it makes me wonder how I've managed in 40 years of riding without this system. Stop'N'Go puncture repair kit is excellent though.
Puncture and Tyre pressure sensors
- Thread starter XBX
- Start date
Bendy toy
Registered user
Ive not noticed mine are far out. But I use a PSI tyre gauge and the TPS display in bar. I basically worry when the pressures drop unexpectedly.
Same happened to me on Saturday last....sliver of metal (looks like a piece of Stanley Blade) slow release of air from the tyre....TPM alerted me. Nursed it to a nearby cafe - parked it up and called the AA. They fixed it for me with a temporary fix. AA guy followed me for mostr of the 30 mile ride home - good service. Tyre written off - 10k miles. Never buy a bike without TPM again !
Bendy toy
Registered user
I friend of a friend (yes really) felt his Pan Euro Honda go squiffy on the M1 fast lane. He's an experienced biker & immediately got over to the hard shoulder. His rear tyre was toast and the rim had paint rubbed through to the metal. A TPS sensor would have told him about the problem before it could have done so much damage. He says he only got away with it by the skin of his teeth. He's been riding all his life, is an advanced riding instructor and yet it was too lat before he could tell there was serious trouble underfoot.
I guess normal roads with bends would have alerted him sooner but its scary all the same. He now uses PunctureSafe, and one reason why I now use it.
I guess normal roads with bends would have alerted him sooner but its scary all the same. He now uses PunctureSafe, and one reason why I now use it.
I know that EU legislation is making these a compulsory manufacturers fitment to cars; I'm not sure about PTW's but I agree that it's a useful thing to have.
I can see these have their uses but they also have their faults I think. Apart from the electrickery, which is more to go wrong on the bike, and the innacurate readings the biggest thing I have against them is when was the last time you actually checked your tyres?
When I manually check my tyre pressure, I will spin the wheel and check the tyres for wear, damage and whilst you are doing that, you are subconciously checking the area for anything else, rear drive play nuts and bolts dropping off etc etc .
Whilst I don't mind bells and whistles like this, there is a danger that you will never do the practical stuff.
When I manually check my tyre pressure, I will spin the wheel and check the tyres for wear, damage and whilst you are doing that, you are subconciously checking the area for anything else, rear drive play nuts and bolts dropping off etc etc .
Whilst I don't mind bells and whistles like this, there is a danger that you will never do the practical stuff.
Is TPS retrofittable?
I've got a 2007 RT with the computer fitted but no TPS, A mate has just had a puncture at ove 70mph on the motorway, fully laden and he reckons it gave him valuable seconds to get to the hard shoulder before losing all pressure..
I've got a 2007 RT with the computer fitted but no TPS, A mate has just had a puncture at ove 70mph on the motorway, fully laden and he reckons it gave him valuable seconds to get to the hard shoulder before losing all pressure..
I agree with every word you say, & I agree that there is no substitute for a "proper check" but I also acknowledge that many people do none of those things, so TPS can be useful.
ButtonMoon
Registered user
your right, I changed my rear tyre on my GS a couple of weeks ago and when I inflated the tyre the analogue gauge in my repair kit and the sensors were 8psi out. But that said if your loosing air at lease you'll be warned.
Personally I don't use the TPS as a substitute for doing the normal checks which I do pretty much every ride. Mine happen to be accurate (well, I have three manual gauges and they all read the same) but always check pressures manually and I agree its good to check the physical condition of the tyre. I think they are useful though for letting you know of slow punctures whilst out on the bike - I've had this twice, once close to home so could ride back and fix it, the other whilst doing 70mph on dual carriageway and was able to make it to a garage rather than have to stop close to fast moving traffic. In both cases I was alerted to the puncture via the TPS - I hadn't noticed any change to the ride, probably because I was going straight. Would have had a brown trouser moment at the first roundabout though!
I agree with all of you. TPS is not accurate. If you check the manual it states that it tells you what the air pressure would be at 20'c ambient or something like that. So generally speaking it is wrong (you would like to think a BMW technician might know this or maybe their workshops are always heated to 20'c!!).
I check my pressures weekly with a traditional accurate gauge but make a mental note of what the TPS states. I like the system not because it tells you what your tyre pressure is ( or not as the case may be) but for the warnings of loss of pressure.
I do 'monitor' my pressure between manual checks based on the figure I noted (see above if I've lost you already) as it is still a guide to slow air loss.
I would not move heaven and earth to spec a bike with it but I do think it's a worth while gadget. That said seeing that I have never bought a new bike or plan to my point is a bit mute.
Neil
I check my pressures weekly with a traditional accurate gauge but make a mental note of what the TPS states. I like the system not because it tells you what your tyre pressure is ( or not as the case may be) but for the warnings of loss of pressure.
I do 'monitor' my pressure between manual checks based on the figure I noted (see above if I've lost you already) as it is still a guide to slow air loss.
I would not move heaven and earth to spec a bike with it but I do think it's a worth while gadget. That said seeing that I have never bought a new bike or plan to my point is a bit mute.
Neil
I don't think so.
My digital tyre pressure gauge reads 36/42 when I check/ adjust them... And once roling the TPM says 36/42
Must be a rare one
Must be a rare one
I must have a rare one too because my TPS exactly matches my digital gauge too - unless of course they're both wrong 
Bendy toy
Registered user
Just googled and hound this.
It works with a Zumo but got to be cheaper than a new bike.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/sho.../tire-pressure-monitor-sensor/prod131744.html
It works with a Zumo but got to be cheaper than a new bike.
https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/sho.../tire-pressure-monitor-sensor/prod131744.html
I wonder how many of those would have to get knicked before you abandoned the idea!!
Bendy toy
Registered user
My bike has TPS so don't need these. But someone might. Pant them any colour you like & nobody will know.
King Key
Registered user
Cool! so I could fit the Garmin TPS system to check the accuracy of the BMW TPS system! 
bikemad
Registered user
Realistically do you look at instruments more than the road to notice ? I'd sooner keep an eye on the cages around me than maybe know Iv a puncture,having spent the past 24 years without this I can't be arsed either
Bendy toy
Registered user
My used bike came with TPS so while not top of my list it's nice to have.
Having had TPS, I'd def spec it for a new bike.
Having had TPS, I'd def spec it for a new bike.
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