03-15-2021, 03:39 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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Dual Sport Inner Tubes - Confusing
I was just reading heavy duty and ultra heavy duty tubes shouldn’t be used on the road.
Where does that leave a dual sport bike? Found some regular Michelin 90/90-19 tubes pretty easily, but the 110/90-17 tubes don’t seem to be too common. What brand and type of tubes should I get for my Lifan x-pect? While we’re at it, any spoke wrench recommendations? I saw torque wrench versions and simple ones. But I also have no specs on torque needed for my spokes. Any suggestions on best spoons for working tires off too? I seem to know nothing about wheels. Guess that makes sense for a boat guy. Ha ha. Trying to get together my tube changing kit for longer trips. |
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03-15-2021, 04:15 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: NY
Posts: 218
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The HD tubes won't be a problem with your bike as it will not be reaching speeds of 100+ mph It's a friction issue at high speeds which cause heat and can allow soft spots in the rubber over time.
Michelin tubes are very well trusted and there is another forum, I won't mention, where the dual sport riders swear by the Michelin UHD for the long haul, even with riders who have driven in the 100's on the hottest pavement etc... Below are some non affiliated purchase links: Front Tube 90/90-19 Rear Tube 120/90-17 10mm larger in diameter, will still work just fine. Spoke Wrench Other Tire Tools: Bead Breaker and Lever Tool Set | Valve Core Remover Not sure on the spoke torque specs, I always gave them a generous snug Watch this for more info on spoke adjustment:
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NO HILL TOO STEEP NO MUD TOO DEEP The Brozz | The Hawk Upgrades, Accessories, Etc... Assembly Checklist: Brozz 250 | Hawk 250 ~idle_purr Last edited by idle_purr; 03-15-2021 at 05:05 AM. |
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03-15-2021, 04:36 AM | #3 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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There is nothing wrong with using heavy duty tubes on the road. Yes, in theory they can be more prone to heat by friction, but this is easy to mitigate in two ways. 1, don't skimp on the baby/talcum powder when installing the tire. This greatly cuts down on the friction between the tire and tube and reduces a lot of the heat and wear. 2. Don't run low tire pressures on the pavement at high speeds. The loose tube and added flex of the tire introduce even more internal friction. Run street pressures on road, especially if you are going on a longer ride and/or at highway speeds.
I have put a lot of miles on heavy duty tubes on the road without a single problem. Last bit of advice, when you get new tires, get new tubes. Re-using tubes isn't worth it. As far as tire spoons go. I have used several styles, and without a doubt this style has been my favorite to work with. They aren't the most compact, but they are smooth and easy to use, are almost impossible to damage the rim with, and I have never once caused a flat using them due to the control and leverage they give. As I said, the only downside is, probably not the most portable option. https://www.amazon.com/20601A-Profes...a-869259563707 They do make shorter versions as well, though you will lose a little leverage. Motion Pro makes a 2 pc. set that would probably be a bit more portable. https://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08...FKR55TXA9DAM31
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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03-15-2021, 07:25 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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It’s absolutely crazy how much you guys know and how helpful people in this forum are.
Thank you so much. Even with the links. I didn’t expect that. Buying all these now to be prepared and practicing some tube changes while here at home. |
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03-15-2021, 08:18 AM | #5 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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Looking at the toolkit side, I’m wonder why the tire spoons don’t come with big wrench ends to fit the axle nuts.
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03-15-2021, 02:54 PM | #6 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Motion Pro makes sets like that too, but nothing small enough for our bikes. They make 22mm and larger though.
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03-15-2021, 08:09 PM | #7 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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Ok. Cool. Learning lots fast here.
One think I learned today is the cost of our bikes is just barely the beginning. Ha ha ha. Question: my tires say 40psi, but I keep reading tubes should be at 30psi. I’m running at 40 and everything seems fine. Is that the right pressure generally unless I’m purposefully deflating for sand? Also been reading a lot of frightening material on why tube tires are going to make the tire fly off the rim and throw me under a bus. How accurate is all that? Lots of places make it sound like tubes immediately pop, the tire pops off the bead and you’re going down. |
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03-15-2021, 08:25 PM | #8 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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So I got some absolute junk tubes. The Goodyear ones won’t be in in time for my big ride.
I got these. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01CQ...b_b_prod_image https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0023...b_b_prod_image New approach will be to put one of these in if I get a flat and take it somewhere that can put a good tube in directly after I put the junk tube in. Do you think these bikes all come with bad tubes stock? |
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03-15-2021, 08:41 PM | #9 |
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Flower Mound Texas
Posts: 904
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The guys at the shop that put my new tires on the tbr7 said it had some good thick stock tubes.
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2021 Tao Tbr7 - "Lucille" Mods so far- Brozz swingarm, 21" front rim (Bridgestone Tw302 rear/Dunlop D606 front tires), Digital gauge cluster, pz30b pumper carb, after market hand guards, aftermarket brake and clutch levers, round fold away mirrors, Fly handlebars shortened slightly, 13t front sprocket 2009 Q-link Legacy 250 1982 Suzuki GS1100ES - "Jolene" |
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03-15-2021, 08:56 PM | #10 |
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 297
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I got 4300 miles on the stock Brozz tubes, and nothing apparently wrong with them when I changed them out.
When I pulled the stock tires off, the front rim strip was not in place all the way. I was more worried about that than the condition of the tubes. I went with BikeMaster HD tubes for replacements. They are available in the sizes you are looking for. |
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03-15-2021, 09:11 PM | #11 |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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The only bikes that really seemed to have cheap tubes were the early Hawks. I am sure the Brozz comes with some better qualuty stuff. The shifted rim strip is a common cause of many tube problems though.
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03-15-2021, 09:13 PM | #12 | |
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 8,100
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Quote:
As far as rapid decompression with a tube blowout. Yes, that is a thing with tubes and spoked wheels in particular. Spoke wheels aren't very air tight, so if a tube bursts, the air escapes rapidly. It's not a very common thing, but it can happen. Most tube punctures will deflate slow enough for you to come to a safe stop. That being said, you can put down some strong sealing tape around the spoke holes under the rim strip to help reduce the decompression effect a bit. I usually put 1 or 2 wraps of gorilla tape or 3m sealing tape around the inside of the rim before I put the rim strip on. It does work.
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Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124 |
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03-15-2021, 11:11 PM | #13 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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I love all these responses. Learning so much. Thank you.
The idea about putting down some sealing tape is a good one and I think it’ll help me feel a little better about the possibility of a tube letting go at road speeds. I’ll do that when I practice changing out tubes on this bike before going on this trip. Is butyl tape a good idea that interfere too much with the tube itself, causing more problems than it would solve? I was reading online that tubes should be like 30 psi. I don’t know what tubes are in my Lifan. Chinese ones, I’m sure. The tires themselves say 40psi.
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2020 Lifan x-pect |
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03-16-2021, 12:04 AM | #14 |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Roseburg, Oregon
Posts: 22
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Regarding the pressure, go by what Lifan recommends for the X-Pect which is 29-32psi for the rear. What the tire says is the max for that tire.
TR
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As you travel down the road of life, keep your eye upon the donut, not upon the hole 2020 Lifan X-Pect 200efi 2005 Harley Davidson Sportster XL1200R |
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03-16-2021, 05:46 AM | #15 | |
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Northeast
Posts: 934
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Quote:
So the tubes DO dictate the pressure, rather than the tire. Interesting stuff. I’ve never had tubes before.
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2020 Lifan x-pect |
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