MotoPumps Mini Pro Inflator Test
When my big-bike ADV addiction began back in 2011, I had never experienced a flat. I’d often gloat about the lack of flats, especially considering all the solo motorcycle trips I had taken throughout the states.
However, when I began trekking off road, all the gloating turned on me. I went from man of no flats to a man of 11 within five years. So much for gloating.
When you frequently experience flats, you quickly learn what’s essential when out on the trails. Besides spare tubes and tire plugs, there is one thing I will never travel without again—the MotoPumps Mini Pro Inflator.
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Mini means mini, and the MotoPumps Mini Pro Inflator measures 4.75” long x 6” high x 2” wide, and weighs just over 18 ounces—about the weight of a jar of peanut butter. The Mini Pro Inflator is built inside a rugged ABS case, which can take a beating, and it will, especially if you get a flat at night.
This happened twice, and both times the unit was dropped from the seat while hooking up the power source.
The MotoPumps built-in air pressure gauge also features LED backlighting, which allows for easy reading. We compared the MotoPumps pressure gauge to three handheld gauges, and the PSI was spot on.
The polyurethane coiled air hose, which conveniently stores inside the MotoPumps—turn it counter-clockwise to easily stuff it inside—features a Zero Loss Inflation Valve Stem Connector. It simply screws on like the stem cap, allowing no air to be lost when taking it off.
The MotoPumps is powered by your bike’s 12V system, and arrives with an attachment that plugs into an accessory outlet – aka cigarette lighter. Most bikes are equipped with an accessory outlet either from the factory or via aftermarket accessory. I have used the MotoPumps multiple times on my Touratech-prepped Suzuki V-Strom DL1000, which is equipped with an aftermarket accessory outlet.
My Ducati Multistrada 1200 has the European-style outlets, which do not work with the US cigarette lighter pigtail. Fortunately, the MotoPumps’ SAE connector allows me to plug directly into the pigtail I have on the Multistrada for battery-charging purposes.
If you don’t have a pigtail on your bike’s battery, for a few extra bucks, MotoPumps offers one, plus one with alligator clips, as accessories with its Deluxe Kit. The Deluxe Kit it also arrives with a handy neoprene case that allows the extra pigtails and MotoPumps to be packed away nicely.
Inflation time is relatively quick for such as small unit that only uses a claimed five amps of power. After plugging my Multistrada’s rear tire (190/55 R17), it took just over six minutes for inflation to 36 psi with the bike running. Total inflation time for a front tire on the V-Strom (110/80 R19), after hammering out a bent rim via rock, was about four minutes.
You can run the MotoPumps off the motorcycle’s battery alone, but for piece of mind, I’d be sure to start the bike when using the Pro Inflator; plus, the unit runs a bit faster.
Other features on the MotoPumps is a PolarChex, in case you hook the accessory alligator clips backwards on the battery. There are also three connectors for inflating things such as footballs or mattresses.
The MotoPumps Mini Pro Inflator runs $70, and $80 for the Deluxe Kit. That includes the neoprene case, battery clips and battery rings adapters. We definitely recommend spending the extra $10 for the Deluxe Kit.
In the past year, the MotoPumps Mini Pro Inflator has assisted me in remote locations where air is nowhere to be found. When touring or ADV riding, the Mini Pro Inflator is essential baggage—just as indispensable as a tool kit and tire plugs.
[…] MotoPumps Mini Professional Inflator Assessment | Important Baggage When my big-bike ADV habit started again in 2011, I had by no means skilled a flat. I'd typically gloat concerning the lack of flats – particularly contemplating all of the solo motorbike journeys I took all through the states. However once I started trekking off street, all of the … Learn extra on UltimateMotorcycling.com […]