Tire gauge

headshrink · February 28th, 2009, 03:42 PM

I'm going to need a new tire gauge since the dealer said my front tire is cuping due to low preasure. I check my air every week or two, it holds air pretty good, and all this time I thought I was good. So it looks like my gauge is inaccurate. I had cross checked it with two other gauges I had laying around and I would only get a variance of +/- 2psi, which I thought wasn't that big a deal. I guess they are all pretty cheap!

So, the reason why I put this in farkles in stead of tech, is because I am looking for some recomendations for a new gauge.

Sound Wave · March 1st, 2009, 01:18 AM

here is a review i found on different digital gauges.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...compressor.htm

Buffalony · March 1st, 2009, 10:03 AM

anyone here know how accurate those pressure indicator valve caps are?

Alex · March 1st, 2009, 02:12 PM

They are awful. And bordering on unsafe. The way a conventional valve stem works to keep air in our tires is twofold. First, there is the Shrader valve:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schrader_valve

And on top of that is a plastic or metal valve cap, that serves two purposes. First, it helps prevent air leakage if the Shrader valve starts to fail in some way. Also, it acts as a protective cover to keep dirt and other contaminants out of the Shrader valve itself and causing it to malfunction.

The pressure-reading valve caps depress the Schrader valve so the pressure can be continuously read, completely disabling them. The only thing keeping the air in the tires is that screw cap itself, basically taking a two-pronged system and cutting its safety and reliability in half.

In our garage we have a $50 craftsman electric air compressor with a gauge on it (that is within a PSI of our standalone digital gauge), and I check my tires before leaving the garage just using the compressor. Basically every single time I hook it up, I need to add 1-2 psi, so just checking it each time without a way to add air would mean some pretty frequent trips to the gas station if I didn't have a way to add air locally.

Buffalony · March 1st, 2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Basically every single time I hook it up, I need to add 1-2 psi, so just checking it each time without a way to add air would mean some pretty frequent trips to the gas station if I didn't have a way to add air locally.

this is interesting.I shall pay even more attention.

Alex · March 1st, 2009, 04:33 PM

I don't think 1 or 2 psi would kill any of us in the scheme of things. A mechanic friend says that 90% of the bikes that come into his shop have extremely low tire pressure, in the 18 - 20 range, basically because most people never check it. And most people don't crash (on every ride, at least

). But if it is important for someone to make sure that they always have the exact pressure they expect, you pretty much have to do it every ride.

For the cupping thing, I've found that different tire models are more or less susceptible to it. Also, riding style (and especially braking style) makes a large difference. If a rider is always on the front brakes while still turning in, that can exacerbate cupping in a front tire. Rolling through the corners on steady throttle seems to be easier on the tires all around. Too low pressure (and perhaps even too high pressure) may cause some cupping over a long period of time, but I don't think 1 or 2 psi off in either direction would be a significant cause for it.

Buffalony · March 2nd, 2009, 02:55 PM

I never thought of breaking in turns creating that type of wear.interesting.

I don't break in turns at all though. It was a hard thing not to do and its hard for some to understand why not do it.

OldGuy · March 2nd, 2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalony

It was a hard thing not to do and its hard for some to understand why not do it.

Until you feel the rear end start to go out from under you. Not fun if you don't have any experience with it. Down shifting in turns is the other "no-no".

Alex · March 2nd, 2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buffalony

I don't break in turns at all though. It was a hard thing not to do and its hard for some to understand why not do it.

The MSF (and David Hough) guidance of getting all of your braking done prior to entering a turn is generally good advice for a new rider. It eliminates some variables, and makes it necessary to slow down to a controlled cornering speed well before entering the corner.

But as people build experience, with today's tire and suspension technology, it can become smoother, faster, and even safer to learn how to continue braking while in a turn. On a racetrack, in many corners the fastest guys are braking all the way up to the apex of the corner when the bike reaches max lean angle. Careful modulation of the front brake (and even rear brake) can change the attitude of the machine in the corner, can tighten up or widen the line, and can even adjust lean angle. On the street, those who are big fans of trailbraking often have a bit of brake still on while turning into a corner; this gives them additional options for adding more brake if encountering different traction in the corner, an unexpected obstacle, etc.

None of this means go out and start nailing the brakes while in a corner, it just means that "never use your brakes while in a corner" doesn't hold true in all cases, especially after people get a number of years and tens of thousands of miles under their belts.

Buffalony · March 3rd, 2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

The MSF (and David Hough) guidance of getting all of your braking done prior to entering a turn is generally good advice for a new rider. It eliminates some variables, and makes it necessary to slow down to a controlled cornering speed well before entering the corner.

But as people build experience, with today's tire and suspension technology, it can become smoother, faster, and even safer to learn how to continue braking while in a turn. On a racetrack, in many corners the fastest guys are braking all the way up to the apex of the corner when the bike reaches max lean angle. Careful modulation of the front brake (and even rear brake) can change the attitude of the machine in the corner, can tighten up or widen the line, and can even adjust lean angle. On the street, those who are big fans of trailbraking often have a bit of brake still on while turning into a corner; this gives them additional options for adding more brake if encountering different traction in the corner, an unexpected obstacle, etc.

None of this means go out and start nailing the brakes while in a corner, it just means that "never use your brakes while in a corner" doesn't hold true in all cases, especially after people get a number of years and tens of thousands of miles under their belts.

I can understand that.Makes perfect sense. I'm not ubber experienced either. So I like to keep it simple for myself. If I have to break in a turn on roads I know well then I entered the turn to fast. If I have to break in a turn on roads I dont know.. then again I was going to fast. I use the rear break in really slow maneuvers like in parking lots.

headshrink · March 3rd, 2009, 07:43 PM

Is there something I should look for in a gauge, or just not a cheapo pen gauge (which is what I have been using). I do have one on my compressor, but want something I don't have to hook up.

I'm bummed because I had a short pen gauge with a magnet on it that I keep under my "hood", but I guess it has to go now.

Alex · March 3rd, 2009, 08:08 PM

Take a peek at the review in Sound Wave's second post in this thread. I've got this one, and it seems to work just fine for around $20.

EDIT: Looks like these guys are now selling it for $24.90.

headshrink · March 4th, 2009, 04:22 PM

I just sent in an order... thanks!

athimmel · March 4th, 2009, 04:30 PM

So did I! Amazon.com takes more of my money.

headshrink · March 4th, 2009, 04:38 PM

I ordered mine direct.... every time I buy from Amazon, they resolve to step-up their spamming attempts. Just like with my kids, I don't want to encourage bad behavior

Let us know how you like your unit and I'll do the same.

Hey... your a local guy

Which is your dealership?

athimmel · March 4th, 2009, 04:44 PM

Can we send Amazon.com to their rooms? Nah. Too plush.

I'll let you know how the gauge works out, although I'm mechanically disinclined to the max. In so many words, my opinion on these matters is worth squadoosh.

I bought my Ninja at MDK Motorsports in Folsom, CA.

GreezMunky · March 4th, 2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by athimmel

In so many words, my opinion on these matters is worth squadoosh.

Tai Lung: The Wuxi finger hold!
Po: Oh, you know this hold?
Tai Lung: You're bluffing. You're bluffing! Shifu didn't teach you that.
Po: Nope. I figured it out. Skadoosh!

Sorry, couldn't help myself..

headshrink · March 4th, 2009, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by athimmel

Can we send Amazon.com to their rooms? Nah. Too plush.

I'll let you know how the gauge works out, although I'm mechanically disinclined to the max. In so many words, my opinion on these matters is worth squadoosh.

I bought my Ninja at MDK Motorsports in Folsom, CA.

Me too... you wouldn't by chance have been the guy who chatted with me a moment when I had my bike in for service last week, where you?

February 28th, 2009, 03:42 PM	#1
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Tire gauge I'm going to need a new tire gauge since the dealer said my front tire is cuping due to low preasure. I check my air every week or two, it holds air pretty good, and all this time I thought I was good. So it looks like my gauge is inaccurate. I had cross checked it with two other gauges I had laying around and I would only get a variance of +/- 2psi, which I thought wasn't that big a deal. I guess they are all pretty cheap! So, the reason why I put this in farkles in stead of tech, is because I am looking for some recomendations for a new gauge.

March 1st, 2009, 02:12 PM	#4
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	They are awful. And bordering on unsafe. The way a conventional valve stem works to keep air in our tires is twofold. First, there is the Shrader valve: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schrader_valve And on top of that is a plastic or metal valve cap, that serves two purposes. First, it helps prevent air leakage if the Shrader valve starts to fail in some way. Also, it acts as a protective cover to keep dirt and other contaminants out of the Shrader valve itself and causing it to malfunction. The pressure-reading valve caps depress the Schrader valve so the pressure can be continuously read, completely disabling them. The only thing keeping the air in the tires is that screw cap itself, basically taking a two-pronged system and cutting its safety and reliability in half. In our garage we have a $50 craftsman electric air compressor with a gauge on it (that is within a PSI of our standalone digital gauge), and I check my tires before leaving the garage just using the compressor. Basically every single time I hook it up, I need to add 1-2 psi, so just checking it each time without a way to add air would mean some pretty frequent trips to the gas station if I didn't have a way to add air locally. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

March 1st, 2009, 04:33 PM	#6
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	I don't think 1 or 2 psi would kill any of us in the scheme of things. A mechanic friend says that 90% of the bikes that come into his shop have extremely low tire pressure, in the 18 - 20 range, basically because most people never check it. And most people don't crash (on every ride, at least ). But if it is important for someone to make sure that they always have the exact pressure they expect, you pretty much have to do it every ride. For the cupping thing, I've found that different tire models are more or less susceptible to it. Also, riding style (and especially braking style) makes a large difference. If a rider is always on the front brakes while still turning in, that can exacerbate cupping in a front tire. Rolling through the corners on steady throttle seems to be easier on the tires all around. Too low pressure (and perhaps even too high pressure) may cause some cupping over a long period of time, but I don't think 1 or 2 psi off in either direction would be a significant cause for it. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
[motorcyclistonline] - Accu-Gage Tire Gauge \| MC Tested	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	June 25th, 2013 03:50 PM
[motorcyclistonline] - Free Digital Tire Gauge with $60 Purchase	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	November 15th, 2011 02:50 AM
[topix.net] - Roadgear Programmable Digital Tire Gauge	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	June 5th, 2010 06:10 AM
[webbikeworld.com] - Roadgear Programmable Digital Tire Pressure Gauge Review	Ninjette Newsbot	Motorcycling News	0	January 12th, 2010 06:50 AM
Daytona digital temp gauge\tire hugger	pantera	Motorcycle-related	9	August 4th, 2009 02:32 PM

March 1st, 2009, 01:18 AM	#2
Sound Wave Ramen Rider Name: Gary Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2015 BMW R1200R, 08 Honda VFR800A (sold), 09 Ninja 250R (sold) Posts: A lot.	here is a review i found on different digital gauges. http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcyc...compressor.htm

March 1st, 2009, 10:03 AM	#3
Buffalony ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Joe Location: Buffalo NY Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.	anyone here know how accurate those pressure indicator valve caps are?

March 2nd, 2009, 02:55 PM	#7
Buffalony ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Joe Location: Buffalo NY Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250 "Wasabi", 82 Yamaha xj650j Posts: A lot.	I never thought of breaking in turns creating that type of wear.interesting. I don't break in turns at all though. It was a hard thing not to do and its hard for some to understand why not do it.

March 3rd, 2009, 07:43 PM	#11
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	Is there something I should look for in a gauge, or just not a cheapo pen gauge (which is what I have been using). I do have one on my compressor, but want something I don't have to hook up. I'm bummed because I had a short pen gauge with a magnet on it that I keep under my "hood", but I guess it has to go now.

March 4th, 2009, 04:22 PM	#13
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	I just sent in an order... thanks!

March 4th, 2009, 04:30 PM	#14
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	So did I! Amazon.com takes more of my money.

March 4th, 2009, 04:38 PM	#15
headshrink ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Bob Location: CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250r, '14 CBR500r Posts: A lot.	I ordered mine direct.... every time I buy from Amazon, they resolve to step-up their spamming attempts. Just like with my kids, I don't want to encourage bad behavior Let us know how you like your unit and I'll do the same. Hey... your a local guy Which is your dealership?

March 4th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#16
athimmel ninjette.org member Name: Adam Location: Sacramento area Join Date: Feb 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250 - blue Posts: 177	Can we send Amazon.com to their rooms? Nah. Too plush. I'll let you know how the gauge works out, although I'm mechanically disinclined to the max. In so many words, my opinion on these matters is worth squadoosh. I bought my Ninja at MDK Motorsports in Folsom, CA.