Tag Archives: Tyres

How to Purchase the Right Tires for Your Motorcycle

(Contributed post for our European readers)

Purchasing tires for your motorbike on the web from tyreleader.ie can save you lots of money. However, it is important you to find the right tires as they are a vital part of your motorbike. There are numerous types and models of motorcycle tires available. It is up to you to settle on which tire to purchase, as per your motorcycle’s owner’s manual and specifications.

Are You Using the Precise Motorcycle Tires?

Utilizing proper motorcycle tires can turn to be a life-saver! Utilizing an improper tire for the bike can lead to tragedy! It is quite critical for riders to select the right tire for their motorcycles. There several types of tires for diverse motorcycles and varied tires for different road surfaces. Also, when selecting the type of tire, think about the type typical weather you will be riding in.

Motorbike manufacturers have already fixed their motorcycles with suitable tires. It is worthwhile that riders read the maker’s manual not only to select appropriate tires, but also proper maintenance. You should check your tires frequently, especially for correct air pressures, to guarantee their condition.

A motorcycle ridden chiefly on the street must have suitable road tires. Slick tires for racing might look great on your motorbike, but the rubber is softer and will wear down more rapidly, although you will have a better grip on dry and smooth road surfaces. Harder and more robust tires will give you extra mileage. The disadvantage is that you may also get lower grip.

It is important to know that if your tires become damaged, choose a substitute tire of a similar dimension, speed rating, and brand name.

It may be important to retain the same tire brand as was fitted from the factory. But don’t fit a different size on the rim as it will affect the handling, may fail and may void your insurance in a crash.

Keep in mind that rubber losses its pliability with time and consequently loses its grip on the road. Being informed regarding motorbike tires makes you a safer rider.

Choosing the tire design for your motorcycle

If a rider uses their bike for daily commuting, weekend fun rides and camp-out tours, they must look into all-terrain tires.

Various motorcycle tires offer a wide assortment for a multitude of terrain. The tread patterns may depend on what type of terrain you will ride, such as tar, dirt, sand, gravel and/or mud.

In conclusion, since a motorbike’s safety is reliant on the tires, you should choose the right tires, plus maintaining them will get you the most out of them. 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Avon Cobra motorcycle tyres recalled

Photograph of DOT image

Owners should contact the dealer where they bought the tyres to arrange a free inspection and replacement of affected tyres.

Recall rush

This is the fifth motorcycle-related product recall in the past 10 days.

The others involved Triumph Speed Triple S and R models, O’Neal helmets, Ducati Hypermotards and Harley trikes.

So far this year, there have been 26 motorcycle recalls plus four motorcycle product recalls: Harley saddlebags, a Honda Monkey bike rack, the helmet and these tyres.

That compares with last year’s 37 motorcycle recalls, the second highest number of recalls in the previous 10 years: 28 in 2017, 39 in 2016, 30 in 2015, 28 in 2014, 20 in 2013, 24 in 2012, 16 in 2011, 14 in 2010 and 23 in 2009.

The most recalls this year was six for Yamaha; followed by 4 for BMW, Ducati and Triumph; Harley, Honda, Suzuki and Triumph on three (if you count the aftermarket accessories for Harley and Honda); and one each for Avon tyres, Kawasaki, Indian, Piaggio, KTM and O’Neal helmets.

That compares with the previous year where Ducati had 6;  Indian, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM and Triumph 3; BMW, Harley, Husqvarna and Moto Guzzi 2, Aprilia and MV Augusta one each. There were no other product recalls.

Even though manufacturers and importers usually contact owners when a recall is issued, the bike may have been sold privately to a rider unknown to the company.

Therefore, Motorbike Writer publishes all motorcycle and scooter recalls as a service to all riders.

If you believe there is an endemic problem with your bike that should be recalled, contact the ACCC on 1300 302 502.

To check whether your motorcycle has been recalled, click on these sites:

• Australia

• USA

• New Zealand

• Canada

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

3 of The Best Motorbike Tires You Should Look for Your Cruiser

(Contributed post for our North American readers)

The thrill of riding a motorbike is unmatched by any other riding experience. There is something about driving your bike on the asphalt for long stretches with the wind in your hair. There is sort of a freedom in it. 

It is as close to flying you can get while being on the ground. The feeling of taking your cruiser motorbike out on the highway for a cross country ride is one of the best things you can do. But for that, you need your bike to be perfectly adept to handle all road conditions. One of the major aspects of this is to have good tires.

Making sure your bike tires have optimum pressure. Along with that check the bike tire size and guarantee other aspects of it so that your bike can perform at its best. You should also try keeping a spare tire and spare tire bike rack for emergencies for those long trips on the highway. 

If you need to find discount tires for your motorbike you can simply search the term “motorbike tires near me” to get suggestions. Now I know what you are thinking, that is only half the story, right? 

You want to know what are the best motorbike tires. Well, the following passages are made up of the best road bike tires available on the market so check it out:

Dunlop D404

Dunlop is one of the most renowned tire brands in the world. They are known the world over for their world-class tires for trucks, cars, and bikes. And it is no surprise that a Dunlop tire has made it in this list. The tire we are going to look at is the Dunlop 404. 

It has become a phenomenon due to its consistent performance and class. Something we expect from a Dunlop tire. These come with intricately designed treads that allow for greater traction across all surfaces. However, its performance is amazing on wet surfaces. 

It has amazing versatility that is rarely seen in the tire industry for motorbikes. It comes in a one size fits all format which makes it a viable option for your cruiser bike regardless of its model and manufacturer. 

While these tires do offer ample mileage it is a bit less than a few of its major competitors. Even though it was specially designed and marketed as a touring bike tire. Along with this, another let down is the fact that it is priced high but does not offer the mileage is often a deterrent for the average buyer.

Pirelli Diablo Rosso II

Pirelli needs no introductions. It has been a premier tire company for as long as it has been around. And its innovative designs and products have kept it relevant even to this day. Diablo Rosso II is one of those tires. 

These were designed as racing tires which is why they provide amazing grip on the track and road. So whenever you drive you will see that aspect showing through on every type of road condition. Because of this grip, the bike feels more balanced and it was designed in a way so that it does not slip when taking tight corners. Tires

This tire has been consistently performing in the market for a number of years and its track record is what made me add to this list of the best motorbike tire list. However, one thing that I don’t like about this is the longevity of the tires but it may be because it receives a higher dose of abuse than regular tires. 

Another thing is that the tire just takes a long time to warm up but other than these minor problems overall the tires are amazing.

Continental ContiMotion

One of the most obvious candidates when talking about best motorbike tires is the Continental ContiMotion. There are no tires available in the industry that comes close to its performance in regards to price.

This you can say is the best value for your money motorbike tire you can find. Continental has one of the best traction control systems in the market. This is why it is considered as one of the best motorbike tires for your cruiser.

Their performance is admirable in both dry and wet conditions. And will last you thousands of miles before even showing the slightest sign of wear and tear. However, once they start deteriorating they deteriorate really fast.

Another thing that you may find hard to deal with is when they are new they don’t perform well enough. But once they are used a little bit they will outperform almost all other motorbike tires in its class.

Cruising with The Best Tires

So there you go; these are the 3 best motorbike tires in my opinion for cruisers. I myself am using the Continental ContiMotion and I am loving the performance I get out of it. But there are plenty of other great tires you can look at. There are plenty of online auto parts stores that sell car and motorbike parts who also have motorbike tires.

Try going to your local motorbike tire store to find the one that is the perfect fit for you. Take great care into finding the right tire so that you get the best out of your cruiser the next time you hit the road.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Shinko 705 Adventure Touring Tyres tested

Shinko tyres review by tyre expert Dale Schmidtchen

The standard tyres on our long-term review CFMoto 650 MT have been my only real complaint about the hardy bike which is now coming up to 4000km.

It came fitted with Chinese-made Cheng Shin Tire (CST) Adreno radials which worked well on dry sealed roads, but were inadequate on any other surface.

Shinko tyresShinko tyres CFMoto

I had been looking around and there wasn’t much on the market that actually fitted the bike as a matched pair.

Wheel size was the main problem with a 17-inch front (unusual on an adventrue bike) and the odd 160/60R17 rear combination.

However, Bruce Collins Enterprises came to the rescue with the suggestion of a pair of South Korean Shinko 705 Series Adventure Touring tyres at $114.

Shinko Tyres bought the almost new radial tyre plant from Yokohama Tire Japan in the late 1990s.  They have since become one of the most versatile and innovative tyre manufacturers in today’s market.

So we chose a 120/70R17 front and 170/60R17 rear.

Ivan and Louie at Tyres4Bikes, Brisbane, handled the fitting duties with their usual professional and friendly service.Shinko tyres CFMoto

They settled on 34psi in the front and 38psi in the rear for pressures.

The 705 Series tread pattern gave the bike an instant look of aggression, credibility and capability.

First thing I noticed as I rode home was that the steering was more stable and turns were more deliberate.

Much of this feeling comes from the wider rear, combined with a flatter tread pattern which is common with adventure tyres.

Tyre tread noise is a little louder, but not a major issue. Added vibration from the aggressive tread is not noticeable above 25km/h.

Shinko advise that the tyre is biased towards “80% road” use, and while they perform well there, I also can report excellent off-road manners.

Front and rear braking is now possible on unsealed roads with good feedback and confidence.Shinko tyres CFMoto

On a recent dirt/tar run out to Mount Berryman and Schultz Lookout, I was soon able to power slide out of gravel corners and really start to enjoy this bike in its intended environment.

After a few hundred kilometres, wear hasn’t shown itself to be a problem. We will update later with another review.

Surprisingly, I have noticed a small improvement in fuel economy over the past three tanks of unleaded. That’s unusual as the tyres are noticeably heavier than the road tyres they replaced.

Shinko 705 Series tyres would suit most Adventure riders on mid to large bikes.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Norshire Mini is smallest tyre inflator

Many adventure riders and tourers carry a tyre inflator in case of a flat, but they can be heavy and bulky.

The Norshire Mini tyre inflator is no bigger than a torch and is claimed to be the world’s smallest, making it ideal to carry on your bike.

The aluminium cylinder measures only 208mm in length and 40mm in diameter and features a powerful cooling fan.

The Hong Kong company has launched two successful Indiegogo crowd-funding campaigns, raising almost $400,000.

They offer discounts to supporters, but be aware that your pledge money may not be refunded if it doesn’t go into production.

Inflator for your bikeNorshire Mini is smallest tyre inflator

The inflator comes in several versions, but the one suitable for motorcycles is the Power Version with a Presta valve.

The Power version has 12 bar (174psi) of pressure and will pump 10 litres of air per minute.

They say it will pump up a motorcycle tyre in about five to eight minutes which is the limit of a battery charge.

It takes about 40-90 minutes to recharge the lithium iron phosphate battery.

You can charge it with a cigarette lighter or a 5V/2A adapter used to charge your phone.

They claim battery life of 3000 cycles of charging/discharging, compared with 500 for the Li-ion battery used in phones.Norshire Mini is smallest tyre inflator

You can also power the Norshire Mini inflator directly off a cigarette lighter output, but be aware this will also drain you bike’s battery.

Norshire Mini shows pressure in bar, psi, kpa and mpa and they say it is accurate to 0.2bar.

The built-in microcomputer measures the tyre pressure and automatically stops when it hits the preset pressure.

The stand-by power consumption is less than 1mA, so they claim it can sit idle for a year after a full charge without being over discharged.

Norshire Mini has four touch buttons for power, start/pause and +/- buttons to set the pressure.

It is powered by a high intensity ferromagnet 380 motor with 30,000 revs, 56W and 18kg of torque.Norshire Mini is smallest tyre inflator

They also claim the tight seal makes it quieter than most other portable inflators.

Their lithium iron phosphate battery works from -20℃, is less prone to spontaneous ignition and explosion than other types of battery and has a life of use up to seven years. It contains no heavy metals, rare metals or toxins.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

How wide are your chicken strips?

Chicken strips can be one of the biggest causes of embarrassment for riders and may even be a safety risk.

In case you’ve been riding in a vacuum, “chicken strips” is a term for the shiny, unused part of a motorcycle tyre’s tread.

They signify that the rider hasn’t leaned the bike over very far in the corners and are therefore testament to their apparent lack of talent and bravery, hence the term “chicken”.

Chicken strips can be a source of ridicule and embarrassment among the riding fraternity.

But there is far more to it than that.

Different strips

For a start, there can be a big difference in chicken strips on the front and rear tyres.

Talented/brave riders with no chicken strips on the back can still have chicken strips on the front.

And vice versa.

These are more testament to the riding style of the rider.

No chicken strips on the back, but strips on the front may mean the rider brakes early, turns in late and gets on the gas early while the bike is still leaned over.

No strips on the front, but strips on the back means they go hard into a corner and get on the gas later when the bike is upright again.

But even brave and talented riders can still have chicken strips.

Different tyres and bikes

Tyre pressures track day chicken
Full-width tyre wear

It can depend on the type of motorcycle and the type of tyres.

Some bikes, usually cruisers, run out of cornering clearance thanks to low footpegs, exhaust, side/centre stands and other hard parts.

So the bike can never use the full width of the tread.

Adventure bikes can be the opposite with high pipes and pegs that will never obstruct cornering clearance.

However, their knobby tyres can become really squeamish when run right out to the tread edge.

PIrelli Scorpion Rally adventure tyres chicken
Adventure tyre

Tyre profile can also affect chicken strips.

Usually low and wide tyres such as on sports bikes and some cruisers provide a flatter characteristic to the tyre which makes it easier to use the full width of the tread.

Taller and narrower touring and adventure tyres have a much rounder cross section which makes it more difficult to use the full tread width.

How to delete chicken strips

Motorcycle tyres chicken
Head to the track

If you are still concerned about the chicken strips on your tyres, don’t get the power sander out! That is just destroying your tyres.

Instead, we suggest heading to a track where you can explore the tread limits much easier and with more safety.

Chicken strips are slippery as the tread has not been “broken in”.

So trying to delete your strips can result in exposing your bike to slippery parts of your tyre with obvious safety issues.

The glossy and slippery tread surface should be treated with respect and caution.

Continental tyre chicken
Glossy new tyres

The best way to break in a tyre or to lose that gloss on the edge of your tread is to heat up the tyres.

That doesn’t necessarily mean leaning it over. A long-distance high-speed highway ride will heat the entire width of the tyre, even though the tread edge has not touched the road surface. 

So before you go exploring the limits of your tread and lean angle, go for a long ride, then gradually start leaning more and more.

Click here for more details on breaking in your new tyres.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Dealing with unexpected motorcycle repairs

(Sponsored post)

Unexpected repairs are the bane of a motorcyclist’s life. No, we’re not talking about changing your tyres or brakes. Those are maintenance costs that you should have planned for. What we’re talking about here is when your chain snaps or you find out that rust has formed on the inside of your old metal fuel tank (something riders of older bikes will be all too familiar with.)

If you’re lucky, this type of problem will be spotted before it becomes a major issue. Even so, when your mechanic tells you they found something wrong with your bike, all you can think of is how much the repair bill is going to be. Fortunately, there are ways to deal with these unwanted surprises, but our first piece of advice is all about being prepared.

Expect the unexpected

It’s a great piece of advice that most folks will offer after something bad has happened. ‘You should have planned for this,’ ‘you’ll be ready for it next time’; you know what we’re talking about. But as annoying as hearing such advice is, there’s a whole lot of truth in those words.

Ideally, you should have a rainy day fund where you save money in case of emergency. But we don’t want you to touch that. Instead, you should have a repairs fund set up somewhere. Use a cookie jar in the kitchen or an old bank account that you don’t use much. Whatever it is, you need to put a small amount in there every single time you get paid. It can be just a few dollars each time, but over the space of a year that fund will build up so when any emergency repairs are required, you have some cash to foot the bill.

Ask your mechanic about credit terms

Of course, your mechanic needs to pay his bills too, but he may be able to arrange credit with your parts supplier. This way you get new parts for your bike, and you only need to pay the mechanic for his labor costs. It’s not very often that parts suppliers will agree to this, but it’s worth asking about.

Put the repairs on credit

Credit cards are there for convenience, and yes, you guessed it, in times of emergencies. While it might hurt to put a thousand dollars on your card just like that, it’s worth it to get back on the road. But not everyone has a plastic “out of jail card”.

If you don’t have a credit card, you can always opt for a short term loan. The great thing about this option is that even if your credit score has taken a battering in recent years, it’s easy enough to get one approved. Yes, the interest rate is high but at least this way, you’re more likely to get rid of that bill as soon as possible. With a credit card, the temptation to pay the minimum each time is just too much.

Shop around

Look, we know it’s tough to leave your mechanic especially if they do great work, but there’s no harm in shopping around for a better deal. Get a price from your mechanic and then call around. It could be that the mechanic in the next town does great work but is a bit cheaper than your guy. It could be worth loading the bike up on a truck and driving a few miles out of town to get the work done cheaper. You may even find that you can get cheaper parts online but take care not to get scammed.

Whatever option you decide on, remember this; never cut corners when it comes to repairs. You can shop around for cheaper parts and look for a mechanic that doesn’t charge quite so much, but never compromise on your safety. Secondhand parts should be in good shape and preferably reconditioned while your mechanic should have a solid reputation for doing good work. Remember, while you want to save some money, it’s all about staying safe on the road.

(Photo by zedi10)

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Buying Tires for a Motorcycle

(Sponsored post for our North American readers)

The motorcycle is a fast and effective means of transport. It can take you anywhere when vehicles are stuck in traffic. Statistics show that in some countries people prefer bikes to cars. The reason is simple – they are convenient and cheaper. As motorcycles are two-wheeled vehicles, it is obvious that tires are one of the most important parts. In fact, this is the only part of any bike that has direct contact with the road. That is why tires must be of great quality and chosen in accordance with weather conditions.

Numerous people purchase used bikes because they are cheap. At the same time, it has certain risks. First, you do not know whether the vehicle has been damaged. Luckily, you can check it with the help of vin lookup. Second, you do not know for sure how old tires are. This should be checked at the service station. If the mechanic states that tires must be changed, hurry up.

Tire Types and Features

Once tires become worn out, you have to change them. Choosing tires can be a complicated task. You have to make choice based on various factors, including tire quality. One thing you need to remember that tires must be of excellent quality. It does not mean they should be extremely expensive. Another thing to take into consideration is riding conditions. Different roads require different types of tires with different compound and tread pattern.

Tire and its entirety are manufactured from the compound, which is basically the material. Tread refers to the rubber on its circumference that has direct contact with the surfaces. The tread consists of the crown of the tire and its shoulders. Tread pattern is also a special design that has channels and grooves for channeling water away from the contact patch. This prevents motorcycle tire from losing grip on the road in wet conditions.

Tyre tire tires

There are four basic types of tires: radial, tube type, bias-ply, and radial. Tube-type tires consist of the tire and tube with valve and rim. Tire manufacturing companies are working in direction of tubeless tires. Why? It is safer, as in case of a puncture, tube type tire are exposed to instant leakage. The tubeless tire does not lose air quickly, which allows getting to the nearest service station.

Tire Brands

Buying high-quality tires does not mean buying expensive tires. There excellent cheap motorcycle products that are characterized by great features. If you have extra money, you are free to buy premium tires. However, for everyday driving in a city, it is better to choose inexpensive tires manufactured by budget brands. Good news is that some premium companies own budget brands producing low-cost motorcycle tires of nearly the same quality.

If your budget is not limited and you prefer premium brands, Pirelli, Michelin, Continental, and Bridgestone are on the top of the list. Check moto manual to make sure, which size is needed for your vehicle.

Get the best tires for your motorcycle to feel safe and sound.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Air hoses that frustrate some riders

Riders with spoked wheels on their bikes are frustrated at not being able to get some service station air hoses to fit their metal valve stems.

The owner of a Queensland service station says he suspects one rider became so frustrated he found a solution to the problem by bending their air hose nozzle.

“I’ve often seen riders struggling to get the nozzle on to the valve stem on motorcycles,” the servo owner says.

“I suppose this works better now because of the angle, but I’m surprised he didn’t break it as it’s only made of brass.”

Riders should be aware that service stations are not legally bound to provide the free air service. Some have chosen to withdraw the service because of vandalism and accidental breakage.

Air your grievance

Air hoses are made to suit cars with flexible valve stems. They don’t suit all types of motorcycle wheels.

Riders with mag wheels on their bikes can start laughing now …

However, it’s no laughing matter for some riders with spoked wheels on their bikes.

In fact, it can be downright infuriating.  On several occasions I’ve ridden to several service stations in search of a hose that will fit.

The worst offenders are the old-style air hoses with the pressure indicator on the air hose. These have a long metal nozzle which is at the wrong angle to fit on the rigid metal valve stem of spoked wheels.air hoses tyre pressure gauge

Modern flexible air hoses with the pressure indicated on a digital screen on a fixed post are better. air hoses tyre pressure gauge

But even some of those are too stiff to bend enough to fit over the perpendicular valve stem.

Most spoked-wheeled bikes only have one disc brake on the left of the front wheel so you access the valve stem from the right. But even these can be difficult to get an old-style air hose to fit.

If your bike has dual front discs like the Ducati GT1000 I once owned or the Triumph Scrambler 1200 I tested recently, it is almost impossible to fit any type of air hose.

Some bikes with spoked wheels have large holes in the wheel hub so you can thread the air hose through the middle to access the valve stem in a straight line.

Otherwise, you have to thread the hose through the spokes wheels and even then it can be a difficult angle.

I’ve copped bloodied knuckles trying to get the right connection on the valve stem.

Meanwhile, as you try fitting it, the connector triggers the valve and lets out precious air pressure.

After struggling in vain, I’ve sometimes left servos with less pressure in my tyres!

L-shaped valves

air hoses tyre pressure gauge
Replacement L-shaped valve stem

Apart from the vandal’s less-than-ideal solution, you can fit L-shaped valve stems to your wheels for easy access by any style of air hose.

I swapped the very heavy spoked wheels of the Ducati for beautiful, lightweight Blackstone TEK carbon fibre wheels which came with convenient L-shaped valve stems.

Blackstone TEK Black Diamond carbon fibre wheels for Ducati GT1000
90-degree valve stem on Blackstone TEK Black Diamond carbon fibre wheels for my Ducati GT1000

It’s surprising bikes with spoked wheels don’t come from the factory with these right-angle stems.

You can buy L-shaped stem replacements for a few dollars or about $25 fitted.

However, make sure the tyre fitter re-balances the wheel after they are fitted because the stems can have a slight affect on balance that could lead to handling problems.

Even a minor variation in rotating weight can lead to dangerous vibrations.

air hoses tyre pressure gauge
L-shaped valve stem adaptors

A cheaper option is to buy an L-shaped valve stem adaptor that screws on to your valve stem. They are small enough to fit in your pocket and only cost a few dollars. 

Which air hoses are the most accurate? Click here for details.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Which air hoses are the most accurate?

If you are precious about your motorcycle tyre pressures, you should carry an accurate portable pressure gauge as many service station air hoses are damaged or inaccurate.

That’s because they are often abused by motorists.

Modern flexible air hoses with the digital pressure display on a separate fixed post are more accurate and less likely to be abused and damaged.air hoses tyre pressure gauge accurate

Service stations are not obliged to provide the free service and some have chosen to withdraw the service because of vandalism and accidental breakage.

An RACQ survey found almost 10% of servos had malfunctioning air hoses.

Since many don’t even bother to refill the paper dispensers at the pump or wash down diesel spills on the forecourt, it is a tough call to expect them to also fix broken air hoses.

I surveyed several service stations in my area and found the indicated tyre pressures on air hoses varied as much as 3psi/20kpa. That might not seem like a lot, but it can affect handling.

Click here to read more about correct tyre pressures.

Accurate pressure check

After inflating my tyres to the pressure indicated on the servo’s air hose, I usually check the reading against a simple pencil-style pressure gauge I received free as an RACQ member.

It has the pound-force per square inch (psi) reading on two sides of the stem that juts out and kilopascals (kpa) on the other two sides.

It’s not the most accurate gauge, but it’s often better than the servo air hoses.

They are cheap at just a few dollars and only the size of a pen, so you can carry one in your jacket pocket.air hoses tyre pressure gauge accurate

You can also buy small digital tyre pressure gauges, but remember you only get what you pay for. We’ve used some el-cheapo units which are useless.

Buy a well-known and trusted brand name, like Oxford, and be prepared to pay $30 or more.

air hoses tyre pressure gauge accurate
Rocky Creek pressure gauge

The most accurate I have used is this Rocky Creek Designs gauge which is an analogue dial on a flexible hose. It’s easy to read and shows highly accurate and detailed readings, but it’s a bit bulky to carry around on a motorbike.

Compressors

If you don’t trust the service station pumps, you can buy an air compressor and do it yourself.

Air compressors that plug into your mains power supply are bulky, but handy for blowing up the kids’ jumping castle, air mattresses, etc.

air hoses tyre pressure gauge accurate
Rocky Creek Designs 12V air compressor

If you want something small and portable to take with you on your next motorcycle adventure there are many 12V models available.

Having trouble getting the air hose on your valve stems? Click here for a solution.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com