Which tubes on an 1150 GSA

[demito]

Hi all,

I was considering putting heavy duty inner tubes in my tubeless tyres for a trip to Morocco (offroad). Which brands are best and what sizes fit my 1150GSA? I can't work my way out of all the available brands,numbers and sizes.

Tnx for your input

Cheers

T

 

[Bigtwin]

Interesting idea. You're going to drill out your rims? What is the advantage of this over a decent repair kit, given that you are still going to have to carry spare tubes anyway?

 

[Fanum]

If you really want to go to the trouble and expense of getting tubes, it would be worth looking at mousses instead.....then you definitely won't have a flat

Can't see it's necessary meself.......start off with decent tyres and carry a full repair kit and you should be fine

There are places in Ouazazarte, Marra, Rabat, Casablanca and Zagora that definitely carry spare tyres, and probably many more besides

 

[Fanum]

Just had a mooch about and you might be hard pushed to find tubes anyway......

Sizes would be to fit 110/80 19" front and 150/70 17" rear....not many people seem to carry them.

You can go a size or two up or down in an emergency but again, I doubt it's worth it

 

[demito]

Interesting idea. You're going to drill out your rims? What is the advantage of this over a decent repair kit, given that you are still going to have to carry spare tubes anyway?

I don't get it. Why should I drill out my rims? The tube valve could go through the normal valve hole, no?

I have read about many people doing this. It was recommended to me by my dealer, the Touratech guys had it in Bolivia and quite a bunch of travellers on horizonsunlimited seem to do it.

It just seemed logic to me that tyre + tube is more secure than tyre only. I know it heats up a little faster but if you stay under the tyre speed rate, you should be fine.

Other advantage is that it seems a lot easier to inflate a tyre fitted with tubes along the road. Correct me if I'm wrong...

I was thinking of taking heavy duty ones, no replacement tubes but tubeless valves as a spare. If my tube is ruined, I can still pull a tubeless valve through the hole and continue to ride them tubeless.


Not being a tyre guru myself, did I miss something, seen the negative reactions I get from you guys?

Tnx all

T

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

You need to ask Timolgra.......he's the guru

I couldn't figure out Bigtwins comment about drilling the rims, maybe he meant for tyre security bolts for use with tubes @ lower pressures, to stop the tube slipping and pulling out the valve core

 

[Bigtwin]

maybe he meant for tyre security bolts for use with tubes @ lower pressures, to stop the tube slipping and pulling out the valve core

Correct - if you aren't using them at lower pressures, then why bother with the tubes as the terrain can't be that demanding, and if you are, then you'll need to do this, or you'll run the risk of tearing off the stem (esp with the power of a GS going through the back tyre), which is probably greater than that of punctures anyway?

I've not looked that them, but I'd imagine that the choice of narrow stem tubes for that size rear might be a bit limited?

 

[Timolgra]

Hardly a Guru Johnny , just a regular tosser .

I would carry tubes rather than have them fitted. Any normal punctures can be much more easily repaired with a quality tubeless repair kit.

There is a real chance of damaging the tyre sidewall in which case you would need the tube.

You will also need a tube if you have a normal puncture, the seal breaks and without an airline cannot get the tyre back onto the rim despite your best efforts.

The slight chance that you could find a spare tyre in a big town is not only remote but won't do you any good in the middle of nowhere.
Some of the garages will be able to repair a split sidewall but you would want a tube in it as well.



My 1150 is non ABS which means a pair of tubes can be tucked away where the ABS unit would normally go and don't worry about them not being the exact GS size.

So yes, if your going serious offroad in Morocco, TKC80s but carry tubes to get you out of trouble. If there's a group of you, consider carrying just a front or rear each.

 

[demito]

Correct - if you aren't using them at lower pressures, then why bother with the tubes as the terrain can't be that demanding, and if you are, then you'll need to do this, or you'll run the risk of tearing off the stem (esp with the power of a GS going through the back tyre), which is probably greater than that of punctures anyway?

I've not looked that them, but I'd imagine that the choice of narrow stem tubes for that size rear might be a bit limited?

Tnx for your comment bigtwin. I see your point. That would mean no tubeless tyres at low pressures then... Does that mean all KTM's have rimlocks when going offroad?

Another option would be to go for the tubeless tyres only and take a spare tube that will fit both front and rear in case of an emergency.

Still a couple of questions then:

1. Will a tie wrap around the tyre be sufficient to seal the bead so that it can be inflated without a big blast of air. Any tyre soap required (I heard shampoo will do but it makes your rims corrode from the inside ).
2. What is a decent repair kit? The vulcanisation type thingies in the BMW repair kit? A glueless mushroom type (stop 'n go, will these still work on low tyre pressures?).
3. Apart from tyre plugs, should I take patches for major tyre repairs. If yes which ones would you guys recommend (glued, vulcanised, ....).

Tnx a lot for your comments all.

Cheers

T

 

[demito]

Hardly a Guru Johnny , just a regular tosser .

I would carry tubes rather than have them fitted. Any normal punctures can be much more easily repaired with a quality tubeless repair kit.

There is a real chance of damaging the tyre sidewall in which case you would need the tube.

You will also need a tube if you have a normal puncture, the seal breaks and without an airline cannot get the tyre back onto the rim despite your best efforts.

The slight chance that you could find a spare tyre in a big town is not only remote but won't do you any good in the middle of nowhere.
Some of the garages will be able to repair a split sidewall but you would want a tube in it as well.



My 1150 is non ABS which means a pair of tubes can be tucked away where the ABS unit would normally go and don't worry about them not being the exact GS size.

So yes, if your going serious offroad in Morocco, TKC80s but carry tubes to get you out of trouble. If there's a group of you, consider carrying just a front or rear each.

Tnx for your comment Timolgra. Our posts have crossed but you kind of confirm my solution.
Could you further comment on my post above concerning repair kits? Furthermore, which type of tubes would you take (brand, size, type,...). I heard about tubes "designed for" tubeless tyres...

Cheers

T

 

[davegs]

Ultra seal,

As a posser of a tin for two years, (still unused) is it worth using in these conditions ? or in any conditions.
dave (wondering) GS.

 

[Timolgra]

For the spring '05 trip to morocco, a couple of us did use Ultra Seal.

We pulled a nail from Hayden's rear tyre on his Tiger, the Ultra Seal sealed it immediately with no further problems.

It also seemed to me that our tyres lasted longer

There is a lot of debate as to it's merits or faults. These days I've decided not to use it.

But if you are refering to Tyre Weld type foam repairs, I've rarely seen it used succesfully.

For permanent repairs to tubless get a 'Tyre Plugger' kit . Much better than the BMW supplied (1100/1150 ) temporary kit.
Do a search for details.