Any hints on checking rear tire Air Pressure-F3L

[old Timer]

Woah, need hints on keeping track of rear tire air pressure on '20 F3 L

BTW, really enjoying my new to me F3 L, thanks again Russ.

[Peteoz]

“Keeping track”, Dean? The best way of keeping track, costs. Buy FOBO (2) or similar. That way you can check pressure before and during every ride, and only have to crawl under the Spyder when necessary to top up.

Pete

[old Timer]

That's what I was thinking, thanks.

[JamesLaz]

I added the FOBO Bike 2 for Trike Pressure Monitoring Systems to mine and it works quite well.

[BajaRon]

FOBO costs. But is much better than trying to clock the tire so you can even have a chance to get at the valve stem. Hunker down and get your arm to bend where it doesn't. Then lose air trying to get an accurate reading which guarantees the pressure is not going to be right, at that point, Then repeating the process until you get lucky enough to hit everything just right.

Did I mention it's literally a Pain in the Rear to get accurate pressure on that tire by conventional means?

[Mikey]

To tell you the truth, I look down at my tire before I jump on, most people can tell if they have a slack tire, if it looks good, I ride. I have got down a checked my tires several times when I first got my bike and you know what I found, it didn't change from the first time, other than the air I lost when I was trying to get the darn gauge on the stem! It's your money, buy the FOBO's and have that piece of mind if you want; me set it and forget it unless there's a BIG temp change! Ride more, worry less! PS. I know I am about to get flamed but, a question for anyone that wants to be real, anyone one that runs the FOBO's, how many times do you have to make a change in pressure in a season? Truthfully

[Isopedella]

These TMPS systems.

If you go out to your parked machine, will it tell you what the pressures before you move it at all or do you have to ride it for ?? ,.... some distance to wake it up. If so how far?

[Redbeard]

Last month I finally ordered FOBO for my 2020 F3 limited. Like you it was a pain to get the rear tire to the correct orientation to get my gauge down there to read. With the FOBO I can turn on my phone as I am walking out to the garage and see my tire pressure before I even place the key in the ignition. It was a bit pricy at around $150, but now that I have it, I feel it was worth the money. The package says the batteries should last around one year and there is one battery per valve stem "cap". If the funds are available, it is worth it. And while you are ryding around (or stopping to get fuel) it is effortless to check the pressures in all the tires in one glance at your phone. You don't even have to carry extra tools or get your hands dirty.

[Peteoz]

These TMPS systems.

If you go out to your parked machine, will it tell you what the pressures before you move it at all or do you have to ride it for ?? ,.... some distance to wake it up. If so how far?

Aaaaaargh. I typed all this in answer to your question, Iso, and then saw Redbeard’s reply above. Don’t bother reading any further

It is constantly awake, Iso. As you approach the Spyder and bring your phone within BT range, it will pick up the current pressures from FOBO. Check your phone before getting your helmet/gloves etc on, and you’ll know if you need to add air

Pete

[Isopedella]

Sweet. Just placed an order, dug deep and ordered a Fobo for my F3.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

During all my first rear tire swaps I drilled a new " air valve hole " on the opposite side of the wheel and put in an angled ( 87* ) metal valve from " Kurvey Girl " .... problem solved .... Mike

[Isopedella]

During all my first rear tire swaps I drilled a new " air valve hole " on the opposite side of the wheel and put in an angled ( 87* ) metal valve from " Kurvey Girl " .... problem solved .... Mike

Care to post a photo of that at all?

Which fitting is your TPMS fitted to?

Guess you wont have to dismantle the TMPS to add some air when its required.

Lets have all the info.

[Peteoz]

Care to post a photo of that at all?

Which fitting is your TPMS fitted to?

Guess you wont have to dismantle the TMPS to add some air when its required.

Lets have all the info.

There’s no “dismantling” to add air, Iso. 95% of FOBO users don’t bother with the locks, and there have been zero reports of them being stolen or coming loose. Removing the FOBO reader is exactly the same as removing a valve cap.

Pete

[RiderDuke]

There’s no “dismantling” to add air, Iso. 95% of FOBO users don’t bother with the locks, and there have been zero reports of them being stolen or coming loose. Removing the FOBO reader is exactly the same as removing a valve cap.

Pete

Pete, Do you have to re-pair the FOBO reader to your phone when you remove for adding air to the tire...

FOBO costs. But is much better than trying to clock the tire so you can even have a chance to get at the valve stem. Hunker down and get your arm to bend where it doesn't. Then lose air trying to get an accurate reading which guarantees the pressure is not going to be right, at that point, Then repeating the process until you get lucky enough to hit everything just right.

Did I mention it's literally a Pain in the Rear to get accurate pressure on that tire by conventional means?

I read somewhere that FOBO recommends using a metal valve stem... Are riders just using the factory rubber valve stem without any problems?

[Peter Aawen]

Pete, 1. Do you have to re-pair the FOBO reader to your phone when you remove for adding air to the tire...

I read somewhere that FOBO recommends using a metal valve stem... 2. Are riders just using the factory rubber valve stem without any problems?

Another Peter from Oz, but:

1. No; and

2. Yes, many are!

[narygancy]

I pretty much agree with all the posts. I bought the FOBO strictly for peace of mind, but I rarely have to add air. To be honest, its also a cool thing to show off to friends.

I did find I had to turn off the FOBO app or it would drain my phone battery.

[Isopedella]

Cheers for the replys. Learning fast.

There’s no “dismantling” to add air, Iso. 95% of FOBO users don’t bother with the locks, and there have been zero reports of them being stolen or coming loose. Removing the FOBO reader is exactly the same as removing a valve cap.

Pete

Yeah ..thinking now I wont bother with the locks. Thought they held them in.
Not much chance of just the valve being nicked down my way.

I pretty much agree with all the posts. I bought the FOBO strictly for peace of mind, but I rarely have to add air. To be honest, its also a cool thing to show off to friends.

I did find I had to turn off the FOBO app or it would drain my phone battery.

Himm. Phone Apps. haha Another story.
I will have to investigate the turning that APP off as I dont need 24/7 monitoring.

Happy enough to know at the start of the day they are all Tickety Boo.

I guess it will be in the book of words supplied.

[Peteoz]

Pete, Do you have to re-pair the FOBO reader to your phone when you remove for adding air to the tire...




I read somewhere that FOBO recommends using a metal valve stem... Are riders just using the factory rubber valve stem without any problems?

Peter has already answered this, Duke, but to elaborate slightly…..when you remove the FOBO unit from the tyre, all that happens is FOBO warns you on your phone that you have zero psi in that tyre. After you reinstall the unit, the psi reappears on your phone almost immediately.

Pete

[Peteoz]

Cheers for the replys. Learning fast.

Himm. Phone Apps. haha Another story.
I will have to investigate the turning that APP off as I dont need 24/7 monitoring.

Happy enough to know at the start of the day they are all Tickety Boo.

I guess it will be in the book of words supplied.

Iso, I can only assume that NaryGancy leaves his phone close enough to his Spyder that BT can constantly communicate with it, thus draining his phone battery. I don’t see that issue as my phone is kept 50metres away. One plus of leaving the FOBO BT connection on, is that when you approach the garage, FOBO will tell you if you have low psi, even if you are simply walking past, which means you can address the issue prior to your next planned ride.

Of course, if you have to leave your phone close to your Spyder, permanent connection is impractical.

Make sure you ask questions on here when installing, as there is a significant amount of knowledge, and there can be some install “gotchas” for new users

Pete

[old Timer]

I take it that a Smart Phone is required................All we have are basic flip phones...... All my BMW's have an Air Pressure display on the Panel, even tells tire pressure in each tire.

[Peteoz]

I take it that a Smart Phone is required................All we have are basic flip phones...... All my BMW's have an Air Pressure display on the Panel, even tells tire pressure in each tire.

Yes, a phone with Bluetooth connection is required, Old Timer.

Pete

[Isopedella]

Bluetooth! Do Dentures count?

[pegasus1300]

Bluetooth! Do Dentures count?

Only if you paint one of them blue.

[Mikey]

I pretty much agree with all the posts. I bought the FOBO strictly for peace of mind, but I rarely have to add air. To be honest, its also a cool thing to show off to friends.

I did find I had to turn off the FOBO app or it would drain my phone battery.

Thank you for coming out and saying that! I myself think Fobo's are like Dampers(how'd I do this time Ron?) Keep it simple and don't give yourself something else to have to watch and maintain. What did we do before all of this crap? Keep it stupid simple!!! But at the end of the day, your money and your piece of mind. Good day!

[narygancy]

Hello Again Pete: Actually I keep my phone with me but the app stays "on" and continues to show my air pressure, even when the reading is 2 days old! Maybe I'm doing something wrong but it seems my battery drains a whole lot faster since I installed FOBO, but if I turn it off after the ride things are OK. I don't ride every day so I only turn it on when I do.

BTW: I love reading your posts, you share some real knowledge about Spyders as a help to us newbies (this is my second year on 3 wheels).