tyre Gauge

What's your favorite tyre gauge? I'm in the market for an accurate one with a bleed valve and easy fit past rotors.

I currently use this one: http://www.roadgear.com/index.php?page= ... 87a&id=110

I like the 90 degree bend for fitting past rotors, and that it speaks the tyre pressure so I can check easily in early morning low light. But, it doesn't have a bleed valve and it's a little fussy/slips sometimes when I'm trying to take a reading.

I have the KTM powerparts one works fine

I use this for all my cars, bicycles & motorcycles (including suspension). Tough, accurate, and you can do both Schrader & Presta valves, in bar & PSI. Digital read out in half-pound increments.

http://www.topeak.com/products/Floor-Pu ... gitalGauge

Just get this one.

Cool - thank you. I read a good review on it the other day. Fits past rotors OK?

There is 90 degree stem on the front, but my gauge also has a 90 degree bend so I've got to stick the whole thing in past the rotor and half the time can't get it to seat properly on the valve stem and let too much air out. Only a minor annoyance, but seemed like an excuse to buy a good gauge with a flexible hose.

Hi cjc, I do not mess around when it comes to accuracy and dependability... mine is like this but costs quite a few coins, I test the accuracy of other gauges with it also, mine is slightly different as it has a 45 degree head to accommodate the hard to get to stems like the rear on the SD.

I purchased a good one from our snap on man years back. It's still going strong.

yes men, I use the one that digger has but does not come with the case,

it is the best and the most underrated piece of equipment one could buy in his life of motorcycling, as the testimony does explore.

of course YMMV, the price as I figure it would turn a fair investment return if we all had stock in them.

The Topeak guage I posted above is accurate, tough, and fits in small places.
The Snap On gauge is probably a great "shop" tool, but the Topeak fits under the seat/in a pocket, and can be dropped/sat on/treated poorly and just works. It also works in tight spaces like the SD rear wheel w/o any adapters or 90 degree bends. Oh, yeah, and it's like $15.

I found this rating various gauges:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/Ri ... 20test.pdf

Amazing. A cheap pencil gauge won. The Blue Point gauge looks nice, but costs.

Funny I just went through this (btw, I have that Roadgear one and it can be frustrating getting a solid seal on the valve stem). I started researching tyre pressure gauges and got caught up in reading on it for longer than I care to admit. Worse thing is I didn't come away with a definitive answer on what is the best or most accurate. In the end $15 digital gauges can be just as accurate (or inaccurate) as spendy dial or digital gauges costing as much as $100.

A few conclusions I guess I did get out of it:
- Any gauge that can be calibrated should be calibrated at least every couple years (much sooner if treated roughly).
- Dial gauges are easily knocked out of wack by rough treatment.
- Dial gauges are generally no more accurate than less expensive digital ones.
- The +- accuracy rating can be misleading because a lot of companies are quoting the accuracy of what you can read in the display or on the dial, not the accuracy of measuring air pressure.
- Gauges are most accurate in the middle of their range. E.g. 30psi get a 0-60psi gauge
- In general gauges are off more at the lower end of their range than the upper.
- Apparently the larger the dial on a gauge the more accurate it can be tuned for and the longer it will last

It seems a decent digital would be the choice to go with. So I of course bought two of the more expensive probably no more accurate more maintenance intensive less sturdy dial type gauges. I went with them, Longacre brand (popular with car and motorcycle racers and enthusiasts alike), for these reasons:

- Longacre has a good rep in the racing world and they are probably as accurate as anything you can buy for under $100
- Price, $45 for the 0-60psi Deluxe and $25 for the 0-30psi Standard
- Brass internals and dampeners to increase accuracy and life span
- I could get the PSI ranges I wanted (0-30 for dirt bikes, 0-60 for street bikes and my truck)
- Can get a swivel chuck (easier to get under the rotors and don't require twisting the hose around).
- Has an air valve bleeder and holds reading when disconnected
- I read Longacre will calibrate them for free but have not confirmed this yet. (EDIT: nope, $19.95 + shipping)



These two will stay in my shop for the most part to set pressure after changing tyres, before rides, before races and track days. I'll get a digital (I like what Collyer put up) for under the seat and in the glove box of the truck.