Tube Options

[Sidequestadventure]

Ok. So the sizing thing is a little confusing. I've never dealt with tubes sizes before. I see the 90/90 and 120/90 F/R on the tires, but what size tubes do I order?

Is there a recommended type or brand? These will serve as back ups on road trips (along with a patch kit).

 

[Leyprest]

I presume you mean inner tubes? If so then you'll need a 17" for the rear and a 21" for the front. Inner tubes aren't sized in the same way that tyres are. Just be sure to buy decent quality ones and you should be ok.

 

[Leyprest]

As for brand. You can't go far wrong with a known brand like Michelin. In fact Michelin are the brand that Hitchcock's here in the UK stock for the Himalayan, so that should tell you something.

 

[Jerk]

Here's a little trick regarding carrying spare tubes: You only need to carry the front, 21", since it will work in the back tire in an emergency to get you back on the road.

 

[CarstenB]

https://www.bmikarts.com/Motorcycle-Inner-Tube-Sizing-Cross-Reference-Guide

there are many size charts online but this one should do. The tube/tire size does matter so for the front tire (90/90-21) you'd want a 2.75/3.00-21 inner tube and for the rear tire (120/90-17) a 4.50/4.75-17 inner tube. They say you can use the front tube in the rear tire to get you back home if you want to only carry one tube.

 

[Sidequestadventure]

Thanks!

https://www.bmikarts.com/Motorcycle-Inner-Tube-Sizing-Cross-Reference-Guide

there are many size charts online but this one should do. The tube/tire size does matter so for the front tire (90/90-21) you'd want a 2.75/3.00-21 inner tube and for the rear tire (120/90-17) a 4.50/4.75-17 inner tube. They say you can use the front tube in the rear tire to get you back home if you want to only carry one tube.

 

[Sidequestadventure]

I've heard this but, if true I guess I'm fine with it but seems like you might run into a pinching hazard? Either way I'll try to carry two for longer trips because "home" may not be close.

Here's a little trick regarding carrying spare tubes: You only need to carry the front, 21", since it will work in the back tire in an emergency to get you back on the road.

 

[CarstenB]

home is where you lay your head and may mean the next gas station, camp ground etc where you can patch the punctured tube if you can't do it right away. I bet there is a risk of folding the too large tube but should be possible to avoid it. Pinching is always a risk but right technique and tire irons help to minimize it.

 

[BuckeyeHimalayan]

If one of you purchases a set please post a link so we can all buy the right one? Thanks, tried to look but it posts multiple sizes.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

FWIW I pack my spares in Foodsaver bags with a packet of tire talc ( baby powder) also in the bag. Keeps 'em fresh and they pack up smaller and fit in a zipper pouch with tire irons and whatnots. If ya'll want to remind me I can take and post pics of my kits this weekend for ya's.

 

[johnny42]

FWIW I pack my spares in Foodsaver bags with a packet of tire talc ( baby powder) also in the bag. Keeps 'em fresh and they pack up smaller and fit in a zipper pouch with tire irons and whatnots. If ya'll want to remind me I can take and post pics of my kits this weekend for ya's.

Yes, we'd like to see your pics. I'm on a learning curve so everything is appreciated.

 

[Kiwiscoot]

I replaced my OEM tubes with these extra heavy duty ones. This is the packaging of the front one.

 

[BuckeyeHimalayan]

I replaced my OEM tubes with these extra heavy duty ones. This is the packaging of the front one.
View attachment 415
View attachment 414

Thank you for posting.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

I have no idea why the pics are loading sideways and upside down.

Inexpensive urethane lined zippered pouches from the general store. You can find these or nearly the same at Walmart for $2.99 a pop.




The black one holds both front and rear innnertubes and rim strips. The tubes are vacume sealed in Foodsaver bags. In the bag with the tube a another small bag of tire talc ( baby powder is the same thing only cheaper )



Nitrile gloves are in the baggie, adjustable prop stand, digital tire gage, the cable thing with the brass end is a valve stem fishing tool, tire levers are from Motion Pro, Ru-Glide is in the 2 oz plastic jar, 6 radial tire patches are in the rectangular cardboard envelope. blue thing is Motion Pros Bead Buddy Trail, glue & rasp are in the pill bottle.

 

[johnny42]

Superior organizational skills mate! Very impressive and useful. Thanks! Radial tire patches?

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

Superior organizational skills mate! Very impressive and useful. Thanks! Radial tire patches?

Thank you and yes, radial tire patches. The tube gets a patch to hold the air in and the tire gets a patch to repair the the puncture. Since tubeless tires came out most folks have forgotten the tire carcass is the pressure vessel and the tube is the basically just the seal to keep the air from leaking out. Done right they're permanent repairs.

Whats missing form the pic is the other kits: First Aid, Emergency and Break down. The emergency kit has things like a referees whistle a flash light etc. The break down box has a spare headlight bulb, electrical bits, etc. and the rest of the tire repair stuff like tire plugs, sewing awl and rubber pieces to patch big tears in the tire.

The 2 oz bottle of Ru-Glide tire lube a.k.a. "bead grease". It has no sodium hydroxide in it so it won't corrode wheels like dish soap can. Being the consistency of Vaseline it doesn't leak out the jar. Its super concentrated to be used as tire grease or mixed with water to makes liquid tire soap. I stop by the tire shop with a box of donuts and they fill the jar for me.

 

[JustMikey]

Thank you and yes, radial tire patches. The tube gets a patch to hold the air in and the tire gets a patch to repair the the puncture. Since tubeless tires came out most folks have forgotten the tire carcass is the pressure vessel and the tube is the basically just the seal to keep the air from leaking out. Done right they're permanent repairs.

Whats missing form the pic is the other kits: First Aid, Emergency and Break down. The emergency kit has things like a referees whistle a flash light etc. The break down box has a spare headlight bulb, electrical bits, etc. and the rest of the tire repair stuff like tire plugs, sewing awl and rubber pieces to patch big tears in the tire.

The 2 oz bottle of Ru-Glide tire lube a.k.a. "bead grease". It has no sodium hydroxide in it so it won't corrode wheels like dish soap can. Being the consistency of Vaseline it doesn't leak out the jar. Its super concentrated to be used as tire grease or mixed with water to makes liquid tire soap. I stop by the tire shop with a box of donuts and they fill the jar for me.

Very inspirational, if you ever fancy doing so, a full write up of your kit would serve me great to assemble my own set. Never had the need to as the hima is the first bike i'll offroad with.