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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 20 Dec 2005
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Location: Southwestern Ohio - USA
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Hauling Spare Tires

First time post... long time lurker.

I've been searching for some tips on how to do this, but have yet come across any (perhaps I overlooked some). Also not sure which forum to post this, so I'm placing it here.

Originally posted my question on LocalRiders.com:
http://www.localriders.com/forums/sh...ad.php?p=60497

One of the regular users there suggested I look here.

This is my quest....
For some time now, I've been trying to figure out a way to HAUL a spare rear wheel assembly with me on some longer trips that would require a tire change somewhere along the way (due to wearing out a rear). It's not an easy task. Trust me. I've hauled rims and tires to Ray Pope's shop to have mounted before (relatively short distance, in comparison), and it is just plain tough to do. I found it more difficult than hauling a 17" monitor.



Well, now that I have a complete set of spare wheels... I'd still like to be able to do this (haul both spares). There are places that I would like to do, where I would want to swap in my dirt/snow tires during specific legs of the journey. I'd also like to have my "Spares" with me in the event that I damage one. I've swapped my wheels out enough times where I am confident that I could do it at a campsite or even an unscheduled pitstop on the side of the road.



There just seems to be no real good way of hauling extras wheels without a trailer or sidecar. Some have suggested that I just SHIP my spares to a destination ahead of me, but I would rather have them WITH me instead. Has anyone done this themselves or know someone who has? I'm looking for some ideas. Perhaps someone has some creative ideas that work well, that I may have overlooked.

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[b:]Tom Witt[/b:] - Southwest Ohio, USA
1978 Honda CX500 Cafe-X
1999 Triumph Trophy 1200 Dual-Sport
2002 MZ 125SM StreetMoto
2003 MiniMax Z40 For Sale/Trade
2004 SkyTeam ST50
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  #2  
Old 20 Dec 2005
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Less is more--don't carry anything you don't HAVE TO. A toothbrush in your shirt pocket and a spare underwear in your hip pocket. You will not regret it.

Seriously, don't carry---ship ahead. I've done both. And for goodness sake don't take the wheels. You can order tires from Southwest Moto Tires and have them shipped to where ever podunk motel. It you are going to Alaska, just e-mail Barb at Alaska Leather and she will have whatever youk need waiting on you.

Just my opinion.

Curtis
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  #3  
Old 20 Dec 2005
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Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Most here would only carry a spare rear tyre. If they had to. But they would not carry the rim etc due to the weight! And size. Front tyres last longer. And most would be using a compromise tyre - one that is 'reasonable' for most surferces that they would encounter.

See threads on wrapping rope around tyres for ice/snow, also workes in mud.

Having said all that - if you remove one pannier you could rig up a tyre carrier system there. Look at what people have done to carry bicycles on motorcycles.
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  #4  
Old 24 Dec 2005
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Appreciate all the replies. I'm having serious "Second Thoughts" of hauling a complete spare wheel assembly (or two) with me. The biggest reason (I mean, other than overcoming the difficulties) is the fact that I've been putting quite a few miles on my "Dual-Sport" type tires over the past few days and am finding that the compromise is not much of a compromise at all. They handle almost (almost) was well as regular street tires under typical riding conditions and yet far exceed the traction that a street tire can provide in snow, salt, sand, gravel, etc etc. Oh sure, I wouldn't take them to a track day, but for long distance touring, mild canyon carving, and the occasional gravel road... I think this type of tire is what I will be going with in the future. So, the need to "Swap" in the middle of a long trip does not seem to be that great of a need anymore.

------------------
Tom Witt - Southwest Ohio, USA
1978 Honda CX500
1999 Triumph Trophy 1200 RAT224819
2002 Motorrad und Zweiradwerk 125SM
2003 MiniMax Z40 For Sale/Trade
2004 SkyTeam ST50
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[b:]Tom Witt[/b:] - Southwest Ohio, USA
1978 Honda CX500 Cafe-X
1999 Triumph Trophy 1200 Dual-Sport
2002 MZ 125SM StreetMoto
2003 MiniMax Z40 For Sale/Trade
2004 SkyTeam ST50
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  #5  
Old 29 Dec 2005
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Location: Flagstaff, AZ, 86004
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Just curious, what brand/model dual purpose tire do you have pictured?

Matthew
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  #6  
Old 29 Dec 2005
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Pirelli MT60R's.


------------------
Tom Witt - Southwest Ohio, USA
1978 Honda CX500
1999 Triumph Trophy 1200 RAT224819
2002 Motorrad und Zweiradwerk 125SM
2003 MiniMax Z40 For Sale/Trade
2004 SkyTeam ST50
__________________
[b:]Tom Witt[/b:] - Southwest Ohio, USA
1978 Honda CX500 Cafe-X
1999 Triumph Trophy 1200 Dual-Sport
2002 MZ 125SM StreetMoto
2003 MiniMax Z40 For Sale/Trade
2004 SkyTeam ST50
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