BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

I'm trying to reduce the amount of tools etc that I carry on the bike.

At the moment, I carry an 'Airman' compressor, wired with a plug that connects to a fly lead connected directly to the battery terminals, bypassing the CANBus etc (2023 R1250RT). The Airman pump works OK, but it is a bit bulky and takes up a lot of space.

Instead of the Airman, I'm considering using one of the 'inflation kits' that use the small CO2 cylinders. Most of the kits seem to provide 3x cylinders. Are 3 cylinders enough to inflate a 180/55/17 rear tyre from flat to a useable pressure? (42psi/2.9 Bar).

Also, I carry a 'Stop and Go' plug insertion kit, which I've practised using on worn-out tyres and had good results. But are the 'sticky string' kits any better? Some of the kits I've seen combine the sticky strings and insertion tools with the CO2 cylinders, all in one kit, which may be a better option than my present Airman/Stop 'n Go combination.

Any advice or comments welcome!

No! 3 cylinders are not enough for a rear tyre

You may get about 20 PSI out of 3 I would stick to a compressor at least if you repair it and you still have a leak you can keep topping it up the cylinders are single use and when its gone its gone

I have a stop and go in the garage! I carry strings only because I have tried to use the stop and go and to be fair I wasn't that impressed and it was a bit of a ballache.

I used strings on a mates rear tyre and it was a lot easier and also lasted the life of the tyre despite me warning him to fix it properly! he did 6K on the rear after the repair

As above ^ . But if you want to go co2, aquarium shops used to sell large co2 cannisters. Which saves space and holds more. Never tried as went for Rocky Creek Designs 4393 MotoPressor Pocket Tire Pump which is small and light. Some use cheap car pump and remove the plastic. I use string as can use more than one (not recommended) in emergency. Have ridden thousands of miles with stringed tyres and totally convinced safe but do get proper repair when can. Also put disposable gloves in as string and glue ends up on fingers.

Co2 cylinder can be found in pedal bike shops. I used to use them, but bought an Airman travel. Fits nicely in the tail hump. I also use those stick string worms. Works great, I've used it on cars and bikes. Even helped an artic driver get out of trouble. That's what they were first designed for. I rode from the UK to Spain and back with a hole plugged.
As for what Stu said. I tried pumping a tyre from flat with Co2. Used 5 canisters to get to 36psi. They just sit in my tool chest now.

Doctor T wrote: Sat Jun 07, 2025 2:47 pm I tried pumping a tyre from flat with Co2. Used 5 canisters to get to 36psi. They just sit in my tool chest now.

I did the same as an experiment the once and I used six, and that was in the garage in ideal conditions and not at night, in the rain, knelt beside the bike at the side of the road with cold wet hands trying to light the scene of the crime up with the light from my iphone. That's why I bought a mini USB powered pump. Mine has enough power to (allegedly) pump of a middle sized rear tyre up about 5x times and will also act as a torch and emergency phone / intercom charger. Mine's about three years old and both prices and physical size have come down since. Between that and a Dynaplug kit hopefully it's enough to get me home or at least to civilisation.

The strings work pretty well on punctures that aren't perfectly round. I had a small triangular-shaped bone puncture my rear tire in April. The mushroom did not seal well. The string worked much better. But, I still replaced the tire.
I have used the CO2 kits a couple of times. The trick is to make sure the cylinder does not freeze up. Get a kit that lets you control the gas release. Release gas until the cylinder gets too cold to hold. Stop the flow and let the cylinder warm back up. On my Suzuki VStrom rear tire (150/70 17), it took 1.5 cylinders to get to 36psi. Outside temperature was about 80 degrees F.

I keep three extra cylinders in the pouch, as that's all I could squeeze in.

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions.

I think I'll revise my kit to some form of sticky strings, rather than the Stop 'n Go and a small, rechargeable compressor instead of the Airman. Although, hoping that I won't need either!

RTs4me wrote: Thu Jun 12, 2025 12:14 pm Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions.

I think I'll revise my kit to some form of sticky strings, rather than the Stop 'n Go and a small, rechargeable compressor instead of the Airman. Although, hoping that I won't need either!

Which leads straight on to the next question.
What compressors are we using.
I have the Desert Fox,touch bulky but by christ can it inflate a tyre.Does my Sprinter tyre without issue up to 45psi,no bother at all

A little RAC boxy thing that works off the bike battery, it’s redeeming feature is that it fits behind the speaker fascia on the dash.

I’ve got another couple of rechargeable pumps but they’re a bit bulky.