I'm looking for something around or under $100

How bout a bus ticket to Arizona hahaha

 

We're talking about renting during the winter somewherez. Maybe a year or two away for that once my wife retires. I wish we held onto our camper. Oh well. Of course, I'll still be schleppin' along for a couple more than that ...

 

@NOEMTZ offered an actual bike computer reading diagnostic tool that I’m sure works great.

For a $100 budget, buy yourself a good digital multimeter, a test light and enjoy a good sandwich with the change.

 

Yeah, I might need to go back to asking for a couple fresh pairs of Duluth Box Naked Boxers. The ultimate in riding comfort and highly recommended by this VOGer.

This is interesting, and by no means would I consider this because you need a very expensive Polaris SmartLink, a seller on eBay is selling a full version of Polaris Digital Wrench 4.3, but in my years dealing with software my understanding is a consumer owns the license, not the software itself. I found this out a couple decades ago trying to sell a copy of AutoCAD 3D Studio. The post got shutdown. Anyways, smells like a scam.

Oh well.

 

My bike was giving me some running issues and trouble codes that was the result of a defective front O2 sensor. While I waited for the replacement part, not knowing if this would truly fix the bike, I visited a Indian motorcycle shop due to an unrelated appointment in that city. They told me that Polaris removed their diagnostic tools back when the Victory line was discontinued years ago. The shop was quite helpful in listening to my description of the running issues and agreed that a new O2 sensor was most likely the right choice of action, but it's weird that an Indian shop is incapable of doing Victory diagnostic work.

 

My bike was giving me some running issues and trouble codes that was the result of a defected front O2 sensor. While I waited for the replacement part, not knowing if this would truly fix the bike, I visited a Indian motorcycle shop due to an unrelated appointment in that city. They told me that Polaris removed their diagnostic tools back when the Victory line was discontinued years ago. The shop was quite helpful in listening to my description of the running issues and agreed that a new O2 sensor was most likely the right choice of action, but it's weird that an Indian shop is incapable of doing Victory diagnostic work.

Whether they’re incapable of doing Victory diagnostic work, I wouldn’t know.

But every old victory dealer had a choice in keeping the Victory digital wrench system going or to shut it down and return it to Polaris.

If the dealer chose to continue servicing Victory, they kept their Victory digital wrench computer alive to do so. The opposite is also true.

 

For automotive needs, Topdon makes a nice tool for around $120

 

Yeah, you're looking at almost $500 for a good one to scan Victory, Polaris, and others.

Amazon.com: OBDPROG Moto 100 Motorcycle Diagnostic Tool – Full System Motorcycle OBD2 Scanner for Harley, Honda, Yamaha, Indian, Polaris, Victory, BRP – Includes 7 Brand Cables, 30+ Resets, 5" Touchscreen : Automotive

Buy OBDPROG Moto 100 Motorcycle Diagnostic Tool – Full System Motorcycle OBD2 Scanner for Harley, Honda, Yamaha, Indian, Polaris, Victory, BRP – Includes 7 Brand Cables, 30+ Resets, 5" Touchscreen: Code Readers & Scan Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

I fix cars for a living so a scan tool is a must. My current Snap On can do mc's. I did buy the required cable. So far no need to see if it works.

 

Define by what you mean by ‘something for diagnostics’. To me, the most basic diagnostic tools are a multi meter and a test light. The most advanced is a diagnostic/code reading scan tool. Prices range from $30 to a few thousand.

 

I have a cheap, 10 year old Harbor Freight OBD II that served its purpose for a while but is very limited to say the least. I also have a nice Klein Tools multimeter. What I was looking for is an upgrade with the OBD that might have other useful functionality. A number of them that I've seen have battery testing functionality, which would be a nice to have but not necessary. It's not like I'm going to use any tool like that on a daily basis so investing too much doesn't make sense.

One obvious thing I've found is you get what you pay for. Anything I've seen out there within the price range mentioned rates fairly average. I tend to read and weigh the negative reviews that have substance more than anything else. One unit I found is an OBD II and battery tester combo that supports lithium batteries, which I have on the Kingpin. Decent ratings and around $60.

At this point, I'm starting to turn my attention to a FOBO TPMS kit. That I can see as very useful, not just sitting in a drawer most of the year, and within my price range. I've read some of the TPMS posts on the VOG, which I value greatly, and most are positive. Nothing is really negative ... just seems more of a personal choice to go another direction. Like I've said in other posts, I enjoy over thinking things and I'm certainly having a great time at the moment LOL.

As always, I really appreciate everyone's input. I'll let you know what ends up under the tree this year. Unless I've been deemed as a heretic husband over the year and get nothing but a cold shoulder and ridicule

 

I have the FOBO Bike 2 system on both my CCT and my Hard-Ball. I also have a third FOBO sensor on the air shock with each bike. I don't 'like' their system, I love their system. Before I even get changed to go riding, I can open their app on my phone and check the psi. Love it, love it, love it.

One caveat I found for me with their ease of use is I stopped getting down on the garage floor to check psi. When I got down on the floor last year to ensure my rear tire was fine I found the tire was showing some steel cords. Now, regardless of what the FOBO app shows, I take a physical look at the tire every month or so. That's a small cost for the convenience of using their system. A 1st world 'problem' for sure.

I wholeheartedly recommend the FOBO Bike 2 system for any rider. Money very well spent.

Pro Tip: When you order from the FOBO website, you can also purchase their T Valve stems. I also had these mounted on both bikes at the last tire change. When I do need to add air, I don't need to remove the FOBO sensor, I only need to remove the cap on the horizontal part of the T. I also found the digital air nozzle on my air hose matches the reading on the FOBO app as well. Albeit the app takes a few seconds to update itself. The batteries in the FOBO sensors last about 18 months or more. Their app also shows the battery level as well as the internal temperature of the tire.

 

I have the FOBO Bike 2 system on both my CCT and my Hard-Ball. I also have a third FOBO sensor on the air shock with each bike. I don't 'like' their system, I love their system. Before I even get changed to go riding, I can open their app on my phone and check the psi. Love it, love it, love it.

One caveat I found for me with their ease of use is I stopped getting down on the garage floor to check psi. When I got down on the floor last year to ensure my rear tire was fine I found the tire was showing some steel cords. Now, regardless of what the FOBO app shows, I take a physical look at the tire every month or so. That's a small cost for the convenience of using their system. A 1st world 'problem' for sure.

I wholeheartedly recommend the FOBO Bike 2 system for any rider. Money very well spent.

Pro Tip: When you order from the FOBO website, you can also purchase their T Valve stems. I also had these mounted on both bikes at the last tire change. When I do need to add air, I don't need to remove the FOBO sensor, I only need to remove the cap on the horizontal part of the T. I also found the digital air nozzle on my air hose matches the reading on the FOBO app as well. Albeit the app takes a few seconds to update itself. The batteries in the FOBO sensors last about 18 months or more. Their app also shows the battery level as well as the internal temperature of the tire.

Awesome. I guess if I don't find it under the tree, I'll toss some of my bike fund at it I didn't think about the air shock. Duh. I will certainly check out the T Valves and thanks for the tip. As for climbing around the cement floor, that wouldn't be missed along with popping off the bag to get at the valve easier. It's not a big deal but one less thing to do.

 

Sykik also has motorcycle specific tpms, camera along with other systems

 

Are the 90 degree stems metal? I have heard running these tpms kits on 90 degree valve stem can cause stress and damage them. I would think the metal stems would be fine.

I've been hesitant to get the kit myself because I'm worried about the weight of them even on regular stems. I also wonder if I would need to get the wheel rebalanced with them on....lol. Makes me think I need to wait to add them when I replace my tires. 😂

 

Yep, metal. I started using Counteract which should help with the balancing.

 

The sensors come with straight (180 degree) metal stems. The T metal valve stems are ordered from the FOBO website. As are the US flag sensor caps or extra locking rings etc.

 

Mark, so you got your T-Stems from the manufacturer? $25 for shipping is crazy but if that's what it is, I guess I'll have to deal with it. I haven't found any from a US distributor. Maybe I'll get them for the next tire change later in 2025.

 

I searched all over and couldn’t find them anywhere else. I ordered my FOBO directly from them so the shipping, for me, was fine. I ordered four T valves a couple months ago knowing I was going to give two away for Christmas. I also ordered a few other extra FOBO items. Now, I still have another set of T’s for another set of wheels.