TRF Forums

I've got a KTM 690 Enduro bought last year that had mousses fitted - but just had it serviced at KTM centre where they advised that the mousses are 'shot' and need replacing with new mousses or tubes fitted.

Can anybody recommend a tyre changer / bead breaker unit? I want to be able to do my own tyre changes for summer / winter use tyre options as can't stretch funds to 2 sets of wheels. Also want the option of fitting mousses some time in the future but not sure if this will require different tyre changer. I'm going to fit ultra heavy duty tubes for now as whilst I like not worrying about punctures the cost of mousses over heavy duty tubes cant be justified at the moment.

I've got rim locks fitted at the moment though not sure if these are still required if I revert to tubes with ultra heavy duty tubes?

Any advice appreciated

Thanks, Mark

Need rim lock with all tubes

Hi Mark, you'll need rim locks with tubes. Personally I fit HD tubes but don't think the UHD offer any advantages. You'll need a tyre changing rig for the mousses but just tyre levers should be ok for when you're using tubes.

Thanks for comments.

I used to change tyres on my EXC with just levers and floor mat but was thinking a tyre rig would make it easier breaking bead on the 690 wheels?

Was thinking rim locks a must for tubes but thought Id read somewhere on this forum that they weren't needed on the 690? Might be just be my failing memory though

Anyone recommend a particular make / source for tyre rig? Don't want to break the bank but also want something that's reasonable quality.

Thanks, again

Sealey do a good one for about £160-£170 on eBay

Where are Mark.

I get mine changed locally for £6. On a loose wheel. Never been one to get the tools out myself. It's a big outlay on my part to get the tools that are required to fit mooses.

I've got one a bit like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mechanics-Workshop-Garage-Motorcycle-Tyre-Bead-Breaker-Motorbike-Tyre-Changer-/400800672615?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d5194eb67 that I used to use for mouses. As another poster wrote, I wouldn't bother with Ultra HD Tubes, just HD are fine. I've used these for years http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301114224305?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I wouldn't bother with mouses unless I was racing.

Motion pro bead breaker is supposed to be good and carryable (good made up word) on the trail?

the bad news is you can still get a puncture with a uhd tube i had a nail go clean through tyre and tube,i would pay the extra and go for mousses no special tools needed,just a good set of michilin type tyre levers and a second hand car wheel hub will get u started two bead buddys to hold tyre bead down opposite side to what u are working on and loads of tyre soap lol fitted a mousse for a friend last night took 40 mins from taking rear wheel from bike removing old tyre and tube cleaning rim of wheel and new gaffa tape fitting a tubeless valve lubing mousse and fitting in tyre and back on rim and im no expert lol

I recently treated myself to a Rabaconda mousse changer and would reccomend it.

Re the 690, I've got 2 of these bikes with spare wheels for both. You don't need rimlocks unless you are running low (sub 20psi) pressures.

If you run rally type tyres with tubes then I would advise against using rimlocks.

For rally tyres with mousses you can also forgo the rimlocks.

I would reccomend using rimlocks if you are using low pressures/mousses and light carcassed enduro tyres.

For most trailriding a 690 will be ok on a set of rally tyres with normal HD tubes - no need for the UHD ones.

I've recently been impressed by the mitas E-09 Dakar rear rally tyre. I don't particularly like the front E-09 as it si too tarmac orientated. You'd be better off with a Michelin sahara on the front.

E-09 is relatively cheap for a rally tyre.