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Checking the air pressure in your tires at least once a week is an important part of the maintenance of your machine. This article attempts to show what kind of gauges are available for this task.
There are a lot of different gauges to choose from. Many people use the stick or "pencil" gauges, with good results. They're inexpensive, and are durable and take up very little room on your bike. They're not always accurate, though. If you, or a friend, have an electronic one, compare it to the cheap one and see how far off it is from being accurate. Then write the difference on the gauge itself or tape paper on it reminding you of how much (if any) it's off.
The most important thing is to find out what range your tires work best at, keeping above the minimum recommendation in the owner's manual, and keep it in that range by constantly checking them. This is an important part of riding safely.
Here are some models to consider, in no particular order.
EZ-Air
- It's a clip on type with a flexible hose that works WAY better than I had imagined.
- It's got a PASS-Thru so you can pump while it's connected.
- It's got a Push release valve.
- For a true dial gauge, its design is compact. Good for travel.
- About $20 + s/h
- I just clip this on once a week and check the tire. If low, I clip my pump to the other end and pump some air in it while checking the gauge. The bleed valve makes it easy to get your pressure exact.
- Although not an angled connector, I have no problem with it and my 250. Also, the flexible hose is not just rubber, it has those fiber weave things outside so it feels more robust. The overall build feels very sturdy and heavy.
Accu Gage There are lots of different types of gauges on this website.
- About twenty bucks, with a right angle chuck to make it easy to get to valve stems between discs.
Accutire MS-4021B Backlit Digital Tire Gauge
- One member's opinion: It's like 8 bucks, battery will probably outlive your bike, zeroes easily, accurate to 0.5 PSI. Fast reading. Available all over the web.
- And a dissenting viewpoint: I have the Accutire MS-4021B, as well as the Accutire MS-4400. They both are terrible for the Ninja, probably most motorcycles. They are very difficult to seat on the valve, and a lot of air usually escapes before you get it on there. It is also nearly impossible to not get your hands dirty finagling the thing onto the valve. They do seem reliable and accurate, just the wrong shape.
 
Road Gear Ready-To-Go Hi-Tec Digital Tire Gauge, model number TG102
- About the same size and weight of a standard pencil type gauge.
- Valve fitting is set 90 degrees from its length, so it sticks straight out from your tire so that brake rotors and spokes and the like just aren't in the way.
- Valve depressor is set 180 degrees from the valve fitting, so bleeding air and rechecking pressure is super easy and fast.
- LCD readout - 5.0 to 99.5 PSI in 1/2 pound increments.
- Very nice tread depth gauge is on the end away from the air pressure parts.
- Very nice, easy to use tool. Small, lightweight. It replaces my old pencil type air gauge and now lives in my tankbag.
I purchased one similar to the Road Gear one at Target for $11.99 on clearance. The 90* head makes it much easier to get accurate readings on a bike without letting the air out.
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