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General => Bike Chat => Topic started by: grog on Sunday, 02 April 2017, 06:05 PM

Title: tyre monitor
Post by: grog on Sunday, 02 April 2017, 06:05 PM
Barmy, you wrote about tyre pressure monitor. i cant find it. seems a great idea. filed where?
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: gsxbarmy on Sunday, 02 April 2017, 10:07 PM
It was in Bike Chat, "what have you done to your bike today" - here's what I wrote

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steelmate-TP90-Pro-TPMS-Tyre-Pressure-monitoring-System-Motorcycle-Motorbike-/361518546291?hash=item542c2f3d73:g:4LIAAOSwQjNW9Alz

I didn't want the Triumph TPMS, first it's an option on my particular model, second you have to replace the sensors every time you change tyres -and at £200 a time (on top of the cost of your tyres - no thanks! I did actually buy this to fit my 14 then of course sold it, but this is really quite neat. Once set up, it scrolls through and displays your front and rear tyre pressures every 2 seconds with a green arrow - any change outside arameters you set and the display goes red, so slow or sudden loss of pressure or tyre gets hotter than you say (which it will do if you get a slow puncture). As an aside there is a button you can press to check battery voltage. It's about the size of a gents wrist watch when mounted.

I have the TP-90 Pro version which has the screw on sensors http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Steelmate-TP90-Pro-TPMS-Tyre-Pressure-monitoring-System-Motorcycle-Motorbike-/361518546291?hash=item542c2f3d73:g:4LIAAOSwQjNW9Alz

The same is also available with in-tyre sensors http://www.steel-mate.co.uk/acatalog/TP-90I-Pro-Professional-Motorcycle-Tyre-Pressure-Monitoring-System-317.html#SID=53%23SID=53 from Steelmate but I didn't want that.

The earlier TP-90 can still be bought on eBay but was discontinued over 2 years ago (so avoid) , likewise there are some copies around sold cheaper, so if you are thinking of buying one, just check the seller with Steelmate first.

I wanted this after  my mate got a slow loaded up with panniers at speed on a motorway - whilst he didn't have an off, the bike got hard to control as he slowed down so I decided I wanted "early warning".
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: grog on Monday, 03 April 2017, 06:59 AM
ThanksBarmy, not blind, just cant see.
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: KiwiCol on Monday, 03 April 2017, 08:26 AM

Just had a look at these, they'd be about $250 to get them landed here.   (99 pound + shipping & exchange rates)


I've got right angled valve stems fitted, wonder how these would go mounted on their side basically?   Anything in the instructions about that Dave?


@gsxbarmy       
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: VladTepes on Monday, 03 April 2017, 09:46 AM
I think Tyre Pressure sensors are a great idea.

Shame there's no photos of what they look  like actually fitted to the stems.
Based on what the listing says there is nothing that would be relevant to the orientation of the sender units so it should work fine on right-angled stems I think.

These seems to be a 'wireless' style connection (not Bluetooth) Barmy do you find the connection stable?  No issues?

I ask because I have a Garmin GPS and they sell tyre pressure sensors which display on the garmin screen etc - all very fancy BUT they run based on Bluetooth pairing which I gather can be quite flaky for those particular units / that application.  Not so good...

Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: gsxbarmy on Monday, 03 April 2017, 03:51 PM
First - my Explorer has right angled stems - no issues at all with them. I used the system yesterday for the first time and yes it was very stable worked perfectly with no issues at all, in fact it's quite interesting how much your tyre pressures alter as the tyres warm up.
I'm doing a weekend away next week - much longer ride (I'm entered in a timed hill climb (tarmac track)) so will be doing about 300 miles in total over the weekend.
The only comments I have on the system so far are:
POSITIVE:
- very neat, about the size of a gents divers watch, easy to wire in and setup
- sensors are pre-paired
- unit starts displaying once you reach 12mph the first time. Initial display is quite bright, but dims after a short space of time. Nice large readout, scrolls between front and rear tyre pressure every 2 secs, so easy to read on the go. Large green arrows complement for "at a glance" reading (these go red if there is an issue for the appropriate tyre).
I'm very careful with my tyre pressures and use a calibrated gauge to set them. It was refreshing that the read out was bang on and matched exactly.
NEGATIVE:
- sensors (whilst lightweight) are a bit larger than I would like - but then they do have to accommodate a small cell battery (available over the counter) which is easy enough to change.
- sensors are a bit fiddly to fit - essentially you put a dust cover on the tyre valve then screw on a nut (supplied) then the sensor, which you screw down tight then have to lock in place with the nut (using the spanner supplied). Having said that I guess you need to check tyre pressures less as you get a read out on your dash!
- I had one issue on setup where I had to ring tech support. Essentially these are "plug and play" items but mine initially showed an issue on my rear tyre (where there wasn't one). Easily resolved with the call, because there is a marked difference in my front and rear pressures, I had to reset the default pressure bar variance to a higher number. Apparently only happens on a small number of machines mine just happened to be one of those bikes. But they could have mentioned it in the instructions I think.

So far I'm quite impressed with it, if only as a reassurance rather than anything else.

Found this on Youtube, which whilst its been installed on a Harley, is still the same unit (just note that the monitor he has mounted above his clocks - thsi same assembly will clamp direct to 22mm handlebars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXcBOonLM6o Also you can choose the units to display, PSI or Bar, temp in degrees C or F
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: Batkwaka on Monday, 03 April 2017, 04:45 PM
I have the Tyre Pressure monitor on the BMW, great idea. Had a puncture once and thought the bike was handling a little funny when the warning light came on and switched to the tyre symbol showing the increasing difference in pressure front and back. Had time to exit the Freeway and find a good pick up point.
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: gsxbarmy on Monday, 03 April 2017, 05:30 PM
Quote from: KiwiCol on Monday, 03 April  2017, 08:26 AM

Just had a look at these, they'd be about $250 to get them landed here.   (99 pound + shipping & exchange rates)



They do have an antipodean distributor!

http://www.steelmate.com.au/c/4537820/1/tpms-for-motorcycle.html

$199 AUD

They may be on eBay AU as well haven't looked. Look for Steelmate on there.
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: VladTepes on Monday, 03 April 2017, 09:51 PM
ebay $199  http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/STEELMATE-TP-90-MOTORCYCLE-WIRELESS-TPMS-TYRE-PRESSURE-MONITORING-SYSTEM-BIKE-/171536913472?hash=item27f0659440:g:RfkAAOSwLa9UYCns
(allegedly item located Australia)

ebay $99.88  http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Steelmate-DIY-Motorcycle-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-System-TPMS-2-Sensor-B5B1-/252605298139?hash=item3ad072f5db:g:iFQAAOSwUEVYEEPk  (ex China) real deal or rip off?

ebay $108.79 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Steelmate-TPMS-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-System-Digital-Motorcycle-Wireless-TP90-/152293376464?hash=item23756481d0:g:fKMAAOSwf-VWXDJe  (ex Hong Kong)

It's hard to know these days.....
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: gsxbarmy on Tuesday, 04 April 2017, 12:02 AM
Quote from: VladTepes on Monday, 03 April  2017, 09:51 PM
ebay $199  http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/STEELMATE-TP-90-MOTORCYCLE-WIRELESS-TPMS-TYRE-PRESSURE-MONITORING-SYSTEM-BIKE-/171536913472?hash=item27f0659440:g:RfkAAOSwLa9UYCns
(allegedly item located Australia)

ebay $99.88  http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Steelmate-DIY-Motorcycle-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-System-TPMS-2-Sensor-B5B1-/252605298139?hash=item3ad072f5db:g:iFQAAOSwUEVYEEPk  (ex China) real deal or rip off?

ebay $108.79 http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Steelmate-TPMS-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-System-Digital-Motorcycle-Wireless-TP90-/152293376464?hash=item23756481d0:g:fKMAAOSwf-VWXDJe  (ex Hong Kong)

It's hard to know these days.....

Of your links
- the first link looks to be the genuine article that does the same as mine (just check its the TP-90 Pro they supply)
- the second link is tyre pressure only and I think is a copy
- the third I think is a copy as well

Check with the Australian importers http://www.steelmate.com.au/c/4537820/1/tpms-for-motorcycle.html as they will tell you if elite-electronics-au are their eBay outlet. SImply put though they don't discount, so if the price is $199 on their website then that's what it will be on eBay.
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: gsxbarmy on Tuesday, 04 April 2017, 12:47 AM
So a short video of the unit mounted on my Trumpet, so you can see how it scrolls etc when in use.

https://vimeo.com/211318089

Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: ogrimark on Wednesday, 12 April 2017, 06:36 AM
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TPMS-TP90-MotorBike-Motorcycle-DIY-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-Steelmate-2-Sensors-/401245622606?hash=item5d6c1a514e:g:BFcAAOSw-0xYV9kL

thought yours was a bit expensive. this has been in my watch list for a while. I have built in ones on the Explorer but our lass is shite as checking hers  :bugga:
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 12 April 2017, 07:54 AM
Quote from: ogrimark on Wednesday, 12 April  2017, 06:36 AM
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TPMS-TP90-MotorBike-Motorcycle-DIY-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-Steelmate-2-Sensors-/401245622606?hash=item5d6c1a514e:g:BFcAAOSw-0xYV9kL

thought yours was a bit expensive. this has been in my watch list for a while. I have built in ones on the Explorer but our lass is shite as checking hers  :bugga:

That's cheap either because its a Chinese copy Ogrimark,or they are selling off very old stock (the earlier TP-90 systems were replaced by the TP-90 Pro a couple of years back. I'm not sure but I think the one you show on sabayon only does tyre pressure, mine does tyre pressure and temperature, as well as voltage).

I could have had the Triumph ones on the Explorer fitted but at £200 to have those Triumph monitor valves in the tyres replaced every time you change your tyres (because you can't replace the batteries), then at £100 for life I'm happy. Just tried them out over the weekend with a round trip from Essex down to Prescott Hill Climb and impressed with the way they work.

I do wonder how many owners with XRT's or XCA's will shell out the extra cash at tyre change time to maintain the Triumph system in all honesty
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: VladTepes on Wednesday, 12 April 2017, 10:02 AM
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 12 April  2017, 07:54 AM
Quote from: ogrimark on Wednesday, 12 April  2017, 06:36 AM
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TPMS-TP90-MotorBike-Motorcycle-DIY-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-Steelmate-2-Sensors-/401245622606?hash=item5d6c1a514e:g:BFcAAOSw-0xYV9kL

thought yours was a bit expensive. this has been in my watch list for a while. I have built in ones on the Explorer but our lass is shite as checking hers  :bugga:
I could have had the Triumph ones on the Explorer fitted but at £200 to have those Triumph monitor valves in the tyres replaced every time you change your tyres (because you can't replace the batteries),

Yep that's a bloody joke alright.
Sounds like they are taking a leaf out of the German car manufacturers playbook... "Oh you want a steering wheel?  That's extra...."
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: Mick_J on Wednesday, 12 April 2017, 04:48 PM
Quote from: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 12 April  2017, 07:54 AM
Quote from: ogrimark on Wednesday, 12 April  2017, 06:36 AM
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TPMS-TP90-MotorBike-Motorcycle-DIY-Tire-Pressure-Monitoring-Steelmate-2-Sensors-/401245622606?hash=item5d6c1a514e:g:BFcAAOSw-0xYV9kL

thought yours was a bit expensive. this has been in my watch list for a while. I have built in ones on the Explorer but our lass is shite as checking hers  :bugga:

That's cheap either because its a Chinese copy Ogrimark,or they are selling off very old stock (the earlier TP-90 systems were replaced by the TP-90 Pro a couple of years back)

I could have had the Triumph ones on the Explorer fitted but at £200 to have those Triumph monitor valves in the tyres replaced every time you change your tyres (because you can't replace the batteries), then at £100 for life I'm happy. Just tried them out over the weekend with a round trip from Essex down to Prescott Hill Climb and impressed with the way they work.

I do wonder how many owners with XRT's or XCT's will shell out the extra cash at tyre change time to maintain the Triumph system in all honesty

The batteries CAN be replaced in those tyre monitors, just takes a bit of effort.
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: gsxbarmy on Wednesday, 12 April 2017, 05:03 PM
Agreed there is a way that the Explorer ones can be replaced if you have the nouse - it does tell you how on the Explorer forum - but given that you can only get at them with the tyre off, a tyre fitter is not going to wait a couple of hours whilst you cut, de-solde and rebuild the sender unit from within the tyre. The only way would be to have a spare set you take with you at tyre change time.
It may be different on other Triumph models, but certainly from reading the Explorer forum it's not an easy thing to replace the batteries yourself on the Explorer senders
Title: Re: tyre monitor
Post by: Mick_J on Wednesday, 12 April 2017, 05:45 PM
You're right and I think they are all the same crap design.