that I've used on other bikes. I haven't yet bought/made the adapter that would let me use it on the RR, but I can't see any reason it wouldn't work. It's much lighter, smaller, and lower in cost than any of the electric pumps, but you do need to carry a spark plug wrench.

I agree that a tire pressure gauge is an essential tool, and I like Roadgear as a company, but I think $70 for a tire gauge is a bit much. I use their stick-type digital gauge that I got as a bonus for renewing my Honda club membership a few years ago. There are lots of usable digital gauges in the $10-20 range.