The Fanttik X9 Pro tire inflator is a compact, lightweight, battery-powered air pump that works well for motorcycles, whether in the field or in the garage. Weighing a hair less than one pound and measuring just 4.9 x 2.9 x 1.8 inches with the hose detached, it will fit in any cargo carrier and many adventure-touring jackets.
Operating the Fanttik X9 Pro is easy, and in line with other inflators we’ve tested. However, it has a couple of clever features, and it works impressively well.
Pull the unit out of the box and charge it up. It has a USB-C port and includes a USB-A-to-USB-C cable. This allows easy charging on your bike, if you have a port or external battery available. It could take as long as three hours to charge the 18.5 Wh battery fully from flat, though it’s quicker in the middle of the charge cycle.
There’s more to the air hose than you might expect. It screws into the top-right of the unit, and the tip at the other end tucks into the X9. Like magic, when you pull out the air hose, the X9 turns on. Tuck it back in, and it turns off. There’s no messing with the power button in the middle of the five-way navigation pad on the front. Also, the air hose can be unscrewed for easier storage, particularly in a jacket pocket.
Screw the Schrader adapter onto the valve stem of the motorcycle tire, and use the + and – buttons on the pad to select the correct air pressure. Push the start button, and the pump fires up. In no time, you’ll have topped off your tire, and the pump automatically stops. It even added a few psi to my Tundra’s tire in a minute or so.
Previous tire inflators we tested weren’t particularly accurate at measuring psi. We checked the Fanttik X9 Pro’s performance with the highly regarded Jaco ElitePro digital tire pressure gauge, and we were impressed. We asked for 32 psi in the front tire of a Triumph Bonneville T100 and got 32.1 psi. That’s good enough for all but the most persnickety.
There are five modes for the X9 Pro. You’ll want to ignore them and just go with the Professional mode, which works from 3 to 150 psi. The Motorcycle mode is limited to 26-43 psi, which is fine for the street. However, for anyone who travels off-road, that range doesn’t go low enough.
Even if you had to fix and inflate a couple of flats in one day, the lithium-ion battery is up to the task without needing to be charged. Top-offs or adjustments for ADV rides, including your friend’s bike’s tires, won’t challenge the battery, though the unit may get hot, especially in the sun on summer days. If it gets too hot, the X9 Pro will pause until it cools down, which Fanttik says is normal.
The claimed operating range is 41 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme days go outside that range, and we didn’t test it, though we expect that’s a conservative rating. There’s a useful built-in flashlight for use after dark or in low-light conditions. It also has an SOS mode, but I wouldn’t count on that to save me.
A needle valve adapter and a Presta valve adapter are stored in a compartment accessed at the bottom of the X9 Pro, adding to its versatility. Oh, and be sure to peel off the protective film over the display. We didn’t catch that immediately, so you’ll see it in the photos.
The Fanttik X9 Pro is our favorite tire inflator to date. It’s compact and lightweight. It has a powerful pump with an accurate psi display. The battery is durable and recharges promptly. Plus, we have previous positive experiences with Fanttik products. It’s a good value at an MSRP of $80. Better still, at the time of publication, it’s on sale for $53. We’re sold!
Fanttik X9 Pro Tire Inflator Specifications
PERFORMANCE
Pressure range: 3-150 psi (0.2-10.3 bar)
Accuracy: +/- 1 psi
Operating & charging temperature range: 41-113 degrees F (5-45 C)
Storage temperature range: 14-113 degrees F (-10-45 C)
PRESET MODES
Motorcycle: 35 psi default; 26-43 psi range
Car: 36 psi default; 26-50 psi range
Bicycle: 45 psi default; 30-145 psi range
Ball: 8 psi default; 4-16 psi range
Professional: No default; 3-150 psi range
POWER
Battery: 2,500 mAh at 7.4 V (18.5 Wh)
Charging: USB-C, 5 V / 2 A
Charge time: Under 3 hours
MEASUREMENTS
Dimensions: 4.9 x 2.9 x 1.8 in (123.5 x 74 x 45 mm)
The modern superbike class is an arms race fought on several fronts. There’s still the battle for horsepower supremacy, that fuels endless spec-sheet skirmishes on internet forums. But what has caused more than a few designers to burn the midnight oil is the bold new frontier of MotoGP-inspired aerodynamics, and the challenge of integrating those into the already exceedingly complex superbike. Nic de Sena rode the new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R at a recent Laguna Seca track day with Volant Vivere and he tells us all about what he discovered and what it takes to go fast.
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Now here’s a rally you absolutely cannot miss—yes, we’re rapidly approaching the 34th Annual Biketoberfest Rally in Daytona Beach, sunny Florida.Biketoberfest this year runs October 15th through the 18th. Biketoberfest is all about the beautiful Florida weather, live music, the industry’s top vendors, bike shows, and motorcycle racing at Daytona International Speedway. And don’t forget, there are miles of spectacular rides along the famous A1A, the historic Main Street and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop. There really is something for everyone here, and almost every event and attraction is free to attend. So, if you want a fun few days out in the Florida sunshine, Biketoberfest really is the place to be. Make sure you download the Biketoberfest mobile App from Apple or Google Play or visit www.biketoberfest.orgfor more details.
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Austin and Ellie got married in 2022 and recently returned from a four-year trip around the world riding their Ural sidecar. The epic trip is documented on their Instagram page @sidebysidecar. In this second segment, Teejay Adams chats with them about the challenges and effort it took to make it all happen, and some of the adventures they had along the way.
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Here’s quick reminder to check out our monthly digital magazine. It’s filled with everything you want to read on motorcycling, including some things you’ve probably not seen elsewhere. It’s absolutely free and you will find it on the Apple App Store and of course on Google Play as well.
Don’t forget to leave us your comments on our social media—we’re on all the usual platforms at Ultimate Motorcycling. We love hearing your feedback… so good or bad, please let us know what you think. If there’s something you’d like us to cover, we’d love to hear those ideas too!
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