Mini electric air pump.

[Lincsman]

Maybe in the wrong section Sorry if it is .
For many years now I've never bothered to get one of these, but now my friend is coming on a lot of these planned tours, I thought it was about time to consider buying on of these, especially when we go to rural Poland next year. I've got all the normal things like emergency tubeless tyre repair kit and the tyre weld, if the plugs don't work too well, but have never considered one of these.
I've seen a few that have got great reviews, and crap one's alike.
If any of you blokes have one of these, what's your honest opinion of them, and the price you paid for them too.
 

[grumps]

I got an Airman for about £20. Never used it in anger but they do get good reviews and it seems to be well built

[Gassoon]

My airmans still going strong afetr quite a few years, mostly inflating car tyres. very reliable, seems to work OK off the 'normal' powered 12v cigarette lighter-type socket which I have put on my wee (ie fairly low power).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Airman-Compact-Compressor-Inflator-Gauge/dp/B006B96OGS

there's a bunch of posher ones available as here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/motopumps-air-shot-review/

Or you can always try getting a cheapo one from ebay, and stripping the plastics off, shrink-wrapping the important internal gubbins like some others have done. The airman hits the middle ground and is reliable though (what you probably need in the middle of nowhere!), and fits under a wee/vee seat at a pinch 

[Lincsman]

That's brilliant, thanks to the both of you for that. I think that with two recommendations that this actually works well, I'd be a bit daft to ignore it and go get something else.
As you said, you want it to work when you're in the middle of nowhere.
 

[MartinW]

I too have the airman. I have tested it, but never needed it at the roadside.

[Lincsman]

One possible daft question, do you need to run the bike before you use it, or can you just use it without running the bike.

[MartinW]

Depends how you connect it, if you use a fused cigarette type socket that only works with ignition on, then yes.

I put croc clips on mine to go straight to the battery.

Personally, I would run the bike anyway.

[Lincsman]

That's settled then, I'll run the bike I have a fused cigarette lighter-type socket that I'll connect to the battery should I need to use it. I'm going to order it now from the link provided.
Thanks again everyone.

[Brockett]

I carry a "Plug N Go" puncture repair kit and six CO2 canisters.

[Sam]

I bought an Airman pump several years ago & its still working well. I tested it when I first got it and it inflated a flat rear tyre in 3 1/2 minutes & a front tyre in 2 1/2 minutes.
One word of warning, I now have a Yamaha tracer & when I used it through the 2 accessory sockets, it blew both fuses. They only have 2 amp fuses fitted & the Airman is rated at 10 amps. So I decided to buy a croc clip wire/socket from ebay (about £2-3) and now use it direct off the battery. So may be worth checking that your fuses are up to running the pump rather than finding this out when you're at the roadside with a flat tyre!

[grumps]

Good info Sam. Thanks

[Lincsman]

I have a fused cigarette lighter-type socket that I made up for my Sat Nav to run on my Triumph. I'll connect that to the battery should I need to use it, and take it off again when done. I'll not be connecting it to any part of the 650 electrical system, but going straight to the battery instead.
It's good to know that you can call on more knowledgeable people than me, on some subjects for help.
  and 

[Lincsman]

Well my Airman came today and I tried it out, perfect bit of kit. You can certainly hear it work that's for sure.
Again thanks to all for your advice.