BajaNomad

Wyoming Dirt Driving

John Harper - 7-18-2019 at 09:43 AM

Up here in Wyoming, probably driven close to 300+ miles of dirt roads already. Many thanks to DK, 4x4abc, and bajatrailrider for their knowledge. I have run my tires at 20 psi and have had no issues at all (knock wood).

I have, however, repaired three tires for others along the way. Had to help a motorcyclist on an Africa Twin and follow him 50 miles into Alpine, WY as his tire still leaked from the spokes after using Slime, a plug, and Fix A Flat. The other two were automobile tires and my plug kit worked like a charm. It is so nice to be prepared, thanks to all on this forum for their ideas.

Found a river filled with Snake River Cutthroat trout. Awesome fishing the last 3 days.

John


[Edited on 7-18-2019 by John Harper]

PaulW - 7-18-2019 at 11:54 AM

nice

JZ - 7-18-2019 at 12:10 PM

So, what's the essential tire repair kit for out on the trail?


[Edited on 7-18-2019 by JZ]

KurtG - 7-18-2019 at 12:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper  
Up here in Wyoming, probably driven close to 300+ miles of dirt roads already. Many thanks to DK, 4x4abc, and bajatrailrider for their knowledge. I have run my tires at 20 psi and have had no issues at all (knock wood).

I have, however, repaired three tires for others along the way. Had to help a motorcyclist on an Africa Twin and follow him 50 miles into Alpine, WY as his tire still leaked from the spokes after using Slime, a plug, and Fix A Flat. The other two were automobile tires and my plug kit worked like a charm. It is so nice to be prepared, thanks to all on this forum for their ideas.

Found a river filled with Snake River Cutthroat trout. Awesome fishing the last 3 days.

John


[Edited on 7-18-2019 by John Harper]


The Africa Twin mentioned uses tube tires so Slime, etc, usually will not work or only temporarily. Generally those of us who ride tube tire motorcycles carry tire repair kits. In my case with the KLR I carry patches, tire irons and most of the time spare tubes with a bicycle tire pump, a mini 12v compressor or in my case both. May seem like overkill but I have done tire repairs in some very out of the way places in Baja. While I try to minimize what I carry along the tire repair kit has saved my butt a couple of times.

StuckSucks - 7-19-2019 at 02:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
So, what's the essential tire repair kit for out on the trail?


I carry a mondo air compressor which works well with high-volume tires, as well as a plug kit with all the tools. Usually flats are due to nails or bolts, so I plug the tire where it sits, fill with air and I'm on my way. It's very rare that I have to remove the wheel. I've been using a kit like this for many years with repeated success -- I'm a big fan.

JZ - 7-19-2019 at 06:53 PM

Thanks. Have always carried tools and tubes to change the bike tires, but nothing for the truck. Just had our first tire issue on the last trip. Luckily it was a slow leak and we had a pump. Limped along for a few hours.

Gonna add a plug kit.

Mulege Canuck - 7-19-2019 at 07:09 PM

I remember my first time driving in the desert in baja. I was use to driving haywire logging roads over shot rock and thought this looks like a piece of cake. I found out pretty quick how sharp those cactus are and got a flat.

I had a some tire plugs so I was able to fix it but I changed my driving for sure.

JZ - 7-19-2019 at 09:27 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Mulege Canuck  
I remember my first time driving in the desert in baja. I was use to driving haywire logging roads over shot rock and thought this looks like a piece of cake. I found out pretty quick how sharp those cactus are and got a flat.

I had a some tire plugs so I was able to fix it but I changed my driving for sure.


Have had a bunch of flats on the bikes.

Have had one tire issue on the truck in 10 years. The last 3 doing a ton of pretty tough trails. Maybe I just got lucky. Or maybe the Nitto's are very good.

4x4abc - 7-20-2019 at 03:28 AM

its the Indian - not the arrow

Mulege Canuck - 7-20-2019 at 05:51 AM

Roger that😎

David K - 7-20-2019 at 07:25 AM

Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
its the Indian - not the arrow


Nice phrase! That applies to other people & weapons, too.

John Harper - 7-20-2019 at 07:58 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
So, what's the essential tire repair kit for out on the trail?


I just have a compressor (Viair), a plug kit, a bottle of Slime, and probably toss in a can of Fix A Flat. And a scissor jack mounted to a piece of 2x10 for stability on dirt. I'm certainly no expert, but those three folks I helped think I'm their hero.


The guy on the Africa Twin had nothing to repair tires, but I know he had a tube, but it probably got chewed up by the 3 inch piece of metal in the tire. I'm just amazed I came across three tire repairs in less than a week. Last time I plugged a tire was maybe 20 years ago.

The Dodge truck I helped had custom wheels and big tires. His lug wrench did not fit the nuts, and he had no spare. Luckily the hole was accessible so I just plugged it in place and inflated the tire, sent them on their way.

John

[Edited on 7-20-2019 by John Harper]

bajatrailrider - 7-20-2019 at 08:47 AM

I use ultra 4mm tubes. Patches never work for me on rear. As 6psi or less inside tire tears patch off. I carry all tools to fix flat on Moto. Also rear tube and two 7oz slimes. Knock on wood no flat tires in years. I ride about every week

BajaRat - 7-21-2019 at 08:57 AM

Have fun with the cutts John, beautiful country.
I've gotta get up for some more of that Snake.
Lionel :cool:

M/C vs Truck

ztrab - 7-23-2019 at 10:42 AM

In the Truck I carry a compressor and rope style plugs. Get's me to a Llantera, they usually do a great hot patch, enough to make it home.

Took me a long time to switch but I run Tubliss on my dirt bikes. I use stop&go rubber plug system but also carry rope plugs for splits. Ten of thousands of miles with very few flats. When I ran the 4 mil tubes with 18 psi, it was a lot slippery. I've only got about 4K in Baja on the tubliss system, 8 PSI only one cacti puncture - took 5 minutes to plug. I run about 6 -8 oz of slime, more to see where punctures are than leak stop. Out in the SW desert, I was getting a lot of punctures running the Dunlop 81, great grip by 2-ply was too soft. Running Kenda's now, 4 ply, great grip, durable and I can get an 1,800 mile ride out of a rear if I am careful.

[Edited on 7-23-2019 by ztrab]

bajatrailrider - 7-23-2019 at 04:20 PM

Haha you put 18psi in dirt bike tire your worst enemy.