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John Harper
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Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
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Dirt bike essentials?
My buddy just got a 2007 XT225 Yamaha. We were wondering what you should carry on his bike for tire repair? Trying to help him put together a simple
tool kit. What about tire inflation and deflation? Are there dirt bike tire plugs? Do they still use rim locks? OK, I did have a RM250A Suzuki, but
years ago.
I just helped him service his bike. I noticed how his bike has three large nuts that could easily be designed the same size. Drain plug 19mm, Spark
plug 18mm, crankshaft nut 17mm (for valve adjustment). WTF? Could not make them the same size??? At least a 19mm spark plug?
They could have made the valve adjuster covers with a 19mm hex too. Who thinks about minimal service tools? Crappy engineers for sure.
John
[Edited on 9-26-2017 by John Harper]
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BajaGeoff
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Posts: 1727
Registered: 1-11-2006
Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Run bib mousses instead of tubes and you won't have to worry about changing out flats on the trail...
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John Harper
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Okay, thank you.
I'll check those out. Obviously been out of the dirt bike loop for way too long.
John
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StuckSucks
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THE PLUSES AND MINUSES OF THE BIB MOUSSE
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John Harper
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From what I read, not really that much of a solution. Look forward to other options.
Just trying to help my friend out, he has a place in Green Valley Lake and there are lots of FS roads all over the place.
John
[Edited on 9-26-2017 by John Harper]
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willardguy
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Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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ultra HD tubes W/slime.....hope for the best
on edit.....do what Larry (bajatrailrider) says!
[Edited on 9-26-2017 by willardguy]
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John Harper
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Look forward to his response. I've heard of using Ride On as well. Similar to Slime.
John
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motoged
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Location: Kamloops, BC
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If you are asking basic tires/tubes questions....you really shouldn't be slagging engineers for designing a bike that needs more than a hammer and
crescent wrench to service it  .
My experience is that Ultra heavy duty tubes (HD will suffice) and a long wearing set of tires with strong sidewall construction....Slime (tube
type....not tubeless type Slime [yes, there is a difference], three tire irons, good bicycle hand pump (short), patches and fresh rubber cement tubes
(2 of them)....and know how to do the
change .
Front tires at 14-16 lbs...12-14 rear.....and for the soft deep sand riding....10-12 lbs front and 8-10 lbs rear.
Opinions will vary when "talkin tars" 
Now, for the oil to use.......
Don't believe everything you think....
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MulegeAL
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Location: PDX/Mulege
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IMHO HD tubes for such a light bike are overkill and an SOB to fix in the field. A bike as light as a 225 don't need 'em. They can adversely effect
the handling of light bikes too. Ged (above) needs them 'cause of the bike he rides and his style of riding, he demands a lot more from his tires
than most riders.
Carry a new front, two or three medium length smooth-surfaced steel tire irons, a couple of patch kits. Fronts can work on the rear for such a small
bike.
And a pump. The best off road pump I own is a Truper, get one at a mex hardware store. Metal valve stem covers that can remove/replace the stem
core. A temp field sidestand thingy for changing the rear, or get used to R & R with bike on its side.
All this stuff should be in a tail bag bolted to the bike with a strong flooring for the bike, such as plywood or plastic, and strapped down to keep
it from moving. Baja back roads will beat the hell out of anything on the bike, esp this coming season after the hurricane swept up the spine of the
peninsula.
Shade. I carry a space blanket for multiple uses, like shade in the desert to work on bikes.
Where are you going with this thing? East/west or north/south (on 2.3 gallons of gas)?
Best: just slow down and dodge the baby heads to avoid pinch flats, and take your time picking good lines on mountain pasos, that is where most baja
sharp rocks are.
Have fun, see you in baja!
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WestyWanderer
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Location: San Clemente, CA
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I recommend the mousses. I run a pit for the reigning Score pro motorcycle champion and the team runs mousses front and rear wrapped with Michelin
desert race tires which last longer than any other tire they have used. Two years ago at the Baja Sur 500 the team ran the entire race on one Michelin
desert race tire and one mousse and won the pro class by 15+ minutes. We usually change the rear tire every 150-200 miles based on the terrain with
any other tires.
I also went to mousses for my personal bike because I was tired of fixing flat tires and am very happy with them.
It sounds like your buddy is a very novice rider/motorcycle mechanic. With that being said I am confident that he/she won’t feel the difference
between a mousse and a tube but they will definitely enjoy not having to attempt fixing flat tires.
Michelin desert race tires:
http://www.motosport.com/product/?adpos=1o3&cc=us&cr...
[Edited on 9-26-2017 by WestyWanderer]
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ehall
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Location: Buckeye, Az
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Mood: It's 5 o'clock somewhere
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Quote: Originally posted by WestyWanderer  | I recommend the mousses. I run a pit for the reigning Score pro motorcycle champion and the team runs mousses front and rear wrapped with Michelin
desert race tires which last longer than any other tire they have used. Two years ago at the Baja Sur 500 the team ran the entire race on one Michelin
desert race tire and one mousse and won the pro class by 15+ minutes. We usually change the rear tire every 150-200 miles based on the terrain with
any other tires.
I also went to mousses for my personal bike because I was tired of fixing flat tires and am very happy with them.
It sounds like your buddy is a very novice rider/motorcycle mechanic. With that being said I am confident that he/she won’t feel the difference
between a mousse and a tube but they will definitely enjoy not having to attempt fixing flat tires.
Michelin desert race tires:
http://www.motosport.com/product/?adpos=1o3&cc=us&cr...
[Edited on 9-26-2017 by WestyWanderer] |
Wow those tires are expensive. How long are the mousse's lasting on your personal bike? 1 tire, 2 tires 3? Been thinking about trying them out. need 1
more inconvenient flat to push me over the edge to spend the money.
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basautter
Senior Nomad
Posts: 862
Registered: 7-1-2013
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I use Maxis IT Desert tires with heavy duty tubes and slime. I have yet to get a flat with over 5000 miles in Baja, but bring an extra tube and tools
to change a tire anyway. The basic tool set that came with the bike is a good start. I add additional tools that I have needed on the trail. Foam
inserts are also quite common, but the XT 225 is a mild bike so you probably won't need them. Your call here. Have fun!
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John Harper
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Posts: 2289
Registered: 3-9-2017
Location: SoCal
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Thanks for all the input. My buddy rides up in the San Bernardinos, and it looks like pretty rough terrain as well. The advice on tires is good to
know too, thank you!!
I've been wrenching on cars and bikes for almost 45 years now, so I'm showing him what to look for and (try to) be prepared for. As for oil, I have
plenty of debate over on my Sportster forums, I'm sure it's the same over here.
I'm running M1 in my tranny and Castrol 20/50 in my engine on the Sporty.
John
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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As to an air pump I duct taped a bicycle pump to the rear swing arm. Also duct tape several large tie wraps to the from fender. If you get a flat you
can't fix tie the tire to the rim so it won't come off. Always carry a spare tube and patches. Don't use soft sidewall tires for Baja riding.
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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| Quote: Originally posted by TMW | | As to an air pump I duct taped a bicycle pump to the rear swing arm. Also duct tape several large tie wraps to the from fender. If you get a flat you
can't fix tie the tire to the rim so it won't come off. Always carry a spare tube and patches. Don't use soft sidewall tires for Baja riding.
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or....you could leap into the 80's and use CO2 cartridges!
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KurtG
Super Nomad
Posts: 1205
Registered: 1-27-2004
Location: California Central Coast
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Mood: Press On Regardless!!
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| Quote: Originally posted by MulegeAL | IMHO HD tubes for such a light bike are overkill and an SOB to fix in the field. A bike as light as a 225 don't need 'em. They can adversely effect
the handling of light bikes too. Ged (above) needs them 'cause of the bike he rides and his style of riding, he demands a lot more from his tires
than most riders.
Carry a new front, two or three medium length smooth-surfaced steel tire irons, a couple of patch kits. Fronts can work on the rear for such a small
bike.
And a pump. The best off road pump I own is a Truper, get one at a mex hardware store. Metal valve stem covers that can remove/replace the stem
core. A temp field sidestand thingy for changing the rear, or get used to R & R with bike on its side.
All this stuff should be in a tail bag bolted to the bike with a strong flooring for the bike, such as plywood or plastic, and strapped down to keep
it from moving. Baja back roads will beat the hell out of anything on the bike, esp this coming season after the hurricane swept up the spine of the
peninsula.
Shade. I carry a space blanket for multiple uses, like shade in the desert to work on bikes.
Where are you going with this thing? East/west or north/south (on 2.3 gallons of gas)?
Best: just slow down and dodge the baby heads to avoid pinch flats, and take your time picking good lines on mountain pasos, that is where most baja
sharp rocks are.
Have fun, see you in baja! |
All good advice. We had a xt225, they are about indestructible as far as the engine goes. Keep any kind of good oil in it and it will live pretty
much forever. The most important thing is knowing how to do tire and tube repair. Practice at home before you do it in the field. While the 225 is
a lightweight it is very rugged, ride it within it's limits and have fun.
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TMW
Select Nomad
Posts: 10659
Registered: 9-1-2003
Location: Bakersfield, CA
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| Quote: Originally posted by willardguy | | Quote: Originally posted by TMW | | As to an air pump I duct taped a bicycle pump to the rear swing arm. Also duct tape several large tie wraps to the from fender. If you get a flat you
can't fix tie the tire to the rim so it won't come off. Always carry a spare tube and patches. Don't use soft sidewall tires for Baja riding.
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or....you could leap into the 80's and use CO2 cartridges! |
That is true as long as you have enough.
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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If you fly, you can't carry CO2 cartridges....not that the OP was flying
Don't believe everything you think....
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willardguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6451
Registered: 9-19-2009
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not yet....some FMF gear he'll be doing clickers off the tabletops!
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motoged
Elite Nomad
Posts: 6481
Registered: 7-31-2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
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Mood: Gettin' Better
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That's one way to"get air"....did it two days ago on my 690 when I hit a "decommission ditch" on a logging road going 45 mph....five-seven feet across
and three deep....certainly bottomed out and I was about two feet above my seat and way over the bars looking down at the front of the front tire....
very close to kissing it....but made it.
Worst surprise ditch ever....
Don't believe everything you think....
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