Portable air compressors

[NuGuzzi]

Any recommendations on small portable air compressors, battery operated or USB?
Something to carry on bike, smaller and lightweight, anyone have advice on better ones.
I see a lot of ads for a unit called AirMoto I believe, any thoughts on this one?
Maybe some of you folks know of good ones, any help would be appreciated.

[bronzestar1]

I have two of these.  They recharge with a USB cable, and are pretty good for motorcycle tires. 

https://www.amazon.com/Fanttik-X9-Pro-Motorcycle-Compressor/dp/B0CJDZVDJN?pd_rd_w=4xc7k&content-id=amzn1.sym.ef8687d6-a5c9-462d-bf15-2b003652688f&pf_rd_p=ef8687d6-a5c9-462d-bf15-2b003652688f&pf_rd_r=BMQ0HBJ289XHT5KGD7P1&pd_rd_wg=ZxvFf&pd_rd_r=de0b3914-a9e5-4dcb-8e57-5bbba7d29bb4&pd_rd_i=B0CJDZVDJN&ref_=pd_bap_d_grid_rp_0_1_ec_pd_yo_rr_rp_d_sccl_1_3_t&th=1 

[Perazzimx14]

DynaPlug compressors are my preference, compact, powerful, do not overheat and run off the bikes battery. I bought my DynaPlug compressors long before battery tech is was it is today but I still prefer them over rechargeable. As long as I have fuel in the bike I'll have the ability to run the compressor + 20 or 30 minutes on the bikes battery alone. It also help that I bought 3 of these years ago when Cycle Gear had them on holiday special for $19.99.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

I have an Airmoto and also bought one for my dad which he's been using. They're convenient and fit our use case which was battery powered for use with motorcycles that are 6V or just magneto bikes with no battery. Personally, in any situation of having a 12V bike with a battery I would prefer to just use a wired inflator connected to an SAE pigtail off the battery. The Airmoto ones do not have a serviceable battery, so they will eventually be a paperweight because of that.

I also a few of the DynaPlug inflators, one with several years of regular use on it. They hold up great, the only thing I don't like about them is common for most portable air compressors and it's that they're missing an air chuck so as you unthread them from the valve stem air escapes. To compensate for this, you just overinflate the tire knowing that's going to happen, then use your tire pressure gauge to check again and let some more out if needed. If I were buying one again I'd also consider the MotoPumps ones.

[John A]

I have a couple of these, works well https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tire+inflator
Air moto.

[michaell32]

I have a fanttik as well. I like it because I use it on my car which doesn't have a same plug. On our last guzzi ride it topped off three bikes and still had plenty of charge left.

[Perazzimx14]

I have an Airmoto and also bought one for my dad which he's been using. They're convenient and fit our use case which was battery powered for use with motorcycles that are 6V or just magneto bikes with no battery. Personally, in any situation of having a 12V bike with a battery I would prefer to just use a wired inflator connected to an SAE pigtail off the battery. The Airmoto ones do not have a serviceable battery, so they will eventually be a paperweight because of that.

I also a few of the DynaPlug inflators, one with several years of regular use on it. They hold up great, the only thing I don't like about them is common for most portable air compressors and it's that they're missing an air chuck so as you unthread them from the valve stem air escapes. To compensate for this, you just overinflate the tire knowing that's going to happen, then use your tire pressure gauge to check again and let some more out if needed. If I were buying one again I'd also consider the MotoPumps ones.

Unless you are moving at the glacial pace you only lose a little burp of air (using a screw on type ) or not enough to effect the overall level of inflation. The DynaPump does have an air test port so you can take a pressure reading while everything is connected. If you are really that worried about nailing the pressure over inflate the tire by 1 PSI and then disconnect. If you are using a $2 stick gauge also be advised their accuracy will rival the accuracy of 70's ere Veglia speedo/tachometers.

[Bill W]

I just picked up one of these after reading great reviews about them.

https://www.motopumps.com/shop/air-shot-2?srsltid=AfmBOorZEo-d3MTLuP8wXGocnnFOSLVU1iyLMoBMMhHweWKDLNIUSR0q

[kingoffleece]

I have 3 Motopumps.  Works a treat.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Unless you are moving at the glacial pace you only lose a little burp of air (using a screw on type ) or not enough to effect the overall level of inflation. The DynaPump does have an air test port so you can take a pressure reading while everything is connected. If you are really that worried about nailing the pressure over inflate the tire by 1 PSI and then disconnect. If you are using a $2 stick gauge also be advised their accuracy will rival the accuracy of 70's ere Veglia speedo/tachometers.

This depends on the valve stem design. I've found that the schrader valve stems with smooth sides, commonly found on some tubes, will lose a few PSI even if it only takes you a second or two to unthread the nozzle from them. I suspect that's because there's a relief for air to pass by the threads. On one of my sets of wheels I overinflate by about 5psi and that seems to hit the mark once removed. If not, my digital tire pressure gauge has a stick to let some air out, though many caps that come on motorcycle and dirt bike tubes these days tend to also have that on the back.

[jcctx]

Many on Amazon; bought the grandson one for Xmas that is a jump starter and an air pump. About $30~ of course it may be worth every penny (no longer minted!)?????????

[Moparnut72]

Project Farm did a test of several different brands on Utube. I didn't watch as I ride a tubed bike. I do carry a small bicycle hand pump to top up if I need to when on the road. I have a compressor in the shop for bigger jobs.
kk

[Wayne Orwig]

I have 12 volt pumps in each bike. I didn't want yet another battery that I need to charge.
I did get a small battery operated one for the shed for the riding mower. Mainly just to try one out and play with the pressure level in the tires on a zero-turn mower. It is really handy, and the battery is fine for what I am doing. But it doesn't have great battery life. I'm sure one day I would need it on the bike, and it wouldn't do it.

[Perazzimx14]

I have 12 volt pumps in each bike. I didn't want yet another battery that I need to charge.
I did get a small battery operated one for the shed for the riding mower. Mainly just to try one out and play with the pressure level in the tires on a zero-turn mower. It is really handy, and the battery is fine for what I am doing. But it doesn't have great battery life. I'm sure one day I would need it on the bike, and it wouldn't do it.

My bikes all have their own 12v tire pump and tire repair kit. For garage/driveway duty of topping up tires I used to use a 3 gallon air compressor but it was a PITA plugging in waiting for it to come up to pressure then either stringing cords across the driveway or hoping it had enough pressure to top up tires on one pressurization (which more often than not it did not) then dealing with the 25' air hose and being oilless it was loud. Earlier this year I bought a 20v Bauer hand help tire inflator at HF on sale for $13 and bought a battery adapter off eBay so I could power it with 20v batteries using 20v batteries from another platform. The 3-gallon compressor has been moved to the basement and collecting dust and the Bauer gets used regularly. In fact I am more inclined to check/adjust tire pressures as I now have a quick simple easy and portable way to top up tires. 

Battery tools have all but killed off air and corded power tools.

The battery adapters make it nice as you don't have to buy multiple batteries and chargers and can use tools from other platforms.

[Ncdan]

+1 on the Bauer. This pump will top off a full size pickup tire. It would challenge it to pump up multiple car or truck tires but it works great when topping off 4 of any size passenger vehicle tires.

[turboguzzi]

and for people in Europe with access to Lidl supermarkets....

Im a Parkside tool junkie, already have plenty 20V batteries to swap, so this was a no brainer for me. Even when using it on my 4x4, never run out a single charged battery on a trip.

[chuck peterson]

Before you hit the road with your new portable air pump, double check the fuse in line with the pump has enough resistance to keep working when you need it. Mine popped right when I needed it most…thankfully we had spare higher rated fuses within our group, 200 miles from any rescue, in a desert, at 120degrees, with sweat dripping down your nose and considering how the hell your going to remove and fix a rear tire with tube under those conditions. It doesn’t help your psyche either when the four Harley guys your with start snickering…ask me how I know

[Groover]

This one is great, seems out of stock, but if you can find one, its definitely worth it.

https://www.amazon.com/AirXwills-Compressor-Portable-Inflator-Inflatables/dp/B08CXVBKTZ?ref_=ast_sto_dp

[Perazzimx14]

Before you hit the road with your new portable air pump, double check the fuse in line with the pump has enough resistance to keep working when you need it. Mine popped right when I needed it most…thankfully we had spare higher rated fuses within our group, 200 miles from any rescue, in a desert, at 120degrees, with sweat dripping down your nose and considering how the hell your going to remove and fix a rear tire with tube under those conditions. It doesn’t help your psyche either when the four Harley guys your with start snickering…ask me how I know

The older I get the list of deal breakers is growling. Bikes with tube type tire and/or kick start only are the top of the list.