This post has been carried forward and updated from my discontinued but visible Blog, Versys Ventures.
Personally, I've always thought of them as "bicycle accessories" and as "bicycle operators" we also carried and used them when out on the trails or roads. So you'd think that I'd be able to answer the question about whether these Co2 cartridges would be useful for motorcycles. Honestly, without doing any testing, my knowledge/experience would suggest to me that they would not be effective. But again, I haven't done the testing...until now.
There are a number of motorcycle-specific Co2-based repair kit offerings. One example I recently came across is the BikeMaster Tire and Tube Flat Repair Kit. This kit seems very comprehensive (although unknown cartridge volume) and has a $34 price tag on Amazon. I appreciate that it is a repair kit for both tube and tubeless tires as I personally have two motorcycles; one is tubed and the other is tubeless.
There are a number of motorcycle-specific Co2-based repair kit offerings. One example I recently came across is the BikeMaster Tire and Tube Flat Repair Kit. This kit seems very comprehensive (although unknown cartridge volume) and has a $34 price tag on Amazon. I appreciate that it is a repair kit for both tube and tubeless tires as I personally have two motorcycles; one is tubed and the other is tubeless.
As shown in the photo below, the BikeMaster Kit includes 4 Co2 cartridges; as mentioned volume capacity is not stated but this post will discuss cartridge sizes and volumes in more detail.
Another repair kit I found was by well-known motorcycle accessory supplier, Pit Posse. The contents of their kit, which goes for $25, is similar to BikeMasters (above) but has only three cylinders. Pit Posse states on their website that each cartridge will inflate a standard front or rear tire. Lastly, some offerings skip the tire repair tools and just sell the inflator and cartridges. An example of that is Tusk, which offers an inflator valve and two 16g cylinders for $12. They state on their website that most motorcycle tires require 1+1/2 cartridges and ATV tires require 2 cartridges.
Again, I've used these inflators and cartridges for years and, as a result, I seriously question these claims that one or two 16g cartridges will inflate a motorcycle tire.
Another repair kit I found was by well-known motorcycle accessory supplier, Pit Posse. The contents of their kit, which goes for $25, is similar to BikeMasters (above) but has only three cylinders. Pit Posse states on their website that each cartridge will inflate a standard front or rear tire. Lastly, some offerings skip the tire repair tools and just sell the inflator and cartridges. An example of that is Tusk, which offers an inflator valve and two 16g cylinders for $12. They state on their website that most motorcycle tires require 1+1/2 cartridges and ATV tires require 2 cartridges.
Again, I've used these inflators and cartridges for years and, as a result, I seriously question these claims that one or two 16g cartridges will inflate a motorcycle tire.
Background
Let's back up with some background info based on what I know from our bicycle business. Everybody rides bicycles, so it provides some useful perspective to the capabilities of the cartridges that can be easily applied by analogy to the powersports world.
Co2 cartridges generally come in three popular sizes and contain "liquid state" Co2 that is under a great deal of pressure (600-900 psi) in the cartridge. The weight of the liquid-state Co2 is measured in grams (or "g"). When the cartridge is opened (via device puncture) and released to the atmosphere the Co2 turns to its gaseous state.
The three sizes and how we apply them to bicycling are as follows:
The point here is that given the nature of how the Co2 cartridges apply to thin, low-volume bicycle tires of different sizes, it really seems that a motorcyclist is going to need a bunch of them to get their motorcycle tires inflated.
Let's back up with some background info based on what I know from our bicycle business. Everybody rides bicycles, so it provides some useful perspective to the capabilities of the cartridges that can be easily applied by analogy to the powersports world.
Co2 cartridges generally come in three popular sizes and contain "liquid state" Co2 that is under a great deal of pressure (600-900 psi) in the cartridge. The weight of the liquid-state Co2 is measured in grams (or "g"). When the cartridge is opened (via device puncture) and released to the atmosphere the Co2 turns to its gaseous state.
The three sizes and how we apply them to bicycling are as follows:
- 12g Cartridge: Suitable for inflating one small mountain bike tire.
- 16g Cartridge: Suitable for inflating one medium sized mountain bike tire.
- 25g Cartridge: Suitable for inflating one road bike, or 700c and or large 29r mountain bike tire.
The point here is that given the nature of how the Co2 cartridges apply to thin, low-volume bicycle tires of different sizes, it really seems that a motorcyclist is going to need a bunch of them to get their motorcycle tires inflated.
This is simple ... a motorcycle tire requires much more volume of air (or other gas ... Co2, Nitrogen as examples) than bicycle tires. So if a 16g cartridge only fills one medium sized mountain bike tire, how on earth can it fill a motorcycle tire as claimed above by Tusk?
The Test Tells the Tale
The Test Tells the Tale
Let's get to the testing for the answers.
As mentioned above, the BikeMaster kit does not indicate the size of its cartridges. However, they offer replacement cartridges that are 16 gram; therefore, I think it's safe to assume the cartridges in the kit are 16 gram as well. The Pit Possee and Tusk explicitly state that their cartridges are 16 gran. Based on these three kit examples, it appears that 16 gram cartridges are the standard.
So, I gathered up 4, 16 gram cartridges (Air Kiss Brand) and put them to the test on one of my motorcycle tires along with my most accurate air pressure gauge.
I had four tires (from two motorcycles) to select to test the cartridges, and I picked the rear tire on my 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT. It's the biggest tire of the four at 180-55-17, it's tubeless and the spec pressure is 42 psi.
The first thing to take note of is the orange pad on the Air Kiss Cartridge. When the Co2 is discharged from the cartridge, it discharges so fast that the physical cartridge freezes. I'll show a photo of one all frosted after discharge later. I've heard some suggest that it gets so cold that it can burn bare skin. Maybe so, but the pad is a good feature and wearing gloves is a good idea.
I note that the BikeMaster Kit doesn't include a cartridge pad such as the Air Kiss's; the Tusk does, the Pitt Posse kit is unclear.
The way the device works is the valve is screwed tightly onto the cartridge. Then the inflator valve is slid onto the valve stem and the locking lever is raised. Finally, the cartridge is discharged by sliding the barrel of the inflator valve backward.
So, I gathered up 4, 16 gram cartridges (Air Kiss Brand) and put them to the test on one of my motorcycle tires along with my most accurate air pressure gauge.
I had four tires (from two motorcycles) to select to test the cartridges, and I picked the rear tire on my 2015 Kawasaki Versys 1000 LT. It's the biggest tire of the four at 180-55-17, it's tubeless and the spec pressure is 42 psi.
The first thing to take note of is the orange pad on the Air Kiss Cartridge. When the Co2 is discharged from the cartridge, it discharges so fast that the physical cartridge freezes. I'll show a photo of one all frosted after discharge later. I've heard some suggest that it gets so cold that it can burn bare skin. Maybe so, but the pad is a good feature and wearing gloves is a good idea.
I note that the BikeMaster Kit doesn't include a cartridge pad such as the Air Kiss's; the Tusk does, the Pitt Posse kit is unclear.
The way the device works is the valve is screwed tightly onto the cartridge. Then the inflator valve is slid onto the valve stem and the locking lever is raised. Finally, the cartridge is discharged by sliding the barrel of the inflator valve backward.
Different inflators have different operating features. Don't let your first use of your Co2 inflater be the first time you have to use it on a flat. You should test the inflator with a live cartridge on a real tire at least once using the manufacturer's guidance before you "really" need to use it. Just sayin.
Onward...
The photo below shows the track that the valve barrel slides along. With that there's a wooosh, then it takes about 8-10 seconds for the air to stop flowing.
Keep in mind that the Co2 is in liquid state in the cartridge and turns to gas in the atmosphere (or at a very high ambient temperature). When discharging into the tire/tube it may sound like the gas stopped flowing but it will take all of those 10 seconds to empty the cartridge. Did I mention ^^^ that you should test the inflator before you "really" need to use it? Yes, I did, and then you'd know this.
You don't have to worry about the Air Kiss popping off the valve stem. It's a really good, quality device. The lever locks firmly in place. YMMV on other brands.
So, how much air did cartridge number one discharge in terms of PSI? +5 PSI
You don't have to worry about the Air Kiss popping off the valve stem. It's a really good, quality device. The lever locks firmly in place. YMMV on other brands.
So, how much air did cartridge number one discharge in terms of PSI? +5 PSI
Cartridge number two: +6 PSI = 11 PSI
Cartridge number 3: + 5 PSI = 16 PSI
Cartridge number 4: +6 PSI = 22 PSI
(Note the frosted cartridges from the discharge.
Gloves, wraps or covers are in order.)
- Grams per cartridge = 16 grams
- Total grams discharged = 64 grams
- Average PSI per cartridge = 5.5 PSI
- Total PSI/4 cartridges = 22 PSI
Another way to look at this, based on the test case is:
- Each 12g cartridge will contribute 4.1 pounds to total psi to the 180-55-17
- Each 16g cartridge will contribute 5.5 pounds to total psi to the 180-55-17
- Each 25g cartridge will contribute 8.6 pounds to total psi to the 180-55-17
Adapting Test Results
At this point, just to clarify, the total 22 PSI result above was dependent on how much the volume of Co2 in the cartridge(s) filled the empty volume inside the tire, and the tire used was 180-55-17; a very average size for a "rear" tire. The result will, therefore, and of course, be different with different size tires, and tires come in many different sizes. But really, we only needed to test one tire and then we can apply that information to other sizes (volumes).
So, just for illustration purposes, what PSI level could I expect from four 16 gram Co2 cartridges if the front 120-70-17 tire on my Versy1000 goes flat?
The first bit of information needed is the air volume in the subject tire based on the actual results. There are some formulas for this, but fortunately I found an ONLINE TYRE AIR VOLUME CALCULATOR to do the job.
Using this online calculator, the air volume in my 180-55-17 rear Versys1000 tubeless tire at it's spec 40 PSI is 149 Liters. (The section height is 99 = 180 X 55%). Four 16 gram Co2 cartridges produced a PSI level of 22 (5.5 PSI per cartridge) and an inner air volume of 82 liters.
Spec 40 PSI = 149 liters:
The linked volume calculator provided that an air volume of 83 liters is needed to achieve 40 PSI in the smaller front 120-70-17 tire. The four 16 gram cartridges were determined in the test to produce 22 PSI (5.5 PSI, each) that, according to the calculator, resulted in 82 liters of air volume.
Therefore, the 82 liters of air volume from the four cartridges would produce a total PSI in the front tire of 39.5 PSI (82/83 x 40 = 39.5), an average of 9.8 PSI per cartridge.
Bottom line, where the four cartridges produced 22 of the 40 PSI needed for a "full" inflation on the rear Versys tire, those four cartridges would pretty much fill the smaller front.
Dang, don't you love math!
Okay, back to the original question, which was along the lines of...
"Are Co2 cartridges useful as motorcycle tire repair accessories?"
Here's my personal opinion.
Used in an emergency kit that includes at least 4 cartridges, such as the BikeMaster Kit, I think the answer is probably "yes." Those cartridges won't fill the tire to spec, but if the tire gets properly plugged or the tube is properly patched, 22 pounds of pressure is probably enough to get the motorcyclist to a service station/facility where he or she could deploy four quarters and air up the tire to the proper pressures. Adding more cartridges (or larger cartridges) to the kit is probably better; they certainly don't weigh much or take up much room. Use the per/cartridge psi information above to figure out how many cartridges you'd need to put you in your comfort range remembering my suggestion to be prepared to address your larger "rear" tire.
Now, here are some downsides that come to mind.
-- If you didn't get the tire properly plugged or the tube properly patched, you'll have expended your air supply when you have to go back and fix 'em. Both tire plugging and tube patching are kind of hit or miss processes. I don't think it's a great idea to assume it'll get done right the first time. Preparing with a Slime Power Sport Inflator in your kit would have been the better choice in this eventuality.
-- Similar to above, what if your riding buddy gets a flat and you fix it with your air cartridges? Seriously, how many bikers prepare for flat tires? 10-20 percent...less? Your buddy's tire is fixed; your air is gone.
-- The ambient temperature plays a role in how much Co2 is required for your application. The colder it gets, the more Co2 would be needed. I did some calculations using our test info above. At 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 8 16 gram cartridges would be needed. At 50 degrees, 9 16 gram cartridges would be needed. It's not a big difference when you have eight cartridges in your kit. It's a big difference when you have four. But hey, these cartridges are small. There are plenty of hiding places on you and your motorcycle for some extras.
-- This is starting to get kind of expensive when you get into the number of cartridges necessary for motorcycles. The kits cost more than the $35. I paid that for my Slime compressor that's already lasted half a decade and replacement cartridges are going to run around $10 for a three pack. You may see cheaper cartridges in the market place, but it's likely that they're the non-threaded type that are used in pellet guns. The air valves in the repair kits require "threaded" cartridges.
I'm sure there are many other pros and cons for using Co2 cartridges for motorcycles, but I'll bet they probably weigh themselves out. Having completed this little exercise, I would certainly support someone's use of a sufficient number of Co2 cartridges in their motorcycle road trip supply kit. On the other hand, I learned nothing that suggests I should pack away my Slime air compressor and move to cartridges on my motorcycles.
Now, here are some downsides that come to mind.
-- If you didn't get the tire properly plugged or the tube properly patched, you'll have expended your air supply when you have to go back and fix 'em. Both tire plugging and tube patching are kind of hit or miss processes. I don't think it's a great idea to assume it'll get done right the first time. Preparing with a Slime Power Sport Inflator in your kit would have been the better choice in this eventuality.
-- Similar to above, what if your riding buddy gets a flat and you fix it with your air cartridges? Seriously, how many bikers prepare for flat tires? 10-20 percent...less? Your buddy's tire is fixed; your air is gone.
-- The ambient temperature plays a role in how much Co2 is required for your application. The colder it gets, the more Co2 would be needed. I did some calculations using our test info above. At 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 8 16 gram cartridges would be needed. At 50 degrees, 9 16 gram cartridges would be needed. It's not a big difference when you have eight cartridges in your kit. It's a big difference when you have four. But hey, these cartridges are small. There are plenty of hiding places on you and your motorcycle for some extras.
-- This is starting to get kind of expensive when you get into the number of cartridges necessary for motorcycles. The kits cost more than the $35. I paid that for my Slime compressor that's already lasted half a decade and replacement cartridges are going to run around $10 for a three pack. You may see cheaper cartridges in the market place, but it's likely that they're the non-threaded type that are used in pellet guns. The air valves in the repair kits require "threaded" cartridges.
I'm sure there are many other pros and cons for using Co2 cartridges for motorcycles, but I'll bet they probably weigh themselves out. Having completed this little exercise, I would certainly support someone's use of a sufficient number of Co2 cartridges in their motorcycle road trip supply kit. On the other hand, I learned nothing that suggests I should pack away my Slime air compressor and move to cartridges on my motorcycles.
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