MYTH-BUSTING HEAVY DUTY MOTORCYCLE INNER TUBES

MYTH-BUSTING HEAVY DUTY MOTORCYCLE INNER TUBES

WHY? Because there's a whole lot of talk where riders are buying heavy duty tubes for their adventure bikes because they believe that it will reduce the chance of picking up punctures. Here whilst straddling my lovely Yamaha Tenere 700 and chatting about my up and coming ride at The Flinders Classic here in South Australia, I explain why this is a myth and discuss why you may or may not require them.

#theriderguider #yamahatenere700 #tenere700 #heavydutyinnertubes
#theflindersclassic2021 #michelin #monicalewinski #themichelinman #mythbusted #adventurerider #adventureriding

[Shem]

Respectfully, I disagree with your opinion, and there are two reasons for it:

1) UHD innertubes supposed to reduce the 'snake bike' type of punctures and not reduce punctures by sharp objects. Any by 'snake bite', I'm referring to a puncture type caused by running low pressure and hitting a sharp edge, which squeezes the tire all the way to the rim, which then compresses the inner tube so hard that it results in two small puncture holes that resemble a snake bite. From my personal experience in Downhill mountain biking, UHD innertubes definitely mitigate the snake bike problem.

2) I have recently converted my Honda CRF250's tubed wheels onto a TUBliss system. During a week of trail riding on Welsh TET, I got 3 punctures. I must have hit something relatively sharp or perhaps ridden over a barbwire, which caused 3 small cuts on the tire. These were not all the way through to start with, but after riding hard, one of them started leaking air as the cut has 'opened up'. I've sealed that one and continued riding. Day after, another two cuts have opened up which I have sealed too. In this type of situation, if I had an innertube in, I would not have had any leaks. Consequently, if the cuts in the tire were a little deeper, having a UHD innertube would further reduce the possibility of a flat tire. Long story short, UHD innertubes won't behave any different to normal innertubes in respect to 'through-punctures' but they may provide an extra layer security if you get cuts in your tire.

All the best,
Shem

[charliechucker]

Ultra Heavy Duty tubes are not as much for eliminating punctures (although they do often save riders from shallow punctures), they are primarily for LOW PSI on HARD ENDURO TRAILS! Pinch flat prevention... #1 purpose. Off-Road gnarly rocky trails, not ADV bikes (basically street bikes), not so much dual sports (unless primarily off-road on lightweight dual sports).
Low PSI rocky hard enduro trail type useage is where they excel... Hands down. And occasionally stopping the lesser punctures such as large thorns and barb wire. Not nails, screws, embedded glass shards, etc...

[TechnMoto]

Agreed. Anything that punctures a tire will most definitely puncture a tube. But I believe heavy duty tubes will take a beating much better inside the tire than a thinner tube. Hey we agree 😂

[dynomax]

Any flat ice has is a punch flat or split in the tube or valve stem. After going through so many tubes I’ve switched exclusively to heavy duty. I don’t it the added heat argument at all. I don’t think heavy would be required on road I would never expect a tube or tire to resist a puncture

[stephenhilton]

Goodness me, ok ultra heavy tubes are use so it’s unlikely to get pinch flats running low pressures… think you need to do a tad more digging

[tcskibike]

You may be right but I do disagree. My advice to anyone with a new bike, scrap the OEM tube in most cases they are super cheap.

[cloudmaker]

No No No, you are completely wrong, no not about the inner tubes, the marathons, I find what stops me in my tracks is 17 stone of fat! That five days of riding and camping sounds a fair challenge, are you sure the Mrs is up to it? 🏍👍😉. All the best to you both.

[nemerkha]

what's your thoughts on the Michelin HD tubes, which are 2mm thick as opposed to 3+? 80/20 On road with motorways

[danstevens]

It’s for pinch flats boss. Agree not needed for on road.

[nickaxe]

I suspect....less chance of something penetrating a softer tyre than a harder type...ie less PSI in the tyre.

[steves]

UHD tube ripped the valve out, no puncture, but definitely got hot

[wvbiker]

I put one of those heavy duty michelin tubes in my Softail. Dang thing went flat on the interstate. It got hot & tore.

[BoltBucket]

Hi from Adelaide too! Good video and well explained.

[robsonenduro]

very true, heavy duty tubes are waste of money not to mention they're harder to patch.