Wasn't sure if this belonged in the wheels/tires forum or here. As the TPMS IS an electrical component, and since it's activation is an 'alarm' of sorts, I figured this was perhaps a better location, particularly since I figured this forum might get more exposure.

I'm just wondering if anyone is aware of a more 'cost-friendly' alternative to the OEM HD TPMS Sensor? I just took a 2 week trip. I have a '23 Road Glide, but it does NOT have RDRS. I have a '20 Street Glide that DOES have RDRS. I would have preferred the take the trip on the RG, but opted for the SG specifically because of the additional safety margins offered by the RDRS package. Well, wouldn't you know.... the front TPMS sensor seems to have shot craps on me.

On my 1st day into the trip, somewhere in the Wilds of Pennsylvania and at about 11pm.... both the red 'trouble' light and the flashing LOW TIRE PRESSURE light lit up. There I was....rolling down I-80 in the middle of freekin' nowhere, and suddenly I'm getting notifications (alarms).....and the digital dash is saying 'zero' tire pressure on the front tire!! After a brief moment of panic I reasoned that my 'handling' had not gone away at all..... AND..... to go from 42 psi to zero instantly would have meant a complete blow-out. I slowed....rode the next couple miles at about 30 mph (ZERO traffic at that time of night......including no trucks!! Priceless!!). Started to pull off on an exit, and 'poof'!!..... lights went off and digital read-out showed 42 PSI in the front wheel. After an equal sigh of relief I continued to my hotel in Williamsport, PA. Over the next 6 days or so, about every hour of riding was filled with this sensor failure...... 50 minutes of normality, and 10 minutes of signal loss. Oddly, on the last few days of the trip I didn't experience any further failures.

I'm probably going to need a front tire by the end of the summer, or maybe even next spring. I'm thinking that if the thing keeps working until then, even intermittently, I'll just replace it when I do the tire replacement. BUT.... HD is NOT bashful about the cost of these things!! I 'set' of 2 is like $250, or so the HD dealer in *******, Michigan told me when I stopped in to see if I could get one put in there right then. None in stock.....thankfully! On a road trip like that, I probably would have paid the $250 plus labor, had only the front installed, and kept the second one for '...down the road' (pun intended). Now that I'm home, I'm thinking that if I could get a set of 4 of these things for my Jeep for under $30 on Amazon, maybe there's a less-expensive alternative version of the HD unit available as well. Figured if anyone knew....... you guys would.

Any help is appreciated!! WC

 

Are there any codes? Just because it’s intermittent, it doesn’t necessarily mean the sensor is at fault. If there is indeed a sensor code, it doesn’t automatically mean the sensor is bad- it means there is a problem with the sensor system— (wires, grounds, etc..)

 

I was under the impression that if the red light was illuminated that would indicate an existing code. As that is not lit up, nor is the 'check engine' light.... I thought that meant there were no active codes. However, no big deal to go check. I shall do so in a bit and advise one way or the other. I had also considered the possibility of this being some kind of hard-wire problem. However, after some brief consideration, I rather concluded that this system is ALL 'RF' operated! There are no wires, grounds, connections, etc. The sensor itself is a sealed unit, without the possibility of even replacing a battery! The sensor sends a signal in the UHF range (300 to 500 MHz) to the head unit where it deciphers it into the digital reading shown in the Odometer. I'm unaware of any 'antenna' or other receiving device that might be a possible problem. With the rear unit functioning normally, I figured the head/display functions were OK. Hence my conclusion of it being a bad sensor. If I'm wrong about any of this, PLEASE let me know. Either way, I'll do a code check and see if there's any info there. Thanks for responding. WC

Update: No applicable codes. Did have 2 'radio' codes; 1342 & 1350. Those are both 'speaker' codes for rt and lf speaker 'open'. I'm aware of those as I had the head unit flashed to change the EQ setting, and the choice I made also included activating the rear speaker. As I haven't added those yet, those two codes apply. But, they have nothing to do with the TPMS problem. So, back to square 1. I'm pretty confident that the sensor is just going bad. Finding a replacement would be good!! Thx!

 

One of the things I love about Sportster is that has NO WHISTLES & BELLS, or BS electronic gizmos.


1977 XLH 1000

 

I personally dislike the Harley tpms as well as the tpms I had on my BMW roadster. Both tpms' always read 3-4lbs lower than the actual tire pressure, which I always take cold.

I have to constantly adjust the air pressure in my road king to keep the tpms light off, which usually means adding more air than optimal which translates into a stiffer ride.

Cars have had tpms installed for years and without a lot of reported issues. I don't know why Harley can't put an accurate tpms in their bikes.

I know some people will say that their tpms is fine and they don't know what the problem is. But it just has too high an error rate for me.

 

Could you add the FOBO Bike2 set? Currently on sale for a great price!

 

I elected to take the Street Glide on this 2500 mile trip because is has the RDRS package...... and that is a true advantage in my book. I just bought a '23 Road Glide, with only 3400 miles on it. I could have take it, but it's sans RDRS....and on a long trip, that concerned me. Being the victim of past punctures on long trips, I find the TPMS system to add a margin of security to me. Oddly, I 'attempted' one of those valve-stem TPMS kits for the Road Glide..... bought it, installed it, and it didn't work. Sent it back, got the replacement, and it didn't work either. Sent it back and just scrapped the plan for now. I'll check out the FOBO version.

Texas ST: If I wanted 'simple', I've got a fleet of Yamaha XS650s..... like 5 of em! Simple: Yes! Comfortable? NOT!! I'd NEVER consider a 2500 mile trip on one of those, or an old Sportster. I 'get' that when there's nothing to break, nothing will go wrong! BUT...I LIKE having ABS, Cruise Control, MUSIC, Hill-Assist, TPMS, GOOD SUSPENSION, some added weight for stability, not to mention the performance of the M-8 (mine w/ a RedShift Cam, Fuel Moto Jackpot 2-into-1, Thundermax, etc). Last year I went to Maine and Canada on the thing, the year before that I went to the Florida Keys. It's a GREAT bike! Just this latest 'glitch' w/ the TPMS has me aggravated...... more because of the HD 'opportunism' to be charging $250, demanding they be bought in PAIRS....AND.... seems not to be a 'stocked' item! I'd probably have bought just one at $99....'grumbled' some, but had it installed and gone on my way. But, I see another opportunity for some Chinese supplier to enter the US market w/ a pair of these for $29!!..... if not already here!!

Still hoping someone knows of a suitable 'cheap' substitute!!

 

I’ve had three HDs with RDRS (ergo TPMS). Just fwiw, all three were/are accurate. You mighta had an outlier.

 

Harley uses same sensors as Triumph and both sell them at rather same price so probably its a part of agreement with manufacturer (LDL). BMW also uses their sensors but utilizes a 433 MHz frequency not 434 like HD and Triumph. And for now there are no cheap duplicates for the LDL sensors. As for your problem try check if your security antenna under the seat is mount properly on its place. Might be just a reception problem.