• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

Please recommend accurate tire pressure gauge--for bikes

davidji

davidji

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Location
lamorinda
Moto(s)
KTM, Honda
I'd like an accurate tire pressure gauge suitable for motorcycles.

I'd like one that's easy to get on the straight valve of a dual-disc front wheel, and also is light and compact for carrying under the seat. And I'd like it to be accurate.

I've googled for gauge accuracy, and a lot of the better ones don't look convenient for a bike tire.
 
Don't let somebody at a motorcycle store tell you that your riding will improve with an expensive tire gage. Be careful not to get ripped off. You can waiste a lot of money buying "accuracy" that will make no noticeable difference whatsoever to your riding, to the life of your tires, etc.

For 99.5% of riders a good tire gauge can be bought for $20 - $25. More than $30 and you're overspending. More than $50 and you're being foolish.

For the 0.5% of riders that need a tire gauge over $50, I'm sure your head-mechanic and your tire-guy will provide one at trackside.
 
Last edited:
I highly recommend this digital unit from Roadgear. It's designed for the motorcycle specifically. I had the previous version without a replaceable battery (identical) and after just about 5 years it quit but Roadgear sent me a brand new version with a replaceable battery about a month ago for no charge. They stand behind their stuff! It has a 5 year warranty.

It's a very accurate gauge and has a tire tread measure device on it, too. I keep it in my tank bag and use it ALL the time.

http://roadgear.com/ready-digital-tire-gauge-p-39.html

TG102.Cnt.jpg
 
Last edited:
Thanks.

This isn't about precision. I have 3 different inexpensive digital gauges that have precision down to .1 PSI. But I checked two against each other today and within the range I try to keep my tires they differed by 2.2 PSI.

You can buy inexpensive gauges with good accuracy. But tests reveal that most aren't especially accurate. So I'll try to get one that is. Why use a piece of crap when you can get a good inexpensive gauge?
 
davidji said:
I have 3 different inexpensive digital gauges that have precision down to .1 PSI. But I checked two against each other today and within the range I try to keep my tires they differed by 2.2 PSI.
Click to expand...

Here is the problem with that method:

You might have one inaccurate gauge and one which is very accurate, i.e. you might already own as accurate a guage as you could buy. Buying another gauge won't change that.

Or both gauges could be wildly inaccurate, but differ from each other by just 2.2 PSI, i.e. one could be off by +5 PSI and the other by +7.2 PSI. And buying another gauge will just confuse the issue as it won't compare anywhere near either of the first two.

A better question for BARF might be how much inaccuracy in a tire gauge actually makes a noticeable, real-world difference? Or how could a tire guage be easily and cheaply tested for accuracy?
 
On addressing your accessibility issue, buy some 90 degree valve stems. You'll never have a problem getting at your valve stems ever again.
 
catch2otwo said:
On addressing your accessibility issue, buy some 90 degree valve stems. You'll never have a problem getting at your valve stems ever again.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I decided to switch to those in front. Which means I could use my best compact gauge on the front wheel without getting my hands dirty. But it still won't help me when I get a new to me bike. So I figured I'd look for the perfect motorcycle tire pressure gauge.
 
Several years ago Motorcycle Consumer News ran a comparison test on various tire gages. The one rated "best buy" was an inexpensive pencil type sold at Napa auto parts
iirc it was within 1 - 2 % accurate when compared to their master gage benchmark.
 
Oh My Sack! said:
I highly recommend this digital unit from Roadgear.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I think I'll buy that.

I checked my 3rd digital gauge against my other two tonight, and the one I trusted least (based on test results I've read) was the odd man out. The other two were within .5 PSI of each other at operating pressure. And the one of those two that I keep under the bike seat looks just like the Road Gear but a different brand name and color. But it's too worn out to easily take a pressure reading (rubber surface that seals against the valve is marred), and I need to wet it, and press hard. Getting another one like that should be fine.

For what it's worth the one that looks like your is also the simplest of my 3 gauges to use. And the one I trust least is the hardest to use.

Found a lot of cool gauges when I searched (including an accurate one that you inflated the tire through. But it wasn't the smallest for keeping under the seat.
 
davidji said:
Thanks! I think I'll buy that.

I checked my 3rd digital gauge against my other two tonight, and the one I trusted least (based on test results I've read) was the odd man out. The other two were within .5 PSI of each other at operating pressure. And the one of those two that I keep under the bike seat looks just like the Road Gear but a different brand name and color. But it's too worn out to easily take a pressure reading (rubber surface that seals against the valve is marred), and I need to wet it, and press hard. Getting another one like that should be fine.

For what it's worth the one that looks like your is also the simplest of my 3 gauges to use. And the one I trust least is the hardest to use.

Found a lot of cool gauges when I searched (including an accurate one that you inflated the tire through. But it wasn't the smallest for keeping under the seat.
Click to expand...

WAIT!!!!

I have a discount code for you. It'll only be 14.99!

BRB with the code...stand by!
 
Here's the info I just got 2 days ago from them. I'm gonna get a second one while this is still good...which is TOMORROW! :ride

Save 25%

Reg. Retail $19.90
Get yours now for only $14.92
Use coupon code READY25C during checkout

*Offer valid through Feb. 24, 2013. Offer only applied to TG102 Ready to Go Tire Gauge during order process. Must use coupon code READY25C and click on 'Redeem' during checkout for discount to reflect.
Click to expand...
 
When the AFM starts up again this year, go to Sears Pt. and stop by the Dunlop tent. There's a regulated air source there you can check any of your gauges against for accuracy. ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top