Punctures

Danny · Jun 27, 2017

A few of my mates have recently bought new Africa Twins and they are growing on me.

One thing that concerns me is punctures. On the big GS a puncture is not a show stopper if carrying a Stop &a Go kit or the likes. But, as the Africa Twin has tubes it could be a nightmare if unlucky enough to get one while out on the road.

How many of you guys have had a puncture, are there any precautionary measures to take, or are there any roads side quick fixes that will keep ayou going?

FatAl · Jun 27, 2017

I've just bought a T120 Bonny that has tubed tyres, this was of a concern for me. I have put OKO puncture sealant into each tyre, (must remember to check tyres regularly for punctures). If that doesn't work then it's the RAC and a long wait.
I am toying with the expense of a set of Alpina spoked wheels as these will run tubeless tyres, but they are very expensive.

JJH · Jun 27, 2017

I had the same problem with a GSA 800. Ita just a matter of bringing the tools to do the job. Not as handy as tubeless but dooable. JJH

Clifton · Jul 20, 2017

What I'm doing is carrying two Motion Pro, aluminum, combo tire irons, one with a 27mm the other a 22mm for the rear axle. (My regular tool kit covers the front). These along with A mini compressor and tube patch kit has me covered. I do have a center stand also. On an extended trip I might even take along a rear tube if I have the room.

My last flat stranded me and it was on my bike with tubeless tyres. The culprit was a large construction staple that was bent and it tore or cut a slice in the rear tyre. Fix-a-Flat which I had didn't work, the slice was too long, and my tyres plugs wouldn't have worked either.

I recall wishing I had tube tyres and my tube patch kit that time.

WEE BOAB · Jul 20, 2017

I've only done 1000 miles on my AT so far, I don't carry tools or tyre levers, I'll take my chances and if I do fall victim to a puncture, I'll call the AA and wait for the man in the van to effect a rescue...that's why I pay for a recovery service

mikeyboy · Jul 20, 2017

learn how to change a tube,
carry a cheapo standard front,and the tools to change it.
in an emergency the one tube will fit front or rear,and you will be on your way in 1/2hr!
most trail riders have been doing this for years.
I feel sure there will be somewhere on the bike to stash an inner tube?

edit,,add to that,the fact that you have all the kit and have a tube and know how to fit it will guarantee that you will NEVER get a puncture
if one of your mates is unfortunate enough to suffer one ,you can stand at the side offering excellent advice,also known as taking the piss

WEE BOAB · Jul 21, 2017

Mikeyboy - I've been riding bikes for 44 years, had more than I can count, wish I still had many of them. I was at one time, quite proficient in bike maintenance including changing tubes and tyres but my days of fannying around with tyre levers and spanners are over. I have a few bikes these days and any issues are dealt with by people who earn a living working on bikes. it's one of the positives of getting older and of course it helps the economy

WEE BOAB · Jul 21, 2017

Oh and my AT hasn't got a centre stand, I forgot about that........

Clifton · Jul 21, 2017

You're out alone in a sparse area with no cell service and you have a puncture....... it's Saturday afternoon. What do you do?

This is precisely what occurred to me s few years ago when I was on my DR650. I was sure thankful I'd brought my compressor and tube patches.

Davy F · Jul 21, 2017

I did go down the Alpina route and worth every penny in looks alone.

Many AT owners have gone down the Outex route with no problems and at a fraction of the cost of new wheels. http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~outex/tubelesskitWMMT.htm

I've only had one puncture on the rear which was ironically caused by a new Continental TA2 rubbing through the tube (a small sticker mistakenly left on the inside of the tyre) and not surprisingly, none since spending all that money on the Alpinas. I carry a good tubeless repair kit under my pillion seat should the worst happen and like Clifton, the last proper puncture I got was on holiday in England on my 12GS (and in a new tyre fitted for going away :blast

) which was a big staple giving me a double puncture. Luckily, I Was able to repair it, but had to ride cautiously to get home before replacing the tyre.

mikeyboy · Jul 22, 2017

WEE BOAB said:
Mikeyboy - I've been riding bikes for 44 years, had more than I can count, wish I still had many of them. I was at one time, quite proficient in bike maintenance including changing tubes and tyres but my days of fannying around with tyre levers and spanners are over. I have a few bikes these days and any issues are dealt with by people who earn a living working on bikes. it's one of the positives of getting older and of course it helps the economy

each to their own I suppose,
id just be a bit pissed off with waiting for a breakdown service for a problem that could've been fixed in no time,
or missing a ferry etc,
these things always seem to have a knack of cropping up when you least need it :comfort

Garry H · Jul 22, 2017

The main issue if you are on your own will be getting the tyre off the bead to repair the tube or fit a new one
Modern bikes have a safety well on the rim designed to keep the tyre on and it's a bastard to get the tyre over with the larger size tyres
This would be the main reason i would do a tubeless conversion
Only on the rear though the fronts is no problem

BillN · Aug 11, 2017

mikeyboy said:
each to their own I suppose,
id just be a bit pissed off with waiting for a breakdown service for a problem that could've been fixed in no time,
or missing a ferry etc,
these things always seem to have a knack of cropping up when you least need it

Mike - inflating the tube - will a small mini-compressed "seat" the tyre - or is a hand pump more effective?

BillN · Aug 11, 2017

a bike pump with CO2 is maybe worth considering

adventuredon · Sep 19, 2017

Anyway to convert tubed to tubeless? I would probably enjoy spending the time at the roadside looking tough changing wheels and tubes etc...but my employer desires I get there on time! London Huh...who thought it...Anyhow, with the GS tubeless I can do this as it only takes 15 minutes to plug the hole...but a wheel off on the ring road might raise eyebrows...So can they be converted cheaply?

Davy F · Sep 19, 2017

adventuredon said:
So can they be converted cheaply?

See post #10

adventuredon · Sep 19, 2017

I looked at the outex stuff but it wasnt clear if it eliminated the tube. Just that the rim /tyre was better protected

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Punctures

Danny

Space cowboy

FatAl

Well-known member

JJH

Well-known member

Clifton

Well-known member

WEE BOAB

Registered user

mikeyboy

Well-known member

WEE BOAB

Registered user

WEE BOAB

Registered user

Clifton

Well-known member

Davy F

Registered user

Attachments

mikeyboy

Well-known member

Garry H

Well-known member

BillN

Registered user

BillN

Registered user

adventuredon

Well-known member

Davy F

Registered user

adventuredon

Well-known member

Similar threads