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Places 2 Ride is a guide to places to go and things to do on a motorcycle. Our blog features motorcycling news, notable riding gear, opinionated rants and the occasional tech article. We also include notices for upcoming events and places to ride that have been added to our website.
December 14, 2008
The Great Motorcycle Tire Gauge Shootout
Who doesn't need a good tire gauge?
Our Favorite:
The Smart Gauge.
Shop eBay for
Tire Gauges
Well, I guess people who don't own tires. But otherwise, we all need to check tire inflation periodically. It's especially crucial on a motorcycle where low pressure can wear out a new tire, or even become dangerous. And if you hadn't noticed, tires ain't getting any cheaper.
But bikes require a tire gauge with different features than the family minivan. Compact design and light weight are important if you plan to carry it under the seat. Rugged construction is important if you're an avid off-roader. And obviously accuracy would be nice.
This is what got us started on a comparison test of a dozen different styles and brands of tire pressure gauges. We tested their readings, tried them on a variety of different bikes, carried them around for a week or to and generally abused them. Surprisingly, most of the gauges we tried were adequate- offering fairly accurate readings (within 2-3 PSI) and pretty much remaining in one piece for the duration of our test. But who wants adequate?
Honorable Mentions
It's almost difficult to find a really crappy tire gauge, unless you insist on buying them from a convenience store counter display. Some of the department store offerings we found in the bicycle department were pretty cheesy. So let's begin with the good tire gauges and work our way up to the great. And we found a lot of good gauges out there...
Bikemaster® Digital Tire Gauge
This is an affordable, well made digital tire gauge. We found no reason to dislike it- but it felt sorta' cheap. Of the digital models we tried this was one of the easier to get on the valve stem. Especially on the front tire of sportbikes. Simple to use, with only one button, even morons like us could figure it out. It reads up to 100 psi and automagically turns off after 15 seconds.
Accu Gage 2-60 PSI Dial Tire Gauge
Accu Gauge is a standard that's seemingly been around forever, and any of their gauges offer accuracy, ease of use and rugged construction. We consider these standard equipment for anyone who owns a pneumatic tire.
Our favorite model is the standard 60 psi dial gauge with the swivel end. About the only bells or whistles here is the button on the side that holds the reading. The pricier models with a flexible hose are handy, but we had trouble getting to the valve stem on bikes with big brake disks. The swivel end seemed a little easier use. Your mileage may vary.
Kuryakyn Compact Digital Tire Gauge- with or w/o Hose
A technological step up is Kuryakyn's version with digital readout. Like the classic Accu Gage, these come in swivel-ended or flexible hose versions. And like the Accu Gage, we found the hose-free version preferable.
Additional features include chrome finish and a rubber covered housing. Oh... and it says Kuryakyn on it. But in this case you're not paying a premium- since this gauge is priced in the $20 range it made the honorable mention list.
Cruztools® TIREPRO Digital Tire Gauge
Crustools makes some nifty motorcycle tool sets. This digital tire gauge is affordable, feels great in your hand, has auto-recall and reads PSI, Bar and Kpa. But we had a dang difficult time using it on several bikes we tested it on. ATVs, motocrossers, dual sports and most cruisers didn't give us much trouble. Sportbikes, or anything with big brakes, took some fidgeting to get it on the Shrader valve.
Drum Roll Please...
Okay, let's quite screwing around. Here's our choice for the best tire gauge for motorcycle use:
Topeak Smart Gauge
Did you say "Huh?"
You are not alone. I had never heard of them either. Almost everyone had that same reaction, until we asked a bicyclist. Yes, those purveyors of human-powered bikes know this company well. And seem to hold them in high regard.
After playing with the Smart Gauge a few weeks we know why. It works well, feels quite durable and costs under $20. The design is easy to hang on to and reaches most valve stems with ease. I especially liked the fact it beeps when it has obtained the reading. The digital display is larger than most and will accommodate your metric desires with Bar and Kpa readings if you ever get bored with PSI. It has two buttons, both rubber covered to keep the mud out, and a handy key ring clip. And in case you have one of those fancy bicycles with funny valve stems- it works on those too!
The SmartGauge is light enough to carry on your bike or in a fanny pack. After several weeks of use (and abuse) we've found the Topeak is up to the challenge. We even dropped it twice just to be sure! It's a good choice for all-round motorcycle use.
Sources
Thanks to the following vendors...
Our Favorite:
The Smart Gauge.
Shop eBay for
Tire Gauges
Well, I guess people who don't own tires. But otherwise, we all need to check tire inflation periodically. It's especially crucial on a motorcycle where low pressure can wear out a new tire, or even become dangerous. And if you hadn't noticed, tires ain't getting any cheaper.
But bikes require a tire gauge with different features than the family minivan. Compact design and light weight are important if you plan to carry it under the seat. Rugged construction is important if you're an avid off-roader. And obviously accuracy would be nice.
This is what got us started on a comparison test of a dozen different styles and brands of tire pressure gauges. We tested their readings, tried them on a variety of different bikes, carried them around for a week or to and generally abused them. Surprisingly, most of the gauges we tried were adequate- offering fairly accurate readings (within 2-3 PSI) and pretty much remaining in one piece for the duration of our test. But who wants adequate?
Honorable Mentions
It's almost difficult to find a really crappy tire gauge, unless you insist on buying them from a convenience store counter display. Some of the department store offerings we found in the bicycle department were pretty cheesy. So let's begin with the good tire gauges and work our way up to the great. And we found a lot of good gauges out there...
Bikemaster® Digital Tire Gauge
This is an affordable, well made digital tire gauge. We found no reason to dislike it- but it felt sorta' cheap. Of the digital models we tried this was one of the easier to get on the valve stem. Especially on the front tire of sportbikes. Simple to use, with only one button, even morons like us could figure it out. It reads up to 100 psi and automagically turns off after 15 seconds.Accu Gage 2-60 PSI Dial Tire Gauge
Accu Gauge is a standard that's seemingly been around forever, and any of their gauges offer accuracy, ease of use and rugged construction. We consider these standard equipment for anyone who owns a pneumatic tire.Our favorite model is the standard 60 psi dial gauge with the swivel end. About the only bells or whistles here is the button on the side that holds the reading. The pricier models with a flexible hose are handy, but we had trouble getting to the valve stem on bikes with big brake disks. The swivel end seemed a little easier use. Your mileage may vary.
Kuryakyn Compact Digital Tire Gauge- with or w/o Hose
Additional features include chrome finish and a rubber covered housing. Oh... and it says Kuryakyn on it. But in this case you're not paying a premium- since this gauge is priced in the $20 range it made the honorable mention list.
Cruztools® TIREPRO Digital Tire Gauge
Crustools makes some nifty motorcycle tool sets. This digital tire gauge is affordable, feels great in your hand, has auto-recall and reads PSI, Bar and Kpa. But we had a dang difficult time using it on several bikes we tested it on. ATVs, motocrossers, dual sports and most cruisers didn't give us much trouble. Sportbikes, or anything with big brakes, took some fidgeting to get it on the Shrader valve.Drum Roll Please...
Okay, let's quite screwing around. Here's our choice for the best tire gauge for motorcycle use:
Topeak Smart Gauge
Did you say "Huh?"You are not alone. I had never heard of them either. Almost everyone had that same reaction, until we asked a bicyclist. Yes, those purveyors of human-powered bikes know this company well. And seem to hold them in high regard.
After playing with the Smart Gauge a few weeks we know why. It works well, feels quite durable and costs under $20. The design is easy to hang on to and reaches most valve stems with ease. I especially liked the fact it beeps when it has obtained the reading. The digital display is larger than most and will accommodate your metric desires with Bar and Kpa readings if you ever get bored with PSI. It has two buttons, both rubber covered to keep the mud out, and a handy key ring clip. And in case you have one of those fancy bicycles with funny valve stems- it works on those too!
The SmartGauge is light enough to carry on your bike or in a fanny pack. After several weeks of use (and abuse) we've found the Topeak is up to the challenge. We even dropped it twice just to be sure! It's a good choice for all-round motorcycle use.
Sources
Thanks to the following vendors...
- Amazon
- Auto Anything
- Auto Sport
- Bike Bandit
- Cruiser Customizing
- Fox Creek Leather
- J & P Cycles
- J.C. Whitney
- Motorcycle Superstore
- Northern Tool
- Performance Bike
- Tire Rack
Labels: review
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