Can dirt tires be run tubeless?

makenzie71 · February 20, 2007, 06:05:25 PM

I'm needing a bike to run around here at work after cows and stuff...or I want one, I should say...I just don't want to rely on this pain in the ass work truck here all the time. Anyway, I'm either going to use my old XJ400 or a GS500 I stumbled across nearby (needs to much work to ever be street legal again). I'm going to put dual sport tires on whichever but both have alloy wheels. I'm just wondering if dual sport/dirt tires will work tubeless or if I have to buy a couple tubes too?

Thanks

Onlypastrana199 · February 20, 2007, 06:12:04 PM

Mak...you should just build one....and no i wouldn't recommend running tubeless dirt tires...I've seen corn stalks go through tires..and running offroad I wouldn't trust plugs versus a patched tube...

My offroad was a yz125..but i sold it..now I just have my super 90 with knubby tires..its light enough that it works good..

makenzie71 · February 20, 2007, 06:14:14 PM

haha I basically am building one.

It won't be doing any trail-riding/off-roading type stuff, really. Just commuting to and from work and being run to pen cattle. The most damaging things the tires will see are nice, warm piles of fresh poo and caliche rocks here and there.

you're not suppose to ride in people's corn fields!

Onlypastrana199 · February 20, 2007, 07:18:47 PM

They're my cornfields so I can if i wanna!

Alphamazing · February 20, 2007, 09:21:15 PM

I believe dirt tires can be run tubeless, as it is mainly the rim which dictates tube or tubeless.

ducati_nolan · February 20, 2007, 10:15:42 PM

All DOT tires that are tubeless say right on the sidewall that they are tubeless, so I bet that dirt tires would too. Just about all street legal dirt tires should be tubeless as well, and if you're taking a GS off road, dual-sport tires won't be holding you back.

makenzie71 · February 20, 2007, 10:24:25 PM

Quote from: ducati_nolan on February 20, 2007, 10:15:42 PM
All DOT tires that are tubeless say right on the sidewall that they are tubeless, so I bet that dirt tires would too. Just about all street legal dirt tires should be tubeless as well, and if you're taking a GS off road, dual-sport tires won't be holding you back.

It's not really so much "off-roading" as it is "dirt-roading". I just want something that will get more traction when it's a bit wet and muddy out. When it's dry out I do the work on my TL without any problem.

ducati_nolan · February 20, 2007, 10:31:41 PM

QuoteIt's not really so much "off-roading" as it is "dirt-roading". I just want something that will get more traction when it's a bit wet and muddy out. When it's dry out I do the work on my TL without any problem.

If that's the case, just get some DOT legal dualsport tires, they'll work fine, should be tubeless (at least they'll say if they are or not), they won't vibrate nearly as much as knobies and they'll last much longer.

Think about the big BMWs and other huge "adventure tourers" and dual sports. It's pretty rare to see them jumping sand dunes or tearing up the motorcross track, they're basicly just for taking on dirt roads. Get some of those tires.

makenzie71 · February 20, 2007, 10:35:06 PM

I'm leaning toward running my 400, though...the problem being that it's hard to 2.75 X 19 and 3.0 X 16 dual sport tires. I don't really have a lot of choice, though, so I'll be running tubes. I guess spending $100 to be fully set up isn't that bad.

PuddleJumper · February 21, 2007, 12:41:30 AM

Avon Distanzias come in sizes that will work on the GS500 rims.
Somewhere on here is a thread with some info and pics on it.
BeSafe

makenzie71 · February 21, 2007, 12:43:46 AM

thanks pj (haha I get to call someone pj haha)

Where the hell is pocola? Know where guymon is?

PuddleJumper · February 21, 2007, 12:46:13 AM

Pan handle?

Kasumi · February 21, 2007, 12:46:42 AM

Theres also the option of running knobbly tyres with those foam inerttubes. Im not sure what you call them they have a special name but basically its like an intertube but solid hardish foam. You put that on then only put abit of air in. If you get a puncture the tyre can still be used on the foam, as its plenty hard enough to support the bike. They are most commonly seen on enduro rally bikes such as ones for the Dakar as you cant be carrying spare tyres accross the desert on your back easily

PuddleJumper · February 21, 2007, 12:50:12 AM

The foam works good as long as you don't go on pavement.
They get to hot if you do.

Pocola is across the line from Ft. Smith AR.
BeSafe.

makenzie71 · February 21, 2007, 12:51:55 AM

Yeah I saw solid tube type things...too much hassle.

I found a set of tires, though, for real cheap...they're a real aggressive looking dual sport tire made by chengshin haha...$20 for both so I'll just buy tubes.

It ought to look interesting at least with 110mm tires on both ends lol

damn PJ...you're on the other side of the state...

PuddleJumper · February 21, 2007, 12:58:40 AM

I've always thought it would be fun to do the Al-Can Hiway on a GS.
The Distanzias would probably work for a trip like that.
They look like they would be OK on pavement too.

Yep. If I go 3/4 of a mile east, I'm in Arkansas.
I used to work on oilwells out west though.
I've even been to Slapout, OK.

Stephen072774 · February 21, 2007, 07:24:33 AM

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on February 20, 2007, 09:21:15 PM
I believe dirt tires can be run tubeless, as it is mainly the rim which dictates tube or tubeless.

Alpha's right, its the rim that dictates... but if you run most dirt tires tubeless you will have to use more air pressure than you could running tubes and rimlocks, and high air pressure sucks in the dirt.

News:

Can dirt tires be run tubeless?