Tyre pressure alert valve caps

[BrownTrousers]

So,

I bought some of these on a whim to top up an order when using some vouchers I had. I was thinking they are probably no good since if they work, why isn't everyone using them, given the price and the importance of tyre pressures, but seemed worth a shout.

Well, I put them on last weekend and they seem to work a treat. They just screw on in place of the little plastic dust caps and act as a visual alert to your tyre pressure dropping. I've tested them against various pressures using my own gauge.

So, anybody any experience of these? Any reason why I shouldn't be using them? Obviously no replacement for proper manual checks but for £4....
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Ducati Multistrada 950 | Triumph Tiger 800 XR | Honda CBR500R | Yamaha YBR 125 Custom

[The Tot]

Partly down to ignorance, partly down to "why spend an extra £4", and if you're going to look at your dust caps, you're probably likely to put air in there anyway! You'd also realise something awry with your tyre pressures when your bike starts handling in a funny manner. 10-15psi change and you'd notice a difference. Any seasoned rider will be able to tell this based on the feedback going through the bars, seat and pegs. I'm not too sure what pressures these things activate at?

Either way, most of us are happy running 32 f 36r on our sportsbikes, and considering the guys I ride with love a hoon or 2, we most definitely check pressures before going out on rides anyway.

Just realised they were alloy. Beware of galvanic corrosion between the valve and whatever that thing is made out of! Ride it in winter much without cleaning the bike, or removing the valve cover, you may find that that it's electrochemically bonded the threads! Much the reason why I also don't bother running bling alloy valve covers and just use plastic! It's inert and does a good job keeing the air in.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[-]

I'd be interested to know how much of a pressure drop makes them go red. Considering tyre pressures can change at least 5psi due to pressure and temperature alone.

I suspect it must be a fair amount which you should have noticed anyway. Seems a bit of a pointless gimmick to be honest.
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Jaguar S Type 3.0 V6 Sport R, VW Transporter T5 GP LWB Shuttle 140ps DSG.

[BrownTrousers]

They aren't configurable , you just buy the one which has a trigger point suitable for your bike.

So if you pick one with a trigger point just below your desired pressure (when cold), if it turns red something definitely is wrong.

I'm not necessarily promoting these or arguing with opposition, was just curious to get opinions.
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Ducati Multistrada 950 | Triumph Tiger 800 XR | Honda CBR500R | Yamaha YBR 125 Custom

[Rogerborg]

£8 for 2.

I'd be astonished if they were in any way accurate, but then again it's easy to go very flat without noticing, so why not?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
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[Pete.]

Waste of time. Everyone knows that a wheel will always stop where you can't see the valve.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[pdg]

[Taught2BCauti...]

Someone gave me a set of 4 a few years ago, because they were the wrong pressure for his car.

They did a pretty good job of deflating the tyres over a period of about a week when the bike was garaged - and got nicked shortly after whilst parked up.

I threw the other two away.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
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[Omega]

I'd be worried about them flattening my tyres. I assume they open the valve to be able to read the pressure.

I'll stick with cheapo plastic caps for now. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[Polarbear]

[iooi]

[kramdra]

As above, they keep the valve open and can leak/explode/fall apart while riding.

I usually bounce the front and rear while looking at tires before moving off. This confirms they have some air in them to about the same accuracy as these caps.

[Fisty]

The weight of them can bend valves at high speeds. If the valve is old and weak they can and have snapped causing the tyre to deflate.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Mudshark]

tyre pressures show on the dash

seem pretty accurate, put air in the tyres on Friday, checked against gauge, sensors and forecourt machine
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R1250RS
XT660X

[b422063]

[Polarbear]

[Mudshark]

[Doovy]

[Triton Thrasher]

[Triton Thrasher]

[BTTD]

Read a post on advrider where a guy had one rapid deflate while out on the bike. He didn't crash, but said he came close. He checked the other valve and the plastic appeared to have yellowed with age and turned brittle.
That was a few years ago and it might have been a one off, but it put me off the idea.
I like the in- tyre ones, but can't bring myself to spend the money they cost.

[bikertomm]

Never had a problem with using one of these badboys before I go out!

https://www.binbin.net/photos/generic/tyr/tyre-pressure-gauge-key-ring.jpg


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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[TheSmiler]

[Never2late]

Seem to vaguely remember a pre-ride checklist acronym told us on CBT day..was it BOLTS??
Jumped on my GSX600 one morning before Christmas, felt a bit different going up the road, but thought it was one of my 70-year-old dizzy spells, until I struggled to get round the first roundabout! Pulled into a bus layby and found the back wheel rim nearly on the road. Gingerly rode back home and found a nail in the tyre!!

Must remember to BOLt more often, or at least kick the tyres!!!

[nelmo]

Just realise that you are adding weights to your wheels, just like the ones they use to balance your wheels when you get a new tyre, so you need to get your wheels re-balanced.
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Bike history: Suzuki GSXF600, BMW F650, Honda Varadero, Suzuki V-Strom, Kawasaki Versys
Current: Honda NC700X