Need to take spare when tubeless?
 

I'm two weeks away from my trip to Kenia with my 2011 vstrom 650.

I'm a little bit in doubt if I should take a spare rear tire with me? I rather not take it with me because of the bulkiness. I have no clue because of lack of experience how big the changes are that I will rip the new keidenaus k60 scouts!?

I bought the stopngo patching kit and the slime kit with the black "kabels" to patch my tubeless tires and won't be doing any paris-dakar style of riding.

I need some external wisdom on this.......

Assuming you have everything you need to get the tyre off and back on again then just make sure you have the proper solvent to clean the inside of the tyre before fitting a mushroom. If the damage to the tyre is too big to be repaired by a mushroom, which would be very unlikely, then you should be able to get a new tyre locally although maybe not a k60.

You could carry a tube as an extra precaution.

I have no illusions (or experience) to take off a tire of a tubeless rim so I bought the stop n go kit where I can fix it from the outside (without taking the tire off). From there I would stumble to a african tire fix/vulcanizing guy who would repair my tire much better.

I thought of taking a tube but decided not to because I can not get it on the rim. Other reason for not taking is that if it's on the bike and I get a leak, I can't repair it.

If you can't get the tyre off then there is not much point in carrying a spare tyre. If you're able to repair the tyre from the outside sufficiently to get to a tyre repair shop then they will be able to make a more permanent job of it.

Look at this thread page 5 http://www.adventurebikerider.com/fo...to-moose.html? limit=10&start=40
Might be worth taking some of these 'dog turds'. I've added some to my tubeless repair kit.

I think the most important point of taking a spare tire with me, would be that I don't have to search for (or import) a 17 inch tire in a worst case african scenario.

On the other hand, I have no clue how big the chance is or how easy you rip a tire.....

The k60 is a sturdy tire and I am very impressed with it. It would take a lot to do more than puncture it. Practice taking your tire off... take some tire levers .... and a tube for worst case.

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I would not bother taking a spare tyre with you, the chances of getting a puncture that is so bad it cannot be repaired with a plug or worse case a tube is highly unlikely. As has been said something the right size should be available in Kenya.

Tnx everyone for your input.

I won't take a spare tire with me. I ordered extra black strings from slime to suff a hole or small tear.

You should make it to Kenya on one rear tire. Are you riding home again? At some point you may need a tire to return. Can you find a tire in Kenya? ... or somewhere within your reach? I'd guess with moderate riding (slow-ish) your Heidenau rear tire should last 8 to 10K miles ( 12K to 15K km). Front should last over 15K km. :thumbup1:

Fast highway riding will wear rear tire quickly ... especially on a heavily loaded Vstrom in HOT weather. I would try to average "around" 60 to 65 mph (90 to 100 km per hour) Also, at lower speeds your chain and sprockets will also last much longer. Rocky pistes can wear tire too but if you take it easy, should make it OK.

(I hope you can begin your travels with NEW CHAIN, NEW SPROCKETS, NEW BATTERY, NEW TIRES??) :mchappy:

I would bring ONE inner tube along. Bring a 19" tube ... it can be used in front or rear tire if needed. If you can't remove a tire then you will have to make it to a town or village to get help. Tire changing places should be common, easy to find. YOU should learn how to remove/replace the wheel yourself ... let the tire experts remove tire from rim and plug the hole or whatever needs doing. :D

I've had better luck using "String" plugs over Stop & Go plugs. You will need to practice at home putting in a String plug. It should fit in VERY TIGHT ... use a LOT of rubber cement. Let dry 15 minutes before riding.

As a mechanical numpty i found these videos very helpful.

I used them to successfully change my front tyre for the first time as prep for my trip- it was spot on. Rear this weekend!

http://youtu.be/MG24-8_p73U

http://youtu.be/nus7E41nnBM

http://youtu.be/2zUe-eLa-lw