Tried FOBO...didn't like it

[jbim]

I bought a set of FOBO on Amazon for my 2018 F3L. I didn't like it for several reasons:

1. I knew fitment on fronts was problematic but I was ready to work with extensions and new valves at next tire change

2. Fitment on rear was ok.

3. For these things to be useful, you need a t-valve. Otherwise, you need to remove the unit when you need to inflate. That means having the little wrench with you all the time and fiddling with it until you eventually break the stem! Toying with the fronts wouldn't be too bad but the rear is royally annoying. I prefer to just take my pressure every few days. On my other bike, I had TPMS and was taking it every ride just the same.

4. I didn't like at all having to supply an email address to use the app

5. I didn't like having to read a 12-page privacy policy to install a gadget

6. I didn't like having to allow the app access to location services

This is just a little gadget, I don't get why it has to be so intrusive.

I am returning it to Amazon tomorrow.

Good idea, bad implementation.

[bhern]

I bought a set of FOBO on Amazon for my 2018 F3L. I didn't like it for several reasons:

3. For these things to be useful, you need a t-valve. Otherwise, you need to remove the unit when you need to inflate. That means having the little wrench with you all the time and fiddling with it until you eventually break the stem! Toying with the fronts wouldn't be too bad but the rear is royally annoying. I prefer to just take my pressure every few days. On my other bike, I had TPMS and was taking it every ride just the same.

Based on the above, I assume you installed it with the lock nuts; did you consider doing without?

(I opted to go without, and so basically it's just a larger/more expensive valve cap to remove when adding air.)

Everyone's mileage varies.

[jbim]

Based on the above, I assume you installed it with the lock nuts; did you consider doing without?

(I opted to go without, and so basically it's just a larger/more expensive valve cap to remove when adding air.)

No I did not but it is certainly a good idea to try it if I change my mind and keep it.

[Tyris]

Based on the above, I assume you installed it with the lock nuts; did you consider doing without?

(I opted to go without, and so basically it's just a larger/more expensive valve cap to remove when adding air.)

Everyone's mileage varies.

No problems without the locknuts, I like them but the locknuts are a pain.

T valve? That would seem to back life simpler?

[PaladinLV]

#3 Not TRUE! You do not need to "lock" the FoBo. Believe me no one is going to steal it!
#4 So you obviously do not use other smartphone apps, cause theist majority require an email address
#5 Really, and who twisted your arm to read it?
#6 Guess you don't use any AMP apps on your smartphone or Uber, or Lyft, or Yelp

Yes, return it.

AJ

I bought a set of FOBO on Amazon for my 2018 F3L. I didn't like it for several reasons:

3. For these things to be useful, you need a t-valve. Otherwise, you need to remove the unit when you need to inflate. That means having the little wrench with you all the time and fiddling with it until you eventually break the stem! Toying with the fronts wouldn't be too bad but the rear is royally annoying. I prefer to just take my pressure every few days. On my other bike, I had TPMS and was taking it every ride just the same.

4. I didn't like at all having to supply an email address to use the app

5. I didn't like having to read a 12-page privacy policy to install a gadget

6. I didn't like having to allow the app access to location services

This is just a little gadget, I don't get why it has to be so intrusive.

I am returning it to Amazon tomorrow.

Good idea, bad implementation.

[SpyderAnn01]

Definitely leave off the locks, I originally used the locks on mine and quickly realized what a mistake that was. Eventually mine quit working and are now gathering dust in the garage.

[Eviltwin]

Look on Amazon for something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

61lJZ50-QxL._SL1000_.jpg

I got it a few months ago. Right now its 50 bucks, uses same sensors as FOBO or anybody else for that matter. Pull the battery from one sensor before you install it, and it will show two front wheels and only one rear. Velcro the display to the top of the dash or somewhere else that you can see it. Sunlight keeps it charged for a very long time, like weeks or months. No cell phone app, no charging and it costs about what one sensor does with FOBO. And yes, dont bother with the locknuts, just treat them like big valve caps.

[Bob Denman]

I took mine off also: I just didn't like all that weight hanging off the tire valve stems...
They'll probably go up for grabs in here during the "Pay it Forward" times. I'd rather see someone in here get some use out of them.
But that's for another time...

[jbim]

Look on Amazon for something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the tip

[hypurone]

I use the FOBO system. It has been reliable with only one hiccup in 2 years. I do not use the lock nuts. If you think about it for a minute, it's gonna be a "set it and forget it" thing once you get your air pressures where you want them. Unless you are messing with them for some reason which you don't need to be or you don't understand that you will see that pressures will fluctuate with outside air temps... I haven't physically touched mine in months! Now if you have problems with the sh1tty Kendas losing air that's another story. But with quality tires there's np. And that's the beauty of it, look at my phone the day after I ryde then the day before I ryde to make sure I didn't develop a slow leak in between and DONE!

[arsquatch]

Look on Amazon for something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

61lJZ50-QxL._SL1000_.jpg

I got it a few months ago. Right now its 50 bucks, uses same sensors as FOBO or anybody else for that matter. Pull the battery from one sensor before you install it, and it will show two front wheels and only one rear. Velcro the display to the top of the dash or somewhere else that you can see it. Sunlight keeps it charged for a very long time, like weeks or months. No cell phone app, no charging and it costs about what one sensor does with FOBO. And yes, dont bother with the locknuts, just treat them like big valve caps.

Is this still functioning good for you? Anything you would change or advice? I ordered mine and they arrived today?

[Eviltwin]

Look on Amazon for something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

61lJZ50-QxL._SL1000_.jpg

I got it a few months ago. Right now its 50 bucks, uses same sensors as FOBO or anybody else for that matter. Pull the battery from one sensor before you install it, and it will show two front wheels and only one rear. Velcro the display to the top of the dash or somewhere else that you can see it. Sunlight keeps it charged for a very long time, like weeks or months. No cell phone app, no charging and it costs about what one sensor does with FOBO. And yes, dont bother with the locknuts, just treat them like big valve caps.

My cheapo system is still working fine after a year. No issues yet. Interesting to watch the temps (which I can do because the display is always visible, not in an app) go up as the tires warm up. Especially true in the summer as the pressure in the tires can go up 4-6 psi as the tires get hot. Those folks that want to nitpick the pressures down to tenths when they fill them up would see that once running, it doesnt make that much difference.

[Peteoz]

My cheapo system is still working fine after a year. No issues yet. Interesting to watch the temps (which I can do because the display is always visible, not in an app) go up as the tires warm up. Especially true in the summer as the pressure in the tires can go up 4-6 psi as the tires get hot. Those folks that want to nitpick the pressures down to tenths when they fill them up would see that once running, it doesnt make that much difference.

EvilTwin, you are voicing an incorrect assumption re FOBO which may mislead people. I don’t know why you believe that the FOBO display is not able to be always visible because it is a smartphone app, but it is untrue. You simply tick the “constant display” box in FOBO setup and it does exactly that with pressures and temps. It’s your choice.

Pete

[Buckskin]

If your's quit, try replacing the batteries inside. I see a lot of guys that let the batteries die and don't bother to replace them.
Buckskin

Definitely leave off the locks, I originally used the locks on mine and quickly realized what a mistake that was. Eventually mine quit working and are now gathering dust in the garage.

[Chupaca]

Cute gadget and for those that like that sort of thing proof to have. I don't see the need and with th issues they have it is easier to check them manually. Places I Ryde temps can change quite a bit and would probably get warnings all the time. Check mine a couple times a month and the change if any is negligible. .ok can see it for motor homes , truckers, trailers etc

[pegasus1300]

I also no longer use mine. Too many alarms. I bought them in a fit of paranoia because of my last motorcycle accident,but have decided that for the Spyder it is the answer to a question easily answered manually.

[Peteoz]

Sorry JBIM, my fault. When I recommended FOBO, I assumed you had some experience with apps.

Having said that, it’s a little harsh to mark FOBO down using your given reasons. By way of explanation -

You do NOT need a t-valve to make FOBO useful. It is very useful without one. I and many others use FOBO without a t-valve.
You do NOT need to use the locking wrench and fiddle with the stem. You can simply tighten the sensor by hand, fairly lightly. It will not come off.
You have TPMS and still take pressures every ride? This is negating one of any automated tyre pressure system’s major features. If you can not allow yourself to trust TPMS or FOBO before you leave the shed, why would you trust them to tell you that a tyre is deflating? If you don’t trust them, manual checking only is probably the best option for you.

Regarding the FOBO app requested info, it is no different to most other apps -

FOBO want your email address so they can inform you of any updates or issues with the app.

There is no need to read the 12 page Privacy policy to install the app. It is always standard legal stuff, and if it wasn’t, it would have been flagged globally. You don’t read your safety card every time you start your Spyder, even though Can Am mandate it, do you?

You do not need to grant FOBO access to location services. It works just as well without it.

“Good idea, bad implementation?” I assume you mean “good idea, bad design” .......I certainly can’t agree with that assessment. Sure FOBO may have a couple of annoyances like the disabling/enabling processes, but it is well engineered.

Of course, we all have to make calls based on our own situations, and obviously FOBO has not worked for you, which is a pity, but I felt it was necessary to highlight the above in defence of the product.

Pete

[jbim]

Sorry JBIM, my fault. When I recommended FOBO, I assumed you had some experience with apps.

Having said that, it’s a little harsh to mark FOBO down using your given reasons. By way of explanation -

You do NOT need a t-valve to make FOBO useful. It is very useful without one. I and many others use FOBO without a t-valve.
You do NOT need to use the locking wrench and fiddle with the stem. You can simply tighten the sensor by hand, fairly lightly. It will not come off.
You have TPMS and still take pressures every ride? This is negating one of any automated tyre pressure system’s major features. If you can not allow yourself to trust TPMS or FOBO before you leave the shed, why would you trust them to tell you that a tyre is deflating? If you don’t trust them, manual checking only is probably the best option for you.

Regarding the FOBO app requested info, it is no different to most other apps -

FOBO want your email address so they can inform you of any updates or issues with the app.

There is no need to read the 12 page Privacy policy to install the app. It is always standard legal stuff, and if it wasn’t, it would have been flagged globally. You don’t read your safety card every time you start your Spyder, even though Can Am mandate it, do you?

You do not need to grant FOBO access to location services. It works just as well without it.

“Good idea, bad implementation?” I assume you mean “good idea, bad design” .......I certainly can’t agree with that assessment. Sure FOBO may have a couple of annoyances like the disabling/enabling processes, but it is well engineered.

Of course, we all have to make calls based on our own situations, and obviously FOBO has not worked for you, which is a pity, but I felt it was necessary to highlight the above in defence of the product.

Pete

TPMS and FOBO may not be the same kind of product. TPMS on my previous bike gave me a reading only once the bike started rolling. Basically it was an alert for a slow leak or upcoming flat tire. So in practice I still needed to check my pressure before leaving which is a good habit to have anyway.

My point has nothing to do with using the app. I have a lot of experience with apps, I am a web developer and that is why I know an email should not be required to use an app. There are many, many, many apps that do not require the creation of an account. And it should be required only when necessary. And by the way, you don't need to be notified by FOBO because the app store will tell you if an update to the app is available or you can set it to be done automatically by iOS. I see it just as an intrusion of privacy that is not necessary and I chose to reject the product because of it.

I understand why people don't read these policies but if there's nothing to it why does it have to be 12 pages. When you rely on others, you suffer others' consequences. I started to read the policy and decided I shouldn't have to read it to use the product.

I will take your word regarding location services but that is not how the setup works as it generates a loud beep, a large warning and activates location services automatically. There was no obvious option to disregard that. If they want to make you believe that is necessary, their bad. They just lost a client.

I meant bad implementation which includes the restrictions of my F3, short valve, rim clearance and the intrusion of privacy. I take it that the lock nuts are not required and it does make a huge difference in usability.

[Peteoz]

I also no longer use mine. Too many alarms. I bought them in a fit of paranoia because of my last motorcycle accident,but have decided that for the Spyder it is the answer to a question easily answered manually.

It’s good that that has worked for you Paul, but after a little trial and error, I have been able to set my alarms at a level where they only go off for a genuine issue.

Pete

[gerald37]

I have always used Doran Tire Monitoring System on the last number of bikes I have had. When I got mt Spyder I had taken it off my Gold Wing and ordered another sensor for the three wheels. It works great I have the monitor on the dash. You can push the button on the monitor any time and it will read the pressure in each tire.

[Peteoz]

Cute gadget and for those that like that sort of thing proof to have. I don't see the need and with th issues they have it is easier to check them manually. Places I Ryde temps can change quite a bit and would probably get warnings all the time. Check mine a couple times a month and the change if any is negligible. .ok can see it for motor homes , truckers, trailers etc

Can’t agree, Gene.....it is most definitely NOT easier for me to check the pressures manually. You can set pressure warnings at any level, so a warning for an 18psi tyre can be set to 12psi, which is still rideable. Without this warning, the rear tyre could be virtually flat before you realised. This means you would only get genuine warnings.

Pete

[LeftCoast]

I was going to ask for FOBOs for my bday but now I’m conflicted. The FOBO 2’s are only available via a kickstarter type campaign but I’m more interested in those.

[Texas Al]

Were can I find the T-valve so I can inflate my tire without taking the TPMS monitor off?

[pegasus1300]

Try AliExpress,I think that is where I got mine from.

[bhern]

Were can I find the T-valve so I can inflate my tire without taking the TPMS monitor off?

The Fobo Bike for Trike has a an option to buy the three=monitor set with three t-valves.

https://my-fobo.com/Product/TRIKE

It looks like the list price is $24 for the three valves, based on the difference in price between the monitor sets with and without. I assume that's a bit pricey, since, well, Spyder, but that would be one way to go if you don't have the FOBO monitors already.