Do I have to use tubed tires?

[Kornholio]

So my R Nine T is in need of its first tire change. Made it 14,000 miles on the Metzler OEMs so I'm certainly not complaining. However, for whatever reason, BMW decided it would be a good idea to equip the R Nine T with legitimate tubed wheels instead of a design more akin to the GS which has spoked wheels but uses a traditional tubeless wheel instead.

Everywhere (and I mean EVERYWHERE...) I've looked for information on what tires I can replace the OEMs with, I'm seeing tubeless tires being suggested as useable. However, wouldn't this be a terrible idea with a tubed setup? :dunno

 

[m0t0_ryder]

Yes.
It should be Ok to run tubes in a tubeless tire.

If...
- The rim type is MT. It should be stamped somewhere on the rim. If it is marked MW it is for tubed type tires only.
- You must run one speed rating lower than the tires specification (the tube will increase heat)

You should also put baby powder (or similar) in the tire to reduce friction.

 

[Kornholio]

Thanks, John! :thumbup

 

[boney]

There are also plenty of ways to seal your rim so that you can run without tubes. All of them are DIY jobs. One of the guys I work with did it to his KTM 990ADV wheels and has had great long term success.

Maybe check ADVRider for tips if you eventually decide to go that way.

 

[Blankpage]

There are also plenty of ways to seal your rim so that you can run without tubes. All of them are DIY jobs. One of the guys I work with did it to his KTM 990ADV wheels and has had great long term success.

Maybe check ADVRider for tips if you eventually decide to go that way.

I don't expect any of those mods are street legal and would likely void your insurance policy in a crash.

I ordered the Nuetech Tubliss kit for my 690E and when it arrived there was a warning on the label "Not for street use" or something similar so I didn't install it.

 

[dravnx]

I don't expect any of those mods are street legal and would likely void your insurance policy in a crash.

I ordered the Nuetech Tubliss kit for my 690E and when it arrived there was a warning on the label "Not for street use" or something similar so I didn't install it.

Only if your insurance company could prove the modification was the cause of the crash. It's a stretch at best.

 

[Blankpage]

Only if your insurance company could prove the modification was the cause of the crash. It's a stretch at best.

I'm not so sure it works like that where they would have to prove it was the cause.
I suspect it would provide a loophole for insurance companies to get out of paying a claim.
I'd take that gamble if it were a dual sport that spent most if its riding on the trail. If it were a bike I used on the freeway riding alongside big rigs and the like its not a gamble I'd take.

 

[dravnx]

I'm not so sure it works like that where they would have to prove it was the cause.
I suspect it would provide a loophole for insurance companies to get out of paying a claim.
I'd take that gamble if it were a dual sport that spent most if its riding on the trail. If it were a bike I used on the freeway riding alongside big rigs and the like its not a gamble I'd take.

Well by that reasoning, insurance can deny a claim for any modification. I haven't ever heard anyone being denied a claim for a modification. Have you?

 

[fast4d]

if the bike has TPMS I would mod the wheels for sure. or install an aftermarket tpms.

 

[boney]

I ordered the Nuetech Tubliss kit for my 690E and when it arrived there was a warning on the label "Not for street use" or something similar so I didn't install it.

I used a tubeliss on my old 640Adv. I didn't find it any better than a tubed system on the heavy DS and actually found it a bit of a PITA to change tires.

 

[thedub]

if the bike has TPMS I would mod the wheels for sure. or install an aftermarket tpms.

How would tubed tires have TPMS?

 

[ScottRNelson]

Everywhere (and I mean EVERYWHERE...) I've looked for information on what tires I can replace the OEMs with, I'm seeing tubeless tires being suggested as useable. However, wouldn't this be a terrible idea with a tubed setup? :dunno

I don't understand what you think the problem is.

I'm pretty sure just about all of the tires I've put on my XR650L and the KTM 990 Adventure that I used to have were tubeless-type tires, but work perfectly well with a tube in them. The newer KTM is tubless, though.

 

[CDONA]

I read somewhere that the difference between a tube tire and tubeless was another layer of sealer applied to the inside of tubeless tires, that last layer with a smoother surface over the fabric texture tube type.

Been running tubeless tires for years with tubes on spoke wheels

 

[Kornholio]

There are also plenty of ways to seal your rim so that you can run without tubes. All of them are DIY jobs. One of the guys I work with did it to his KTM 990ADV wheels and has had great long term success.

Maybe check ADVRider for tips if you eventually decide to go that way.

Considered that after I bought it and decided against it.

I don't understand what you think the problem is.

I'm pretty sure just about all of the tires I've put on my XR650L and the KTM 990 Adventure that I used to have were tubeless-type tires, but work perfectly well with a tube in them. The newer KTM is tubless, though.

See the second post...the one that answered my question exactly. That's what my problem is. It's about whether or not the rim would work with a tubeless tire.