No particularly problem with that and more issues with rear valve, but with all of BMW's "cutting edge" design, they ought to stick an Ariete-type 90-deg valve stem on rear wheel so it's much easier to access!!! I'm going to have the TPM's turned off at ECU and install one on rear.

 

Thought I'd bump this one back up as I am still struggling to find inflators on forecourts that fit.... The valve stem just doesn't seem to be long enough for the nozzle to seat correctly! No one else had this??

 

Mine works fine :dunno:
When you change tire, install a longer stem, until then, buy an extention from the auto parts store.

 

I have the same problem with mine, but it seems to be only the TPM valves that are affected, the standard valves are OK. I even bought a 90 elbow from Halfords, but even this does not seal on the shortened stem!!!

 

UK Only?

Just noticing that both guys with issues are in the UK, both in the US have no problem with the depth, mine works fine. Is it possible that the general attachment mechanism at the end of the hoses in the UK are deep seated? I'm thinking my bicycle tire pump would not seal as it seems to be deep seated, but both attachements for my compressor are fine, as well as all my pressure guages.

 

Yeah, its the type of attachment on the pumps on forecourts, its too deep - the reverse side is ok but you have to go on from the other side of the wheel through the spokes! Tyre fitter the other day said they are a pain but they use a clip type fitting which goes on ok. Also you cant change the valve on the K1200's as it's built into the rim??!

 

The 13S is the same way. I have not looked really closely, thought it was a replacable threaded type valve, but certainly not a standard pull-through rubber valve stem I am used to working with.

Just out of curiosity, what does 'forecourt' denote? Is that what we would consider a service station or a self-service area with radiator water and air for tires (all at a cost of course...)?

 

Apologies! ;-) The area that a petrol (gas) station stands on is called the "forecourt"....

e.g http://www.forecourtshow.com/page/home.html

 

Is your bike set up with a tire pressure monitoring system roundy?

 

It shouldn't make any diff whether a TPS or non-TPS bike. My K13S has TPS and I have no problem with filling up front.

I just removed the TPS sensors from the bike. Up front, you reuse the same valve stem. The front sensor mounts to the lower inside of spoke, not directly to the stem. You just remove the sensor/short tube and leave stem in place. On the rear the stem and sensor are single unit.

Am currently having both wheels powdercoated so we removed both sensors/stems. We screwed out the front stem so the p-coating was a bit easier. You reuse the front stem, but am installing a blue Ariete forged aluminum 83-d stem in rear wheel which is close to color and makes checking pressures so much easier back there. After the wheels stuff is finished, I'll take the bike to dealer and they will turn off the TPS system (program) in the ECU so the light stops flashing on the display. All the above can be reversed should I sell/trade bike.

 

Is your bike set up with a tire pressure monitoring system roundy?

No TPS here dude.....

 

So, not to totally hijack Roundy's post, but:
SHEEP, I do my own tire changes. Will it be easy to avoid trashing the TPS pieces when I remove and install my own rubber? I've done about 40 sets over that past 12 years, so I am confident of my abilities, I have just never seen the TPS pieces or had to deal with any. I figure I am about halfway through the OEM Contis and look forward to something new.

And next time I am in the UK, I will know what a forecourt is! Cool!

 

So, not to totally hijack Roundy's post, but:
SHEEP, I do my own tire changes. Will it be easy to avoid trashing the TPS pieces when I remove and install my own rubber? .....

Y212RSK - Jim,

You won't trash them as long as you don't ram any tire-changing tool under tire bead directly toward centers of rims more than 1" front, 2" rear to peel off the bead. The TPS modules are approx 2.5-3" long and about 1" wide and sit dead center lengthwise against the rim with the stem extending directly upward toward hole and/or spoke. There really is no reason to shove a tire iron inward more than that to catch the bead and pull it over, plus you're just working the bead over the lip of wheel. If you took wheel to a dealer just let them know you have TPS and they'll know not to get too aggressive. Local Jap bike dealer had one customer with a Kawi C14 come in for tire change and didn't remind tech that bike had pressure monitors... he destroyed one. Now that they experienced that one time, they know to check carefully on bikes that might have optional pressure monitors. No big deal, so "git ur done!"

I'm hoping to maybe get by with a little lighter balancing weight on wheels with the monitors removed, though they're very light in your hand.

 

I have set of forged Gail Speed wheels that I had on my K12s and going to put them on the k13s. Of course I'll need to turn off the TPS monitor in the ECU. I could drill larger holes in the wheels for the TPS but that sound's like a bad idea.

 

With regard to the balancing weights, I wondered if it was the sensors that were adding that much weight or if the Conti's are just that far off. I will likely balance the wheel sans tire the first time I change, and then go from there. I find I do like the TPS as I cover major temp changes going from the coast in the early morning to leaving Sacramento in the late afternoon. Sometimes over 50 degrees F difference. Thanks for the tips.

 

I haven't tried weighing the TPS monitors yet, but it was interesting that it took weight directly across from the valve/sensor to balance the wheels and nowhere else. And not a small amount of weight either and that was with a Michelin. After I get the new front Mich PP2ct and rear mounted on wheels after the recent powdercoating, it'll be interesting to see how much weight is now necessary.