Cheap tires on my Baghira

[harold]

I just bought a set of Kenda Enduro tires for the Baggi, that are 80% street, more the driving that I do. Plus the original semi-knobbies were getting thin. I found them from a company on Ebay for $130 shipped, both tires. I wasn't able to find just the rear tire anywhere for that price. Also they are the exact size that came off. The Avon Distanzia that a lot of people like only had a 120/80 for the rear, and my bike had a 130/80. These are the same, and they say they are for a Honda XR650L, which of course is a spoke tube type wheel also.

However when I scanned the labels, shown below, they say they are tubeless type. I don't think that makes any difference, but will find out. I put them on myself, 3 hours, and was only able to try to semi-balance them by using the axle and the wheel bearings. They seemed balanced enough that I didn't add or subtract any weight. I was expecting them to run smoother than the knobbies, but they seem to vibrate more.

Has anyone used the balancing beads? They claim you can use them in tubes, and I have read several good reviews-but they were all running tubeless tires.

Here are the labels, made in Taiwan.

the tires labels

[radiograf]

I've been running a tube in a tubless tyre for many years now without problems, in fact I've found that the budget tubless tyres don't seal too well on the rim. I also recommend you buy butyl rubber inner tubes, as they are less porus than the india rubber type, and your tyre will remain inflated for longer. Also use the metal valve caps, as they have a better seal than the plastic ones which come with the tubes.

[chisleu]

1) I fear cheap rubber after high siding on a cheap rear tire in a low speed turn I've done 1000 times. Just ride safe.

2) Tubes in tubeless are fine, but I am not sure if the "dyna beads" or other balancing beads work in a tube. I think it has to do with the creases of the tube stopping the beads from flowing correctly.

My dad put dyna beads in the tires of his ultra classic and claimed it was a serious ride quality improvement. I've been injured and have yet to test it.

[cat]

You have to use tubes in tubeless tyres on supermotos. Sportbike tyres on spoked wheels.

[jimc]

I recall it's OK to tube a tubeless tire , but doing so lowers the speed rating to next one down.

[angustoyou]

Depends on the manufacturer, and wether they recommend both tubeless and tube use for their tyre.

Never heard the drop a speed rating thing though, and can't imagine how that would work in law, as the speed and load classification and marking is a legal requirement for every tyre, independent of the method of containing the air within a tyre. The only dual marking in terms of load and speed indexes that I have heard of for a tyre is in the twinning of tyres on an axle, such as on trucks, and this is also a legal sidewall marking requirement for tyre manufacturers.

Anyway, some tubeless spec tyres are ok to use with tubes, as the manufacturer makes the inside of the tyre smoother, and so with proper lubrication (french chalk, or proper talcum powder, as you should use with any inner tube) a tube can be fitted. These are normaly refered to in the manufacturers listings as T/TT (Tubed/Tubeless Type).

Ultimately, check with the tyre manufacturer.

HTH

[cat]

Yes, running a tube in a tubeless tyre does lower the rating, because more heat is generated.

...can't imagine how that would work in law, as the speed and load classification and marking is a legal requirement for every tyre, independent of the method of containing the air within a tyre.

The classification, rating, is basically for normal use without tubes. So far as i know, supermoto is an exceptional application.

...Anyway, some tubeless spec tyres are ok to use with tubes, as the manufacturer makes the inside of the tyre smoother, and so with proper lubrication (french chalk, or proper talcum powder, as you should use with any inner tube) a tube can be fitted. These are normaly refered to in the manufacturers listings as T/TT (Tubed/Tubeless Type).

There are specific supermoto racing tyres but...racing, the usual legal requirements probably not applicable.
Good tip - using talcum powder or French chalk, i must remember that.

[angustoyou]

Ahhh, Didn't realise you were talking non highway use, my advice was all based on EU law requirements for road use.

You're absolutely correct on the heat generation of using tubes in a tubeless tyre, it is why not all manufacturers recommend tubes in their tubeless tyres. It's simply not a consideration for some manufacturers.

[cat]

no, i'm just saying that supermotos, be it race supermotos or "street-supermotos" like the Baghira, are basically offroad bikes or trail bikes / dual purpose, with spoked wheels, but they use sportbike tyres, which are tubeless tyres. It doesn't matter that the rating of the tye is effectively reduced, because supermotos don't reach half the speed of sportbikes.