Tubed tire

[Guest]

I am currently doing some LONG over due maintenance. Something told me to look at the tires, glad I did. Found an inch long nail in rear tire. **** I had just bought that tire not to long ago. 1500mi on an E3. Guy at shop just thru a tube it. Anyway, I have read that tubes in motorcycle tires don't hold up well at all. He said that it was fine, and my book has a tubed tire section in it, so I let him do it. Thoughts?

[cowboyup3371]

Mine work okay but I'm also checking the tire pressure every couple of days as I find I'll have to add a couple of pounds about once a week.

[Steve]

Tubes have worked well in tires for YEARS.

In fact, if you look at the side of the tire, it probably says something like "TUBELESS, in tubed application, use tube."

.

[eil]

Tubes work just fine. My 850GL has a tube in the front tire, the 750E has tubes in both the front and rear. They make tire removal/installation a bit more of a pain but that's it.

If a tubed tire leaks air and you're sure you didn't pinch it during installation, try replacing the air valve.

[bwringer]

It'll be fine.

Personally, I would have plugged the tire from the inside, but very few, if any, shops will install plugs these days. A tube is a perfectly valid way to deal with the leak, and it's faster and easier than installing a proper mushroom plug.

The rule of thumb is that you lose one grade in the tire's speed rating when you install a tube in a tubeless tire. Since I doubt you're spending a lot of time over 130mph, there's nothing much to worry about.

The one caveat is that next time you install new tires you'll also need to remember to buy a new valve stem. (Heck, while you're at it treat the front tire to a new valve stem as well...). And if you have another flat, you'll have to deal with the tube.

Ride happy.

[tkent02]

Tubes are fine, they have nothing to do with air leaking out in time. I have six bikes with tubed tires, they don't leak down. A couple of them might need pound or two once every few months but nothing like every week. Tubeless tires on the other bikes need air just about as often.

Slow leaks are often caused by a tiny speck of dirt in the valve. If you add air to a tire that hasn't had a cap on the valve, it puts dirt in there. Might seal after that, might not.

[bwringer]

Since I've started mounting my own tires, the rate of air pressure drop is consistently far less.

The shops don't ever take the time to clean off the old rubber, mounting lube, and corrosion on the wheels.

As it always was and ever shall be, if you want something done right, you pretty much have to do it yourself.

[kjsamm]

Thanks for the replies. Makes me feel a little more safe now.