Using tubes (for tubeless tyres) and 1200GS

**flyerblade** · #1 21 Dec 2007

I've been looking for some tubes to carry for emergencies and found this site:

Just Tubes - Discount Motorcycle Inner Tubes

Looks like a big range of tubes so thought it might be of interest here.

I've got tubeless tyres but understand you can put a tube in in emergencies. Am I right in thinking this will be OK on my 1200GS spoke rims ? (They weren't over keen to commit to this being OK on the phone).

They seem to sell primarily two types - a regular Continental one and a heavy duty 4mm Bridgestone one. Which would be better to carry ?

**Dessertstrom** · #2 21 Dec 2007

There are many who use tubes in tubeless tyres for variouse reasons but I would only use in emergencies as in too damaged to plug it as a tube in a tubeless can cause the tyre to overheat. Don't forget you would have to cut the tubeless valve off.

Cheers
Ian

**flyerblade** · #3 21 Dec 2007

Hi. Yea I understand that, I really am talking about real emergencies here. For example being in the middle of nowhere with a tyre cut that a plugger can't fix. Just to be able to limp to civilisation (slowly!).

**AliBaba** · #4 21 Dec 2007

I would not be afraid of the overheat issue. People use tubes all the time with no problems, but some people say that when using a tube on a tubeless tire you should reduce the speedindex by 1.

When you install the tube you have to remove the tubeless valve and insert a spacer on the new valve stem because the hole in the rim is big and your valve might get ripped off. This spacer comes with some tubes but if not you can use a M8 spacer.

The 4mm tube takes up a lot of space, so unless you are going into real remote places carry something thinner.

**flyerblade** · #5 21 Dec 2007

Thanks - that was what I was thinking, just nice to have someone else's similar opinion

**seanh** · #6 22 Dec 2007

I bent my front wheel rim in Senegal, stuck a tube in, and rode through another 13 countries in Africa, high speed, low speed, off road, low pressure, without a problem. I know Grant has used tubes in tubeless tyres for most of his touring also. It might reduce your speed index a bit and make it a little bit hotter, but there really shouldn't be a problem. It also helps if you've taken the tyre off and can't re-seat the bead.

**Steve Pickford** · #7 3 Jan 2008

I fitted the 18" spare rear tube from my 400EXC to the 17" rear wheel of a friends R1200GS last May when we were stuck in the Pyrenees, he'd suffered a 3" gash to the sidewall. Instant deflation, no chance of plugging it.

Got us 40km down the mountains & back to Sort & then another 75km to Andorra for another tyre. Tube was still usable when removed from the tyre.

Useful skill to learn. You'll need to cut the tubeless valve stem out to fit a tube, carry a spare bolt in version as the rubber pull through types are a pain to fit without the correct tool (DAMHIK).

**george t** · #8 25 Jan 2008

I had to fit an 18inch heavy duty tube (4mm Bridgestone) inside a 17in Tourance on a 12GS.

The plugs I carried didn't work and had to fit the tube in order to make it back. Used the bike with the inner tube in for about 2k miles and I had no problems -

I still have the tube somewhere in the garage and will carry it with me next time I am out and about..