Riding around with your tyres incorrectly inflated is both dangerous and illegal. The simplest way to avoid this is to invest in a pressure gauge.
There’s a huge range of digital and analogue gauges out there at a range of different price points.
Here’s our list of the best options.
Simple and Effective
An inexpensive piece of kit from a reputable British company that kills two birds with one stone.
Cheap as chips digital gauge with no frills. Decently built and gets the job done with a minimum of fuss. Chuck one in the toolbox and keep one on the bike.
Best Motorcycle Tyre Pressure Gauge Reviews
Bike It Digital Pressure Gauge
This inexpensive gauge from Bike It is surprisingly well-built and comes in either a straight or curved option (look at how your valves are positioned relative to your spokes/casts to decide which works better).
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There are few frills here (as you’d expect at the price point), but this gauge is recommended by many riders as a good, cheap option to throw in the toolkit.
Bar or psi can be selected if you have other applications for a pressure gauge.
A great budget option.
Pros
- Functional, low-cost gauge
Cons:
- Some users report the plastic housing cracking after use
Michelin Fit To Go Pressure Gauge
This is a unique solution and definitely an interesting one.
The unit ships with four (two spares) special, battery-free valve caps, which replace the ones already installed in your bike.
The USB charging, keyring-sized device can then be held above the valve cap (no contact required) to get an accurate reading from each tyre.
It’s some fancy tech and maybe more than many people need, but it’s a great idea well executed.
With these installed and the gauge on your keyring, checking pressure before you ride is quick and simple.
Pros
- Quick, clean and easy
- Encourages taking a reading every time you ride
Cons
- Expensive (but worth it)
Sealey Tyre Pressure/Tread Depth Gauge
With an integrated tread depth tool, robust housing, and a range of 120 psi, this is a one-stop-shop for people needing a gauge for various applications.
Its quick-release system lets users bleed out air to get precise, accurate readings.
The tread depth tool is well-designed.
When the tool is placed into the groove, depth is shown in a colour-coded diagram at the corner of the display.
Pros
- Well-made and sturdy
- Integrated tread depth tool
Cons
- None
Sealey PG981 Tyre Pressure Gauge
Sealey makes excellent motorcycle-specific equipment, and this digital gauge is no exception.
A quality display, protected by rubber fins and a braided cable, makes this resistant to most knocks and drops you might experience in a garage environment.
It’s powered by a single lithium cell battery, estimated to give 4000 cycles.
The auto-off function is great for prolonging battery life, but in practice, it turns off too quickly – often before you’re finished using it.
A pressure release valve is included to allow you to bleed out air until you hit the correct reading.
Pros
- Solid Sealey construction
- Braided hose for durability
Cons
- Not backlit
Long Acre Deluxe Tyre Pressure Gauge
Of all the analogue gauges on our list, this is the best one in terms of build quality.
Some typical drawbacks of mechanical gauges are mitigated by rugged padding and an internal dampening system.
Knocks, drops and nearby vibrations are less likely to affect this than other analogue gauges.
The pressure reading here is displayed until the user releases the button, and things are made even easier by the glow-in-the-dark display – a great addition for older and visually impaired riders.
It comes with both an angle and a ball chuck to fit a variety of applications.
Excellent (if expensive gauge).
Pros
- Sturdy unit
- Glow-in-the-dark display
Cons
- Expensive
Venhill Tyre Pressure Gauge
This analogue gauge represents excellent value for money at its low price point.
The dial is protected by thick rubber, and the hose by braided stainless steel, meaning this gauge is comparably protected to some of the more expensive on our list.
It features a quick-release button, allowing users to bleed out air while still taking a reading.
The chuck is fitted at 90 degrees with a 360-degree swivel, so this will fit even awkwardly placed valves.
Pros
- Great value
- Well protected
Cons
- Limited to 60 psi (which is fine for motorcycles)
Considerations
First and foremost, you will need to choose between digital and analogue options; both have their pros and cons, which are outlined below.
Digital Pressure Gauges
Pros:
- Reliability: Digital gauges are electronically powered and use pressure transducers to give you a readout. Unlike their mechanical counterparts, this makes them impervious to the effects of nearby vibration or adverse weather conditions.
- Durability: Because they use a digital system, these gauges are less prone to damage from over spikes, drops and knocks. Their lack of moving parts makes them much more robust in general.
- Accuracy: A correctly calibrated digital gauge will remain accurate much longer than a mechanical one. Again, this is a result of its lack of moving parts.
- Backlight: Not every digital gauge is backlit, but those that are can be easily read at 2 am on a country road – without a flashlight awkwardly held in one arm.
- Options: This won’t apply to your average rider, but a digital gauge can be switched to different engineering units depending on the application – super useful if you also build 19th-century steam engines.
Cons:
- Cost: The biggest drawback here is a monetary one. A digital gauge will cost more to buy upfront. We should mention that they usually last longer than their analogue counterparts and may be a better long-term cost proposition.
- Power: Most digital gauges are powered by batteries with a limited shelf life – especially when left sitting for long periods.
Analogue Pressure Gauges
Pros:
- Cost: An analogue pressure gauge is a relatively simple mechanical device that is inexpensive to produce.
- Ease of Use: Using an analogue gauge is self-explanatory, and there are no different settings or units to confuse things.
- No Power Source Required: Mechanical devices like these don’t require batteries.
Cons:
- Durability: Mechanical gauges are made of many small moving parts. This makes them much more susceptible to damage from over spikes, knocks and drops. Over time the moving parts will wear out, giving inaccurate readings.
- Accuracy: Analogue gauges are more likely to stick or clog over time. They are also more likely to be affected by vibration and extreme temperatures.
Features To Look Out For
Right Angled Connector: These inexpensive adapters for your tyre’s valve make connecting air hoses and pressure gauges easier. They’re particularly useful for riders with spoked wheels, as fitting hoses and gauges can be tricky with a regular valve.
Swivel Head: A gauge with a swivel head means you can check your pressure no matter where the valve is in the wheel’s rotation. It also means you can see the reading on the display as you take your measurement.
Flexible Hose: A flexible hose can fit the gauge to the valve from various angles. It means you can comfortably hold the display in your hand while taking a reading.
Tread Depth Gauge: Some pressure gauges include a tool for checking your threads. This is a nice touch and saves room in your toolkit.
Go here for more on motorcycle tyre tread depth.
Quick Release Button: This is a handy feature, allowing you to bleed out excess air while keeping the gauge connected. If you slightly overfill your tyres, you can accurately let out air until you hit the correct psi.
FAQ
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Are digital gauges more accurate than analogue?
Yes, digital tyre gauges are more accurate and will remain accurate for a long time without recalibration.
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What is the recommended PSI for motorcycle tyres?
Most bikes used on the road fall between 28 and 40 psi. The correct pressure for your specific motorbike will need to be checked in the user manual.
Conclusion
Checking your tyre pressure regularly is a good habit to be in.
At best, incorrectly inflated tyres will wear out prematurely; at worst, they could cause an accident.
Even a cheap, analogue gauge will help you avoid both scenarios.