I'm looking at purchasing an air pump and specifically considering a mini foot pump. I have a 2008 BMW R1200GSA. I want to know if a mini foot pump is sufficient to pump up the tires after a tire change. If so, what brand of mini foot pump is recommended?
Mini Foot Pump?
- Thread starter M1Tanker
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CuzGS
Registered user
There's a vid on u tube of a merican changing a rear tyre. He has a mini compressor which does an amazing job, I'm sure someone on here will know what type it is 
Oh vids worth watching too
Oh vids worth watching too
Yes a minifoot pump will inflate your 1200 GS's tyres, providing there is not a hole in them.
A popular make is Slime. A Google search will find you one. Here's a sample from a US website: http://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Power-Sport-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4
You will need to power it directly from the motorcycle's battery, via a suitably fused lead of 7.5 or 10 amps.
You may well not be able to use the motorcycle's standard auxiliary socket to power the compressor, as the compressor will probably draw more than 5 amps, thus exceeding the auxiliary socket's limit.
A popular make is Slime. A Google search will find you one. Here's a sample from a US website: http://www.amazon.com/Slime-40001-Power-Sport-Inflator/dp/B000ET9SB4
You will need to power it directly from the motorcycle's battery, via a suitably fused lead of 7.5 or 10 amps.
You may well not be able to use the motorcycle's standard auxiliary socket to power the compressor, as the compressor will probably draw more than 5 amps, thus exceeding the auxiliary socket's limit.
littleredrooster
Registered user
A foot pump for a Mini? 
Tomcat
Registered user
I've carted round one of these for several years 'just in case'
http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/534216/Tyres/Tyre-accessories/On-Two-Wheels
The only time I've used it, along with my puncture repair kit, was to help a mate
. It's OK for emergency use, and more useful than CO2 cartridges (at least you can use the pump multiple times on a leaking tyre) but is not meant for regular use. Quite compact though - about the same size overall as one of the electric jobbies. Takes about the same time to inflate too (which seems like forever).
http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/534216/Tyres/Tyre-accessories/On-Two-Wheels
The only time I've used it, along with my puncture repair kit, was to help a mate
. It's OK for emergency use, and more useful than CO2 cartridges (at least you can use the pump multiple times on a leaking tyre) but is not meant for regular use. Quite compact though - about the same size overall as one of the electric jobbies. Takes about the same time to inflate too (which seems like forever).TeaPig
Registered user
You say you want to use it after a tyre change? Be aware it's initially quite hard to get the tyre to seal within the rim so the pressure can build if you are not using an air line as the flow from a foot pump or small compressor is quite low. It's not impossible to make it work by, for example, putting a strap around the tyre to force the bead against the rim, but if you've not changed a tyre before in this way it may take a bit of practice.
ducatiparts.110mb
Registered user
I've seated a bead using a footpump but as teapig says its bloody hard work and by no means guaranteed to work
If you do get a mini electric pump then test it at home first. I bought an el-cheapo one from ebay recently, let the GS rear tyre down to test it and the pump died before the tyre was rideable again let alone at full pressure. Better to find out at home than stuck in the mountains.
If you do get a mini electric pump then test it at home first. I bought an el-cheapo one from ebay recently, let the GS rear tyre down to test it and the pump died before the tyre was rideable again let alone at full pressure. Better to find out at home than stuck in the mountains.
Fanum
Toubab
Quite hard?
That's an understatement and a half!!
It's highly unlikely that you'll get some tyres seated with a foot pump, stirrup pump or anything similar IME....In fact, I had to call an AA man out just 2 days ago to use his compressor to re-seat my rear TKC (My own fault, it was low on pressure and came off the bead when I gassed it in a u-turn on the way to fill it up at the petrol station
)A footpump wouldn't touch it, and that's a soft walled TKC...on a tourance or other tyre, there's even less chance.
We have managed to get tyres reseated with things like the slime pumps, and for the OP, that's what I'd go for.....a decent quality footpump will be bulkier and heavier than a decent small electric pump, and less effective
A ratchet strap to press the tyre bead to the rim, this makes the initial seal, after which almost any pump will do.
Releasing the strap after you've got some air in the tyre is interesting, wear gloves and make sure nothing is lying about as it can let go quite violently.
Releasing the strap after you've got some air in the tyre is interesting, wear gloves and make sure nothing is lying about as it can let go quite violently.
X2. I've used this on a tractor mower before - works a treat. Release the moment the bead seals or you may need to cut the strap.
No, I haven't had to change a tire (in the field) yet, but I'm sure I will in the future. I'm trying to figure out what will be the best all-round pump for most situations before I make a purchase.
If a hand pump or a foot pump won't seat the bead then will the Cyclepump, Touratech Airpower 115, Slime, AirMAN, or Extreme Outback MotoAire compressor seat the bead?
If nothing works then I assume I need to use ratchet straps to compress the tire against the rim. Something like the BeadSetR http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-154-beadsetr.aspx.
If a hand pump or a foot pump won't seat the bead then will the Cyclepump, Touratech Airpower 115, Slime, AirMAN, or Extreme Outback MotoAire compressor seat the bead?
If nothing works then I assume I need to use ratchet straps to compress the tire against the rim. Something like the BeadSetR http://www.bestrestproducts.com/c-154-beadsetr.aspx.
JASONBC
Registered user
A foot pump won't normally get a tyre on it's rim after a change as not enough volume in one hit to do it. I carry one of these for emergencies. 1 cartridge will get th etyre on the rim and will put about 15psi in the tyre. This pump cost me about £8.00 in my local offroad shop
Tyre pumps
I brought mine in 2001 in Wall mart Palm Springs for $9.00!! been going eversince and refitted my rear tyre on the gs no bother. Dident think it would work left it going and then bang all ok. Run all the time from the bike socket with engine running, best ever buy!.
Dave GS
I brought mine in 2001 in Wall mart Palm Springs for $9.00!! been going eversince and refitted my rear tyre on the gs no bother. Dident think it would work left it going and then bang all ok. Run all the time from the bike socket with engine running, best ever buy!.
Dave GS
Fanum
Toubab
£60 for a poxy little ratchet strap? !
All they've done is added a rubber band to it and stuck it in a bag with a few words on it
You don't need a 'special' ratchet strap....any will do...I used a big fekk off lorry strap the other day to do mine, although I wouldn't carry it on the bike.....too big and too heavy.
In fact, you don't even need a ratchet strap at all...just a length of webbing (inch or so wide minimum and long enough to go around the tyre+ a few inches) and then you can twist a stick in it like a tourniquet.
If you go along to your local BMW dealer and ask nicely, they will have hundreds of these 'cam buckle' type out the back....every new bike they have shipped in comes with half a dozen of them as tie-downs, and they are extremely good
(The bmw ones are white and a little heavier duty than this one)
A heavy duty Lorry strap will cost you about £25, or a pint to anyone who drives a truck .....lighter ones are fine, and you'll pay about £15 for a decent quality one that won't fray too quickly.....
Draper, £14.53 in vat
As for the compressors, do a quick search here.......nearly all of them have been mentioned at some point or other.
TIP: When you use the compressor (or even a foot pump if you want to give that a go) Take the valve core out of the tyre to get as much volume of air in there as fast as possible to seat the tyre.....once it's seated, replace the valve core and inflate as normal
If you're touring, you can use a squirt of watered down shampoo or soap around the bead to help it go, but don't do that if you're going to be running lower pressures offroad (unless you have rimlocks)
EDIT....I always have 3 or 4 of the BMW ones on board.....they can be used for all sorts of things from making a washing line, towing another bike, lashing a bag of dirty washing on top of a pannier, holding broken bits of bike together, strapping your bike down more securely after Diego the deck hand has wandered off leaving a tatty bit of old rope loose looped through a deck hook, a bit of casual bondage, and once, for tying up a big bitey dog that was terrorising our campsite
That's an electric pump, not a footpump.....
Good point, well made
I had meant to explain that a mini electric pump / compressor would save him effort..... but then forgot to.
pmk
Registered user
check out Nippy Normans
I know nothing about this but saw it on the site today.
The toughest and smallest mini pump in the world !
Developed in Germany by pump experts Bikers Dream and designed to work reliably in the worst conditions.
Look at these features:
Compact but VERY powerful.
Aluminium barrel.
High volume mode for faster inflation.
Built in acurate digital gauge.
Dual valve head also suitable for cycle valves.
Adaptors for air beds and footballs.
1 metre hose.
handy nylon carrying bag
Weight - 550 grams
Size when packed - 19cm x 10cm x 8cm.
TESTED
Inflates a rear R1200GS tyre from 0 psi to 38 psi in less than 3 minutes !
STOP PRESS !
Used by many round the world trips
I know nothing about this but saw it on the site today.
The toughest and smallest mini pump in the world !
Developed in Germany by pump experts Bikers Dream and designed to work reliably in the worst conditions.
Look at these features:
Compact but VERY powerful.
Aluminium barrel.
High volume mode for faster inflation.
Built in acurate digital gauge.
Dual valve head also suitable for cycle valves.
Adaptors for air beds and footballs.
1 metre hose.
handy nylon carrying bag
Weight - 550 grams
Size when packed - 19cm x 10cm x 8cm.
TESTED
Inflates a rear R1200GS tyre from 0 psi to 38 psi in less than 3 minutes !
STOP PRESS !
Used by many round the world trips
TIP: When you use the compressor (or even a foot pump if you want to give that a go) Take the valve core out of the tyre to get as much volume of air in there as fast as possible to seat the tyre.....once it's seated, replace the valve core and inflate as normal
Great tip thanks
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