tube type tires

[JerryH]

Just wondering, what do you do when you have a flat tire on a large road bike that has tube type tires, and no centerstand? This is the case with a lot of bikes, especially cruisers. I refuse to ride a bike with tube type tires and no centerstand, but have noticed that many people don't consider it a big deal. Just interested in how you would handle such a situation.

[Yossarian™]

Inflated tire + sidestand + portable stand = stable tripod.

[rocker59]

Originally Posted by JerryH

Just wondering, what do you do when you have a flat tire on a large road bike that has tube type tires, and no centerstand? This is the case with a lot of bikes, especially cruisers. I refuse to ride a bike with tube type tires and no centerstand, but have noticed that many people don't consider it a big deal. Just interested in how you would handle such a situation.

I think they whip out the cell phone and the AAA card, then wait for the flatbed.

[victor441]

some riders make takedown centerstands in case they get a flat....there is a clever one for a DR650 at http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=811587

[JerryH]

Originally Posted by rocker59

I think they whip out the cell phone and the AAA card, then wait for the flatbed.

That's the only way I can see it being done. IF you have cell phone service. What is a "portable stand"? How do you get a 600 pound+ bike on it? What keeps the bike from falling off of it?

EDIT: Interesting. But why? the DR650 and KLR 650 have factory made centerstands made specifically to fit them, from several places, including Dual Star, SW Motec, and Happy Trails. I put over 20,000 miles on a Honda Rebel (really small bike) and rigged up a "portable stand" but it was a PITA to use. But definitely a lifesaver if you had a flat, which I did, about 3 times if I remember right. I made a BOLT ON stand that fit where the right side footpeg bracket went. You had to remove the footpeg bracket, and use the same bolts to bolt on the stand. Combined with a piece of 2x4 under the stock sidestand it would get the bike off the ground, and it could not fall off because the stand was bolted to the bike with 2 bolts. But that was a small bike, and just happened to have frame bolts in the right spot.

[blk-betty]

Originally Posted by JerryH

Just wondering, what do you do when you have a flat tire on a large road bike that has tube type tires, and no centerstand? This is the case with a lot of bikes, especially cruisers. I refuse to ride a bike with tube type tires and no centerstand, but have noticed that many people don't consider it a big deal. Just interested in how you would handle such a situation.

If your speaking of big cruisers like the touring line of HDs, a centerstand wouldn't do much good as the rear fender wraps back down so far you literally have to have the bike jacked high enough to drop the tire down as it will not simply roll backwards when the axle is removed.

However, after owning 5-6 HDs between me and the ex and over 150,000 miles in the last 8-10 years we never experienced a flat tire.

The only flat I've ever had on a streetable bike was on my DR650 where I picked up a nail while riding off-road. No centerstand on that bike. It's a big dirt bike, just threw it on it's side and removed and replaced the wheel.