Doing a trip across Australia in July - I'm running Karoo 3's on the bike - 170 (17") on the rear and a 120 (19") on the front.

This is my first big trip so want to go prepared. Ive been told to cater for the possibility of a tire blowout that a plug kit won't be sufficient enough to repair and that a tube will have to suffice.

First of all -

1.) What tubes should I buy (Manufacture/Model/Type) for the front and rear - would a 18" tube suffice for both thereby I only have to carry one tube which would be a little tight on the front and a tad loose on the rear but would do the job?

2.) I purchased a tyrepliers repair kit - they come with some pretty big patches.
Would it not be possible in such a side wall blow out to patch the inside then reattach without a tube - is that a good idea?

3.) Should I get some kevlar string so that I could possibly stitch the tire if it was a large hole?

Thanks all for your advice and words of wisdom in advance...


Ben.

I would reconsider using Karoo tires. Metzeler make some good, long lasting tires ... the Karoo is not one of them. This statement based on my experience and on many ride reports where Karoo's wore out in record time. Do some research, see what you come up with.

Crossing Australia I would want the toughest, longest lasting tire I could find.
Look at Heidenau, Mefo, Mitas.

Tubes:
carry at least TWO. front and rear. Note: a 19" tube will work in your 17" wheel, 18" also OK in rear 17". Heavy duty is good, but NOT Ultra heavy duty. Ultra's are HUGE, hard to pack, heavy and hard to fit. You don't need them! Regular HD is fine. or even regular tubes are OK. Be sure to clean out inside of tire before fitting new tube to remove spines and such embedded in tire, hard to see ... but you will feel them ... and they WILL ruin your day.

It is very rare to split a side wall, hard to repair properly beyond old fashion "vulcanizing" which can work. (I've seen it done in Mexico where nothing is thrown away!)

You could try a big patch on the split but may not hold and tube may get punctured. But yes, in a pinch worth a try.

Most times your tire plugs will work ... if you install them correctly and use enough Rubber Cement. If you've never used plugs ... then practice before setting off. There is some technique involved.

Also consider carrying a spare rear tire unless you have planned stops along your route. Two spare HD tubes would be minimum. Make sure you can break the bead on rear wheel, can be tough on some wheels with tubeless tires fitted. Make sure valve core is removed before trying to break bead ... so many make this horrible mistake and really struggle and do damage to wheel, tire or themselves.

Look at Motion Pro tire bead breaker.

Hi Mollydog,

Thankyou so much for your great reply. Just a few more questions if you don't mind adding a bit of detail on.

So what your saying is that I can carry 2 19" tubes and that will cater for both front and rear.....Will a 18" tube also be ok for the front??

I'm having trouble searching for the most correct fitting tubes - do you for example have to get a narrower 19" tube for the front compared to the back?? What width would you choose for your tubes?? And the most important question - where do you get them from?? Which website would sell me tubes??!

I agree with you on the tires - Karoo 3's are great but I only get 2000-2500kms out of them - I might look into your suggestions that you have made.

One other thing that I'm trying to get my hands on is some spare light bulbs for the front and rear and side indicators - do you suggest taking them? and where would you get these spare bulbs from - I checked the BMW and Touratech and a few other websites but have had no luck there.

Thanks again.


Ben

You're very welcome Ben! It would help to list your location and the bike you're riding! Oh wait, I see it's a BMW. R1200GS? Year? I assume you're in Oz?

Well, you could use 19's, but I would not. The 19" is a lighter front tube, less robust than a rear 17 or 18" tube, so take a 17 or 18 HD, it's better/stronger int rear tire. But a 19 will work, but not exactly ideal. But do take a 19", but for the front tire.

And NO! you can't use a smaller tube for the front! Must be a 19" or a 21". (So slightly bigger is OK, smaller, no)

Depends where you are ... you didn't say. You can add your location by your username. If in Oz, I'd contact the Oz
HU community or do another post in BMW asking for parts sources in OZ.
(or wherever you are located)
Tubes:
Metzeler make GREAT natural rubber tubes, expensive but very good quality. In USA I like inexpensive MSR tubes from Bike Bandit or Motorcycle Superstore. Pirelli are also EXCELLENT (Pirelli own Metzeler) Michelin are fine, Bridgestone is one of the best too. Even Kenda make pretty good tubes. NATURAL RUBBER BEST.

Use size range your owners manual recommends. Shown as a size range that a tube will cover. Sizes will be printed on tube, either metric or SAE (inch) size IE; Metric:130/80/17 or SAE: 510/80/17. (same size)

Tubes will be labeled 120/130/140-80-17". All 17's, but that one tube will work with all the different width tire sizes printed on tube. But use the tube size your manufacturer recommends.

Always try to use natural rubber tubes, not Butyl. Patches don't always stick to Butyl. Many Chinese tubes are Butyl, the good ones usually work ok but hard to patch sometimes.

2500 kms!!! Is your name Ben Peterhansel by any chance?

To be honest I've not ridden Karoo 3, but did ride Karoo 1 and 2.

Both 1 and 2 wore out fast, about 3000 miles on a rear. Web reports on Karoo 3 say it's better than previous Karoo but NOT ideal for a cross continent ride where BIG miles are planned.

It's a GREAT handling tire on twisty back roads, very sporty. Only knock is if ridden hard and fast the rear will go away quickly, I hear around 3000 to 4000 miles on a rear. (less if riding very hard with lots of weight) Front lasts much better of course.

Also look at TKC80 front, Mitas or Mefo rear. Good combo. The front tire is your lifeline tire off road ... and the TKC is pretty good, but is also surprisingly good ON ROAD for a knobby tire. And they last really well too.
Use a tube in with the TKC80 front tire.

No idea on BMW bulbs Ben. My bike uses common bulbs, I carry one spare signal bulb and one HID kit. (very small). The world won't end if a signal bulb goes out ... but I haven't had one fail in over ten years ... and that's on about 5 different bikes. FACT: they rarely fail. If they go out, it's usually a wiring issue or short ... NOT the bulb.

Have fun doing your prep!

Hey Mollydog,

I updated my profile so I'm not just a "N/A" member!

Thanks for that info - I took your advice and ordered 2 heavy duty tubes for the bike - one is a 150/17 and the other a 120/19. Im also looking into tyres but agree with you that the TKC 80 is a great front tyre - there rear tyre wears quicker than the Karoo's hence the reason I went to Karoo 3 tyres - there an awesome tyre - they do well on the road as well as the dirt - if only they lasted a tad longer!

I spoke to my local BMW store today. They said the light issue is a no concern and fuses - well I could carry spares but don't have to cause if a fuse blows then its not going to stop the bike from starting but then again fuses are like 1 gram in weight so I think it won't hurt to take a few spare.

Problem I've had with Mitas or Meto tyres is they don't make one wide enough for the BMW - the widest tyre I've seen is a 150 but I'll have another search now and let you know if I find anything wider!

Catch ya later mate

Ben