Accurate tire gauge?

Message
Author
User avatar
jstark47
Site Supporter - Silver
Site Supporter - Silver
Posts: 3538
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:58 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 16
My Motorcycle: '12 Tiger 800, '03 Trophy 1200
Location: Lumberton, NJ

Accurate tire gauge?

#1 Unread post by jstark47 »

Anyone have any recommendations for a really accurate tire gauge? We have a bunch of inexpensive ones, the readings vary over a spread of 10 PSI (!!), and I've no idea which ones are accurate. I've googled, found presumably higher quality ones from $20 to $60 - will I get accuracy for the extra price? Anyone have any experience or recommendations?
2003 Triumph Trophy 1200
2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800
2018 Yamaha XT250 (wife's)
2013 Kawasaki KLX250S

User avatar
Johnj
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 3806
Joined: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:34 am
Real Name: Johnny Strabler
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 34
My Motorcycle: A Bolt of Lightning
Location: Kansas City KS

#2 Unread post by Johnj »

I like the large, round, locking guages. The kind that has 1 lb markings. Harbor Freight has one for under $5.00.
People say I'm stupid and apathetic. I don't know what that means, and I don't care.
Image
Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and protective clothing. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

User avatar
jstark47
Site Supporter - Silver
Site Supporter - Silver
Posts: 3538
Joined: Fri Feb 03, 2006 2:58 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 16
My Motorcycle: '12 Tiger 800, '03 Trophy 1200
Location: Lumberton, NJ

#3 Unread post by jstark47 »

Thanks, John. Problem is I got a ton of $5 gauges around here. No two of them agree. How do I know which is the "right" one? I'd gladly trash all the rest of 'em if I knew....
2003 Triumph Trophy 1200
2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800
2018 Yamaha XT250 (wife's)
2013 Kawasaki KLX250S

User avatar
Big B
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 904
Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 4:29 am
Sex: Male
Location: Watertown, WI

#4 Unread post by Big B »

I get my tire gauges from the Mac Tools guy, or the Snap-on guy. Normally the two of them are pretty close to each other. The airhose with the pressure gauge on it is pretty accurate too.
Come join the super cool fun fun brand new fresh scented Triumph Usergroup!
Fun for the whole Family!

User avatar
HYPERR
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3159
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:13 am
Sex: Male
My Motorcycle: Year/Make/Model
Location: CT, USA

#5 Unread post by HYPERR »

Big B wrote:I get my tire gauges from the Mac Tools guy, or the Snap-on guy. Normally the two of them are pretty close to each other. The airhose with the pressure gauge on it is pretty accurate too.
I have a Blue Point round gauge that I bought from the Snap On guy. I also got a high tech digital gauge as a gift and they both read the exact same so they must both be accurate. :mrgreen:
2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

User avatar
Big B
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 904
Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 4:29 am
Sex: Male
Location: Watertown, WI

#6 Unread post by Big B »

HYPERR wrote:
Big B wrote:I get my tire gauges from the Mac Tools guy, or the Snap-on guy. Normally the two of them are pretty close to each other. The airhose with the pressure gauge on it is pretty accurate too.
I have a Blue Point round gauge that I bought from the Snap On guy. I also got a high tech digital gauge as a gift and they both read the exact same so they must both be accurate. :mrgreen:
the ones i have all match up with the gauge on the ridiculously expensive tire balancing machine we have here at work, as well as the nitrogen fill gauge at a local shop. i understand where you were going with that, but I test my instruments against ones that are known to be precise.
Come join the super cool fun fun brand new fresh scented Triumph Usergroup!
Fun for the whole Family!

User avatar
HYPERR
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3159
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:13 am
Sex: Male
My Motorcycle: Year/Make/Model
Location: CT, USA

#7 Unread post by HYPERR »

Big B wrote:
HYPERR wrote:
Big B wrote:I get my tire gauges from the Mac Tools guy, or the Snap-on guy. Normally the two of them are pretty close to each other. The airhose with the pressure gauge on it is pretty accurate too.
I have a Blue Point round gauge that I bought from the Snap On guy. I also got a high tech digital gauge as a gift and they both read the exact same so they must both be accurate. :mrgreen:
the ones i have all match up with the gauge on the ridiculously expensive tire balancing machine we have here at work, as well as the nitrogen fill gauge at a local shop. i understand where you were going with that, but I test my instruments against ones that are known to be precise.

Huh?? I was completely agreeing with you about the gauges from the Snap On/Mac Truck. I bought mine 20 years ago from the Snap On guy. It's actually an Ashcroft, not a Blue Point as I mentioned in the previous post. It is incredibly accurate and even 20 years later, compared to a very accurate brand new digital gauge, they both read exactly the same.

So to answer Mr. Stark's question, I would agree with Big B that if you buy it from the Mac or Snap On guy, it's safe to say it will be very accurate. As for the Ashcroft, I can personally attest to it's incredible accuracy. Even 20+ years later.
2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

User avatar
Big B
Site Supporter - Platinum
Site Supporter - Platinum
Posts: 904
Joined: Fri May 19, 2006 4:29 am
Sex: Male
Location: Watertown, WI

#8 Unread post by Big B »

sorry about that, i re-read my post and that did sound harsh, my bad :oops:
Come join the super cool fun fun brand new fresh scented Triumph Usergroup!
Fun for the whole Family!

User avatar
HYPERR
Legendary 3000
Legendary 3000
Posts: 3159
Joined: Wed May 21, 2008 11:13 am
Sex: Male
My Motorcycle: Year/Make/Model
Location: CT, USA

#9 Unread post by HYPERR »

Big B wrote:sorry about that, i re-read my post and that did sound harsh, my bad :oops:
It's all good Big B. 8)
2008 Ducati Hypermotard 1100
2006 Kawasaki KLX250S
2004 Honda CBR600RR
2002 BMW R1150R
1996 Ducati 900SS

User avatar
RockBottom
Legendary 300
Legendary 300
Posts: 450
Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2008 2:27 pm
Real Name: Steve
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 3
My Motorcycle: 2010 BMW R1200R
Location: Carlisle, PA

#10 Unread post by RockBottom »

I recently got this one and like it a lot.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BN ... oh_product
planet Earth is blue
and there's nothing I can do

Post Reply