Air pump

[nylife]

What do you guys use for your tires in case of emergency i have looked into mini powered pump that run off your battery and while they work they dont seem to be too reliable
i came across this
http://www.crankbrothers.com/pumps_pro.php

while it is a bicycle pump, it should work for our tires as well.

What does the brain trust thinks?

[angellr]

What do you guys use for your tires in case of emergency i have looked into mini powered pump that run off your battery and while they work they dont seem to be too reliable
i came across this
http://www.crankbrothers.com/pumps_pro.php

while it is a bicycle pump, it should work for our tires as well.

What does the brain trust thinks?

Wunderlich http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/ makes a great pump that I use. You will also need to add a 12V adapter directly to your battery, as the pump draws too much power and the CANBUS shuts it down. It also has a gauge on the pump, etc.

[dbrick]

I've tried inflating tires with the CO2 cartridges that used to come with BMWs; they were so-so at best. Hand pumps leave me sweaty. So years ago, I bought a cheap inflator from the local auto parts store (maybe $12) and knocked off the plastic case. It's pretty small, fairly noisy, gets hot when it runs, will pinch your fingers if you get them in the wrong place, but it does the job.

Because I have carried this thing regularly, I've never had to use it on the road.

If I were doing it again, I might buy a Slime Pump and let it go at that.

[websterize]

I top off the R12R tires with a Trek bicycle pump in the garage. Out on the road, I stow the BMW foot pump in a system case.

[nylife]

I top off the R12R tires with a Trek bicycle pump in the garage. Out on the road, I stow the BMW foot pump in a system case.

this is more of a route i would like to take as well

[sjbmw]

This is a famous link to a famous home made bike pump that cost $10.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle- ... /air-pump/

I have actually seen this pump in action once. Seems many pumps pack empty space.

[mogu83]

I started with one of those inexpensive pumps with the plastic cut off but it ran really hot and I didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling about using it on the side of the road in the dark with those gears spinning around. So I went for the big buck pump from Aerostich


In retrospect I've seem the one from Slime work and it appears to work the same as my higher priced unit at about 1/4 the price. With a built in pressure gauge.

[dbrick]

I top off the R12R tires with a Trek bicycle pump in the garage. Out on the road, I stow the BMW foot pump in a system case.

this is more of a route i would like to take as well

I didn't say it in my earlier post, but that's what I use in the garage as well.

[nylife]

came across 2 interesting reviews
1. http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/air-pump/air-pump.htm
2. http://www.webbikeworld.com/r3/hand-air-pump/

[SDMAX]

Got me a Slime what fits under the R12 seat in an old sweat sock; I park the hose under there separately. Also small pair of jumper cables...I forget but I think 8 gauge; and plug patch kit...but, now I'm upset because my Slime has no pressure gauge. Regardless getting an accurate pressure reading is a pain...I use a German gauge I bought 20 years ago. I know it's accurate. I put the adapter cable straight to the battery and leave the tail hanging where I can find it...no way Mr. Canbus can handle the juice. Tell you whut...long as I am carrying that stuff I'll never need it. I also use the slime to top up in the garage. What else? Oh year I don't leave home with out my AAA card with motorcycle endorsement.

[nylife]

yes my AAA card and AMA cards are always on me

[dbrick]

I also have an AAA account, but be aware that while you may have purchased bike towing insurance from your home club (AAA is an association of local motor clubs), whether you can actually get towing service on the road depends on the services provided (or not) by the local club in whose jurisdiction you break down. Not all local clubs offer or provide bike towing.

[angellr]

I also have an AAA account, but be aware that while you may have purchased bike towing insurance from your home club (AAA is an association of local motor clubs), whether you can actually get towing service on the road depends on the services provided (or not) by the local club in whose jurisdiction you break down. Not all local clubs offer or provide bike towing.

Very good to know this. Always wondered about the AAA network. Quick question, what would be the best way to ALWAYS have Motorcycle towing/assistance? Thanks.

[SDMAX]

I've used the AAA services all over the country; I'm not aware of local limitations. Basically I would think everyone has a flat bed available to get a bike and bring it in....the enhanced card is styled "Premiier RV/Motorcycle" in the bottom right hand corner. There are two numbers on the back for service inside and outside of California. My home state.

So I actually just got off the phone with them, AAA, and they said covered everywhere. ". . . we would not leave you stranded sir." [Member 42 yrs gets you the "sir"]

Now I can see a problem if you are a way off road GS type out in the boonies; but, I'm an R12 pavement type. I can see where you might have to wait for the service; but, I'd think if I can hit their number with a cell phone that I'm going to be good to go. I upgraded for a very small sum because it was pro-rated to my annual fee; think the annual upgrade charge is about 35 bucks.

Worst case I call AAA from East Nowhere and they say no go; then I have to pay Goober actual money because he doesn't take AAA. I'd then file a claim for the services with AAA and I'd bet I'd get reimbursed; that said, anyone that can afford the equipment to get your bike to service is going to probably belong to AAA.

So let's say bent rim, no hold air; stranded, East Nowhere, this ain't the Third World quite yet; almost....but....
With the proper application of money, bike is going somewhere on someone's rig; I'm riding in the truck there; getting Bob's No Tell Motel reservation; and, calling in minions and calvary for assistance. Otherwise, I'm Donald Trump and have a crew with an extra bike and spares folowing me on my adventures. It's gonna be OK. I'd get the card. Then nothing ever happens.

[dbrick]

SDMAX makes good points - ultimately, I suppose, location, manner, seniority and luck all play a part.

I'd guess the BMWMOA towing plan would have a better chance of working in more places. The AMA offers a bike towing plan. Some insurance companies also offer towing, but some companies (like USAA, where I do business) exclude motorcycles from this coverage.

[SDMAX]

David, I was unware that BMWMOA had a plan. That said, I've never been successful in negotiating the maze of becoming a member...guess I'll try again...anyway, I'd think the BMWMOA plan and the AAA plans would be the same Goobers wherever we call .... I think AAA is available for non-insured members...that it's separate from their offered insurance coverage. While we are on the topic of insurance...please check your Uninsured/Underinsured coverage.

This is my current crusade. If you got hit and knocked off your bike by an uninsured on underinsured driver, then you would be looking to your own coverage for all damages. Not just medical, but lost earnings, pain and suffering. Many carriers, especially Progressive, like to delete this coverage; or maybe you only have 15K even though your primary liability for you hitting the other guy is 100K or higher. Everyone who rides should have at least 100K of this incredibly inexpensive coverage. It can be added for under $50 bucks a year by a phone call to your agent. Best to the list.

[dbrick]

While we are on the topic of insurance...please check your Uninsured/Underinsured coverage...If you got hit and knocked off your bike by an uninsured on underinsured driver, then you would be looking to your own coverage for all damages. Not just medical, but lost earnings, pain and suffering.

I agree completely. Un- and underinsured motorist coverage is essential, IMO - too many drivers carry little or no insurance. They're not so likely to get hurt in a collision, but we are.

[jkhomes]

I have a pigtail from my battery for the BMW Advanced Battery Charging System I use on my R1200R in the winter. Seems like I could just hard wire the same style plug on an electric air pump to avoid the CANBUS. Any reason that wouldn't work?

[dbrick]

Wire's wire. It should work fine.

[mogu83]

I put the same type plug on all of my electrical stuff (the same as the Gerbings plug). Makes things a lot easier. Those clips that come on the air pumps have a nasty habit of popping off just as you get the air hose on the valve. I usually modify my 'emergency' stuff so it will pass the 'how will it work on a dark rainy night on the side of a lonely road' test.

My favorite 'Roadside repair' poster (the type of bike is irrelevant - the sentiment is universal):

Dave Mann Poster