Tire sizing

**wildwade** · #1 18 Sep 2003

hello all. I'm having a hard time finding a toubed tire in my KLR's 130/80/17 size. What I'm wondering is, would a 120/80/17 fit? What about a 140 80 17? It just figures that they'd sell em right arround my size but not in it. Thanks in advance for your reply.

Wade

**wildwade** · #2 18 Sep 2003

oops, my bike takes 130/70/17, not 130/80

**Grant Johnson** · #3 19 Sep 2003

I don't know KLR's well enough to know if it would fit, but regardless I'd recommend against it.

You don't HAVE TO use a tube-type tire - a tubeless tire fitted WITH a tube will work perfectly, is recommended by all tire manufacturers where needed, and is often all that is available. Adding a tube to a tubeless tire lowers it's speed rating by one notch - about 10mph off the top end.

I've run a tubeless tire with tubes for the last 150,000 km.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

**wildwade** · #4 19 Sep 2003

Well that boosts my tire selection options just a bit. Thanks Grant.

Wade

**DE mark** · #5 25 May 2004

Grant,
Do the tubeless tires fit tighter to the rim, thereby being less likely to roll off the rim in the event of a flat?

I had a high speed get off Saturday when my tubed tire went flat and the bead came loose. I am looking for ways to prevent THAT from happening again.

**Grant Johnson** · #6 25 May 2004

DE Mark,

Unfortunately not on a TUBE-TYPE rim, but on a TUBELESS rim, yes - but not because of the tire - the rim is actually a different profile, and has a raised ridge just inside the bead of the tire that helps the tire stay on.

Go to the links page and search for Continental - there is a link to a great article on tubeless/tubetype rims and the differences.

I've had the same experience, minus the getoff, but at 110kph fully loaded two-up in the Andes...

Sadly the only cure is installing a tubetype rim. A very stiff tire can help somewhat, and of course a heavier duty tube, made of natural rubber instead of cheaper materials helps a lot. The cheap tubes tend to split and of course lose ALL the air instantly, whereas a heavy natural rubber tube doesn't tear as easily, so the air is lost more gradually. Conti makes good tubes, as do some of the other major manufacturers.

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------

One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com