best motorcycle tire pump?

[Wheelin]

Hi -

I don't know if this is the correct thread to post this, but I'm not having much luck pumping up my tires with a traditional floor bicycle pump. The spokes get in the way of me flipping the pump's air connector to the tire's air valve, particularly on the rear wheel. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what pump I should get that has a configuration to deal with motorcycle wheel spokes?

 

[EricV]

Most riders will spring for an inexpensive 12V air compressor to pack on the bike for flat repair. Slime sells a nice pump, several versions can be found at auto parts stores, (I like Auto Zone), and they can be had as cheap as $10 on sale at times. You can spend over $100 on a nearly identical pump too, but there really isn't any need to. Walmart sells a good quality air pump that is in a huge plastic housing. Some people take the housing apart, cut the fan off the shaft, attach a leather boot lace to hang it from, (it gets hot when you're using it), and a little electrical tape to make it prettier. These can be as cheap as $10 too.

 

[Wheelin]

Most riders will spring for an inexpensive 12V air compressor to pack on the bike for flat repair. Slime sells a nice pump, several versions can be found at auto parts stores, (I like Auto Zone), and they can be had as cheap as $10 on sale at times. You can spend over $100 on a nearly identical pump too, but there really isn't any need to. Walmart sells a good quality air pump that is in a huge plastic housing. Some people take the housing apart, cut the fan off the shaft, attach a leather boot lace to hang it from, (it gets hot when you're using it), and a little electrical tape to make it prettier. These can be as cheap as $10 too.

Thanks, Eric, I'll take a look at the Slime pump. Can I assume that you managed to flip the valve lock lever up without the rear spokes getting in the way?

 

[EricV]

Thanks, Eric, I'll take a look at the Slime pump. Can I assume that you managed to flip the valve lock lever up without the rear spokes getting in the way?

Hasn't been a problem. I have the Comp 02 model, but the 'Power Sport' model looks nice too. The regular Comp 02 Inflator I have had the cig plug, which I cut off and installed a SAE plug to work with my bike. The 'Power Sport' version has the SAE plug to begin with, but no gauge.

Note that the Super Tenere's accessory port is only 3 amps, so won't power the pump. You need one direct off the battery and rated/fused for 10-15 amps to power a pump.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I have a Harbor Freight pump which I took out of the plastic housing, similar to what Eric described. It has a similar clip on the hose and attaches fine.

 

[RCinNC]

I've been using a Slime COMP02 Tire Inflator. It's available on Amazon for $20.00. Slime makes some smaller ones than this, but the smaller ones got worse reviews. I've never had any issues attaching the air hose to the valve on a spoked wheel.

There's a lot of wasted space in these compressors, including the one I bought. I took mine apart and made a new housing to eliminate that extra space. I got rid of the pressure gauge to make the whole thing smaller. The original slime pump is 5.75" x 3" x 7", and the rebuilt one is 4" x 5" x 2.25".

There's a pump called the CyclePump that sells on Amazon for $125.00. It gets good reviews, but man, that seems like a lot of coin for a compressor.

 

[ace50]

I have a Harbor Freight pump which I took out of the plastic housing, similar to what Eric described. It has a similar clip on the hose and attaches fine.

I bought one too and just put it in here!

http://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?action=media;sa=item;in=2806

 

[WJBertrand]

Hasn't been a problem. I have the Comp 02 model, but the 'Power Sport' model looks nice too. The regular Comp 02 Inflator I have had the cig plug, which I cut off and installed a SAE plug to work with my bike. The 'Power Sport' version has the SAE plug to begin with, but no gauge.

Note that the Super Tenere's accessory port is only 3 amps, so won't power the pump. You need one direct off the battery and rated/fused for 10-15 amps to power a pump.

I've got the Slime power sport one and like it well enough. The soft zip case is very compact and keeps everything together. You have to attach the hose to the pump when setting it up which is but a minor inconvenience to save packing space, but be careful after using it to let the metal connector cool off before attempting to detach it. That bit gets hot enough to cause a blister if grabbed with bare fingers!

 

[VRODE]

I bought a 9.99 job at Wallyworld about 17 yrs ago. Took off the plastic cover, cut the fan off. I got a Powerlet adaptor to plug it into the bikes outlet and fit it all in a soft case. I hang it from a small carabiner when I use it.

 

[RonH]

I have both a Cycle pump and a Slime. Both are now a few years old, so can't say for sure the new ones are the same. I bought the Slime first, and it works OK, but the hose connector to the valve stem was near impossible to get hooked on, then once hooked on, it was near impossible to unhook. Basic Chinese connector. I may have got a defective one, sure possible, but I worried of ripping off a valvestem while hooking/unhooking it, so shelled out the money for the Cycle Pump. The connector on it works fantastic, so my entire problem with the Slime setup was immediately rectified. Otherwise my review is not 100% positive. The Cycle Pump vibrates and bounces around wildly. It comes with little retractable legs, but whether extended or nor, really doesn't matter, run the compressor it will bounce all over like it's on a tiny trampoline and move all over several feet in all directions. I guess this really doesn't hurt, but rather annoying. I finally rigged up a Velcro strap where I can tie the compressor to a solid object, wheel ect to hold it in place. Other than that it works, but doesn't work $0.01 better than the Slime in operation, other than the connector which is many times better.

 

[tomatocity]

Check with MotoPumps at motopumps.com

 

[Wheelin]

I have both a Cycle pump and a Slime. Both are now a few years old, so can't say for sure the new ones are the same. I bought the Slime first, and it works OK, but the hose connector to the valve stem was near impossible to get hooked on, then once hooked on, it was near impossible to unhook. Basic Chinese connector. I may have got a defective one, sure possible, but I worried of ripping off a valvestem while hooking/unhooking it, so shelled out the money for the Cycle Pump. The connector on it works fantastic, so my entire problem with the Slime setup was immediately rectified. Otherwise my review is not 100% positive. The Cycle Pump vibrates and bounces around wildly. It comes with little retractable legs, but whether extended or nor, really doesn't matter, run the compressor it will bounce all over like it's on a tiny trampoline and move all over several feet in all directions. I guess this really doesn't hurt, but rather annoying. I finally rigged up a Velcro strap where I can tie the compressor to a solid object, wheel ect to hold it in place. Other than that it works, but doesn't work $0.01 better than the Slime in operation, other than the connector which is many times better.

The connector issue that you reference with the Slime pump is what concerns me, as well, although it seems that some of the respondents have managed to make it work. I have to slime pump on order, so I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Just out of curiosity, for the cycle pump, did you buy the right-angle connector?

 

[Wheelin]

Check with MotoPumps at motopumps.com

Will do! Thanks

 

[Wheelin]

Lots of good ideas put forth in this thread. Thank you all.

 

[RonH]

The connector issue that you reference with the Slime pump is what concerns me, as well, although it seems that some of the respondents have managed to make it work. I have to slime pump on order, so I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Just out of curiosity, for the cycle pump, did you buy the right-angle connector?

I just use the straight connector. It works fine. The angled would be easier, but fitting the straight is not a problem at all.

 

[Stef]

"Best" will always be subjective, but I picked up one of Motopumps 'MiniPro Deluxe' kits a while back when they were offering a deal on ADVRider. Used it on cars and bikes and it works great. They have an even smaller one now, the "Air Shot", but I have no experience with it.

 

[snakebitten]

A similar thread to this one, about 6 years ago, led me to buy this one:

http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-mini-compressor.html

It came in a nice compact zip-up pouch and as Eric stated above, required a direct SAE connection to the battery to run it.
It takes up less space because it is already "gutted" from any kind of enclosure.

Not sure if it is better or worse or last longer than the cheaper ones. But as often as I have needed to use it, it always works.
I take it with me on every bike I ride. It is not dedicated to just the TBDBITW.

 

[Moki]

A similar thread to this one, about 6 years ago, led me to buy this one:

http://www.aerostich.com/aerostich-mini-compressor.html

It came in a nice compact zip-up pouch and as Eric stated above, required a direct SAE connection to the battery to run it.
It takes up less space because it is already "gutted" from any kind of enclosure.

Not sure if it is better or worse or last longer than the cheaper ones. But as often as I have needed to use it, it always works.
I take it with me on every bike I ride. It is not dedicated to just the TBDBITW.

+1 to the Aerostich Micro. Been using one for years ::021::

 

[Grumpy]

I have had a Slime pump for a couple of years now, just for topping up a few lost lbs of pressure. I have so far not had a puncture and had the need to inflate from flat, but as the pump should not be run for long periods (and that could possibly run down the battery) I carry a couple of extra CO2 cartridges with the repair kit as well.

 

[EricV]

I have had a Slime pump for a couple of years now, just for topping up a few lost lbs of pressure. I have so far not had a puncture and had the need to inflate from flat, but as the pump should not be run for long periods (and that could possibly run down the battery) I carry a couple of extra CO2 cartridges with the repair kit as well.

You have received bad info. The pump is designed to run for long periods, long enough to fully inflate a car or truck tire from flat. I've fixed many, many flats with my slime pump and I can tell you that you are in no danger of running the motorcycle battery flat by doing so. It's really just not that long of a time period.