Potholes and TPMS sensors

ChazzyB

ChazzyB

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Has anyone ever had a TPMS sensor damaged in a pothole? I'm asking here as there are more GSs around than R1200R (my current bike). A week ago, I hit a big pothole down in Devon. A short while after (lesss than a minute I reckon), I spotted the red warning light up on the dash and report of pressure loss in the front wheel - 2.0 bar then down to 1.9 bar. We stopped and looked for a puncture in the front. No sign of anything. And when we tried to pump it up, we found it was up to pressure (over 2.5 bar as we'd been riding for a while). A second gauge verified that. Now, the front tyre reading on the dash shows 2.2-2.3 bar, despite still being properly inflated. I think I can see a slight discolouring of the paint for a couple of inches on the rim one side, exactly where the sensor is inside. Has anyone see anything similar?
 
Not sure if its relevant but tubeless mountain bike tyres “ burp” when they hit big rocks. 0.1 bar is under 2 psi so not a lot to lose when hitting a big pothole. I would blow it up to the correct spec using an external pressure gauge. Then monitor the tpms readings over a couple of rides.
 
steve hughes said:
Not sure if its relevant but tubeless mountain bike tyres “ burp” when they hit big rocks. 0.1 bar is under 2 psi so not a lot to lose when hitting a big pothole. I would blow it up to the correct spec using an external pressure gauge. Then monitor the tpms readings over a couple of rides.
Click to expand...
Already done. The tyre was at correct pressure despite the dash warning. The TPMS system continues to under read, despite the tyre being correctly inflated.
 
You might try deflating it completely, and then re-inflating it to the correct pressure.

This is a "hopeful" suggestion - hoping that once deflated, it will somehow reset itself (does the wheel have to be spun to trigger it to turn on?) and then it might work properly.

OTOH it may not help at all, (but short of taking it out I have no other suggestions and it is much simpler/quicker/less hassle)
 
Does you rear tpms agree with your gauge? I have to confess on my F700gs I use my hand held gauge and rarely use the tpms figure. The only time my warning light came on was when the tpms said 1.9 due to a puncture ( nail). Spec on mine two up was 2.9 so there was no ambiguity in the reading
 
While riding in Europe a couple of years back i hit a deep pothole and got the red warning... i pulled over expecting the worst.

Tyre was fine, i started the bike back up and red warning still on.
When i checked on the NAV6 which give more detail it said my tyre pressure was 5.1 bar!

i needed to get going so chose to ignore it, the light stayed on for about 30 minutes then went off.
All back to normal and I've never had an issue since.
 
The sensor is not indestructible and could have been damaged. Particularly if the hit was right at that spot.
 
I have a replacement sensor. Has anyone any idea of the torque value for the bolt? Bit of threadlock and pinch it up by hand? I'm going to have to ask my local tyre place to pop the tyre off, allow me to replace the sensor, then put a replacement tyre on.
 
Barnoe said:
While riding in Europe a couple of years back i hit a deep pothole and got the red warning... i pulled over expecting the worst.

Tyre was fine, i started the bike back up and red warning still on.
When i checked on the NAV6 which give more detail it said my tyre pressure was 5.1 bar!

i needed to get going so chose to ignore it, the light stayed on for about 30 minutes then went off.
All back to normal and I've never had an issue since.
Click to expand...
My front pressure sensor reports between 2.1 and 2.2 bar on the road, despite the tyre being checked at 2.5 pre-ride.
 
ChazzyB said:
Has anyone ever had a TPMS sensor damaged in a pothole? I'm asking here as there are more GSs around than R1200R (my current bike). A week ago, I hit a big pothole down in Devon. A short while after (lesss than a minute I reckon), I spotted the red warning light up on the dash and report of pressure loss in the front wheel - 2.0 bar then down to 1.9 bar. We stopped and looked for a puncture in the front. No sign of anything. And when we tried to pump it up, we found it was up to pressure (over 2.5 bar as we'd been riding for a while). A second gauge verified that. Now, the front tyre reading on the dash shows 2.2-2.3 bar, despite still being properly inflated. I think I can see a slight discolouring of the paint for a couple of inches on the rim one side, exactly where the sensor is inside. Has anyone see anything similar?
Click to expand...
Yes, 1200R in Europe last year. Took a wrong turn down a cobbled track which turned into a very bumpy rutted track over a hill. Couldn't find a decent place to turn around. Got the flashing puncture sign. Pulled into a garage, no puncture. Inflated to pump gauge pressure, again got flashing puncture. Second garage, checked pressure. Perfect. Ignored it and carried on. When I got to BMW in UK, they could here the sensor or part of it rattling around inside the rim. Then they removed tyre and sure enough, 1 part of sensor had broken off. The 2 parts are sitting on my desk now.
 
My £16.99 RDC sensor from Amazon is installed and working. Took a while before the red triangle went out, then longer before it finally started reading the correct presssure. My money is on it having come out of the same factory that makes the Schrader/BMW OEM jobs.
 
Last edited:
ChazzyB said:
My £16.99 RDC sensor from Amazon is installed and working. Took a while before the red triangle went out, then longer before it finally started reading the correct presssure. My money is on it having come out of the same factory that makes the Schrader/BMW OEM jobs.
Click to expand...
link please and how did you initialise it?
 
adventuredon said:
link please and how did you initialise it?
Click to expand...
I didn't initialise it. After a few stops, turning ignition off, count to 10, restart and carry, first the red triangle went out, and eventually, it recognised the new sensor and read the pressure. Even better, it was still working this morning when I went out for the day. I read in a couple of places that replacing a single will work, but don't try both as the bike won't know which is front or back.

The Amazon listing text said:
Tire Tyre Pressure Monitoring Sensor, TPMS Replacement, For Motorcycle, Motor Bike, Fit For BMW R1200-1250 GS, F700GS ENDURO F800GT K1600GT GTL R1200GS TOUR, 8567683, 36318567683
Click to expand...

The link said:
Click to expand...
 
ChazzyB said:
I didn't initialise it. After a few stops, turning ignition off, count to 10, restart and carry, first the red triangle went out, and eventually, it recognised the new sensor and read the pressure. Even better, it was still working this morning when I went out for the day. I read in a couple of places that replacing a single will work, but don't try both as the bike won't know which is front or back.
Click to expand...
Thanks, keep me posted how you get on. I need to replace my rear only.
 
Ok, off topic I know...but I have now received said TPMS from Amazon. I will have my mechanic replace rear sensor at same time as the tyres. So if I have this wrong, I am pretty screwed. The front tyre sensor looks different, elongated banana type thing. So looking online I am now worried the one I have is wrong one for my 2015 1200r cast wheels. Why am I worried, cos motorworks say it will fit...Can anyone please enlighten me so I have the right one? Thanks
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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