List of travel bikes with stock (OEM) tubeless spoked wheels
 

I'm looking to compile a list of current (readily available to buy today) adventure and dual-sport motorcycles that are fitted with tubeless spoked wheels as standard. I will edit this post to add any bikes you suggest fit this criteria. Thanks for your help! I am looking to see what my options are for a bike that has both ABS and tubeless (no tubes inside tubeless) spoked wheels fitted.
____________________________

• BMW F850 GS
• BMW R1200 GS Adventure
• Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
• Suzuki V-Strom 1000XT
• Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
• Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
• KTM 1090 Adventure R
• KTM 1190 Adventure R
• KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
• Triumph 1200 Scrambler
• KTM 790 Adventure and Adventure R
• Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro (19" front)
• Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L (2020)

Honorable Mentions:

• Honda XL 600 LM (1980s)
• Previous BMW models like R1100GS and R1150GS
• Old Aprilia Caponord
• Honda X-ADV

new v-stroms 650 and 1000

Cheers teevee

Does anyone know if the BMW 800 GSA comes with tubeless spoked wheels?

1980s Honda XL 600 LM. Yes, it is still current as it can be used to go around the world. ;-)

http://www.offroadcentrum.com/upload...9-IMG_7484.JPG

http://www.xrv.org.uk/forums/attachm...xl600lm-xl.jpg

Nice! Added to the list.

XTZ 1200 Yamaha Super Tenere

Triumph Explorer 1200

Previous BMW models like R1100GS and R1150GS

Old Aprilia Caponord

New BMW F850GS

- KTM 1090 Adventure R
- KTM 1190 adventure R
-KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
- all models od R1200GS



wish new Africa Twin had tubeless wheels as well :(

No. There isn't any KTM with spoked tubeless rims. New AT is even more off-road oriented so as well good old normal rims!

Tubeless Rims with Spokes
 

BMW, being a German company, use the Behr wheel rim patent.
Rim for a spoked wheel - Behr Industry Motorcycle Components GmbH
I guess Aprilia did that also with the earlier Caponord.

Any bike manufacturer could pay the patent fee to Behr and use that design of rim, assuming that Behr still hold that patent.

The other fairly common arrangement is the one shown in the pic of the old Honda: the same arrangement that Suzuki have been using on their modern V Strom. i.e. the "flange" built into the rim - I guess no one holds a patent on that??

Moto Guzzi Stelvio, I believe they are Alpina wheels. Incidentally I've just fitted a pair to my 2017 Bonneville T120.

Interesting. We got the XL600R in USA back in the 80's, but I don't ever recall seeing that Tubeless rim. (I owned red/white/blue 1987 one)

Who makes those tubeless wheels on that bike? Japanese usually use DID wheels. Or Excel?

That's the mystery of the year in ADV bikes. Why would Honda NOT do that? Everyone wants it ... and many would pay a few bucks more to have it!
I'm betting Honda will offer them next model year or when they do an update.

I wondered about that myself. This past weekend I rode with a friend riding his new '17 KTM 1050. IIRC, it did not have tubeless spoked wheels.

We were talking about wheels as we also had another friend on a new 2017 Yamaha 1200 Tenere'. This was his 2nd big Tenere'. He said first one had same tubeless wheels and that they proved very tough riding fast off road. He liked the bike so much ... he bought another.

He thought the wheel patent was held by Aprilia, but I have no idea if that's accurate. I know Behr was in the mix there somewhere but early Behr wheels on GS's had bad reputation for being SOFT.

I'd like to know who actually manufactures the Yamaha Tenere' wheels .... and most of all ... why Honda did not use them
on it's Africa Twin!!! doh

Yes I think many prospective buyers, me included, agree with you!

No, the 800GS and 800GSA have 21/17-in tubed which is why I bought the BMW F650GS twin with 19/17-in alloy tubeless wheels.

Spoked wheels might have some advantage if you are racing but if you are adventure touring then in my opinion there's no reliability disadvantage with an alloys/tubeless mix, which opens your options to a whole new list of bikes to choose from, though the narrower profile and taller 21/17 or 21/18 wheels will always be preferable to 19/17.

http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net...a_top_1000.jpg
Nothing wrong with alloys here!

No that's wrong, the KTM 1090 Adventure R, 1190 Adventure R and 1290 Super Adventure R are all fitted with 21/18-in spoked tubeless rims.

I hate tubes with a vengeance and run my KTM 690 Enduro R (21/18 spoked tubed) with mousses instead of tubes.

Yes. Tubeless they are.

Anyone know what sort of tubeless wheel they use on the KTM's?

Behr? or other?

If that 1090 was a couple inches shorter I might be on board one.
bier

Are you completely sure that are tubeless rims???

Why not just fit a conversion tape kit and make them
wheels on an AT "Tubeless"
My DCT AT was converted from new 35.000 KM ago with no problem.
For peace of mind, I fitted a pressure monitoring system to check the pressure in both wheels.
As of today, I have never had a problem.
Works for me.

KTM tubeless
 

This is how KTM do it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--Ucwqhd0tI

Maybe different markets receive the bikes with different rims? (i.e. just leave out that internal rubber fitting and fit a tube instead).

In the modern world, it comes down to the big bikes that tend to have the tubeless rims.

The Honda Crosstourer is fitted with a spoked rim that looks like a Behr arrangement, with spokes to the outer edge of the rim, front and back.
Tubeless? Don't know, but they look like it.

Good suggestion. I heard about tape kits to convert Tubed to Tubeless maybe 10 years ago. Back then I'm not sure they were 100% reliable. Now, latest UTubes I've seen and forum chatter, indicates they are pretty fool proof.

Woody's Wheel Works (USA) I believe has resumed doing tubeless conversions but still won't do a front wheel, only rear. Fine for me as front is pretty easy to spoon off and replace a tube ... and anyway ... seems we always get a REAR flat! Not a Front!
:censored:

BTW, I followed a tutorial using a high quality Marine sealer to make my DR650 rims tubeless. I could not get it to work. Not even sure from where it was leaking ... but obviously I did something wrong.

The newest Tape kits seem to work much better.

KTM's solution seems fraught with possible problems. IMO, the wheel needs to be Spoke Free (meaning spoke NOT going into inside of air tight wheel area) to have a proper tubeless set up, even though many are doing well with latest Tape kits. I'd need a PRO to do it for me ... I apparently suck at such operations! doh

As someone who still considers himself a learner rider, ABS and tubeless wheels have always been two must-have options. However I know very little about the benefits of spoked vs alloy wheels, and to keep myself honest here, for my riding needs, I suspect that spoked wheels may be more of a cosmetic rather than practical feature. Expanding my search to include alloy wheels would, as you say, open up my options considerably, which would be most welcome, as many of the bikes on the current list (top post) is beyond my set budget!

Anyone who did the PhD level research to get their doctorate might come up with this:
Spoked wheels are derived from the invention of the bicycle (which initially had solid wheels and evolved into a spoked arrangement as the technology moved along) - and that is the key to it.
Modern technology can produce a cast wheel well within tolerances. light enough in weight and to budget to do the job for, say, 99% of the population.
Tyres ditto.

Job done, PhD earned. :innocent:

sorry you failed, please try again :smartass:

for adventure, off-raod use I'd rather have spoked wheels any time of the day and night. When you crack you cast wheel in the middle of nowhere you pretty much done, not so much with spoked wheel. Not to mention absorption of bumps and S#$% on the road is far better with spokes wheels.

Spot On! :thumbup1:
While modern cast wheels can be (some) much stronger than those from 20 years back, they still can have vulnerabilities.

Yes, we all agree changing a flat rear tire is no picnic, can ruin your whole day.
But this skill is something ALL ADV travelers need to master and MUST have the tools and ability to do this in a pinch.

For me, I will ride on a flat for miles to get to a tire repair guy, yes, I hate doing rear flat repair! doh And ... I really SUCK AT IT! doh Some tires on some bikes can be very tough to break the bead on.

But if you seriously crack your tubeless cast wheel you could have even more serious problems. If the cast wheel totally breaks apart ... then what? :innocent:

Spoked wheels provide a bit of Flex and shock absorption. Cast wheels not so much. Many times a spoked wheel can be pounded back into shape. Cast wheels, not so much, but I did have my Vstrom DID cast wheels repaired twice from hard hits in Baja, one finally cracked, could not be repaired.

The Vstrom was so common I was able to find a replacement on the forums for about $150, IIRC.

But the OEM's are showing the way forward with their spoked, tubeless wheels.
Some use the Center rail spoke attach point (Aprilia, Yamaha, et al), others are BMW style where spoke attaches on outer edge. KTM have reinvented the wheel with their system ... and IMHO, is not great! (time will tell!)

I have seen BMW tubeless wheels destroyed off road on two occasions. On one occasion, we lent rider a tube, he was able to continue. A new wheel cost him something like $800.

Something else to consider: Ever tried putting a plug into a knobby tire? Depending where the puncture is ... it is not always straight forward.

bier

Let's revisit what I wrote...

Spoked wheels might have some advantage if you are racing but if you are adventure touring then in my opinion there's no reliability disadvantage with an alloys/tubeless mix

When I'm adventure touring I am often thousands of miles from home and I ride like I want to get back with the bike in one piece, so considerately! IMO you really have to do something stupid to crack an alloy. I have only met one guy who did that (Nadhim from UKGSer) who ran over a kerb at 70mph and cracked both front and rear.

By comparison the tubed rims fitted to most bikes (e.g. BMW F800GS) seem to be made of chocolate and vary dramatically from the high quality Excel rims you might fit if racing. Alloy wheels also have the advantage of lower unsprung weight.

I've explored the ideas of sealing tubed rims to make them tubeless, the real danger in this is that the tubed rim profile tends to lack the tubeless safety bead near the lip of the rim which is there to keep the tyre on the rim in case of a blowout.

http://www.morocco-knowledgebase.net/tim/tubed_plug.jpg
Tubeless knobbly plug

Yep, no tubes:-
Specifications – VFR1200X – Adventure – Range – Motorcycles – Honda

98% rules OK
 

The XT versions have developed a double flange arrangement for the wheel rim; maybe another way to get around some patent or other?
It makes for an "interesting" pattern of spokes laced to those rims.

https://www.rustsports.com/metal/suz...650xt_405.html
According to the article linked here, these suit 98% of riders. :innocent:

Excellent article there in RUST! :thumbup1:

Here's a shot of the the XT's Tubeless spoked wheel (Cycle World)
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-.../i-RCJR7qP.jpg

Yes! :thumbup1: This is key! When on road most have sense enough to take it a bit easier and not slam onto immovable objects when 2000 miles from home. :thumbup1:

Years past, did many "group" Baja rides, going back to late 1980's. On these rides we've seen guys do really stupid things on totally inappropriate machines.
In groups we see over zealous, testosterone addled numbskulls. This is where I saw broken BMW tubeless spoked wheels and worse.

But on longer tours most riders are more sensible so very little problem with cast wheel. But "stuff" can and DOES happen. I really like the Suzuki system shown above ... but I've no idea how this new system will work.
But it's a DID product so I expect it's very good.

True. Key part is "vary dramatically". If you happen to be at low end of the quality scale, may end up with breakable/bendable wheels, either cast ones or spoked. :oops2:

The spoked/tubed DID wheels on my old DR650 are quite tough. I've dented a two of them from going too fast, but was always able to continue.

I agree, some Behr wheels have been bad, very soft. Also, not all Excel wheels are all that tough. For them, lightness is highest priority. They have different spec'd ones, not all are dent resistant.

On a Motocross track, there are NO rocks and nothing to hit. In Hare Scrambles and Enduro we hit LOTS of things ... hard! Guys I know (rode AMA Enduro in 80's/90's) like DID Dirt Star wheels. In the Dakar DID Dirt Star also popular. :D:D:D

I'm sure this is true with some wheels. I can confirm that my Suzuki DR650 does have a safety bead on the DR's 21"/17" tube type rims. It is nearly impossible to break that bead, tested by ME riding 50 miles at about 50 MPH on a flat. Bead never broke. The front may be different but I've had only 2 front flats, one off road, one ON road. Tire stayed put in the 60 mph front flat.

Other bikes may not have such secure safety beads. But if they are DID wheels
(many are in Japanese dual sport range) they probably have some form of safety bead to prevent tire coming off rim in event of flat at high speed.

That's the perfect place for a nail. Easy to plug. But seen a few weird puncture locations with nail going in at angle, through a high Knob. Bit tricky sometimes to get the string plug or rubber plug in and may not stay put.

Also, if plug goes in through big knobby, riding hard off road may have that plug pulled out. I've never seen this, but seems it could happen if plug is in a not so ideal place. bier

I don't agree, sure nobody rides like crazy when traveling far from civilization but accidents happens. I was riding through meadow once in Morocco and I didn't notice sharp rock hidden in the grass, if I was riding alloys my front wheel would be damaged completely.

If you do only on road touring then yes, alloys are fine and even easier to clean.

So... what's stopping anyone from sourcing a set of those flanged spoked wheels and fitting them to your bike as part of the pre-trip prep?

That could be a great ... and cost effective .... solution:thumbup1:

My only question would be just HOW TOUGH are these new Suzuki wheels?

I would want to be sure they can hold up to moderate abuse off road. But if they pass that test, then could be great for Africa Twin ... and other riders on tube type set ups who want to convert to tubeless type. bier

Exactly what i had done by Devon Wheel Builders, a fine set of custom wheels for a special build i'm doing, thoroughly recommend them for UK readers here...

X-ADV scooter is another one for the list, but maybe not in the OP's 'adventure and dual-sport motorcycles' category.

I've sealed (or had sealed) spoked rims to run tubeless on a few bikes, some more successfully than others. See here.
As Tim says, the bead retaining lip in a spoked rim is key but not always present on the front. So these days if I'm changing wheel sizes (as I recently did to my XSR700), I'd sooner find a cast wheel that fits to preserve tubelessness.

I agree with Tim entirely and Toby E...

... I agree with that too. Cast or spoked not bothered, but much prefer tubeless.

Just back from Morocco trying out the new 310 and among the many sensible adaptions for off-road riding I was disappointed to see the rental place had gone to all the effort of swapping out the nice alloys for spoked which in this case unfortunately means tubes. There are certainly not always unsprung weight benefits in going spoked, as on the CB500X RR.
What is more likely on the long road: smashing your cast rim beyond repair but walking away - or having to fix a puncture in 32°C?

For the type of travelling which HU is about tubeless is clearly best, but not all will agree. C'est la vie.

Just make sure you carry a full set of spokes and passed the wheel-building course...

OP's list updated - see 1st post.

Fyi, for those with regular spoked wheels in search of TL, I recently used a vulcanised band called Airtight from Central Wheel Components (UK) to seal the spokes. £120.

Excel rim; Anakee Wild tyre.
Threw in some Slime and no complaints.

Moto Guzzi V85TT have been spoked I believe since Year 2 or 3

Chris, given the OP's comment above it might be interesting to include a category for tubeless alloy adventure bikes. Your knowledge of different bikes is better than mine, so feel free to hack the list below if you want.

----------------Spoked----------------
Old Aprilia Caponord
BMW F850 GS and F850 GS Adventure
BMW R1100 GS Adventure
BMW R1150 GS Adventure
BMW R1200 GS Adventure
BMW R1250 GS Adventure
Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro (19" front)
Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L (2020)
Honda XL 600 LM (1980s)
Honda X-ADV 750
KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R (not Rally model)
KTM 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R (not Rally model)
KTM 1090 Adventure R
KTM 1190 Adventure R
KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
Suzuki V-Strom 1000XT
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
Triumph 1200 Scrambler

----------------Alloys----------------
BMW G310 GS
BMW G650 GS single
BMW F650 GS twin
BMW F700 GS
BMW F750 GS
BMW R1100 GS
BMW R1150 GS
BMW R1200 GS
BMW R1250 GS

If this list is being maintained, you should add the Aprilia Tuareg 660

Tubeless Spoked or alloys?

Tubeless spoked on the Tuareg 660.

Updated spoke/TL list 2023 below (saves going back to the OP).
Happy to receive your additions.

Re alloys on adv bikes Tim, I suspect these days and even back in the OPs time you will struggle to find a non-TL (unlipped) wheel in alloy – a good reason to get travel bikes with them fitted from the factory.
My rationale for helping this list along was for fitting used TL spoked rims from the list to other spoke-hub bikes as an alternative to DIY sealing a normal rim with mastic and tape, or proprietary methods like Airtight™ or BARTubeless™
But as Antyx asked unanswered back in 2018:
The problem is these OEM spoked TL rims use either outboard spokes (BMW, Triumph, Guzzi and most others), or inboard flanges (these days mostly Suzuki).
On both systems the spoke is reversed with the threaded end screwed into the nipple in the hub, not the rim. That pretty much eliminates matching such a rim with a conventional hub.
You then need to marry your full TL spoke wheel with its hub to your forks with all the spindle/rotors/ABS ring alignment issues.
At that point you might as well choose any alloy in the size you want as it's bound to be TL, and of which there are many more for bigger bikes.
I did that on my XSR700 using a 19er off an XV950.
Swapping rear hubs back gets even more complicated. I seem to recall I fitted some DR spoked hub onto my GS500 (came with alloys). So in that way, for my purposes this list has become a bit redundant.

All which is why for a travel bike you are better off buying a bike with stock TL wheels – in most cases they'll be alloys.
IMO, the whole OEM spoked TL rim thing is vanity driven, but if it's tubeless, who cares as it beats tubes.

Fyi, my many pages of tubeless conversions here:
https://adventure-motorcycling.com/c...s-to-tubeless/
Current working it out on my 300L – expensive as with small bikes like this 'MT' (TL lipped) rim choice is limited and a little wider.

Talking of mousses which I know you have used Tim. The other day I had the idea of fitting them into a TL sealed but conventional non-MT spoked wheel (like my Honda). Ie: no safety lips.
The idea was the mousse would keep the bead in place in the event of a flat or hard hit, but TL sealing would enable running road pressures which ought to minimise tyre flex and hopefully keep the ~15psi rated 'off-road only' mousse cool.
Turns out John at Rally Raid tried this on a T7 @ 40psi and it seemed to work in the short term. Not sure I'd want to risk it on a long trip to a hot place.

Aprilia Caponord (old)
Aprilia Tuareg 660
BMW F850 GS and Adventure
BMW R1100 GS Adventure
BMW R1150 GS Adventure
BMW R1200 GS Adventure
BMW R1250 GS Adventure
Ducati DesertX (search: 'Desert X wheel issues'...)
Ducati Multistrada 1260 Enduro and 1160 V4 Rally
Harley-Davidson Pan America 1250
Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L (2020)
Honda XL 600 LM (1980s)
Honda X-ADV 750
Husqvarna Norden 901
KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R (not Rally model)
KTM 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R (not Rally model)
KTM 1090 Adventure R
KTM 1190 Adventure R
KTM 1290 Super Adventure R
Moto Guzzi V85TT, 2021 on
Suzuki V-Strom 650XT
Suzuki V-Strom 1000/1050XT
Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro
Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200
Yamaha XT1200Z Super Ténéré
Triumph 1200 Scrambler