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One bike, two sets of tyres
https://www.trf.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=23161
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Author:  stevepj [ Mon Jan 09, 2017 11:28 am ]
Post subject:  One bike, two sets of tyres

Greetings all and Happy New Year!

Looking for some advice. I've a 2008 1200R GS with two sets of tyres, which I've used mostly for 2-up road touring on Metzler Tourance tyres, but in the last year for trail riding on Karoo 3s. I want to do more of both, but the Karoo 3 wears quickly and is uncomfortable and noisy on tarmac, while the Tourance won't cope with anything but the easiest trails, so I've swapped them over a couple of times.

Up 'til now I've taken it to my local-ish dealer to get the tyres changed but it's none too convenient and £50 a time. I'd like to take some advice as to my various options, as I want to be more flexible and not have to miss out on a weekend's trail ride 'cos the tyres aren't booked in for change 'til the following week etc.

I don't mind a bit of outlay on tools, if changing tyres (and balancing the wheels thereafter) is something I could do at home. I'm reasonably handy and have some room in my garage. Anyone had experience changing tyres like this? Is it too much trouble / is the novelty going to wear off real fast (I'd imagine swapping them over several times a year).

An extra set of wheels would be nice but at about a grand a pair seems OTT (don't suppose anyone has any I could take off their hands?!)

Sadly I'm limited to just the one bike; the solution is obvious otherwise!

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks, Steve

Author:  mario.costasa [ Mon Jan 09, 2017 11:47 am ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

I wouldnt waste riding time changing tyres

You should get a spare set of wheels and tyres fir the 2008 model for £300 to €500

The alloys are the cheapest but i would spend a little more and get the spoked

Dont forget to buy complete with brake discs and abs ring if needed - and you will need different rear bolts if moving alloy to spoked.

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Author:  Richard Simpson [ Mon Jan 09, 2017 12:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

What Mario said is good advice.

I've never been charged more than £15 for a tyres swap on a loose wheel (and that was for a Mefo Super Explorer, which is made out of cast iron...or feels like it). It's usually closer to a tenner.

If you are on tubeless tyres then you'll need a compressor and a tyre changing rig...which will cost you more than a spare set of used wheels. The cast wheels are usually cheaper to buy used...so get a set of those and put dedicated road tyres on them, and suitable knobblies on the others.

Author:  stevepj [ Mon Jan 09, 2017 12:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

mario.costasa wrote:

You should get a spare set of wheels and tyres fir the 2008 model for £300 to €500

The alloys are the cheapest but i would spend a little more and get the spoked



Thanks for the reply Mario. That would be a good solution but I've never seen wheels at that price - do you have a link to somewhere?

Author:  mario.costasa [ Mon Jan 09, 2017 1:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

UKGSers forum and ebay are good places to look. They will come up often.

Also www.motorworks.co.uk sre good if you prefer to deal with the trade.

If you put a wanted ad up on ukgsers and the trf forum the wheels will find you.

Happy to loan you my spare set whilst you wait for the right deal

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Author:  stevepj [ Mon Jan 09, 2017 3:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

Very kind Mario.

I'll see how I get on with UKGSer forum - don't need them for a couple of months.

S

Author:  TomL [ Mon Jan 09, 2017 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

Keep your eyes open. I picked up a set of alloy wheels with discs for free on UKGSER. Came complete with speedo drive, rear tyre and different length bolts. I think they came off an RT because the front was 17".

I keep my original wire wheels for off-road use and have Michelin Anakee Wild tyres fitted at the moment. Previously I had Continental TKC80 tyres fitted.

There are always GS wheels for sale on ebay.

Author:  1200RT [ Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

Hi Steve,
Changing tubeless tyres is fairly easy, but you need a bit of kit.
I use a Sealey tyre "machine", a decent tyre bar, a couple of levers, and a cheapo static balancer.
The initial outlay is soon recovered, and you can bask in the smug glow of being able to change your own tyres!
Where in the country are you?

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Author:  Blueray [ Sat Jan 14, 2017 10:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

There are a pair of wheels + tyres on the Bay of sin at the moment

Author:  chaos engine [ Sat Jan 14, 2017 12:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: One bike, two sets of tyres

Hi steve,
A spare set of wheels would be handy and the easier option.But you still have to pay for tyre changes . I do all my own tyre changes. you can get a beadbreaker 40 quid , manual balancer 90 quid , then get a small compressor or second hand one off flee bay, 3 tyre levers and jobs a good un . The more you do it the easier it gets . In the long run you get ya money back on tools , plus its a good excuse to go in the garage and have a beer :D Try abbastands.co.uk

regards jason

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