Hauling Spare Tires (Crosspost?)

[witttom]

Somewhat of a crosspost of sort (not sure if this is really appropriate), but thought maybe I would get some answers that are a little more Triumph-specific here and looking at the lack of overall content in the Triumph forum, I figure it doesn't hurt to stir up a little extra Triumph chit chat.

Anyway... my original post:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000371.html

I've been searching for some tips on how to do this, but have yet come across any (perhaps I overlooked some). Also not sure which forum to post this, so I'm placing it here.

Originally posted my question on LocalRiders.com:
http://www.localriders.com/forums/sh...ad.php?p=60497

One of the regular users there suggested I look here.

This is my quest....
For some time now, I've been trying to figure out a way to HAUL a spare rear wheel assembly with me on some longer trips that would require a tire change somewhere along the way (due to wearing out a rear). It's not an easy task. Trust me. I've hauled rims and tires to Ray Pope's shop to have mounted before (relatively short distance, in comparison), and it is just plain tough to do. I found it more difficult than hauling a 17" monitor.



Well, now that I have a complete set of spare wheels... I'd still like to be able to do this (haul both spares). There are places that I would like to do, where I would want to swap in my dirt/snow tires during specific legs of the journey. I'd also like to have my "Spares" with me in the event that I damage one. I've swapped my wheels out enough times where I am confident that I could do it at a campsite or even an unscheduled pitstop on the side of the road.



There just seems to be no real good way of hauling extras wheels without a trailer or sidecar. Some have suggested that I just SHIP my spares to a destination ahead of me, but I would rather have them WITH me instead. Has anyone done this themselves or know someone who has? I'm looking for some ideas. Perhaps someone has some creative ideas that work well, that I may have overlooked.

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Tom Witt - Southwest Ohio, USA
1978 Honda CX500
1999 Triumph Trophy 1200 RAT224819
2002 Motorrad und Zweiradwerk 125SM
2003 MiniMax Z40 For Sale/Trade
2004 SkyTeam ST50

[muzz]

Tom, if you have to take a rear, I'd' try and hook something up on the rear of your bike using the rack as a "Hanger" for the tyre only and using a couple of straps to keep the thing in place. I reckon carrying a complete wheel might be a bit much weight wise.

Nice bike.....

[mollydog]

Tom,
I think you've lost it man! ;-)
I can see hauling a tire along, or even two. But a whole friggin' wheel? Are you nuts man?

Ever heard of a bike shop? They have these funny devices there called "tire machines" that make child's play of breaking a bead and swaping a tire, takes about 5 minutes. Even an HD dealer can do this for you!

Even in 3rd world country they can handle this quite easily. On more than one occasioni I've gone into regular car tire
places and had my new tire mounted up
and ready to go in 15 minutes. I take it off the bike and re-install of course. In Mex.
this cost $5.

Strapping a spare rear on is no big deal.
I've done it on my old Tiger and now on my current Vstrom.

Carrying a wheel just makes no sense
and sounds dangerous to me.

[Gung_Ho]

Hi Tom

I totaly agree with the others (although you probably want to hear the oposite). Regradless of all the practical difficulties of carrying a whole wheel with you, the risk envolved should you be envolved in a collision is such that I think you should abandone the idee. I agree with your reasoning for wanting the second wheel, but I also agree with Mollydog on the ease of having tyres changed. I have done it in Mbaswan in Zululand, South Africa, thus i firmly belive you can have it done virtually anywhere. Nd carrying a spare tyre elliminates the hazards envovled in carrying a wheel.

Cheers, ride safe and enjoy your awasome bike!

Gus

[witttom]

Appreciate all the replies. I'm having serious "Second Thoughts" of hauling a complete spare wheel assembly (or two) with me. The biggest reason (I mean, other than overcoming the difficulties) is the fact that I've been putting quite a few miles on my "Dual-Sport" type tires over the past few days and am finding that the compromise is not much of a compromise at all. They handle almost (almost) was well as regular street tires under typical riding conditions and yet far exceed the traction that a street tire can provide in snow, salt, sand, gravel, etc etc. Oh sure, I wouldn't take them to a track day, but for long distance touring, mild canyon carving, and the occasional gravel road... I think this type of tire is what I will be going with in the future. So, the need to "Swap" in the middle of a long trip does not seem to be that great of a need anymore.


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Tom Witt - Southwest Ohio, USA
1978 Honda CX500
1999 Triumph Trophy 1200 RAT224819
2002 Motorrad und Zweiradwerk 125SM
2003 MiniMax Z40 For Sale/Trade
2004 SkyTeam ST50