TPMS Tire Pressure Monitoring System

11965 Views 55 Replies 25 Participants Last post by Instarand, 24 d ago

ethurlow

Discussion Starter · Feb 23, 2017

Has anyone ever installed one of these systems? There are several types available on Amazon, ebay etc. Just wondering if this cheap investment of $100(US) is worth it.

21 - 40 of 56 Posts

giogolf

· #21 · Oct 11, 2019

Resurrection with new question.. So in doing more research as I really would like TPMS on my Racer.. I read this: "These type of outer TPMS is not recommended for rubber stems. They will increase the pressure in the stems, so can cause the failure of the stems."

My assumption is those of us who have tubes have rubber stems?

Is this warning valid?

asparaguspee

· #22 · Oct 12, 2019

Great thanks for alerting me to another product I'll be tempted to buy.

Lawrence of Suburbia

· #23 · Mar 26, 2020 (Edited)

giogolf said:
Resurrection with new question.. So in doing more research as I really would like TPMS on my Racer.. I read this: "These type of outer TPMS is not recommended for rubber stems. They will increase the pressure in the stems, so can cause the failure of the stems."

My assumption is those of us who have tubes have rubber stems?

Is this warning valid?

This is my concern too, especially as I have read it before, and the Tyreboy product mentioned in post # 10 above specifically warns that their TPMS must be used with metal stems.
Can metal stems be retro-fitted to/ in place of OE rubber stems, which my 2018 machine has? The weird combination of tubeless tyres with inner tubes (which I also had on an earlier R1200 R Classic) compels me to seek some such device, but I need more info. And as I do not have Blue Teeth I'd need a set-up without this

.

TIA of course.

PJS

· #24 · Feb 13, 2021

Tyre pressure monitors

Worth it???

Motorcycle Tire Pressure Monitoring System | Sportouring

www.sportouring.co.uk

www.sportouring.co.uk

Norbi

· #25 · Feb 13, 2021

I’ve seen those without an extra reader unit, but with an app on your phone, which I’d prefer. One less unit to mount on the bike itself. Not sure whether that App solution would actively warn or whether you’d have to check the App-generated pressure values regularly. Which, if accurate, would add a bit convenience as opposed to constantly carry a gauge. I can see the purpose, but not only for safety-reasons (again, that would require an active alert), but more to be aware of changing tire pressure conditions due to outside temps, riding style etc. I’ve been experimenting lately with suspension settings a lot (Dave Moss’ stuff), and the correct tire pressure pre- and during rides is one important factor. It’s pretty impressive how much tire pressure changes while riding.

Reactions: 1

laalves

· #26 · Feb 13, 2021

I have this:

FOBO

FOBO

my-fobo.com

Cheaper and with no extra unit. It's Bluetooth 5.0, low power and connects to an app in your phone. I set the thresholds upon which I am warned, high and low. The phone screams and vibrates. It is mostly useful if you have a Bluetooth comms system in your helmet, which I do.

Never had a flat in the bike but in the car I have a cousin:

FOBO

FOBO

my-fobo.com

and that has, unfortunately, proved quite useful as it prevented me (twice already) from leaving the garage with a slow puncture that would have possibly left me stranded on the side of the road.

Reactions: 2

nervous

· #27 · Feb 13, 2021

laalves said:
I have this:

FOBO

FOBO

my-fobo.com

Cheaper and with no extra unit. It's Bluetooth 5.0, low power and connects to an app in your phone. I set the thresholds upon which I am warned, high and low. The phone screams and vibrates. It is mostly useful if you have a Bluetooth comms system in your helmet, which I do.

Never had a flat in the bike but in the car I have a cousin:

FOBO

FOBO

my-fobo.com

and that has, unfortunately, proved quite useful as it prevented me (twice already) from leaving the garage with a slow puncture that would have possibly left me stranded on the side of the road.

This is interesting. Wondering if it would work with right angle stems.

laalves

· #28 · Feb 13, 2021

nervous said:
This is interesting. Wondering if it would work with right angle stems.

Depends on clearance to the rim. As I'm going tubeless, I've adopted this:

It's a T-valve that they also sell. I started by the front wheel as I had it out for a suspension upgrade and did the tubeless conversion.

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nervous

· #29 · Feb 13, 2021 (Edited)

2

laalves said:
Depends on clearance to the rim. As I'm going tubeless, I've adopted this:

View attachment 140406

It's a T-valve that they also sell. I started by the front wheel as I had it out for a suspension upgrade and did the tubeless conversion.

A slight twist in my case as I am using a set of R1200R wheels, The front has a straightstem from the wheel spoke side and the rear has an aftermarket right angle stem that I installed. It looks like both would be very close to fit.The other concern is the quality of the thread on the aluminum right angle stem.It seems a bit fragile or not as deeply cut/well defined as others. Fine for holding a cap on, but not so sure on long term air sealing in this application. And probably not enough exposed thread on either for the security jam nuts. Their T-valve certainly works for my rear but the front is what it is. I think the only way I will know for sure is to buy a set and try them. I am really liking this system though.

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Uncle Meat

· #30 · Feb 13, 2021 (Edited)

These were fitted to my bike when I bought it and seem pretty reliable?

I do like the idea of a better system but not sure if the discussed one is around £120 better.

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Norbi

· #31 · Feb 15, 2021

Just saw this, for the tubeless fraction: Mirrors: KiWAV TPMS Rear View Mirror Kit for 2-Wheels

nervous

· #32 · Feb 15, 2021

4

I am really liking the idea and function of this FOBO system. As I mentioned earlier the clearances with my wheels was the concern. So yesterday I dummied up a foam dummy piece in the approximate size to test on the R1200R wheels. Sensor size is listed as 13.8mm x 20.2mm (.5" x .80"). I appear to have enough clearance to install on both wheels but tteh front still has the potential to contact the caliper. WIth my test it cleared by a comfortable amount but it will ultimately depend on just how far off the valve stem end it projects. Well enough in my test to order up a set to see.

Rear right angle stem:

Front at the caliper:

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nervous

· #33 · Feb 21, 2021

4

I was inspired enough by this post to give the FOBO 2 TP monitoring system a try. I really like the ease of install, Bluetooth phone interface and the cost wasn't too bad. I am not crazy judicious about checking pressures before every ride and this will just make that so easy that it's a no-brainer. So that said I'll add some info to this thread that hopefully someone im my position will find useful.

First impressions. They look and feel like quality units. A bit larger than my dummied up foam tester, and the threaded sections are more shallow than I expected. In 99.9% of applications this will be irrelevant. In mine it's critical and I'll detail that in the next post. Set up was very easy, and they are reading and transmitting info as they say they would. So for now that's all I can report as we won't have riding weather or road conditions for another 6-8 weeks I'd guess. But I'll monitor them a bit to see what the pressures do in storage, test their air sealing ability etc.

Here are some pics of the items and reference measurements.

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nervous

· #34 · Feb 21, 2021

3

A bit of detail on my specific application that may matter to those with similar wheels and stems. As I mentioned earlier I have the R1200R wheel set.

The front has an OEM straight out the side of the spoke stem, which are perfect for testing and filling. But created the potentially greatest fit challenge in using the FOBO 2 unit because of their size. And the stem threading is snough to accommodate the FOBO supplied locking nut.

For the rear I installed a pretty standard Bridgeport 83* right angle stem Amazon.com: 83deg Aluminum Racing Angled Valve Stem - Black - 2 Pack: Automotive and everything on that works fine with great clearances except the threaded portion is too short to accommodate the FOBO supplied locking nut.

The biggest concern for the front is if the sending unit would clear the front caliper at all points. Happy to report taht it does. But not by much!

It's hard to get both a 3 dimensional view or measurement of that small gap but here are some at the front of the caliper:

And the rear of said caliper, which is actually better than the front but hard to caputure and where theis actually a concave area where this passes. :

I am not yet 100% comfortable with that margin of error but nothing there should ever move so perhaps that space is sufficiently safe. I think all I can do is ride a while with that in place, check for tightness often until I am comfortable that gaps is adequate and nothing will ever move. I will eventually install the locking backer nut which is added insurance of any loosening over time.

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dxamet

· #35 · Feb 21, 2021

No need to get nervous

, I’ve had a similar TPMS sensor for 4 months now. Works very well.

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Captain

· #36 · Feb 21, 2021

@nervous I am interested to hear your thoughts on the connectivity of the FOBO.
I gave up using mine because everytime I started preparing for a day ride, I'd have to re-pair the units, which many times was unsuccessful.
Granted that was 4yrs ago now and my current Android phone is well advanced so possibly may be OK now.

nervous

· #37 · Feb 22, 2021

dxamet said:
No need to get nervous , I’ve had a similar TPMS sensor for 4 months now. Works very well.

View attachment 140711

Which one is this? The unit actually looks smaller than the FOBO.

nervous

· #38 · Feb 22, 2021

Captain said:
@nervous I am interested to hear your thoughts on the connectivity of the FOBO.
I gave up using mine because everytime I started preparing for a day ride, I'd have to re-pair the units, which many times was unsuccessful.
Granted that was 4yrs ago now and my current Android phone is well advanced so possibly may be OK now.

Certainly something to test then. Was yours 1st gen or the 2? Plus, if it matters at all, I am using an iPhone.

JohanH

· #39 · Feb 22, 2021

Grim Rider said:
I have the Garmin tyre pressure monitors; work really well, especially when I had a slow puncture and would not have known about it so soon without being able to easily see the pressure changing, but obviously only work with a suitable Garmin GPS (I have a 390 and a 590).

I am interested in how you mounted the Garmin on your Racer. Can you post some photos. I assume that you own the Racer (from photo on profile), if not my appologies and ignore request.

dxamet

· #40 · Feb 22, 2021 (Edited)

@nervous You're right, sir. I have a TPMS device from TyreBoy and the sensors are smaller.
Dia: 18.6mm,
Height: 13mm.
The TyreBoy device does not work via smartphone but autonomously with a display on the handle bar

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