Author Topic: Tire compressor on board? (Read 6087 times)

saddletramp · « **on:** August 14, 2011, 09:09:57 PM »

A few weeks back I ran into a friend of mine & he was excited about an upcoming three week trip on his Harley with a couple of buddies. He just retired & had never been further on his bike than one night out. He asked my advice as far as what to take. After reviewing his list it looked pretty good except for a tire repair kit & electric air compressor. I made sure he had tubeless tires or it would have been a mute point. He was surprised I would recommend an air compressor but here's why. It has saved me and several others from being stranded with a flat tire.

Two examples: Last fall my wife & I rode my FJR1300 (since sold) to Seattle to see my eldest son's new house. A few blocks from his house I thought the bike was cornering a bit strange but wrote it off to bad roads. A few hours later when we were about to leave, I discovered a flat front tire. Seattle on a Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm with a good sized air leak. We called a nearby BMW dealer & they had several front tires in stock my size but I'd have to be there by 4:00. Yup, I got out the trusty Walmart compressor, over-aired the tire & rode as directly there as possible with a half-flat tire. An hour later, we were on the road with a new front tire for our 175 mile trip home.

Today: My Concours 14 seemed to be cornering a bit strange 10 minutes into our planned 300 mile round trip. I switched to the TPS sensors & found my front tire to be at 35 instead of the usual 40#'s. I stopped a few minutes later at a gas station, started their pump and thought I had filled the tire but had no pressure gauge so I guessed. My wife jumped back on a down the road we went to have the bike alert us of a low front tire...24#'s! I was not happy but turned around & went back to station only to discover their machine had a leak in the hose. Next time I fill a tire I'll take me helmet off so I can better detect leaks! Since I had my handy little compressor, I dug it out of the saddlebag, plugged it into the accessory plug & aired the tire to 40#'s. The rest of our trip was splendid!
I wondered if my friend bought a compressor after my speech?

Ride safe!

jsa · « **Reply #1 on:** August 14, 2011, 09:26:32 PM »

I also carry a Walmart compressor with me and used it once in a campground after plugging a leak that I discovered due to the TPS sensors that I monitor every 15-30 minutes. Its much easier to plug a tire when it still has air in it and my tire still had 30 psi after the plug...not an ideal pressure but plenty of air to keep riding to the next service station if the compressor had decided to quit working. The TPS sensors not only detected the leak before it was serious, they also gave me complete peace of mind afterwords that the plug was holding air.

For those with 2010 and later models, the dash cigarette lighter is now protected by a 3A fuse which is not large enough to run most compressors.

SVonhof · « **Reply #2 on:** August 14, 2011, 09:38:12 PM »

For those that have an air compressor, have you removed the plastic housing on it and made it nice and compact? I know a buddy that did that and he said it went from being a medium sized thing to tiny.

I have not done that, but do have a repair kit along with Co2 cartridges.

C1xRider · « **Reply #3 on:** August 15, 2011, 01:04:21 AM »

I bought one of these at Wally World for $10. It's slow, but I figure its size more than makes up for it (it's tiny).

http://www.slime.com/product/911/Tire-Top-Off-%2840020%29.html?utm_source=Slime.com&utm_medium=PDF&utm_term=Tire%2BTop%2BOff&utm_campaign=Compressor%2BComparison

jjsC6 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 15, 2011, 05:22:17 AM »

I always have a repair kit with me, including a compressor and the C02 cartridges. I've used them more than once for myself and the guy I ride with.

So Cal Joe · « **Reply #5 on:** August 15, 2011, 07:33:40 AM »

I always carry a plug kit and a air compressor, they don't take up very much room and will save you if you get a flat. I use a slime pump also but it was about $29.00, a different one than in the previous post and it works faster that that one. This is the one I have

C1xRider · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2011, 10:19:58 AM »

Quote from: So Cal Joe on August 15, 2011, 07:33:40 AM

I always carry a plug kit and a air compressor, they don't take up very much room and will save you if you get a flat. I use a slime pump also but it was about $29.00, a different one than in the previous post and it works faster that that one. This is the one I have

I saw that one, and almost bought it, but then I saw the $10 one was a little smaller, had a built in gauge and a LED light, and thought either of those might prove useful some day.

When I brought it home, I tested it on both front and rear to add 5 or 6 PSI just to make sure it works, and it works OK on the front (under a minute), but took a long time to do the rear (more volume). Also, the LED does not light up the gauge, which seems stupid, and there's no off switch for the LED. It points out the bottom, so it's good for is seeing the hole in the tire, or where the valve stem is if you're working in the dark. A compact LED flashlight would do that just fine.

I might have to get the one you did if I ever use mine on the road and see it's an all day affair to fill the rear from clear flat.

Conrad · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2011, 10:22:59 AM »

Quote from: So Cal Joe on August 15, 2011, 07:33:40 AM

I always carry a plug kit and a air compressor, they don't take up very much room and will save you if you get a flat. I use a slime pump also but it was about $29.00, a different one than in the previous post and it works faster that that one. This is the one I have

+1 on that, this is the compressor that I have as well.

sherob · « **Reply #8 on:** August 15, 2011, 11:23:39 AM »

I have a Slime as well... had a Sparrow for years, it finally died on me last year. Don't leave home without one... worms too.

curly · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2011, 12:35:37 PM »

I have the Aerostich one, a little pricey but it works good and packs down small.

Tarheelbob · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2011, 12:58:10 PM »

Carry a Slime compact compressor all the time. Various attachment methods insure no problems (plug-in adapter, SAE, etc.). Also carry a small tire repair kit from Aerostich with worms and CO2 cartridges. Packs small, great travel insurance.

ccrider · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2011, 01:16:29 PM »

I have mine mounted behind the battery on my 08. I connected up a 10' hose and always have air.

alexx45 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2011, 02:31:28 PM »

I carry the slime kit myself. ditched the bottle of slime for some sticky plugs & the necessary tools. Takes up very little space & I have the peace of mind knowing it's there.

SVonhof · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2011, 02:37:33 PM »

Quote from: ccrider on August 15, 2011, 01:16:29 PM

I have mine mounted behind the battery on my 08. I connected up a 10' hose and always have air.

Pics of it mounted?

The WalMart in town doesn't have the "Power Sport Tire Inflator" but one a 20 minute ride away does have the "Moto Spair Flat Tire Repair Kit" for $28 which includes a can of Slime.

B.D.F. · « **Reply #14 on:** August 15, 2011, 02:39:45 PM »

I also carry a Slime compressor. It works OK but the clip that goes onto the valve stem is nearly impossible to remove without leaking out at least 1/2 of the air that the compressor just got done installing.

Anybody figure out a better way to use one of these things (the Slime brand) or is another type compressor easier to use?

Brian

MrFurious · « **Reply #15 on:** August 15, 2011, 03:52:22 PM »

+1 on the Slim compressor and a standard plug kit. Never leave home without it.

accbiker · « **Reply #16 on:** August 15, 2011, 07:06:44 PM »

Quote from: So Cal Joe on August 15, 2011, 07:33:40 AM

I always carry a plug kit and a air compressor, they don't take up very much room and will save you if you get a flat. I use a slime pump also but it was about $29.00, a different one than in the previous post and it works faster that that one. This is the one I have

+1 on this model. Very happy with it when I have had to use it.

-David
Athens, GA

ccrider · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2011, 07:40:40 PM »

Quote from: SVonhof on August 15, 2011, 02:37:33 PM

Pics of it mounted?

The WalMart in town doesn't have the "Power Sport Tire Inflator" but one a 20 minute ride away does have the "Moto Spair Flat Tire Repair Kit" for $28 which includes a can of Slime.

I cant show you any pictures. The compressor is behind the battery where the ABS computer is located. On an 08 this place is just an empty space. Big enough for two of the slime compressors. I don't know if there is enough room on the ABS models to to squeeze one of these small compressors in there. Just pull the battery out and take a look in there.

fc1reed · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2011, 08:28:01 PM »

I have the Slime as well. I had to use it one time after I tried to put air in from a gas station pump. I did have a problem with the valve unlocking off of the stem. After adding more air in I got used to the valve.

Murph · « **Reply #19 on:** August 16, 2011, 06:13:20 AM »

http://www.murphskits.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=462

Coffee Break on the C10 forum tested it out:

"A new tire repair kit--from Murph!"

Manufactour claims no ill effect on TPS
....I don't want be the first to see

Murph
COG 2769
Industry Member

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Author Topic: Tire compressor on board? (Read 6087 times)