from charlie Rauseo:
yes, I have tried them.
First, let me say that they have had great success in American desert racing
(which can be very rocky). Many racers I know, including pros, use them.
They last much longer than mousse and do not flat like tubes. You can flat
individual balls, but with 40-50 in each wheel, you'll still have enough to
get to the end of the race.
But, I had problems with my tire balls in the Vegas to Reno race this
summer. I had them on my 660 Rallye, which is much heavier than most of the
bikes previously using tire balls. I flatted enough of the front balls in
90 miles for the tire to come off the rim. (I was running full tanks fast
on very sharp rocks). Others on 525 KTMs flatted none of the balls in the
entire 520 mile race.
I would certainly recommend them for lighter bikes. They give a much better
feel than mousse and are proven very durable in this application. Maybe not
for a big bike, though.
Contact Wade Sommers at
www.tireballs.com. He knows absolutely everything
about tires and can give you all the info you need.
fun fun
Charlie