TPMS recommendations

Nitesail

Nitesail

Site Supporter
Joined
Dec 21, 2023
Messages
58
Location
Florida
Bike
2012 ST1300
Hey everyone. I’d really like to add one of these systems to my bike, ST1300. I check my tire pressure before nearly every ride and well I’m just kinda getting tired of laying on the shop floor each time. The bike currently has the rubber valve stems and I’m assuming I need to get metal ones? I’d prefer 90 degree ones. So, does anyone have recommendations for metal 90 degree stems, and a good TPMS you’ve tried that works well? I searched here for this but the results were a bit dated and was hoping someone has had a chance to test some of these for a while now.
 
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I have been using cheap TPMS systems bought through Aliexpress on all my bikes (4, plus1 scooter). These have a sensor in the valve cap that adds some weight so a metal valve stem (and ideally a 90 degree one) is a good precaution. These give a pretty decent guide to your running tyre pressure and agree well with my manual gauge. The head unit needs recharging occasionally (6 monthly) and the valve caps have replaceable coin batteries but seem to last 2-3 years (I am a weekend rider only). You can also buy similar systems that have the transmitter mounted inside the rim, more of fiddle to fit but no external sensor, hopefully with decent battery life. They can take a few wheel rotations to kick into life.

Like this: 1747716443506.png
 
FOBO 2 user here, bought off amazon a few years back and about 60k miles ago. I’m sure there as good as all the others. Down side is they work after wheel rotation starts, sometimes before. They go to sleep and wake upon movement. One battery swap in that time. It is phone app based, I’m using IOS and it has been fine save the ask for location services. No, you don’t need to know where I am.

They do a decent job, PSI is close to any of my gauges, and seeing while riding takes away any anxiety about pressure. Having a temperature check is nice too.

I’m fixated on brakes and tires for vehicles. I would love the a/c to work, but need to stop in the rain. Point being I don’t try to save money on those areas. I recommend “T” valves, put the sensor on top and air up from the side. Cheap comfy stuff is great, but your life depends on these bits.

Screen shot
IMG_0672.jpeg


wingstuff.com

T-Valve Optional Accessory for TPMS

Check out the deal on T-Valve Optional Accessory for TPMS at WingStuff.com
wingstuff.com wingstuff.com
 
Willsmotorcycle said:
FOBO 2 user here, bought off amazon a few years back and about 60k miles ago. I’m sure there as good as all the others. Down side is they work after wheel rotation starts, sometimes before. They go to sleep and wake upon movement. One battery swap in that time. It is phone app based, I’m using IOS and it has been fine save the ask for location services. No, you don’t need to know where I am.

They do a decent job, PSI is close to any of my gauges, and seeing while riding takes away any anxiety about pressure. Having a temperature check is nice too.

I’m fixated on brakes and tires for vehicles. I would love the a/c to work, but need to stop in the rain. Point being I don’t try to save money on those areas. I recommend “T” valves, put the sensor on top and air up from the side. Cheap comfy stuff is great, but your life depends on these bits.

Screen shot
IMG_0672.jpeg


wingstuff.com

T-Valve Optional Accessory for TPMS

Check out the deal on T-Valve Optional Accessory for TPMS at WingStuff.com
wingstuff.com wingstuff.com
Click to expand...
Big difference in temperaures. Is the front of the bike in one county and the rear in another?
 
Williamson said:
Big difference in temperaures. Is the front of the bike in one county and the rear in another?
Click to expand...

The difference can be because one tire was filled a skosh more than the other at some point. I've got the FOBO 2 system as well. My tires start out at 42 each (because it's the answer to the ultimate question of life the universe and everything) but after a bit of riding the rear tire always has a higher pressure than the front. I assume this is because the rear wheel is the drive wheel. The pressures are likely opposite on FWD bikes. :)

I chose the FOBO system because the bike doesn't have to move to get a reading. It can be done from the comfort of one's Lazy Boy if the bike is in BT range. Some may see needing to use a smartphone app to check the PSI as a disadvantage.

Some other brands need the bike to be moved a bit as mentioned before one sees a reading. For me it's more convenient to check the pressure before moving the bike so I can top off if needed before opening the garage door.

There is the Hawkshead system that uses a display mounted somewhere convenient to conveniently show readings while riding. They had a small display that told you what you needed but that may have been replaced.

Agreed that rubber stems should be replaced with metal stems if you add sensors that replace valve caps. The Ariete 87º valve stems are available in colors and are small so as to be less conspicuous. FOBO and other sources provide a T-valve that lets you attach an air hose without having to remove the TPMS sensor.
 
I use Hawkshead TPMS on all four of my ST1100s.
They have given me great service and work well.
Their caps are some of the smallest in the industry and take button batteries that are easy to change.

HawksHead Cruiser TPMS

Cruiser Motorcycle TPMS Fits Honda, Harley, Indian others
www.tpms.ca www.tpms.ca

**Edit - And the 'brain' is water proof. ;)
 
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Uncle Phil said:
... button batteries that are easy to change.
Click to expand...
Any data on battery life yet?

I'd gotten me 3 kits with internal(!) sensors some time ago, but never came around to install & test them (mostly because I haven't found a satisfying position for that display-pod...)

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I am in the market also, for a T.P.M.S.,
and currently I do not want to try to use my smart phone for the display of tire pressure data.
I would like to have a separate little display unit / gauge that I can mount somewhere on my handlebar or instrument cluster.

I would need it to be bright enough to see during full daylight-- that is one problem with using my phone for navigation:

it simply never gets bright enough for me to see in full sunlight especially if I'm wearing sunglasses or tinted helmet visor .
 
Hawkhead 'brain' batteries last so long I forget when was the last time I charge them (there's a charge indicator on the screen).
I velcro the brain right over the Honda emblem on the handlebar cover of the ST1100s - quick glance and you see it (very light weight).
The cap batteries are about the same - I forget when I last changed them.
I always keep extras (1225) on the bike (and the little 'tools') in case I'm out on a long trip and one goes out.
The 'brain' shows an emblem when the battery gets weak as to which tire it is.
It has adjustable high/low pressure and temperature warnings - visible and audio.
The 'brain' is back lite and has daylight/night time sensor to light up when it gets dark.
You can also order spare caps if you lose (never have) or mess one up (don't ask me how I know the latter).
Between the four ST1100s, 200,000+ miles with them over ten years.
 
I too use a Hawkshead, after having a Fobo. I did not like using my phone for a TPMS - nothing more than a personal decision. The Hawkshead batteries last me 1 1/2 - 2 years, but I change them in the spring (if I remember).
 
SYKIK SRTP300 units have given me great service on multiple bikes. It mounts to the bike and does not use a phone. About $50 on Amazon. Several times my SYKIK alerted me to slow leaks when on a long ride when the tire would have gotten over heated from low pressure. My last testimony starts on heavy traffic on I-95 at 80 mph last May. When I noticed the display flashing the pressure was 26 lbs and dropping 1 or 2 psi maybe every 15 seconds. I had just started on a trip to east TN and the RT was loaded. I slowed and got safely off on the shoulder under my terms. When I stopped it was 17 psi then 15 psi. I feel it probably saved me from a bad outcome. I'll never have a road bike without a TPMS and as long as SYKIK makes them that's the one I'll use.

 
dduelin said:
SYKIK SRTP300 units have given me great service on multiple bikes. It mounts to the bike and does not use a phone. About $50 on Amazon. Several times my SYKIK alerted me to slow leaks when on a long ride when the tire would have gotten over heated from low pressure. My last testimony starts on heavy traffic on I-95 at 80 mph last May. When I noticed the display flashing the pressure was 26 lbs and dropping 1 or 2 psi maybe every 15 seconds. I had just started on a trip to east TN and the RT was loaded. I slowed and got safely off on the shoulder under my terms. When I stopped it was 17 psi then 15 psi. I feel it probably saved me from a bad outcome. I'll never have a road bike without a TPMS and as long as SYKIK makes them that's the one I'll use.

Click to expand...

I've ditto his comments. Used these on the last two bikes and have zero compliants. About $59 on Amazon. Batteries last about a year.

​

 
I have the SYKIK SRTP300 units. They work reasonably well. The issue I've had is that putting the sensors on the the valve stems can be finicky. They have to be removed to add air and if they're not on just right, they can leak. I've found flat tires a couple of times after they've been installed so decided to keep them off for now.
 
RobbieAG said:
I have the SYKIK SRTP300 units. They work reasonably well. The issue I've had is that putting the sensors on the the valve stems can be finicky. They have to be removed to add air and if they're not on just right, they can leak. I've found flat tires a couple of times after they've been installed so decided to keep them off for now.
Click to expand...
FWIW, I've never had that problem with the Hawkshead caps.
 
dduelin said:
SYKIK SRTP300 units have given me great service on multiple bikes. It mounts to the bike and does not use a phone. About $50 on Amazon. Several times my SYKIK alerted me to slow leaks when on a long ride when the tire would have gotten over heated from low pressure. My last testimony starts on heavy traffic on I-95 at 80 mph last May. When I noticed the display flashing the pressure was 26 lbs and dropping 1 or 2 psi maybe every 15 seconds. I had just started on a trip to east TN and the RT was loaded. I slowed and got safely off on the shoulder under my terms. When I stopped it was 17 psi then 15 psi. I feel it probably saved me from a bad outcome. I'll never have a road bike without a TPMS and as long as SYKIK makes them that's the one I'll use.
Click to expand...
Same one I use and I have had the same thing happen multiple times and I believe the TPMS saved me from something bad each time.
The beeping isn't very loud (I can barely hear it but I do wear ear plugs under my helmet) but the blinking is enough for me to notice when something is wrong.
The batteries in the sensors last over a year (I change them yearly-ish so I don't know how long they really last) and the head unit will go 3 weeks of daily riding before needing a recharge.
I had them on rubber stems for a while and the world didn't end but I did switch to 90 degree metal stems at my next tire change just to be sure about it.
 
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