How do you handle different tire pressure readings?

[gkamer]

How do you handle different tire pressures?

I recently purchased a portable tire inflator to handle the task of adding air, when needed, to my tires. In addition to that I also purchased a JACO digital tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure of my tires. But, as if that wasn’t enough, I also purchased and installed the FOBO 2 TPMS to monitor my tire pressure in real time. The problem is each of these devices tend to show three different pressure readings for the tires. There is usually not more then a 2-4psi difference in each devices readings. So the question is which one to believe?

In reading reviews of the various devices I believed the JACO gauge was the gold standard for these devices. Likewise the tire inflator also got excellent reviews. My thought was to use the inflator to over inflate the tires a little, and then use the JACO to deflate them back down to the recommended psi rating. But I’m sure if I do that, then when I screw the FOBO’s back on they are going to display a psi different from that the JACO showed. This is giving me a headache. Your thoughts please….

[ARtraveler]

Now that is a dilemma. Let us know what you end up doing.

[EdMat]

Greg, my JACO is within 3/10 of a master gauge consistently so that is the one I would rely on. Two of the three FOBO's should read real close to each other. Put them on the front and the other on the rear. My fronts are off by 4/10 and 5/10 so less than 1/2 pound. The rear is off by a pound. Make the adjustment mentally and you are good to go.

[FrogmanDave]

Jaco. If the FOBO readings being different really bothers you then adjust to them and don't worry about it.

[190243]

How do you handle different tire pressures?

I recently purchased a portable tire inflator to handle the task of adding air, when needed, to my tires. In addition to that I also purchased a JACO digital tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure of my tires. But, as if that wasn’t enough, I also purchased and installed the FOBO 2 TPMS to monitor my tire pressure in real time. The problem is each of these devices tend to show three different pressure readings for the tires. There is usually not more then a 2-4psi difference in each devices readings. So the question is which one to believe?

In reading reviews of the various devices I believed the JACO gauge was the gold standard for these devices. Likewise the tire inflator also got excellent reviews. My thought was to use the inflator to over inflate the tires a little, and then use the JACO to deflate them back down to the recommended psi rating. But I’m sure if I do that, then when I screw the FOBO’s back on they are going to display a psi different from that the JACO showed. This is giving me a headache. Your thoughts please….

All my tires are the same on my car, but the gauge says different. Funny how that works.

[2dogs]

Performance/handling and tread wear are how you determine proper psi. You will NEVER find two or more pressure gauges that will agree on the same EXACT pressure. Simply pick one that works well for you and enjoy your ride. Fretting over 2/3 psi will turn you into a candidate for the funny farm. FOBO's are an excellent choice to monitor your psi.

[BajaRon]

Rule of thumb. A quality, digital pressure gauge will be your best meter. Quality FOBO's next. Your air pressure pump last in line. Even a good one is usually going to be the lesser in accuracy. The thing about the front tires is getting them the same. Using the digital gauge, even if it is off. It will be off the exact same amount for both tires. Get them the same with the digital and note what your FOBO's read. Then go with that. Adjust, up or down, if necessary, using the digital gauge. You'll be GOLDEN!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Rule of thumb. A quality, digital pressure gauge will be your best meter. Quality FOBO's next. Your air pressure pump last in line. Even a good one is usually going to be the lesser in accuracy. The thing about the front tires is getting them the same. Using the digital gauge, even if it is off. It will be off the exact same amount for both tires. Get them the same with the digital and note what your FOBO's read. Then go with that. Adjust, up or down, if necessary, using the digital gauge. You'll be GOLDEN!

.... and buy or make a DUAL feed air pressure device to get them instantly equal .... ( it's easy to make ) .... and whatever gauge you use, use ONLY that gauge - if it's off slightly , at least it will be consistant. ....JMHO .... Mike

[bigbadbrucie]

How do you handle different tire pressures?

I recently purchased a portable tire inflator to handle the task of adding air, when needed, to my tires. In addition to that I also purchased a JACO digital tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure of my tires. But, as if that wasn’t enough, I also purchased and installed the FOBO 2 TPMS to monitor my tire pressure in real time. The problem is each of these devices tend to show three different pressure readings for the tires. There is usually not more then a 2-4psi difference in each devices readings. So the question is which one to believe?

In reading reviews of the various devices I believed the JACO gauge was the gold standard for these devices. Likewise the tire inflator also got excellent reviews. My thought was to use the inflator to over inflate the tires a little, and then use the JACO to deflate them back down to the recommended psi rating. But I’m sure if I do that, then when I screw the FOBO’s back on they are going to display a psi different from that the JACO showed. This is giving me a headache. Your thoughts please….

Greg, what did you do when you only had the one gauge? Pick the gauge that YOU like the best (I chose FOBO II) and put the others in a drawer. Only use the one!

Remember what Peter says.........RIDE MORE.......WORRY LESS!

[gkamer]

Thanks for the responses. From the consensus, I think I'm going to use the inflator to add extra air to each tire. Then use the JACO to bring them back down to prescribed psi. Finally I'll make the adjustment to the FOBO 2's settings to avoid that loud warning alarm and call it a day.

[K80Shooter]

One thing to look for on the Jaco, is the needle going all the way back down to the little peg with no air in it?
On my older one I noticed that it wasnt and it was over inflating by that amount. In all honestly I think it was my fault that it got off as I have also used it to check my tractor tires and they have antifreeze in them.
I then got one and it didnt work right out of the box, the needle was behind the peg so it was stuck in -place. # 3 works great again.

The Jaco and the FOBO should be really close.

[2dogs]

Thanks for the responses. From the consensus, I think I'm going to use the inflator to add extra air to each tire. Then use the JACO to bring them back down to prescribed psi. Finally I'll make the adjustment to the FOBO 2's settings to avoid that loud warning alarm and call it a day.

Don't know if I should mention this to you or not. But, if you are running FOBOs you'll find it out anyway. Your tires will change psi on their own w/o any help from you. Depending on the time of year you are riding, how far you've ridden, which side of you the sun is on, the altitude you are riding in, the speed at which you are riding, and other ambient influences your psi can vary as much as 4/5 psi at different times. Don't worry about it, it's normal. Just keep your FOBO's alarm set for a large or sudden change in psi. That's what FOBOs are for. Ride safely have fun and good luck.

[bigbadbrucie]

Check the pressure gauge on your filler hose. I use an AstroAl filler that has a built in gauge, and it matches my Fobo2 exactly. My filler gauge says that I put in 18.0 psi, and when I reinstalled my Fobo2, low and behold, it says 18.0 also. I bought the filler hose through Amazon.ca. Makes things a lot simpler. Otherwise, whatever gauge you use....after filling your tires and reinstalling Fobo2 check what your Fobo2 says. It can be out a few pounds but who cares, as long as you know what it should read, adjust your thinking to that pressure and you'll always know if your tires are at the correct reading. AND REMEMBER..... THE LEFT TIRE SHOULD READ THE EXACT SAME AS THE RIGHT TIRE (can be off by as much as .5 psi, but I like to set them the same. As 2dogs points out, they will change on their own anyway. Mine do!

[LALoner]

A wise man once said : The man who has one clock always knows what time it is.

I would think the same applies to your tire pressure . Pick one toss the others and don't worry .

[2dogs]

I don't agree with that. You can't tell a tire's psi simply by looking at the tire. And the man you mentioned above never really knows what the real time of day actually is.

[bigbadbrucie]

I don't agree with that. You can't tell a tire's psi simply by looking at the tire. And the man you mentioned above never really knows what the real time of day actually is.

I believe LALoner is saying pick one gauge and toss the rest. (At least that’s how I read it, but I have been wrong before).

[gkamer]

I use an AstroAl filler that has a built in gauge, and it matches my Fobo2 exactly.

Yeah, that's the inflator I brought. Mainly because it can also run on the included 20V battery which makes it even more portable. I don't have a 12v connection on my Spyder.

[2dogs]

I believe LALoner is saying pick one gauge and toss the rest. (At least that’s how I read it, but I have been wrong before).

Yea that's good. I agree with that. But it should be confirmed as right on. + or - 1 psi at least.

[Peter Aawen]

If you are monitoring your tire pressures (& therefore tire temperature) to make sure they're increasing by about the right amount to bring them up to within their operational range after about an hour's riding, and they're basically doing that (by getting about a 4psi increase in pressure), then the pressure shown on your tire pressure gauge being exactly accurate isn't as important as your gauge being consistent....

You NEED your tire pressure to increase after riding for 30+ minutes; if it doesn't, your tire pressures are too high and your tires aren't reaching their ideal operational temperature or providing you with the best wear, puncture resistance, ride, handling, and traction et al that they could! If your tire pressure is increasing by anything much more than about 6psi after 30+ minutes of riding, then your tire pressures are too low and your tires will be overheating and not providing you with the best wear, puncture resistance, ride, handling, and traction et al that they could! And it doesn't really take an exactly accurate tire pressure gauge to show you that your tires are increasing in pressure by 'about 4psi' after 30+ minutes of riding!

I might be guessing juuust a little in saying that as far as most Spyder/Ryker riders will be concerned, there's really no need to go chasing anything much more accurate than 'about a 4psi increase after 30+ minutes of riding' But if you truly DO need to worry about getting your tire pressures any more accurate than that, and you don't already have a gauge that will do that and you're not already getting tire pressure advice applicable to your specific needs from places other than social media Forums on the internet, then you're really in trouble!!

Just Sayin'

[jadatis]

Difference between gauge and TPMS system could be explained by the different way they work.
Gauge measures the pressure inside the tire as higher than the outside pressure. TMPS sensor sends absolute pressure to the unit, which subtracts a standard 14.7 psi outside pressure. So during a weather depression, TPMS gives a bit lower pressure than gauge, effect though marginal.

Then some TPMS for motorcycles compensate for temperature changes. The unit calculates the pressure back to an index temperature, mostly 65 deg F/18 deg C. The external sensors use the temperature given by the sensor, but this is at the end of the valve, and not the tire inside air. But for cold pressures, those are the same. So check if your TPMS has this temperature compensation.

And then there is always an inaccuracy in every device.
Even a digital reading, sometimes given for instance as 34.65 psi, suggests an accuracy of 2 digits behind dot, but the accuracy of the sensor is what counts. So the 34.65 can easily be 32psi real pressure.
Digital devices give often 2 to 3 psi higher, a choice of the maker of the device, so you don't fill your tires too high.
But a wrong choice, too low a pressure is worse.

Tmps sensors send pressure in steps of 0.5 psi to the unit, and only in psi or bar, then unit converses it to the other pressurekind, wich can also give minimal differences.

[Flier Tuck]

I have made up a simple balancing rig for my front tyres. A length of plastic tubing with a tyre valve chuck at each end with a "T" piece in the middle. The other end of the "T" has another length of tube fitted with a tyre valve in so when I add air both tyres go to the same pressure. there is a simple air valve fitted near one of the chucks so that the whole system doesn't vent when disconnecting.

[askitee]

How do you handle different tire pressures?

I recently purchased a portable tire inflator to handle the task of adding air, when needed, to my tires. In addition to that I also purchased a JACO digital tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure of my tires. But, as if that wasn’t enough, I also purchased and installed the FOBO 2 TPMS to monitor my tire pressure in real time. The problem is each of these devices tend to show three different pressure readings for the tires. There is usually not more then a 2-4psi difference in each devices readings. So the question is which one to believe?

In reading reviews of the various devices I believed the JACO gauge was the gold standard for these devices. Likewise the tire inflator also got excellent reviews. My thought was to use the inflator to over inflate the tires a little, and then use the JACO to deflate them back down to the recommended psi rating. But I’m sure if I do that, then when I screw the FOBO’s back on they are going to display a psi different from that the JACO showed. This is giving me a headache. Your thoughts please….

I know how you feel.

I had my digital gauge, tyre inflator gauge and TPMS all saying different readings. I quickly determined the brand of TPMS i bought wasn't accurate.

My own personal preference is that both front tires must have the same pressure - it really annoys me when they are missmatched.

I made a balance tube with a gauge - it attaches to both front tires at once and inflates them both to the same pressure.

It has an expensive 60PSI pressure gauge fitted. I inflate the fronts with it and set the desired wet or dry pressure before I ride off on a trip. I check what my Digital gauge reads, and it usually says about 1.6 psi less. I work off the fact when I am away and don't have the balance tube, I check my tire pressures and allow for the 1.6psi - example set fronts to 18.4 psi.

I became too focused on the TPMS pressures - if one tire was in the sun, it would naturally read higher - parked in the colder climate destinations it was too low.

My tip -

1. Pick one gauge - probably the digital - its portable
2. Set your pressures according to it
3. If the bike doesn't feel right add/vent some
4. Focus on making sure the front tires are at the pressures both you and the gauge agree are the most suited to your riding style
5. If you keep the TPMS only check it if things don't feel right

Bonus - the fittings on the balance tube make setting the rear easier too
Down side - the wife and daughter now use it on their car tires and both has those strands missing from their DNA that allow a human to put things back where they came from.

[BamaJohn]

Don't know if I should mention this to you or not. But, if you are running FOBOs you'll find it out anyway. Your tires will change psi on their own w/o any help from you. Depending on the time of year you are riding, how far you've ridden, which side of you the sun is on, the altitude you are riding in, the speed at which you are riding, and other ambient influences your psi can vary as much as 4/5 psi at different times. Don't worry about it, it's normal. Just keep your FOBO's alarm set for a large or sudden change in psi. That's what FOBOs are for. Ride safely have fun and good luck.

+1...I use the FOBO's for monitoring a LARGE air loss only (the onboard TPMS saved my butt on my BMW RT several times over the past 10 years). Just adjust the FOBO settings for about 5psi difference high or low and use a digital gauge to check real pressures. Agree with BajaRon that the most important reading is to get the front tires the same pressure.

[DGoebel]

JT's Spyder Store Dual Fill or a DIY version as others have stated above. Both front's match, I also use this on my cars to insure pressure matching, AND your pressure gauge of choice.
https://spyderstore.com/index.php?ro...&product_id=53

[EdMat]

I built a 3 pronged octopus to air my Spyders tires. I have decided I like 18 PSI all the way around on my Vredestein's. One word of caution when using something similar. Due to the small tubing size and the small differential in air pressure between the tires it does take longer than you would think for all to become equal.