Tire Inflators

[AJ Huff]

I read through some old threads on this but didn't really find what I was looking for. Currently I have a DeWalt four gallon compressor that I lug around to fill up my bike tires when needed. It's more work that I want anymore.

I'm looking for something for topping off motorcycle tires when needed, like 10-15 psi. For flats or truck tires I can use the compressor.

I'm NOT looking for a portable unit that stays with the bike and runs off the battery. I don't want that at all.

Believe it or not, I don't have a set of cordless tools. Otherwise I'd get something with the same system of battery. So I'd kind of like to NOT invest in something that uses a Ryobi, Makita, DeWalt, etc. cordless tool battery.

Lastly, I know you guys love cheap and Harbor Freight and all but I want something with quality. If that's the Harbor Freight or import stuff off of Amazon, so be it, but I'm willing to pay for quality.

What do you guys suggest?

Thanks!

-AJ

[old head]

 I bought a goolo? from Amazon a few weeks ago,
it is an inflator and a jump starter.
works fine, a little slow on the tire inflate, but it works pretty good.
jump start jumped my diesel the other day, no issue.
charges through a USB port,

[Dirk_S]

With all those limiting criteria, may I recommend a high quality, high pressure bicycle pump.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

The Bauer Harbor Freight one really is a great value one of comparable quality to some of the brands often associated with better quality. It's not that it's fantastic quality, it's that some of the big name ones on the market aren't. 90-day warranty.
Here's a good comparison video of some options:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWNYjkh-JyI

I went with a DeWalt one years ago because I already had DeWalt 20V batteries and it came with an option to also be plugged in. If you don't park in a garage with an air line easily accessible to the bike, then I highly recommend sticking with your plan of getting a battery powered portable unit, just not some no-name one with an integrated battery that can't be easily replaced when it eventually dies years down the road. I use my DeWalt regularly and being able to easily carry it out of the garage and out to a vehicle to inflate the tires makes pre-ride inspection a breeze. It is worth the convenience for me to not have to open the valve on the tank compressor and run the hose out or bring the vehicle in.

[kingoffleece]

https://www.motorcyclegear.com/parts/aaron's_garage/handy/lexin/p5_tire_pump.html

I use this.  Part of a flat tire kit that always goes with me-guaranteeing I won't need it-'cause it's back in the garage!

[sdcr]

I’ve had this RYOBI brand battery operated. Built in digital pressure gauge, and can do bicycle, motorcycles, trucks, inflatables etc. cheap too.
https://vinrise.com/products/ryobi-one--18v-cordless-high-pressure-inflator-with-digital-gauge-p737d1288155-1?variant=76345583&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAqv8Xa4e1eLkaxhPjOvhp1TMSbWyd&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3b25jvbhiQMVIF9HAR31LStTEAQYBCABEgJpWPD_BwE

[bikeridertim]

I was lucky enough to win one of these.....

https://www.amazon.com/Compressor-Portable-Inflator-Electric-Motorcycles/dp/B0B5RGM5DH?th=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=goldwingdocs-20&linkId=ce101051dbae650adbde71c5d41dcbb9&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

I will admit I'm impressed with it!  I grabbed it about a week ago to add air to my truck and her car tires. I topped off 8 tires about 12-15 Lbs and its still showing 50% charge!

[Moparnut72]

For some reason I can't post links on this laptop but I would go on Youtube and search for Project Farm tire inflators. This guy tests all kinds of things. There is one of his tubes that covers these. He is very scientific, doesn't just say what he thinks is best.

He does a lot of tools and equipment, Harbor Freight products have scored very high lately a lot have finished higher than SnapOn and many of the well respected brands.
kk

[AJ Huff]

For some reason I can't post links on this laptop but I would go on Youtube and search for Project Farm tire inflators. This guy tests all kinds of things. There is one of his tubes that covers these. He is very scientific, doesn't just say what he thinks is best.

He does a lot of tools and equipment, Harbor Freight products have scored very high lately a lot have finished higher than SnapOn and many of the well respected brands.
kk

Thanks. That's the Project Farm is the same link that the good Dr. Enzo Toma posted above. I appreciate that guy is measuring compressor and hose temperature because I agree with him that would be a reflection of long term quality. He seems high on the Milwaukee brand inflator which is one I was considering. I would unfortunately have to commit to there battery and charger though.

I can see that I prefer the Inflators that don't have a premade/attached fill valve on the end. I'd prefer just a brass quick connect fitting.

-AJ

[John A]

I got a couple of these for the same reasons
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094DMH7ZM?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
I haven’t used them all that much but they seem decent and have worked well so far and it’s a nice size to carry in the side bag

[Craig in Alabama]

I got one of these Fanntik X9s to carry on the bike. But it's so cool, I use it instead of my compressor now. Battery stays charged for months, even with use. Can do car and truck tires as well. They go on sale now and then too.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJDZVDJN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Cheers!
Craig

[Perazzimx14]

I just bought a Bauer (HF mid-tier tools) tire inflator for $18 from HF and am 100% satisfied. I have Hercules (HF top tier tools) cordless tool and not wanting to buy the Bauer battery system (Hercules does not have a tire inflator) I bought an $11 adapter off Amazon so that I can use my Hercules battery in the Bauer tools.

FWIW I also have a 3-gallon compressor on a cart that I can roll around the garage or out in the driveway, but it is a PITA for just topping up tires. The handheld Bauer tire inflator works a treat not only for topping up tires I also use it as an air drive for my 14-gallon flow-N-go fuel caddy.

The rub is with all tire inflators name brand or not they are all pretty much the same thing with a different colored housing. While I don't like "cheap" (as in inferior quality) tools, I don't like paying more for the same quality because of a name brand.



 







Update: 11/19/20: Last evening daughter and I were sitting in the TV room and she said oh by the way my low tire light is on again. Right rear is at 25lbs. Went out grabbed the Bauer tire inflator and the tire pressure gauge and in 3 minutes was back in the house telling the kiddo her tire has been topped up to 32 PSI and everyhing put away. 

[blackcat]

With all those limiting criteria, may I recommend a high quality, high pressure bicycle pump.

I have a fairly large compressor in the garage but for adding a few pounds of air in the bike tires, I'll just use a bicycle pump. And it's a good short cardio workout.

[kballowe]

There are all manner of corded el cheapo tire inflators.  Mine is from WalMart, and it's the snizzle for topping up motorcycle tires.

[MGrego]

Why not just get a 25 foot hose and run it from your tank ?  They sell wall mount spools to roll them up when not in use.  I have that set-up by my garage door, makes topping off motorcycle and car tires a breeze, no need to lug anything around.

[Moparnut72]

Why not just get a 25 foot hose and run it from your tank ?  They sell wall mount spools to roll them up when not in use.  I have that set-up by my garage door, makes topping off motorcycle and car tires a breeze, no need to lug anything around.

That's what I do. I also have 100' of extra hose so I can reach anything on my half acre if necessary like purging the water lines in the RV for winter.
kk

[AJ Huff]

I only have 2 outlets in the garage. One that the fridge is plugged into and one in the ceiling for the garage door opener. Usually when I run the compressor I use the outside outlet by the front door with and extension cord.

The little Li-Ion inflators looks interesting. After watching the Project Farm video I am a little concerned with over heating. You guys don't have difficulty getting at the tire stem with those?

I'll take a look at the Bauer model. They have one that looks similar to the Milwaukee one.

Thanks!

-AJ

[LowRyter]

I don't get what's being asked.  I have a 12v inflator that I used for my truck and RV, I see the price has doubled

https://www.harborfreight.com/12v-150-psi-compact-air-compressor-63184.html

I also have slime compressor that I carry on the bike and my Corvette that has Zero Pressure tires.

[Perazzimx14]

That's what I do. I also have 100' of extra hose so I can reach anything on my half acre if necessary like purging the water lines in the RV for winter.
kk

Hose reels and extra hoses sure will take care of the problem but for me it super convenient to just grab cordless handheld tire inflator and top up the tire. In the time it takes for me to plug in my 3-gallon compressor, let it come up to pressure and unwind the hose I can walk out into my driveway or over to the motorcycle and top up a tire or two before my 3-gallon compressor would turn off.

[Dirk_S]

I know I made a bit of a half-joke with my bicycle pump suggestion, but I should acknowledge my appreciation for the lithium suggestion. I keep forgetting these exist, and I’ve been hesitant in the past to buy one. But, I’m also a big fan of carrying power banks, and often travel with one or two that double as jump packs. One of my jump packs recently pooped the bed, so I might buy an inflator bank to take with me on my upcoming S. America trip, and leave the corded electric one at home.

[Bulldog9]

I recently bought one of these and it's a game changer.

I have a compressor in the garage with an air hose, and like everyone else one that you can plug into the cigarette lighter or an extension cord but this battery powered self-contained unit has been fantastic.

Has its own case and on one charge I topped off every tire of every vehicle in my house. Easy digital control, and very fast.

I don't think I'll be taking it with me because I have a portable stop and go compressor with my plug kit but this has been a real game changer for me.


https://getairmoto.com/?currency=USD&utm_medium=shopping_ads&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid-search&utm_campaign=16682668483&utm_term=589698624879&utm_content=137776029751&utm_searchkw=&gclid=CjwKCAiAxea5BhBeEiwAh4t5K-fF0KT8kc3gp7-s2jj4ARON_WpEWBo72D4b0cK6eYBYv__sBLd4sBoCz0EQAvD_BwE&gbraid=0AAAAABhUoU6xNfcwTbXxBKd1TzByfBCAb&wbraid=Cj8KCQiAouG5BhChARIuANiH9a-ikJ_wO_pJ569YsgZ_b0hTgcwZAopoeqVy7k9RDRVtLvXhg3z_bjDOMBoCnHw&campaignid=16682668483&adgroupid=137776029751&loc_physicall_ms=9004575&loc_interest_ms=&matchtype=&network=g&creative=589698624879&keyword=&placement=&targetid=pla-313886772211&gad_source=1

[Stretch]

I have an old Sears compressor, one of those 18v Ryobi inflaters,
and various 12V plug-in type inflators as well. Also a hand pump
from Harbor Freight. Funnily enough, the hand pump gets slower
as the years go by.....    The Ryobi gizmo and the hand pump get the most use.
The big exception is when I'm mounting tires - I use the compressor there.   

                                              -Stretch

[Dukedesmo]

I'll second the longer hose to compressor, works for me and saves having any more gadgets and with enough extension hoses, you can reach anywhere a vehicle is likely to be and, inflate your tyres quickly with a 100+psi plentiful supply.


I've got 12v plug-in portable inflators in my cars as an emergency backup but, fortunately haven't needed to use them.

[adri]

I bought a goolo? from Amazon a few weeks ago,
it is an inflator and a jump starter.
works fine, a little slow on the tire inflate, but it works pretty good.
jump start jumped my diesel the other day, no issue.
charges through a USB port,

I use something similar, by Lokithor. Does both jump starting and tire inflating.

Looks like this:



Even has this light I turn on by accident all the time:



Had it a couple years now. It's come in handy both for me and for some customers many times over, and it'll even fill up my truck tires from 10 psi with no problems and no signs of eating too much of the battery's juice.

I did a written review here: https://youmotorcycle.com/lokithor-jumpstarter-tire-inflator-review.html

And a video review here:

https://youtu.be/HG3Jxz4NDE4

One thing I've done since the review 2.5 years ago, is bought these jumper cables for it that are pointier, and has a bit longer cables... it allows for much easier connecting to motorcycle batteries in small far away spaces:

[rocker59]

With all those limiting criteria, may I recommend a high quality, high pressure bicycle pump.

I came here for this answer.

I've carried one for years to add a few pounds to motorcycle tires when needed.

[PJPR01]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C36BBF7Y/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fanttik...

This is the one I carry on the bikes these days, I have a small cigarette lighter one under the seat on the NOrge, but this one is much faster and easier.  It's a little heavier, but works amazingly fast.

Can be used on anything...has easy to attach items, and even a coverter for bicycle tires.

If it's just a few PSI down in the garage, I use the bicycle pump, 5-10 pumps and it's good to go.

[Deep sea]

I use this for everything;  basketballs, bicycles, trailers, cars, trucks. It has an accurate LCD display, onboard storage for needle and presta and a deflation button should I overshoot. No need to recharge and a nice little workout (especially on truck tires). It does require a CR2032 button battery every other year or so.

[bronzestar1]

I have two of these, they're great for topping off the air pressure in my bikes' tires.  They're currently $44 on Amazon, Black Friday price.

[slowmover]

HVAC guy gave me this 40 years ago. Only goes up to 50lbs.

[Moparnut72]

Back in the 60's I painted a couple of cars with something similar. Mine was a Craftsman.
kk