which tpms would you buy
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 304
From: Providence Forge, VA
i am confused about the T stems. One type needs to be installed by a tire installer and the other is screw on? Is one better than the other?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 1,160
From: Oklahoma
Road Captain
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 632
Likes: 282
From: Phoenix, AZ
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 516
Likes: 30
From: SoCal/Show Low, Az
i called a couple of dealers to ask about this today. They had no clue it was possible. They did tell me it could be done but it would take 2.5 hours of labor to install and another .5 hours to flash, bringing the labor total to $300. The sensors are $102 each adding another $204 to the total. This would bring it to $504 out the door. That seems a little steep for TPMS when there are options like FOBO 2 out there.
What is is the breakdown of what you paid?
They are also confused about the process and stated addition harnesses and/or adapters may be needed for the radio because the radio in the CVO model, on which TPMS can be added, is physically different than the one in my non CVO Street Glide.
Would you you mind sharing the name of the dealership and tech who did this for you?
What is is the breakdown of what you paid?
They are also confused about the process and stated addition harnesses and/or adapters may be needed for the radio because the radio in the CVO model, on which TPMS can be added, is physically different than the one in my non CVO Street Glide.
Would you you mind sharing the name of the dealership and tech who did this for you?
I'll be picking my bike up at the dealer today or tomorrow morning after the 1k service and Stage 2 cam/tuner install and I will ask about it too and see what they say.
On a side note....The dealer asked me why I didn't buy the parts for the Stage 1, Stage 2, XM and CB from them. When I told them the parts department didn't offer any of their previous discounts on parts and would not price match other dealers parts discounts so I wasn't going to buy them there. I ordered everything from Surdyke at substantially less cost, no sales tax and free shipping. He shook his head and said a lot of folks are pissed off about losing the parts discount and taking their business elsewhere. He also said the owner is already talking about reinstating the discounts due to lost business to other dealers. IMO, the owner should have thought about that before making his decision of eliminating the pasts discounts...that were already modest at best. LOL
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 304
From: Providence Forge, VA
They're talking about replacing your valve stems, before you screw the FOBO sensors on. FOBO also recommends their sensors be used with metal valve stems to avoid the possibility of what azgrumbles has experienced and is talking about. "T-Stems" are a type of Valve Stem that has a place to screw the sensor on, and still be able to add air to the tire without having to remove the sensor... check FOBO's site out, they sell them too. If you go with a screw on sensor it is best to change your valve stems to metal valve stems before screwing the sensors on... If you're putting on metal valve stems, T-Stems (T-Valve Stems) are handy to use.
Why is it such an advantage to have T-stems if I already have metal valve stems? Is it difficult to unscrew the FOBO sensors to add air and reinstall the sensors?
Lastly, approximately, how much would it cost to install T-stems?
i think theee answers will help me decide what I need to get from FOBO.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,326
Likes: 1,160
From: Oklahoma
Valve stems are in the wheel... if you replace the tire you can leave the valve stem. If you change wheels I guess you could move your valve stems over too. They’re not that expensive anyway.
It is convenient to have the T-stems, not a must. A regular metal valve stem will work too... just have to take the sensor off to add air.
Cost vary... if you have the valve stems changed when you’re having new tires put on, not much if any of an adder except for valve stems themselves maybe. To add the metal valve stems to what you have now, will be labor for whatever you want the shop to do. If you can take the wheels off the bike and take them to them it’ll probably be half of what they charge you if they have to take the wheels off and put the new valve stems in. I’d guess 1 to 2 hours labor cost ($75 - $100 per hour) plus whatever the cost is of the particular metal valve stems ($8.00 - $12.00 each) you decide to go with.
It is convenient to have the T-stems, not a must. A regular metal valve stem will work too... just have to take the sensor off to add air.
Cost vary... if you have the valve stems changed when you’re having new tires put on, not much if any of an adder except for valve stems themselves maybe. To add the metal valve stems to what you have now, will be labor for whatever you want the shop to do. If you can take the wheels off the bike and take them to them it’ll probably be half of what they charge you if they have to take the wheels off and put the new valve stems in. I’d guess 1 to 2 hours labor cost ($75 - $100 per hour) plus whatever the cost is of the particular metal valve stems ($8.00 - $12.00 each) you decide to go with.
Last edited by Ssitruc; Apr 11, 2019 at 06:57 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
That really clarifies things. Thanks for the thorough explanation. If I replace a tire, can the T-stems be taken out and used with the new tire? Can the dealership install the T-stems or does it have to be done at a tire place?
Why is it such an advantage to have T-stems if I already have metal valve stems? Is it difficult to unscrew the FOBO sensors to add air and reinstall the sensors?
Lastly, approximately, how much would it cost to install T-stems?
i think theee answers will help me decide what I need to get from FOBO.
Why is it such an advantage to have T-stems if I already have metal valve stems? Is it difficult to unscrew the FOBO sensors to add air and reinstall the sensors?
Lastly, approximately, how much would it cost to install T-stems?
i think theee answers will help me decide what I need to get from FOBO.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
The T Stems, while not required for the FOBO system, do make adding air to the tires more convenient:
You don't have to remove the sensor from the valve stem, which isn't terribly time consuming but it's extra steps.
And the side benefit of the t-stems is that the 90 degree tee is easier to hit with the air chuck that I have.
You don't have to remove the sensor from the valve stem, which isn't terribly time consuming but it's extra steps.
And the side benefit of the t-stems is that the 90 degree tee is easier to hit with the air chuck that I have.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 516
Likes: 30
From: SoCal/Show Low, Az
I asked about the HD CVO TPMS set up when I picked up my bike today. The mechanic says yeah, it can be done. Go to parts to check on the pricing for the sensors for the wheels and they tell me it can't be done on the 19's because the Infotainment system is different. The Infotainment system on my 19 Road Glide Ultra is the new version of the 6.5 and if I'm not mistaken that is same that is in the CVO Ultras and they have the TPMS. I'll be doing more research because it sure is nice to have it on your dash.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 246
Likes: 26
From: Oakville, ON
I asked about the HD CVO TPMS set up when I picked up my bike today. The mechanic says yeah, it can be done. Go to parts to check on the pricing for the sensors for the wheels and they tell me it can't be done on the 19's because the Infotainment system is different. The Infotainment system on my 19 Road Glide Ultra is the new version of the 6.5 and if I'm not mistaken that is same that is in the CVO Ultras and they have the TPMS. I'll be doing more research because it sure is nice to have it on your dash.
A few photos are attached. As you can see in the radio, I need to add air to both tires since it's now dropped to the mid 30's with rain. No riding today.
