1st and foremost for quick, easy back on the road/trail fix. 2nd is more options for repair. If the hole is too big or mangled for a mushroom plug, a patch could fix it easy enough. Then there's also the ability to carry a spare tube. So all in all more options. I've been running Outex for over 20,000 miles with no real downsides. I've gotten back on my ride from a flat within less than 5 minutes by using mushroom plugs. When I had a slightly more dire moment I was able to install a tube to continue the ride. It's all about options and backup.
I think the outex kit is way overpriced since most people, including myself, never do the front rim on a KLR. I do have enough material leftover to do a rear wheel if anyone is interested.
You do know you can get just one wheels worth of Outex? You don't have to buy a "kit". Funny though that I've never heard anyone until now make that claim of "since most people never do the front on a KLR". I've heard people that have never done a conversion advise other people not to do it, but never heard anyone outright claim to only do the rear until now. Btw, my front Outex front wheel conversion works just fine.
Hey man. Sorry you felt the need to get butt hurt over my response. I apologize as that was not the intention in any way. I was merely stating an observation and hopefully helping others reading this thread by stating a fact. Again I apologize if I worded something so that you thought it was a personal attack or defamatory. Hope the swelling goes down soon.
No butt hurt here. My bike my choice. A few pages back Bigger Al mentioned that converting the front wheel may not be a good idea. IMO he is one of the most knowledgeable tire guys on this site. I trust his opinion way more than yours. So it appears your butt is hurt way more than mine. Good luck with that.
Yeah. Your responses don't show any butt hurt at all. Anyways.....you are exactly right about your bike your choice. Never once did I say that you were wrong. But have a great day non the less.
So Fixnfly, going to pick nits, which Murphy’s did you use? I would think I’d want something that dries out after mounting rather than preventing a grip on the rim.
I used Murphy’s original concentrated. I now have an 8 lb bucket of this stuff. More than I could ever use! I think any good tire lube is better than windex or dish soap. It makes a noticeable difference.
I use RU-Glyde Tire Mounting and Rubber Lubricant. It also cleans rubber nicely. I used to use Murphy's Soap, but switched to RU-Glyde as it is made for mounting tires. Its about $20/Gallon and lasts a long time. Also it can be cut with water. if you want. Like Aprilla says "if you're working too hard, you're doing it wrong".
Well, I took my tubes out for a nice long head clearing ride today...along with the rest of my KLR. Thanks to Gravelmap.com and the list of a ton of gravel roads in my state and area, I put down about 200 miles today, about 150 on dirt, single track (scary... ever see a Banana Spider or a Writing Spider ? ask the other Southerners here. That is why I don't like single track, and ALWAYS have my visor closed.) double track, and gravel Forest Roads that are fine for a Toyota Corolla, but entertaining on a bike, with varying depths, sizes of gravel, and turning more sandy the closer I got to Biloxi MS and the coast. I remain impressed with the KLR, for all it does. The brakes suck, the suspension is sketchy etc, it's like driving an old International Harvester 4x4. The pickup, not the Scout II. Hard core. I would not want it to weigh more than it does, but I had a total blast on it. Also the ability to run up the hwy the last 20 miles home at 70 ish is a bonus. I submit that the KLR builds a unique skill set. Oh... thank you Mr. hick ass that left a 1/4 mile of fishing line in the grass. Thanks to him I spent half an hour unravelling it from my front axle near my speedo, and rear hub. Got everywhere and I didn't have my needle nose pliers. Had everything else. If my pants are on, I have a handkerchief and a pocketknife sharp enough to shave with. If/when I am doing a known "Tour-de-Tweaker Route" (this IS Mississippi after all) , I'll always be able to protect myself from...lets say, further away. https://gravelmap.com/browse
Here's a thought guys...buy and install two kits then slightly overlapping one another side-by-side around the rim? Voila!
Good idea. I should have used the leftover tape for the front wheel to do this. Screw it, it holds air just fine as is.
Instructions specify not to overlap the tape but for $120 you would think they would provide tape wide enough to do the job.