Updated at: 10-06-2022 - By: Lucas

No one who rides a motorcycle wants to get stuck on the road because their tyre went flat.

It’s not only annoying, but it can also be very dangerous, especially at night when it’s hard for other drivers to see you.

This is why you should always carry a portable tyre pump for your motorcycle.

To help you choose the best air pump for your needs, we’ve looked at some of the most popular and best-selling portable air compressors on the market today and listed their pros and cons.

We’ve also put together a Portable Motorcycle Tire Inflator Buying Guide. In it, we explain the different features and functions you should look for when shopping for and buying one of these products.

Best Portable Motorcycle Tire Pumps for the Money

Last updated on May 22, 2022, at 00:22; affiliate links; images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit

Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit

You’ll never have to worry about a flat tyre again with the Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit.

This 12-Volt compressor can put as much as 150 PSI of pressure into a tyre.

It has a 33 percent duty cycle and comes with a tyre inflation gun and gauge, an integrated pressure switch, an air hose, and a convenient carrying case, among other things.

The automatic shut-off feature lets users set a working pressure above which the compressor will turn off until the pressure drops below another pre-set number.

This air compressor kit is perfect for people who are always on the go because it is small and easy to carry.

Pros

High quality/trustworthy. The Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit is a great buy no matter how much it costs. It was made by a company that only makes portable air compressors.

Powerful. The compressor has a maximum working pressure of 150 PSI and can fill motorcycle tyres in less than a minute.

Nothing moving. The Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit doesn’t shake because it is built to be stable.

Cons

Engine must be running. For the Viair 40047 400P-RV Automatic Portable Compressor Kit to work, the motorcycle’s engine must be running.

Heavy. This compressor is a lot heavier than others in the same class.

Large size. This doesn’t work for road trips because it takes up a lot of room in your bag.

EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump

EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump

The EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump is easy to use and can be plugged into any accessory port. This makes it very portable and useful.

Thanks to the needle adaptors, this air pump can be used on more than just motorcycle tyres. It can also be used on cars, trucks, and other vehicles, as well as on balls and toys.

The pump has an easy-to-read pressure gauge that keeps track of the PSI as you pump, making sure you always get the right amount of air.

The LED flashlight not only lets you see what you’re doing at night, but it also lets drivers know you’re there.

The auto-shut-off feature keeps the compressor from over-inflating or overheating by turning it off when a certain pressure has been reached.

The 12-volt inflator is fast and strong, which means it will take less time to use and do a great job.

Pros

Compact. The EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump is small and easy to carry around.

Multiple Uses. This portable compressor can be used on a wide range of tyres, as well as on balls and toys.

Flashlight with LED. The EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump has an LED flashlight that lights up the work area and can also be used as an emergency light on the road.

Cons

Latches can come loose. Some reviewers say that the EPAuto 12V DC Portable Air Compressor Pump’s latches can become loose over time.

Longer times to blow up. This compressor takes longer to inflate than other products on our list that do the same thing.

VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor

VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor

The VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor is a 12-volt device that connects directly to the battery of your motorcycle.

Once the unit is attached, all you have to do is connect the tyre chuck to the valve stem and turn it on. Your tyre will be inflated in just over a minute.

The unit has a tyre gauge built in that lights up in the dark so you can read it easily. This makes sure that you always inflate to the right PSI.

The auto-shutoff feature keeps the engine from getting too hot and prevents wear and tear on the unit. The LED flashlight lets you see what you’re doing and lets other drivers know you’re nearby.

The product comes with a lot of attachments and tips for inflating, so it can quickly pump up a wide range of tyres, toys, and balls.

Pros

Great design. The VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor is not only very portable because of how it is made, but it is also very powerful for how small it is.

Very good tyre gauge. This unit has a built-in tyre gauge that is easy to read. This gives users the most accurate way to fill their tyres.

Carry Bag. The VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor comes with a bag that makes it easy to carry.

Cons

Engine must be running. The engine has to be running in order to use the VIAIR 300P Portable Compressor, just like the other Viair compressor we looked at that was also directly connected to the battery.

Portable Motorcycle Tire Inflator Buying Guide

When you go to buy a portable tyre inflator for your motorcycle, there are a few things you should look for to make sure you get a good one.

Here are some of these features and functions to help you make sure you get the best product for your needs and tastes.

Duty Cycle

A portable tyre inflator has a “duty cycle” just like any other air compressor.

A compressor’s duty cycle is the amount of time it can be used without getting too hot in a certain amount of time.

For example, a portable tyre inflator with a duty cycle of 50% can run nonstop for 30 minutes, after which the motor needs to cool down for 30 minutes.

Portable tyre inflators only need to run for a short time, usually just long enough to fill both tyres. This means that you can usually get away with a lower duty cycle, somewhere between 30 and 40 percent.

Auto-Shutoff

A good portable tyre inflator needs to be able to turn off by itself.

This unique feature lets the unit turn off automatically when the pressure reaches a level you set, and it can turn back on automatically when the pressure drops below a certain level.

This means you don’t have to keep looking at the gauge to make sure the pressure isn’t getting too high.

It also saves wear on the motor and gives you more time to do other things.

This useful feature not only makes the portable compressor easier to use, but it also keeps the tyre from being over-inflated, which is a common problem with portable tyre inflators that don’t have this feature.

Lights

Getting a flat tyre on a dark road is the worst thing that could happen.

It can be nearly impossible to work in these conditions, but if you have a portable compressor with built-in lights, you’ll be able to see what you’re doing.

LED lighting on a portable tyre inflator not only lights up your work area so you can see the valve stem and pressure gauge, but it also acts as an emergency light to let other drivers know you are there, making any place safer and more secure.

Digital Gauge

The next portable tyre inflator you buy should have a digital gauge.

When trying to fill a tyre on an open road, you don’t want to have to stop every few minutes to check the pressure.

You will never have to do this again if you have a digital LCD tyre gauge.

This feature lets you see how the inflation is going and stops the pressure once the gauge reaches the right PSI for your tyre. This easy-to-read feature gives you the most accurate inflation possible.

Inflating Speed

When you have a flat tyre and are stuck on the road, nothing will seem more important than a compressor that can fill the tyre quickly.

Different models of portable tyre inflators will have different speeds for filling up tyres.

One that has a fast inflation speed can usually fill a tyre all the way up in a minute or less.

Some of the fastest tyre inflators for motorcycles can completely fill both tyres in less than 2 minutes.

Because speed is so important, you should read as many reviews as possible about this topic before making a final purchase decision.

Size/Portability

If you’re going to carry your portable air compressor on your bike, it should be very small.

Smaller doesn’t always mean less powerful when it comes to inflators, so make sure you get one that fits easily in your under-seat storage compartment without taking up too much room that you might need for other tools and gear.

Noise Level

Any kind of air compressor is going to make noise.

Large air compressors used in places like garages can make about 90 to 100 decibels of noise, but smaller air compressors and portable tyre inflators are usually much quieter.

Some portable compressors are usually louder than others, though.

Because of this, it’s important to look for a compressor that makes the least amount of noise, which is usually between 40 and 50 decibels.

Multiple Uses

When looking for your next portable tyre inflator, you should look for one that can inflate more than just motorcycle tyres.

Many of the best mobile inflators on the market have different nozzles and attachments that let them fill almost any type of tyre with a valve stem of any size, as well as things like balls and toys that need to be inflated.

Warranty

Lastly, portable tyre inflators or portable air compressors are powered by a motor. Anything you buy with a motor should come with a pretty good warranty in case the motor, electrical system, or other parts break.

Most of the time, a longer warranty, like 3 to 5 years, is a good sign that the manufacturer believes in their product. On the other hand, a shorter warranty, like 1 to 2 years, may be a sign that you shouldn’t buy that particular compressor.