Cyclops Adventure Sports TPMS

mebgardner

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Added a Cyclops Adventure Sports Motorcycle Tire Pressure Monitoring System (CIL-TPMS1).

I check my tires before every ride, usually by just using my "calibrated foot" while stepping on the rim. Hey, it's better than nothing.

Now, I have a digital readout reference for a true pressure check for front and rear, at the handlebar, every time I ride. Perfect!

This kit is very good. The handlebar mounted unit is small, but the digital numbers are just big enough for me to read without glasses. They're LED type, and bright green. Bright enough for direct daylight viewing (I can read them in direct sunlight), and dim enough to be unobtrusive at night. They're covered under dark smoke plastic covering.

It's accurate. I used my best air pressure gauge, and set my tire pressures front and rear. When I got the readouts the first time, and since, the numbers match my settings with my gauge, front and rear.

This thing is simple to connect, and it was plug and play. If you have switched 12VDC at the bars already, then it's a 10 minute job to tap into that and make the connection to the bar unit.

The tire sensors take the place of your dust caps, and use batteries. They're light enough where you will not need any balance correction.

OK, here's some additional info you'll probably need, since this is a new to market system.

There are already batteries in the tire sensors when you open the kit. They send along extra batteries in the kit, but you don't need to install them.

(They talk about how to install batteries in the installation manual, using a wrench that is apparently missing. Don't worry, you don't need it yet, and I've already told them about this. By the time you get one, I think this will be fixed).

The sensors are already Bluetooth paired to the display, you don't need to do that either. However, pay attention to the sensor top, labeled "A", and "B". "A" is for the front tire, and "B" is for the rear. Get the correct sensor on the correct tire, and you'll be happy.

One further startup info: The enclosed documentation talks about "dashes" displayed upon initial power. Mine "flashed" / blinked on/off, at about a 1 sec rate, a display of 0 PSI, for both tires. I thought "Uh Oh, whats this?", and the documentation does not speak to it at all. But, it was "normal". I went for a short ride, and the display became actual pressures within about 200 ft. after I began riding. It was stable and steadily climbed during riding (yes, tire pressures go up as tires warm up) and thereafter. It was fine, I just had to get the cycle moving.

If you want cycle TPMS, this is a good kit.
 

2daMax

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Jun 3, 2015
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I am also using a TPMS, one meant for a car, so no waterproof readout and comes with 4 sensors.

I realized that it takes a few seconds on the run before the readings are updated. (got to do with using centrifugal force to actuate the battery switch) On startup, it shows the history, last known reading. So kinda not the best way to check the immediate pressure when you first turn on the key. Not sure if your model does that.

I usually give the tires a couple of kicks to make sure there's adequate pressure before riding. Am glad I had this habit cause at one time on a tour, I kicked the tires and knew the tires lost a lot of air due to a small orifice. (after parking it for 4 days) Saliva were useful to pinpoint the fault point. Note to self is to pack a small bottle of soapy water. Saliva is not easy to come by to check entire tire.
 

mebgardner

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On startup, it shows the history, last known reading. So kinda not the best way to check the immediate pressure when you first turn on the key. Not sure if your model does that.
Huh, OK. I never thought to ask. Now I will... I'll let you know.
 

mebgardner

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OK, got an answer from Cyclops on this.

"
HI Bob

That is correct. The wheels need to get turning so the sensors can turn on, this takes about a block or so.
If they did not do that the sensor batteries would die very quickly.

Regards,
"

So, there ya go, 2DaMax is correct (again!).

I guess I'll maintain my "stomp on the rim" tire pressure check, before mounting, routine :)
 

2daMax

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My readouts also has tire temperature n voltage. I can't imagine how a stomp on the rims looks like. I stomp on the tires directly.
 

Sierra1

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I got into the habit many, many years ago....and thought all serious motorcycle guys did also....of using a gauge to check air pressure before EVERY ride. Cars can get away with being driven with low tires, but bike tire pressure is critical. Cars don't specify different pressures for tires depending on how much of a load you're carrying (for the most part) TPMS, like on a car, would be great, but having to drive to find the pressure....? To ME, the TPMS that is being described here is not intended for pre-ride checks, but to let you see if you're loosing air during your ride. And, by-the-way, MOTORCYCLE run flat tires do not run while flat. It only means that the tire will not come off of the rim if it goes flat while riding.
 

fredz43

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I have the other type of TPMS that was mentioned by a vendor here a while back and had a discount. I'll have to take the time to search for that thread. I also had the Cyclops one described here on another bike. The one on my S10 has the same type of sensors that most cars have, mounted inside the wheel. It is a much better system as you can check the pressure before you leave for a ride. If you have to add air, it is a simple matter of removing the normal type of valve cap and add air and you will see the results on the display. On the Cyclops one, as mentioned, you have to ride a block or so before you get a reading. If you have to add air, you have to remove the sensor/cap and it is secured with a hex nut that requires their little wrench to remove and then secure when done. You need to check the pressure with a guage to see if you have the correct amount of air and then secure the sensor again.

My advice, FWIW is to spend the bit of extra $ and get a TPMS with internal sensors.
 

mebgardner

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And, by-the-way, MOTORCYCLE run flat tires do not run while flat. It only means that the tire will not come off of the rim if it goes flat while riding
Huh, I did not know there was such a critter. Good to understand the limitations, and how they work, then. Thanks!

... and, you're right, I got lazy and do not use a gauge before every ride. My "press to gauge" is not great, but better than nothing. I'm looking at them, pre-ride. It will not catch the problems experienced by the fellow on "Faceplant", the one with his very bad broken ribs story, that guided me to install ths TPMS.

I consider this another "ring" of shielding, another layer of protection. This particular piece of protection is active, as opposed to passive, like an airbag system. That is, I can monitor machine state during the ride progress, and I receive warnings if a faulty state is detected. One of those states being monitored, according to the enclosed literature, is a "leak in progress".

Apparently, the pressure does not have to be "out of bounds" (user programmable high and low boundaries), but apparently it will also detect "leak in progress" (change in pressure) while the pressures are still "in bounds". That's pretty good software.

So, if I get on and begin riding and do not at least eyeball / stomp tires before riding, *and then* ignore all wobbly warning signs *and* this new instrument, before 200 feet progress...

... then I get what I deserve.
 

mebgardner

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Mar 27, 2015
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Tucson AZ
fredz43 said:
I have the other type of TPMS that was mentioned by a vendor here a while back and had a discount. I'll have to take the time to search for that thread. I also had the Cyclops one described here on another bike. The one on my S10 has the same type of sensors that most cars have, mounted inside the wheel. It is a much better system as you can check the pressure before you leave for a ride. If you have to add air, it is a simple matter of removing the normal type of valve cap and add air and you will see the results on the display. On the Cyclops one, as mentioned, you have to ride a block or so before you get a reading. If you have to add air, you have to remove the sensor/cap and it is secured with a hex nut that requires their little wrench to remove and then secure when done. You need to check the pressure with a guage to see if you have the correct amount of air and then secure the sensor again.

My advice, FWIW is to spend the bit of extra $ and get a TPMS with internal sensors.
All true. It *is* going to be a PITA to fill the tires now, agreed.
 

mebgardner

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Tucson AZ
There is an obvious benefit to the Cyclops System:

I can move my entire system to another cycle in about 5 minutes.

Unhook the power, and move the handlebar mounted display to the new bike. Front and rear sensors move in about two minutes each.

Voila! TPMS on a different cycle, low cost solution (needs an additional handlebar mount, and a new power plug for the display).

I think that's a major advantage.
 
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