Over the years here in Patagonia one thing became clear very quickly. Flat tires happen and they happen more that you think. I want to share what I carry here while out riding. Being prepared for a flat is important to keep the Brraaapp train going.
Getting a flat on a tubeless wheel is no big deal, you can treat it like a car tire and plug it with those gummy tire plugs and a few tools. It’s a quick 10-minute job with a 12v air compressor and your back on the road. However, on more dirt oriented dual sport bikes that use a tube inside the tire, the situations become a bit more involved. While changing a tube is not a technically hard thing to do, it does require technique. It can be most compared to changing a bicycle tire. The ideas are the same the tools similar, but a motorcycle tire bead is much tighter and harder to dismount and then seat.
I carry several things to make these roadside jobs go quicker.
Being prepared with the necessary items only goes as far as your skill, so get the tools you need and practice how to change the tube. Maybe even investigate taking a class on these types of roadside repairs. I know at events like The Overland Event in the UK and Overland Expo in the USA they offer classes on changing tubes and basic repairs to keep the ride going.
And remember along with those tools and training have a good attitude and patience. Those last two have eluded me in the past and without them its always a tougher situation.
Getting a flat on a tubeless wheel is no big deal, you can treat it like a car tire and plug it with those gummy tire plugs and a few tools. It’s a quick 10-minute job with a 12v air compressor and your back on the road. However, on more dirt oriented dual sport bikes that use a tube inside the tire, the situations become a bit more involved. While changing a tube is not a technically hard thing to do, it does require technique. It can be most compared to changing a bicycle tire. The ideas are the same the tools similar, but a motorcycle tire bead is much tighter and harder to dismount and then seat.
I carry several things to make these roadside jobs go quicker.
- Tools to remove the wheel
- Tire levers to remove the tire - I use 3, one long and 2 shorter ones
- Spare tube
- Patch kit as a back up
- Soap and water (these items get overlooked but make a big difference when setting the bead)
- 12v Air Compressor
- Patience
Being prepared with the necessary items only goes as far as your skill, so get the tools you need and practice how to change the tube. Maybe even investigate taking a class on these types of roadside repairs. I know at events like The Overland Event in the UK and Overland Expo in the USA they offer classes on changing tubes and basic repairs to keep the ride going.
And remember along with those tools and training have a good attitude and patience. Those last two have eluded me in the past and without them its always a tougher situation.
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