Author Topic: Best portable air inflators  (Read 936 times)

Online NuGuzzi

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Best portable air inflators
« on: September 04, 2025, 06:57:39 AM »
Any thoughts/advice on the best portable air pumps, assume battery ones are the most convenient…….I see lots of adds for AirMoto…….something small but efficient that will do the job…….the bet bang for the buck, please share your opinions.

Online Vagrant

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2025, 07:19:37 AM »
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DMJ99CRN?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1
I bought two of these a while back when on sale. I liked the jump starter part and even though I haven't used that part of it the inflator works great, and fast and has it's own accurate gauge.
Currently out of stock but you might find a new style or brand. FYI, it's only a tiny bit bigger than my old Slime inflator.
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Online Dirk_S

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2025, 07:43:41 AM »
I don’t think there’s a “best” personally, but maybe I just haven’t come across it yet. I currently have in my stable a MotoPumps (small, powerful, Made in USA), Slime (both work off the bike’s battery), and a LokiThor JP400 lithium-powered pump. I’ve also owned a few other lithium battery powered inflators, including the popular Fantikk X9 model. Finally, I also carry a high pressure hand pump on my V7 III as backup.

The LokiThor JP400 acts also as a battery jumper and a power bank. A little bulky, but nice to have all these features in one. But what do you do if you need to inflate the tires significantly a couple times or jump a battery a few times and the charge is low?

Same goes for the Fantikk X9 that I had before I bought the LokiThor…

Anecdote: I actually bought the Fantikk X9 and brought it with me on my Chile/Argentina trip in December-January, thinking it doubled as a power bank—nope. But it’s smaller than the LokiThor and packed better. I got a flat twice on the trip, and because I didn’t have an axle wrench, I couldn’t repair the flat (rental company swore I wouldn’t need tools to work on the bike despite my plea). This led to me airing up the tire and flying down the gravel road for 5km or so before having to stop and do it all again at least 4 times. If I had used the Fantik, it would’ve drained within that period, but luckily I was riding with a Colombian fellow I’d met a couple days prior. Instead, I had him air me up with his pump that ran off his battery. I’d take off as soon as he filled me up, then I’d wait for him 5 km down the road as he caught up.

So, for the long or more remote trips, I may still carry the LokiThor for its versatility, but may also carry the small, powerful MotoPumps inflator or the hand pump as backup.
« Last Edit: September 05, 2025, 08:41:19 AM by Dirk_S »
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Online red stripeguz

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2025, 07:45:13 AM »
I just picked this one up for my road trip last week. I was impressed by how quiet it was, pretty quick inflation and battery life seems impressive. I found once you attached the hose to the unit it's not easily removable but thats a small complaint. Overall very happy with purchase

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDTBGF1G/ref=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apin_dp_2YNFN385F0T0GDRMY321
« Last Edit: September 04, 2025, 07:46:27 AM by red stripeguz »
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Offline bronzestar1

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2025, 11:19:27 AM »
I have two of these https://tinyurl.com/mujz5kdy
« Last Edit: September 04, 2025, 07:53:07 PM by Luap McKeever »

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2025, 12:33:31 PM »
There are so many on the market now.  I bought this one
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0D9N6PGV7?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title
It inflated two motorcycle tires from flat, without affecting the battery level indicator bars.

I wanted one for general use as well.
I got tired of starting the compressor for a quick refill.
I figured I will take a chance finding a good Samaritan in case of a dead battery and avoided the jump start feature.
I have a cable to charge it while riding.

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Offline Perazzimx14

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #6 on: September 04, 2025, 03:12:33 PM »
My preference is the Dynaplug micro inflator, mostly for its being very compact and I got 3 of them years ago when Cycle Gear has them on Holiday special for $19.99. Should have bought them all.

Any tire inflator is better than no tire inflator and Nealey tire plugs if you're running tubeless tires round out the combo  :thumb:
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Offline Bill W

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2025, 04:22:08 AM »
I just picked up a Moto pump because of its small size and great reviews.







Offline Motormike

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2025, 09:31:35 PM »
This is interesting to me.  I (almost) always carry one of the many types of tire pump and plug kits that have to be hooked up to the battery or at least a pigtail lead (and only then if the polarity is correct) to run.  Many bikes today have batteries that are all but impossible to access without removing parts and panels. The days of just removing the seat are fading fast. On long multi-day tours, I pack a lithium battery jump-starter.  It's an early one that I think is not even in business any longer now that the market is saturated with them.  I had no idea you can now combine the two functions into one package.  One less thing to carry.  I've shied away from the small battery inflators after reading reviews of how they take forever to air up a tire, overheat, etc. but these new combined units might have enough power to get the job done?  Anybody actually test one by inflating a flat motorcycle tire?

Offline kballowe

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #9 on: September 06, 2025, 06:33:25 AM »
I carry a CO2 inflator kit in my "emergency" pouch.  Added a few of the larger CO2 cartridges to it.






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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #10 on: September 06, 2025, 07:05:36 AM »
Anybody actually test one by inflating a flat motorcycle tire?

I’ve inflated tires from flat to 40 psi multiple times with the LokiThor (didn’t realize my V9’s rear tire actually had a puncture). It takes a few minutes.
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Offline LowRyter

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #11 on: September 06, 2025, 11:52:31 AM »
I purchased a Slime brand at WalMart 10 years ago, (the same unit is sold by several other name brands and colors).  It's got the cigarette plug, so I had to install the receiver on the batteries for all my bikes.  It has PSI gauge that's about 2lbs shy vs my garage gauge. The most important feature is having snap on chuck rather than the screw on type.  It's way difficult to use the screw on types with brakes and spokes in the way- trust me on this. 

I use it constantly to top off air and fill up the front on my EV that leaks badly.    It fits in the tankbag and about the size of 4 packs of cigs.  I accompany my Stop and Go plug kit with it. 
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Offline Bulldog9

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Re: Best portable air inflators
« Reply #12 on: September 08, 2025, 02:39:45 AM »
I have a stop and go kid that has the plugs and a compressor that plugs into the battery tender lead. It also has a cigarette lighter adapter.
It's slow but it works.

Last year for Christmas my wife bought me one of those newer battery powered inflators, and it's fantastic. No need to worry about plugging it in stretching the cord or hose etc. for the garage or driveway use I had a large compressor with long air hose, as well as a couple larger portable ones. None suited for carrying on the motorcycle.

The new battery powered compressor is great. I can top off all the tires of my motorcycles and cars in a very short period of time and only use half the battery, and 1/10 the time and hassle.

This is the one I have. Highly recommended. https://a.co/d/4wtb6fo
« Last Edit: September 08, 2025, 02:40:56 AM by Bulldog9 »
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