air compressors or CO2 kits? - Huskytalk.com

**308bever** · 08-25-18

just wondering what people use and recommend for tyre repair kits for bush riding/ road riding? what is best? cheers stewart

**Richard230** · 08-26-18

If your bike has a decent battery and electrical system, I would go with a small electric air compressor. Those CO2 cartridges don't go very far when trying to fill a completely flat tire. Plus, they get really cold when using them and you may end up with a cartridge welded to your fingers when using them.

But CO2 cartridges are likely OK if your bike uses tubeless tires that are unlikely to loose a lot of air if they pick up a nail and you carry a tire plugging kit with you.

**notacop** · 08-26-18

Ha, I have both. The CO2 is a pita. Don't know that you'd ever get a full pressure value with them.
Got a Slime unit for 12 bucks with a 12 dollar rebate so it was free. Pump, hose and a pressure gauge included. I took it out of the case and wrapped in a shop towel. It goes under the seat or in the top box depending on the bike I'm riding.
Only catch is that you need to install an old fashion cigar lighter outlet with at least a 10 amp fuse to power it.
Even the pump can be a bit slow but once you've plugged the tire and blown it up some you can ride to a gas station and do a proper air up.
Now lets talk about worms verses plugs. I like the worms because they are easier to use. Some plug kits need big strong hands to stretch the plug that my old hands cannot provide.

**guidoveloce** · 08-26-18

I've always used to call a a tow truck it works much better than any repair kit.
seriously all the bike insurances here cover also the risk of punctures and the wrecker is available 24h a day... why to spend your time to do something in a bad way when you can have the same work done by a professional mechanic?
BMW gives the same service for five years on every bike sold, but you must pay for the repair, the bike insurances give the service for free.

**notacop** · 08-26-18

Guido, cell phone coverage doesn't always work in places I've been. Having the tools and practice it occasionally and your butt will on it's way long before some guy from the greasy garage comes to the rescue.

**guidoveloce** · 08-26-18

here the cell phone coverage is nearly everywhere, but where I live the internet connection still works like it was in the past century.

... but we have many olive trees, good olive oil, lots of sheeps, the best ricotta cheese of the Sicily and a great shooting range (the only alternative to the Mass of the Sunday morning, a bit boring sometimes but better than the Mass anyway

).

**guidoveloce** · 08-26-18

p.s. here the tow trucks are very fast!
and I do believe in something, but I don't call him God... the Created is enough for me.

**308bever** · 08-26-18

if i get a compressor, i`ll ditch the cigar plug and put a tail on it like a battery tender plug. any recommended compressors? or just an ebay cheapy? (((-; as for phone reception, half the places i`ll be riding a 2 way uhf is better, and tyre repairers might be 3 hours or days away.......

**notacop** · 08-26-18

Make sure your battery tender plug can pull the power of the pump. You may be disappointed if it doesn't make air for your flat tire.

**Richard230** · 08-26-18

I don't even bother bringing a cell phone when I go riding any more. I can never seem to get a signal outside of a densely populated urban areas. Apparently it is not worth the expense to build cell phone towers if you don't have enough paying customers.

And now they are starting to move to a level 5 system that will require a great many small cell phone antennas installed at close intervals to pass along the high speed data that gamers and video watchers require. You won't find those outside dense cities where they can be installed on utility and light poles. Making actual phone calls doesn't seem to be a very high priority for the cell phone companies. Not enough money in that for them.

**guidoveloce** · 08-27-18

America is large and Italy is small.
here everybody (from the age of 8/10 years old to 95) has often more than a mobile phone, usually two or three, and uses all the phones that they have... cell companies earn a lot of money, much more than a man can think. it's obvious that they cover the entire state area, if they don't do it they "loose" money.
in the big cities there is a good cover also for internet (fiber connection, adsl, 4g, 4.5g and very soon also 5g), but in the countryside areas the internet connection is really poor (you are lucky if in your country side area work an old type of adsl and the 3g).
here people have always a cell phone in the hand, everybody.

**308bever** · 08-27-18

hi notacop, the battery tender wires go directly to the battery, with a 15 amp fuse inline, i would have thought that was the ideal connection? and run the engine to keep the battery filled up would be the go. is that right? cheers stewart

**guidoveloce** · 08-27-18

you can also use the socket that, if I'm not wrong, on your bike is near the faux tank or the instrument cluster (it's under can-bus, so it recognize the device that you plug in). it is a BMW socket (DIN), so you need a pump that has the small plug or use a converter, if you take a pump with the normal plug (cigars).
now most of battery tenders are can-bus compatible, so you can use that socket also for the battery tender.
it's good thing to keep the engine running if you use a pump because those small pumps take a little time to completely inflate the tyre.

**Richard230** · 08-27-18

The latest BMW models have a 5 amp limit for any accessory connected to the stock electrical outlet that is regulated by the Canbus system. Most air pumps will exceed that limit and the system will shut down, even if the engine is running. Your best approach is to connect a separate pigtail directly to the battery and use that for both charging the battery (which the Canbus system will not let you do with the on-board power port, unless you have a special BMW charger that will send a signal to the bike to allow the charging) and for connecting accessories, such as electric clothing or an air pump that will draw more than 5 amps (only about 60-70 watts).

**notacop** · 08-27-18

You might run up the engine but with a healthy battery it may not be necessary. I've done a couple tires so far and no problem in getting the bike started afterward. I have my handy battery jumper kit with me anyway. I could use that to run the pump too.

**Flook** · 08-27-18

I have Slime or Goop in my tyres. I also carry a pump, also carry the mushroom type of plug (never used it though). If you have tyre deflation monitors, do not use Slime or Goop, it interferes with the sensor’s. However if your bike does not have these sensors, then great.

I do do not know of any one having a puncture when they have either of thos products in the tyres, that includes off road.

however, when you have your tyres replaced,let whoever does the job for you know you have that type of product inside, and ask if you can have the tryerefiled with that product.

**308bever** · 08-27-18

i have the tyre monitors too, so no goo for me, cheers all (((-;

**padaek** · 09-18-18

Originally Posted by 308bever

just wondering what people use and recommend for tyre repair kits for bush riding/ road riding? what is best? cheers stewart

I've only had to use a puncture repair kit twice. Once was on the road on the way to Phillip Island, between Queanbeyan and Cooma. The rear tyre didn't go right down but dropped to 2.3bar. Easily managed to get to the servo at Michelago and used their air.

Second time was in my garage. I washed my bike after the Phillip Island trip and noticed air bubbles escaping from the rear tyre, not far from the original puncture. I have a sneaking suspicion both punctures happened at the same time but I only noticed the one with a small nail sticking out. Anyway, I tried to fix the puncture when the tyre was cold. Not too easy. I couldn't get the plugging material into the cold tyre. My wife heard me cursing and swearing. I explained what was going on and I'd need to take the wheel off and take it to my local bike shop for repair. My smart wife suggested I use her hair drier to heat up the tyre, and it worked a charm. By the way, I have a good tyre gauge and hand pump. I always check my tyres before setting off.

So,, getting back to your original question. I really don't know. I've never used the CO2 bulbs. But I do know, never attempt to do a puncture repair on a cold tyre without your other half's hair drier handy.

**usedtobefast** · 09-19-18

I carry a CO2 kit, this one: https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Innov...r+kit+with+co2

I like the "pump" part, you put the CO2 cartridge in there, and then you have a trigger for inflating ... easy to manage and don't have to hold the freezing cold cartridge.

Used that twice out on the road with no issues.

Also ridden with guys that use the mini pump. That worked as well ... seemed to take a while to pump up. I guess the big plus with the pump is you could keep fixing flats until you run out of plugs. With the CO2 I shot 2 cartridges in per flat. So I have enough air for 2 flats on a trip.

**308bever** · 09-19-18

i`ve plugged three tyres at home over the times and never needed heat to do it, are you sure that the hair drier isn`t yours? (((-;

**padaek** · 09-21-18

Originally Posted by 308bever

i`ve plugged three tyres at home over the times and never needed heat to do it, are you sure that the hair drier isn`t yours? (((-;

Maaate,,I have a shiny melon. Why would I need a hair drier?

**danham** · 09-21-18

Originally Posted by 308bever

hi notacop, the battery tender wires go directly to the battery, with a 15 amp fuse inline, i would have thought that was the ideal connection? and run the engine to keep the battery filled up would be the go. is that right? cheers stewart

One reason to run the engine, even with a healthy battery, is that it will supply a bit more voltage to the pump, making inflation time a little bit shorter. When you get your pump, try it (connected to a tire) with engine on/off and I bet you will be able to hear the difference.

-dan

**Daboo** · 09-21-18

I carry a mushroom plug kit with me all the time. It's small and takes up little space in my panniers. It also includes C02 cannisters.

That said, when I go out of the local area, I carry a Slime SPAIR kit with me. I have two of these from when I commuted to work. The air compressor in them is excellent for filling tires. (...not air mattresses. Air mattress pumps flow more air, but can't get to a high enough pressure usually for tire repairs.)

In one kit, I have a bottle of SLIME that says it is safe for TPMS. The other kit, I replaced the older bottle of Slime with Ride On...which is safe for TPMS.

Why do I carry both the mushroom plug kit and the Slime SPAIR kit? Because C02 cannisters have been known to lose pressure over time.

**308bever** · 09-23-18

got my pump last week, going to play with it after work tomorrow, need more hours in the day! padaek i`ve got a cheap hair dryer out in the shed(((-; i wear a number 2 in my remaining strands of hair..... never used a hair dryer either (((-;

**Ridge** · 10-12-18

Has anyone had any experience in using slime in tubed tyres?

**ccramerusc** · 10-14-18

For my tubeless tires that are exclusively used on roads, I carry 2 CO2 cartridges. I made my own kit from a bunch of parts I already had and keep it under the seat on the fuel pump along with a small pressure guage and my tool kit. It is basically just like to Amazon link posted above. Thankfully I have not used it yet, but I have used it successfully several times on my road bicycle. I carry a similar kit on my pedal bike (new tube instead of plugs).

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

**308bever** · 10-18-18

finally played with my compressor! i flattened my rear tyre and hooked up the pump, started bike and it blew up the tyre in around 3 minutes, sweet, very happy, now packed with tyre plug kit (((-; cheers bever

**Mouth** · 02-07-19

Originally Posted by 308bever

finally played with my compressor!

What sort did you get, and from where?

**NCGunner** · 02-08-19

Originally Posted by guidoveloce

here the cell phone coverage is nearly everywhere, but where I live the internet connection still works like it was in the past century.

... but we have many olive trees, good olive oil, lots of sheeps, the best ricotta cheese of the Sicily and a great shooting range (the only alternative to the Mass of the Sunday morning, a bit boring sometimes but better than the Mass anyway

).

Guido, your statement makes a very good case for calling a tow truck except for the word "NEARLY". Why take the chance of being stranded when for a small outlay you will have the satisfaction of fixing your puncture and continuing your ride. For me a small compressor and some sticky tails every time.

**308bever** · 02-08-19

motoPressor portable motorcycle tyre pump. from oneup911 on ebay, he`s based in geelong too. works well when you play with it, pumped up my rear tyre quickly after i emptied it to try it out (((-;

**AutoXer-1** · 03-15-19

Originally Posted by notacop

Only catch is that you need to install an old fashion cigar lighter outlet with at least a 10 amp fuse to power it.

Hey notocop - Okay, I'm late to this discussion, but here's what I've done. My air pump has the ubiquitous SAE plug so I purchased an SAE to coax adapter and power the pump off my heated gear coax line (which has an adequate fuse in it for the heated gear). It works fine (as I found out just yesterday) and no need to add a cigarette power outlet. Since my heated gear coax line comes out of a switched fusebox (Eastern Beaver unit) the key has to be turned on (or the bike started, but I just turned the key on), and that allows one to use the BMW computer readout of the tire pressure to fill the tire to the proper pressure (darn handy when one forgets to bring a tire gauge along!)

**padaek** · 02-14-20

Originally Posted by Ridge

Has anyone had any experience in using slime in tubed tyres?

Many years ago when I was commuting 220klm round trip to uni. We had a product called Finnileak (sp) in a can you just squirt into your tyre via the tyre valve. I kept a can in my bag. I had to use it twice and it worked okay. The tyre guy used some choice words when he replaced my tube, though.

**Richard230** · 02-14-20

Some years ago I bought a can of Fix-A-Flat. It was some sort of thin liquid rubber-like flat sealer in a pressurized rattle can. I tried it on one of my motorcycle flat tires but it didn't do much to slow down a leak in my tubeless tire. I guess I wasn't alone as I haven't seen this product in an auto accessory store for quite some time.

My recollection is that at one time some auto manufacturers dropped one of these cans into their trunks on their new cars when they removed the spare tire in order to save on weight and to make their bean counters happy. However, I don't think auto manufacturers are doing this anymore and have returned to some sort of replacement spare tire - or maybe they just give you a number to call when you get a flat.

My 20 year-old Saturn has one of those little emergency 60 psi spare tires under the luggage floor. Fortunately, I have never needed to use it.

**notacop** · 02-14-20

Yah, the fix a flat is entertaining. A fellow had a flat on his /5 and we used the can of Fix-a-Flat and he rode off into the afternoon with his tire spritzing foam as the tire rotated. He didn't get far. I think someone went home, close by, and got a trailer.

Richard, the wife hit a rock and bent the rim and ripped the tire on the Camry. I found a junkyard and bought a full size rim and new tire combo and a second rim to mount a new tire. Was about $150 for the two. Supposedly Camry rims are soft and prone to damage and pricey from the junkyards.

**Richard230** · 02-14-20

Originally Posted by notacop

Yah, the fix a flat is entertaining. A fellow had a flat on his /5 and we used the can of Fix-a-Flat and he rode off into the afternoon with his tire spritzing foam as the tire rotated. He didn't get far. I think someone went home, close by, and got a trailer.

Richard, the wife hit a rock and bent the rim and ripped the tire on the Camry. I found a junkyard and bought a full size rim and new tire combo and a second rim to mount a new tire. Was about $150 for the two. Supposedly Camry rims are soft and prone to damage and pricey from the junkyards.

Similar to BMW motorcycle rims, then.

**Daboo** · 02-14-20

The wife's Prius doesn't come with a spare tire. They only put a sealant like Ride-On or Slime in a container in the trunk with a tire inflator. When she recently got a puncture, I put in some Slime that I had and it worked just fine.

Chris

**N4HHE** · 02-14-20

Inflator, not compressor.

Agree CO2 is lame. Takes a lot of cylinders to get a partial inflation. When I have needed air away from home about half the time I have to stop a time or two on the way home to inflate again. Not all field repairs hold, and sometimes one can't find the puncture and only recourse is to pump it up, ride, pump again.

**Daboo** · 02-14-20

While it seems improbable, CO2 cannisters lose pressure over time. I have some from almost 10 years ago that have never been used. I might use them someday, just to use them...but I'll undoubtedly have my handy Slime SPAIR pump with me anyway.

Chris

**Lag** · 02-14-20

I ran a direct set of pigtails off the battery with a quick connect adaptor I use for my heated jacket and a small Slime tire inflator,,. I converted the plug in the inflator cord to a quick connect,,. As a backup I have a BCAA plan as well,,. Last season my neighbor and I were a bit off the grid & out of call service, he got a flat and of course I had this setup on my other bike so I ended up finding a tire repair can in a rural store,,. We used the entire can and were still only able to half inflate the tire with this can, tiny hole did hold air thou,. In the end it got us to an air compressor and home,,.

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