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FOBO Bike2

  • offbeatmammal
    offbeatmammal
    6 years ago
    most of us can feel when something is 'off' with our tires, and of course we're rigorous in checking pressures with a proper gauge ... but I resented my bike not having a snazzy real-time monitor to tell me the pressure and temperature of my tyres like my car does (why am I surprised, I ride a Harley and they're not known for being on the cutting edge of technology ... maybe Livewire will change all that).
    I didn't really want a dedicated unit that meant me clamp something else to the bike, and while the Garmin system looks nice, I don't use a Zumo for Nav so it would have meant a change.

    So, I spend a few dollars on a crowd funded project a while ago, and a few weeks ago my FOBO Bike2 TPMS system turned up. It's pretty much a couple of tiny sensors (2cm diameter, 1cm tall) that replace the dust caps on the stems and talk to your phone (iPhone or Android) via Bluetooth and give you instant and real-time readings for pressure and temperature (it's been fun to watch the pressure rise as the tires heat up, especially on the 30 degree days). If you're worried about them going walk-about they come with a locking arrangement that requires a special spanner to take off.

    So far they seem pretty great - accuracy agrees with my manual gauge, and when I tested dropping the pressure below the alert threshold myself the app warned me very quickly (and then I had to sit there with the pump wondering why I'd done that!). Will be interesting to see how they do over the winter, but so far been out in pretty heavy rain a couple of times with no ill effects.

    FOBO Bike2: https://my-fobo.com/Product/FM2410
    via Indiegogo: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/fobo-bike-2-truly-bluetooth-5-tpms-for-motorcycles/x/2257377#/

    Bonus - I can also check how cold it is in the garage before getting out of bed!

    Random review on my website as well https://offbeatmammal.com/2019/04/25/tire-pressure-monitoring-for-motorbikes/
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    6 years ago
    How much do they cost?
  • offbeatmammal
    offbeatmammal
    6 years ago
    Quoting Far Canal on 26 Apr 2019 08:11 AM

    How much do they cost?

    looks like US$99 from them (same via Indiegogo)
  • JFE
    JFE
    6 years ago
    That sounds pretty good. 
  • Robbo_Townsville
    Robbo_Townsville
    6 years ago
    Just ordered them $146 AUD including the shipping. Pain in the arse checking tyres on the Ultra.
  • gidgi
    gidgi
    6 years ago
    Quoting Robbo_Townsville on 27 Apr 2019 06:58 AM

    Just ordered them $146 AUD including the shipping. Pain in the arse checking tyres on the Ultra.

    $99 delivered from this ebay seller in  AUS https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FOBO-BIKE-TYRE-PRESSURE-MONITORING-SYSTEM-FOR-MOTORCYCLES-TPMS/183747446741?hash=item2ac83387d5:g:f~wAAOSw~E9cchZ1
  • offbeatmammal
    offbeatmammal
    6 years ago
    Quoting Robbo_Townsville on 27 Apr 2019 06:58 AM

    Just ordered them $146 AUD including the shipping. Pain in the arse checking tyres on the Ultra.

    Quoting gidgi on 27 Apr 2019 09:44 PMedited: 27 Apr 2019 09:46 PM

    $99 delivered from this ebay seller in  AUS https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FOBO-BIKE-TYRE-PRESSURE-MONITORING-SYSTEM-FOR-MOTORCYCLES-TPMS/183747446741?hash=item2ac83387d5:g:f~wAAOSw~E9cchZ1

    just a heads-up, that looks like the previous version ("Bike", not "Bike 2") ... they look bigger
  • gidgi
    gidgi
    6 years ago
    Quoting Robbo_Townsville on 27 Apr 2019 06:58 AM

    Just ordered them $146 AUD including the shipping. Pain in the arse checking tyres on the Ultra.

    Quoting gidgi on 27 Apr 2019 09:44 PMedited: 27 Apr 2019 09:46 PM

    $99 delivered from this ebay seller in  AUS https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FOBO-BIKE-TYRE-PRESSURE-MONITORING-SYSTEM-FOR-MOTORCYCLES-TPMS/183747446741?hash=item2ac83387d5:g:f~wAAOSw~E9cchZ1

    Quoting offbeatmammal on 27 Apr 2019 10:25 PM

    just a heads-up, that looks like the previous version ("Bike", not "Bike 2") ... they look bigger

    thanks mate whats the advancement on bike 2
  • offbeatmammal
    offbeatmammal
    6 years ago
    Quoting gidgi on 27 Apr 2019 09:44 PMedited: 27 Apr 2019 09:46 PM

    $99 delivered from this ebay seller in  AUS https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FOBO-BIKE-TYRE-PRESSURE-MONITORING-SYSTEM-FOR-MOTORCYCLES-TPMS/183747446741?hash=item2ac83387d5:g:f~wAAOSw~E9cchZ1

    Quoting offbeatmammal on 27 Apr 2019 10:25 PM

    just a heads-up, that looks like the previous version ("Bike", not "Bike 2") ... they look bigger

    Quoting gidgi on 28 Apr 2019 06:20 AM

    thanks mate whats the advancement on bike 2

    you'd need to check with FOBO to be sure, but from what I think I remember from the Indiegogo campaign they're smaller, lighter, battery life is better, supports Bluetooth 4.0 and the new 5.0 standard (so even lower power consumption), and improved weather resistance.
    I'd not seen the original but looking at the pics the v2 do seem to be smaller (I'm amazed what they've got packed into such a small space) ... 
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    6 years ago
    Just reading this, good to monitor tyre pressure, when I did a lot of drag racing, some of the real quick street bikes. the guys set up on board tyre inflater deflater systems. they set them up low pressure for out the hole traction then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile so more tyre pressure for high speed up the end. 
    How often do the battery's last on these valve cap pressure sensors?

  • offbeatmammal
    offbeatmammal
    6 years ago
    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 28 Apr 2019 08:40 PM

    Just reading this, good to monitor tyre pressure, when I did a lot of drag racing, some of the real quick street bikes. the guys set up on board tyre inflater deflater systems. they set them up low pressure for out the hole traction then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile so more tyre pressure for high speed up the end. 

    How often do the battery's last on these valve cap pressure sensors?

    battery life seems pretty good ... had mine on for a couple of months now and use the bike several times a week (problem with working from home... my commute is pretty short!) and they're still showing 100%, so I'm guessing 9+ months (the app shows you battery level so you get plenty of warning if there's a problem)
  • gidgi
    gidgi
    6 years ago
    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 28 Apr 2019 08:40 PM

    Just reading this, good to monitor tyre pressure, when I did a lot of drag racing, some of the real quick street bikes. the guys set up on board tyre inflater deflater systems. they set them up low pressure for out the hole traction then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile so more tyre pressure for high speed up the end. 

    How often do the battery's last on these valve cap pressure sensors?

    Quoting offbeatmammal on 29 Apr 2019 12:42 AM

    battery life seems pretty good ... had mine on for a couple of months now and use the bike several times a week (problem with working from home... my commute is pretty short!) and they're still showing 100%, so I'm guessing 9+ months (the app shows you battery level so you get plenty of warning if there's a problem)

    {use the bike several times a week (problem with working from home... my commute is pretty short!}..... from my understanding weather a bike is Ridden or not has no bearing on Fobo battery has it? it has the same 2032 battery as the fob so should go at least that distance I would think,anyway thanks for the link I bought some for my road king because getting under those extended bags is a Hassle ,cheers 
  • offbeatmammal
    offbeatmammal
    6 years ago
    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 28 Apr 2019 08:40 PM

    Just reading this, good to monitor tyre pressure, when I did a lot of drag racing, some of the real quick street bikes. the guys set up on board tyre inflater deflater systems. they set them up low pressure for out the hole traction then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile so more tyre pressure for high speed up the end. 

    How often do the battery's last on these valve cap pressure sensors?

    Quoting offbeatmammal on 29 Apr 2019 12:42 AM

    battery life seems pretty good ... had mine on for a couple of months now and use the bike several times a week (problem with working from home... my commute is pretty short!) and they're still showing 100%, so I'm guessing 9+ months (the app shows you battery level so you get plenty of warning if there's a problem)

    Quoting gidgi on 29 Apr 2019 12:58 AM

    {use the bike several times a week (problem with working from home... my commute is pretty short!}..... from my understanding weather a bike is Ridden or not has no bearing on Fobo battery has it? it has the same 2032 battery as the fob so should go at least that distance I would think,anyway thanks for the link I bought some for my road king because getting under those extended bags is a Hassle ,cheers 

    don't think it makes a difference, though in the garage there's less impact from weather etc.
    hopefully they work out well for you as well ... mine turned up (from Malaysia) pretty quick. Do follow the install instructions as it makes them easy to pair and set up right, and depending on where you park you might want to fit the locking nuts just in case ;)
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    6 years ago
    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 28 Apr 2019 08:40 PM

    Just reading this, good to monitor tyre pressure, when I did a lot of drag racing, some of the real quick street bikes. the guys set up on board tyre inflater deflater systems. they set them up low pressure for out the hole traction then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile so more tyre pressure for high speed up the end. 

    How often do the battery's last on these valve cap pressure sensors?

    then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile....
    Hey Krash, I'm intrigued about the equipment used to achieve this.
    O.B mammal - great review thanks, I too am interested in the pressure rise with hot days. If I know the change I may run with a lesser pressure initialy in summer. 
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    6 years ago
    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 28 Apr 2019 08:40 PM

    Just reading this, good to monitor tyre pressure, when I did a lot of drag racing, some of the real quick street bikes. the guys set up on board tyre inflater deflater systems. they set them up low pressure for out the hole traction then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile so more tyre pressure for high speed up the end. 

    How often do the battery's last on these valve cap pressure sensors?

    Quoting offbeatmammal on 29 Apr 2019 12:42 AM

    battery life seems pretty good ... had mine on for a couple of months now and use the bike several times a week (problem with working from home... my commute is pretty short!) and they're still showing 100%, so I'm guessing 9+ months (the app shows you battery level so you get plenty of warning if there's a problem)

    that sounds good & I use an iPhone , so might get a set.
    thank you for posting.
  • Krash Kinkade
    Krash Kinkade
    6 years ago
    Quoting Krash Kinkade on 28 Apr 2019 08:40 PM

    Just reading this, good to monitor tyre pressure, when I did a lot of drag racing, some of the real quick street bikes. the guys set up on board tyre inflater deflater systems. they set them up low pressure for out the hole traction then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile so more tyre pressure for high speed up the end. 

    How often do the battery's last on these valve cap pressure sensors?

    Quoting Wideglider on 29 Apr 2019 03:47 AM

    then the on board compressor would inflate tyre as the go down the quarter mile....

    Hey Krash, I'm intrigued about the equipment used to achieve this.
    O.B mammal - great review thanks, I too am interested in the pressure rise with hot days. If I know the change I may run with a lesser pressure initialy in summer. 

    Well I have always been old school. I was racing a carb twin cam Dyna street bike. used to see them Wednesday night when we practiced at off street.
    the bikes that used that where jap EFI and they had turbo's. they still race. if I get time I'll contact one of the racers and ask how it is done. but I think an air line into the tubeless rim, via the centre  ( axle wheel hub, ( mag wheels tubeless ). they all have  ( or most ) on board data log ) . myself I just liked things as simple as possible. as I think too many tricks & you trick yourself.
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    6 years ago
    Cheers Krash, must be some pretty trick gear there.
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