No way to effectively patch a sidewall ... especially on the side of the road. It will never hold. Even a big hole can be hard to put a plug in or patch.

A tire shop MIGHT be able to fix the tire ... but when traveling ... a tube in the tire is your best option. Its what we do. It works.

Be SURE to check and clean inside tire for sharp debris before installing your new tube. Often times bits of nail, screws or staples are hiding in the tire. You won't see it ... but can FEEL it with your hand. (Use caution)

I would go over your owners manual to learn how to remove plugs and air filter and such.

Go to owners forums to get other experiences on drowned out GS's and how the owners handle it. Many do the WRONG THING ... and RUIN their engine ...
HydroLoc is always a danger if engine fills up with water ... and then crank it over. (It will bend a rod ... RUINED!)

Guys also ride with too much water in the oil .... and never even know it ...
once again ... RUINED ENGINE.

If crossing really deep water, have friends standing by to help or let a more experienced rider take the bike across the water. I rode a friends R1200GS out of a very tough area in Mexico's Copper Canyon. He had fallen 5 times ... and finally was exhausted. He rode my Vstrom out ... which he found much easier.

Practice at home taking things apart, doing basic services: Oil and filter change, Air filter change, Spark Plug change. Practice also removing wheels from bike, learn where all the spacers and bits and pieces go.

Never had to do it myself - even in my wing, prayer and no money early biking days, but I have seen African bus drivers stitching rips in tyre sidewalls with a large "needle" (looked something like an awl) and string.

The idea was to hold the two sides together so the tube wouldn't bulge out of the gap when it was inflated. I've no idea how far you'd get like that but one bus was in the desert at least 50 miles from the nearest town so it had better have worked.

Agreed about checking the inside of the tyre for sharp bits. It doesn't take much to put (another) hole in the tube. It's best done with your bare fingertips - but very carefully. If there is something sticking out it'll rip your fingers as easily as the tube.

Thanks mate.

I've seen the Mexicans patch in similar way with big side wall rips. They stitch and then VULCANIZE it, setting the whole mess on fire! Really toxic but damn if it doesn't work. I saw this on a truck tire. (expensive). A friend on a Baja ride had his side wall repaired in a similar way, I never saw it, just heard about it later. He made another 1000 miles of tough terrain. If the tube BULGES out, it's likely to get popped at some point. HD tubes stays in the tire better. Soft tube, not so much. The Mexican Llanteros are absolute wizards at this sort of improvisation ... but it's a dying art as nearly everything, everywhere there is now paved over (not good for riders!).

Apologies, but can only contribute an educational video under the heading: How to recover a drowned Honda Transalp xl600v (1988 model)

https://youtu.be/6maYFQEnokk



Please persevere beyond the first 10 seconds that some viewers might find amusing

Autographs can be signed on request. Any comments regarding the actor's shorts, please address to his mum.

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OMG.

Good work getting it going.

I think I would have sat down in the , had a few and gone

Was it wrong that I just kept watching the first 15 secs over & over until I laughed ? Nice shorts too !
I think we have all been guilty of drowning a bike or two
Have never failed to get it going again
Bad day well documented chris, thanks

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My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

Most need only one watching

Every so often the video pops up on social media and the diatribe of liquid faeces being spouted by armchair "experts" and other "persons" about what I shoulda/ coulda/ they woulda done or not done is highly amusing. Also, Moritz, the guy who filmed it it, gets a lot of rap from the assorted keyboard heroes for not helping me...

The whole event lasted about 2.5 hours. Of those 150 minutes, the video is 4 mins 36 seconds at its final edit. The other 145 minutes and 24 seconds he was a huge help (except the bit where he's filming himself draining the water out of his boots... ). It didn't occur to said wacky racer types that he can't hold a camera and lend a hand simultaneous, except the for the bit where his helmet cam is on his head or set up to film us while he's helping.

One clown even posted I should have just pressed the go button and the water would have just shot out of the exhaust and I could have ridden away without the whole fuss...

Glad the shorts are popular!

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You did a fantastic job at getting it going. The only learning outcome would be to stand and keep both feet on the pegs. I only started doing this after a mate who is an endure champion schooled me on it. Here is a great link;

https://youtu.be/BBEXt1V6E2g


He makes a very good point at the 3.00 minute mark.

Please don't take it as a criticism.