Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Honda Tech
Killer tyres! Killer tyres!
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Honda Tech Honda Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to Honda riders only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20 Jan 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: UK
Posts: 163
Killer tyres!
Last weeken I tried to fit a pair of TKC80's (tube type) to my Africa Twin. Damn near killed me. To cut a long story short, 3 of us tried to put the rear on and not one of us could do it. I haven't tried to fit new tires by hand before but my mate has and he was sure it wasn't right. We got one side on but the other would not go more than half way on round the rim.

Anyone else had this kind of a problem? I know its hard but this was impossible. We're not on the trip yet but we sure as hell don't need this in the midle of nowhere sometime!

Cheers

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Jan 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Posts: 635
I doubt they're any harder than some Deserts are, but maybe you got one at the low end of the tolerance. plenty of soap, keep the bead in the dip in the middle of the rim and use a long lever or two. I find it helps to do it solo rather than with a supporting cast!
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Jan 2004
chris's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: GOC
Posts: 3,335
agree with rich, especially then bit about minus the supporting cast.
cb
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Jan 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: San Francisco, USA
Posts: 222
Sounds to me like the bead on the side that was already on might no have been centered on the rim. If the tire's very stiff it can be hard to keep it there since it'll want to push to the other side. If it's not in the center of the rim, you'll have that exact problem.
__________________
Wright Bagwell
http://www.geocities.com/wwbagwell/
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 20 Jan 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Levin, Nth Island, New Zealand
Posts: 26
Chris is right, they're a bitch to fit. Pity cause they're a good tire, if a little on the expensive side. I won't buy them any more. Too many bruised knuckles and the thought of trying to fit or repair a tube on the side of the road?!! Forget it. They are so stiff in the side wall, even an experienced fitter at my local shop had grief and ended up marking the rim. Life's too short!! Buy something else.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10 Mar 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Lincolnshire, England, UK
Posts: 7
Quote:
Originally posted by Chris Smith:
Last weeken I tried to fit a pair of TKC80's (tube type) to my Africa Twin. Damn near killed me. To cut a long story short, 3 of us tried to put the rear on and not one of us could do it. I haven't tried to fit new tires by hand before but my mate has and he was sure it wasn't right. We got one side on but the other would not go more than half way on round the rim.

Anyone else had this kind of a problem? I know its hard but this was impossible. We're not on the trip yet but we sure as hell don't need this in the midle of nowhere sometime!

Cheers

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10 Mar 2004
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Lincolnshire, England, UK
Posts: 7
I've recently fitted a set of TKC80's to my Africa twin. It was a cold day and they put up quite a fight but went on and hopfully they will prove to be worth it. I used lots of washing up liquid which made the difference. I will be taking a large wood workers G-clamp to break the seal on the rim, on the rear until it gets worn in a little. Hopefully the tyre will be warm if I get a punture, I have used some "slime" to cover the small puntures with luck. Once the tyres are worn in a little I'll sling the G-clamp on route to Morocco. I fitted the rim locks which did not hinder the fitting too much.

Best Regards

Paul M.


------------------------------------------------

Quote:
Originally posted by Chris Smith:
Last weeken I tried to fit a pair of TKC80's (tube type) to my Africa Twin. Damn near killed me. To cut a long story short, 3 of us tried to put the rear on and not one of us could do it. I haven't tried to fit new tires by hand before but my mate has and he was sure it wasn't right. We got one side on but the other would not go more than half way on round the rim.

Anyone else had this kind of a problem? I know its hard but this was impossible. We're not on the trip yet but we sure as hell don't need this in the midle of nowhere sometime!

Cheers

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 16 Mar 2004
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: uk
Posts: 57
Hi, I ve fitted TKC80's to my AT, it wasn't easy, did it for the practise before a maroc trip. The biggest problems I had was breaking the bead, on the old tyre and seating the bead on the rear TKC80, I couldn't generate enough pressure on the 12 volt compressor. If I had known it was going to be that tough I would have used alot more soap. Don't let this put you off, they are a very good tyre on/off road and in the wet.
The G clamp tip is good, I took one along just in case, as it happens I didn't get any punctures.
have a good trip.
PK

Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:54.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top