Need For A Spare Tire?

[Plumber101010]

Searching this here I have found tons of posts concerning WHERE to get one, but not any feedback on the NEED for one.

So just curious, as I've been researching lately areas to go that I can take off on a week long, remote back country trip. Only criteria needs to be I can camp, light a fire and legal to bring a gun(s), ya know, just disappear for awhile! Guns are a must. Not looking for trouble, but always like to be prepared for it when it comes a knocking.

Anybody want to throw in a couple of places to go, that would be nice also!

My question is, how many people actually required the use of a spare tire?

Not just in a "nice to have one" situation but more concerned about the "if I didn't have one I would be walking for miles" type situation?

I always carry a plug kit, couple cans of the gooey fix-a-flat as well as an air pump.

I've personally never had a flat but just curious if any of those items would help? The situations where people needed a spare, was it because of a sidewall gash, making those items I bring useless?

I know they look really cool mounted on the back but for the kind of trip I am planning, I'm going to need every available inch for storage and supplies! Gas and water alone will take up most of my room!

Always more complicated when you have different size tires on the front and the back as on a weeklong trip I think I would want to have both if the need presents!

 

[Admin]

 

[DG Rider]

The western United States has gazillions of remote trail opportunities if you're willing to go that far. Fire restrictions vary in AZ, for example, but this time of year there would be no blanket restrictions. And you can carry your gun into wal-mart, if you like...But CO, NM, and Washington/Oregon seem to lean to the left, so I don't know about them. I wouldn't even bother with CA.

RE: Spare tire...
Well, I guess its something that, were I crossing the Sahara, I would want...but I have honestly never found a need thus far. I have a very low flat occurrence rate, so keep that in mind. In my experiance, Tires like 8 ply Roctanes are actually so stiff that they could be limped for several miles completely flat with no damage...unless you really have the machine loaded down. And maybe even then. GBC Kanati mongrels are 10 ply.
All you usually need is something to fit the front, since it usually fits the rear as well...and is a bit narrower and lighter. Maybe get a front factory/aftermarket steel and pick up a used anything in the proper size for what you are doing...just for piece of mind. Bolt it to the front bumper maybe? Hood rack for a 1000? As you said, the room is the issue...

 

[knuckledeep]

Most of the time a spare is not needed but on a recent 3 day camping trip with a group we had around 5 flats from sidewall punctures. One of the was 2 punctures in the same area one in the bead and one just above it we tried to plug it but it wouldnt hold. We had a spare we had to put on it. That tire was an 8 ply tire that had the 2 punctures

 

[Plumber101010]

The western United States has gazillions of remote trail opportunities if you're willing to go that far. Fire restrictions vary in AZ, for example, but this time of year there would be no blanket restrictions. And you can carry your gun into wal-mart, if you like...But CO, NM, and Washington/Oregon seem to lean to the left, so I don't know about them. I wouldn't even bother with CA.

RE: Spare tire...
Well, I guess its something that, were I crossing the Sahara, I would want...but I have honestly never found a need thus far. I have a very low flat occurrence rate, so keep that in mind. In my experiance, Tires like 8 ply Roctanes are actually so stiff that they could be limped for several miles completely flat with no damage...unless you really have the machine loaded down. And maybe even then. GBC Kanati mongrels are 10 ply.
All you usually need is something to fit the front, since it usually fits the rear as well...and is a bit narrower and lighter. Maybe get a front factory/aftermarket steel and pick up a used anything in the proper size for what you are doing...just for piece of mind. Bolt it to the front bumper maybe? Hood rack for a 1000? As you said, the room is the issue...

Well said! And I am in western North Carolina. I know there a lot of places but was wondering if anyone had one of those, you know, secret kind of places that nobody really knows about

 

[Plumber101010]

Most of the time a spare is not needed but on a recent 3 day camping trip with a group we had around 5 flats from sidewall punctures. One of the was 2 punctures in the same area one in the bead and one just above it we tried to plug it but it wouldnt hold. We had a spare we had to put on it. That tire was an 8 ply tire that had the 2 punctures

GREAT! Thanks. Just when I thought it was safe to go in the water.. lol

 

[knuckledeep]

GREAT! Thanks. Just when I thought it was safe to go in the water.. lol

If you do take a spare tire rember to take a jack and tire tool to remove lug nuts

 

[Amre2me2]

Here in CO., we have some of the most jagged rocky trails on the planet. I run several thousand miles each year and in the past 20 years, I've never had a situation that I needed a spare. I've had several flats but have always been able to plug it and keep going. Just run quality 8 ply tires with better sidewalls. You can also run most tires completly flat to get out if you had to.
I had a buddy pop a tire off a rim once but we were able to get it aired back up and were back on the trail in about 45 minutes. Used a strap around the outside of the tire to get the bead to seat.
The problem with carrying a heavy spare is that it raises the C.G. much higher. The last thing I want on our steep trails is a higher C.G. I try and keep my wieght as light and as low on my machines as possible.
I keep a kit similar to these for plugging and airing up my tires. Weighs less then a pound.

https://amazon.com/Stop-Go-8065-Tire-Repair/dp/B000N5TTTK/?tag=sxsweb24-20

No need to carry a heavy compressor or pump. We don't have a lot of storage space on these things as it is.

 

[txsurfer]

if I ever see a throw-down rim and tire for sale cheap i'll grab and throw it in the bed for longer excursions but other than that i'm not worried about it. We did 500 miles in CO this summer in a very popular SxS area and don't really remember seeing anyone limping on a flat.

 

[Ragnar406]

I have seen or rather been following someone who bent their rim on their wheel on a rock and it would not hold a bead. Granted this is an unusual accident to happen . I have also seen @nbomar cut tires so bad that he had to leave the group the next day and go buy new tires in a not so local store.

I think the biggest use is if you are going on a multi day trip especially at some distance (like takeover) it might make sense to bring a spare to at least leave at camp so that if something does happen you weekend/ride is not ruined

 

[Plumber101010]

Here in CO., we have some of the most jagged rocky trails on the planet. I run several thousand miles each year and in the past 20 years, I've never had a situation that I needed a spare. I've had several flats but have always been able to plug it and keep going. Just run quality 8 ply tires with better sidewalls. You can also run most tires completly flat to get out if you had to.
I had a buddy pop a tire off a rim once but we were able to get it aired back up and were back on the trail in about 45 minutes. Used a strap around the outside of the tire to get the bead to seat.
The problem with carrying a heavy spare is that it raises the C.G. much higher. The last thing I want on our steep trails is a higher C.G. I try and keep my wieght as light and as low on my machines as possible.
I keep a kit similar to these for plugging and airing up my tires. Weighs less then a pound.

https://amazon.com/Stop-Go-8065-Tire-Repair/dp/B000N5TTTK/?tag=sxsweb24-20

No need to carry a heavy compressor or pump. We don't have a lot of storage space on these things as it is.

Sorry. Never got notification anyone was replying to this. Happens sometimes on this website!

That makes me feel REAL good because if you're not ripping up tires on sharp rocks than i'm in pretty good shape!

I have a similar plug kit but that's a really great idea with the CO2 cartridge! I'll probably still bring my pump as it doesn't take up much room but just curious does one of those things fill up a tire?

 

[Plumber101010]

I have seen or rather been following someone who bent their rim on their wheel on a rock and it would not hold a bead. Granted this is an unusual accident to happen . I have also seen @nbomar cut tires so bad that he had to leave the group the next day and go buy new tires in a not so local store.

I think the biggest use is if you are going on a multi day trip especially at some distance (like takeover) it might make sense to bring a spare to at least leave at camp so that if something does happen you weekend/ride is not ruined

Well my fear is being stuck 50 miles from my truck so that wouldn't work. But geez, sounds like I'm "probably" ok without one.

I have another set of four tires mounted on rims but they're different size and taller and I can't do that, pretty sure will mess up something having a diff tire on!

 

[Plumber101010]

Hmmmmm. Could take the aftermarket ones and just take one tire off of the wheel and then all I would have to do is buy a tire and could save money that way!

 

[SFC]

We ride alone a lot and if it can go wrong it will so I carry a spare


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[SFC]

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[Plumber101010]

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Same tires I've got! But question is, have you ever had to use it yet? Of course Murphy's Law says no because you have one. But decide to leave it behind..

 

[swsebek]

Most folks can't even change a tire let alone use the co2 bead launcher.Get yourself a spare and be on top of things.Plan for the worst case scenario.
I don't mind walking anywhere. But I'm not leaving no one behind.kids or my Machine.
Also make sure u have Sm bottle jack and a couple blocks. Keep this in crate with my winch and strap crap.
The CO2 bead fixer and inflator the guys built on here is worth getting and learning.
You will be a Hero on the trail.

 

[uconn411]

At the very least I would carry a decent brand of duck tape and fix a flat for those sidewall cuts. That way you can apply tape to the sidewall while pumping in fix a flat. You won’t set any speed records but at least you won’t walk home. I carry a spare, got a railroad tie my 1st time out and it couldn’t be plugged.


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[Amre2me2]

CO2 cartridges are sold by the gram. It takes about 2, 20 gram CO2 cartridges to inflate one of these small atv type tires. With the inflater that is sold with them, it inflates your tire just like a compressor does. I carry 6-8 cartridges that are 20 grams each.

 

[Johnny787]

On the topic of spare tires. If one wanted to carry a spare would it be best to carry the front? I have not tried but I assume the front could also be used on the back in a pinch.

 

[ShadowAero]

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SFC,

How did you mount this spare tire?