FRANK !!! - Bummer on the part failure - Kinda thinking about it - on that ride - Things could have been much worse. Glad you made it home ok. Great review as always !!!
Hello Obi-Wan, there is sometimes a price to pay when you install aftermarket parts, especially Electonics. All is well now. And it did not stop the trip. - Frank
This why I waited until KTM sold the 390 Adventure with spoked tubeless wheels in 2023. It really was just fortuitous timing that when I was ready to buy KTM changed the wheels. I never cared much about tube or tubeless, but now after changing a few tubed tires I'm seeing why tubeless is so sought after. Plus I really like the look of the spoked wheels.
Hello Growell, I was not really against tubes until I had a flat in November at 6 PM. There was no way I wanted to fight that tube and tire when it was getting dark and I was tired from riding for hours. A front sure, not TERRIBLE, but OOF not a rear! I am now firmly on Team Tubeless. - Frank
Like all you videos, thanks for the straight talk! I thought there was a shop in Texas that was selling the VMX wheels fully assembled, I may go down that path rather than go VMX direct in hopes that the bearings are of better quality AND installed correctly. Sorry about the bad luck, but glad to see you kept the stock cast wheels as a back up.
Hello Josh, thank you for the kind words! I would go with the shop, you can then have a high level of confidence that the wheels are good to go, before they go on your bike. Rear wheel, with all new bearing is back on and doing well. - Frank
I always used tubeless wheels. On a moped and vespa I had tubes, but this was really long time ago. :) It is a wonderful think to decide which one suits you best. Great video Frank. Drop by (I would use your words) when time permits. :)
Hello Gregor, I am all in on Tubeless, I do not mind changing tubes when I replace tires but have NO desire to do it on the side of a road or trail. - Frank
I prefer tubeless. But they dont offer a 23 model KLR with tubes. So when I replace this tire in another 1500 or so miles Im converting to tubeless using the 3m 5200 stuff. I have a riding buddy that rides way harder than me in rougher stuff and he has had his done this way on his KLR for over 3yrs and 17k miles. Still holds air like day one. Been eyeballing the new Vstrom 800 and a couple different KTMs too. But plan to keep the KLR. I think I can fit at least 2 more bikes in my shop/man cave. Maybe I should just get one of each lol
Hello Dave, Many guys here have done Tubeless conversions on Dualsports, with great results. I know a few have failed when they air down too much, but that's controllable. The new VStrom 800DE looks great aside from the weight. Goodness where are they hiding that 40#! - Frank
Good honest video. With the launch of the new 390 adv range , genuine ktm spoked wheels will be available again soon. Personally, my tubeless stock wheels are one of the things I like most about the bike, sticky worm plugs for the win!
Tubeless tires have been high on my list as well; however, I’ve been trying to objectively think about it. I started riding about 3.5 years ago. In that time I’ve rode about 41,000 miles (36,000 on a VStrom 1000XT & 5,000 on a WR250R) on various paved and unpaved surfaces. I just got my first flat on the VStrom. I didn’t realize I had the rear tire flat and rode around 30 miles (could have been anywhere between 20 - 50 miles) until I got home. My reinforced bias ply Dunlop TrailMax Mission effectively acted as a run flat tire although it isn’t advertised that way. I wouldn’t recommend running one flat, but now know they can do it. I was able to plug the tire at home very quickly and it held air. I replaced the tire anyway. The point of the above is that my thoughts on tubed tires may be irrational. I have learned I will NEVER intentionally buy a radial tire for my any of my bikes. Running the tire flat to a safe location is appealing to me. The worst part of having tubed tires seems to be the added weight of carrying at least one extra tube, long irons, and other tools necessary to change the tire. Also, Africa Twins have been tubed since they were reintroduced in 2016. Only the Adventure Sports version is tubeless since 2020. If you haven’t gathered I’m trying to talk myself into a VStrom 800DE. 🤣
@@vtrack1963 3 punctures in 8 years on my 650 vstrom, fixed and continued riding within , at most, 15 minutes the first time, 5 minutes the last time. Each repair I forgot was there and rode the tyres till they were worn out (not recommending that, I literally forgot they were plugged) I sold my tenere 700 because I was carrying extra tools and bits and tubes and stuff and worrying constantly about getting a puncture offroad out of the way somewhere. With the 390 adv, I've a pump and worm pluhs under the seat, and should I get a puncture I'll be barely inconvenienced. Never had a bent rim in 41 years of riding on multitudes of bikes, on and offroad. The new vstrom, meh, too heavy for offroading. I ride solo, I aint lifting that beast if it falls over upside down.
@@vtrack1963 Sounds like you have thought this through. Perhaps tubes are not reason enough to keep you from getting a bike that would otherwise make you very happy.
I think for me if get more than one flat out on the dirt I'm selling the bike and buying a 450MT. lol I wound'nt spend a few grand on new wheels nor would I spend hours and hours of time sealing the spokes in the rims. My moto is dont over capitalise on a bike. Thanks Frank :)
There's a company in India called DISMOTECH making custom tubeless spoke wheels for a 390adv, royal enfeilds and 310gs etc... a similar but custom designed GS style external braced ones and few other types like the kineo ones etc. recently they posted availability of a new 890 adv type tubeless wheels. it's standard center laced wheels with rubber seal to make it tubeless and cost effective. Personally, I would get the rubber sealed type or simply do an outex conversion on the 390adv wheels. KTM uses super sturdy offroad wheels.
Hello, KTM makes fine cast wheels as well. I really think that any hit I take to damage the cast wheels, would bend the spokes too. It just looks nicer! - Frank
Just finished the video. I bought a huge incubator. Im talking almost as big as a standard refrigerator. Weighed 140lbs. All the way from china 90 bucks. Sounds like they sold you the parts and put about 12 bucks towards shipping and called it "shipping only"
Bad luck mate! Look like good wheels but I've taken my chances with the OEM tubeless rims and just carry tyre irons. BTW I've paid $70 shipping for a hardcover book from the USA to Australia, so all I can say is that you guys have been spoiled!
Hello Houseofroos, none at all. IMHO the stock cast wheels are great, and very durable. I changed the because I really like the look and maybe, but probably, they are less likely to be damaged. - Frank
Hello Scott, Interesting. I cannot imagine how they would not fit, as the 23 spoked wheels can be put on the 20-22. Thats should mean there has been no changes in the wheel sizes and spacing. - Frank
Hello Stuart, fortunately, I never sold my original wheels! The spoked wheel is on there now and working well. I am actually thinking of selling the spoked wheels, and going back to the stock. - Frank
