Motorcycle Travel on a Tiny Bike - Too Much Luggage, Camping and More Puncture Repair 

The Bob Ross of moto-video content. The way these are shot, edited and narrated is nothing short of genius.

Take it from a younger fella’ in Tucson: You have to find fixing the flat as enjoyable as staring peacefully at the flowers while sipping tea. It’s all the same…a flat IS the flowers. That’s the journey. Cool thing was, you were certainly prepared for it. Kudos 😉

Thank you for including the frustrating parts of your travels. It makes it much more real and meaningful.

I carry a small C clamp and a couple small blocks of wood in my patch kit. Clamp the patch and let it set up for 30 minutes. Patch will hold👍🏻

Ditch the tire irons and switch to the Motion Pro aluminum tire levers. Lower weight and rounder tips to reduce the likelihood of pinches.

I don't know how you do it and what the secret formula in video editing is but you are doing clearly something right by a very objective measure of mine.....I NEVER have to skip or fast forward any of your video. I almost always do that with most other RU-vid vids when I start getting bored, so THAT means something. Good job.

Sterling your storytelling in this series has been quite good. I really appreciate how you’ve been able to show how - even for someone as experienced as you - that no journey ever goes exactly to plan and that it’s how you react and recover that makes the difference. Bravo!

It’s refreshing to see “adventure” riding enjoyed without forty thousand dollars worth of motorcycle and gear. Kinda inspiring really. Thanks for sharing this.

Scuffed up the area correctly, use alcohol swab to clean scuffed area, apply glue to scuffed up area, allow glue to DRY(Number one issue), apply patch using a smooth tire spoon. And keep scooting 🛵☁️☁️☁️☁️

As always I truly enjoy your trips. The honesty of troubles is good for us all, the positive attitude you keep. Thanks again for sharing your adventure with us.

You are not alone my friend. At 65, I expect that I should know better and not keep making dumb decisions/actions, but alas, I’m a magnet for them. You can never stop learning and growing!

Word to the wise: when placing a patch on the tube, it is sometimes best to get some air into the tube first, then placing the patch on a somewhat inflated tyre. This avoids straining the patch and the adhesive once the tyre is fully inflated. Hope it helps

Glad you didn't send the drone back home. Totally enjoying your adventure. Not so much the tire issues. 😩😩. The filming and editing is pure quality. Hoping your channel continues to grow. 👍👍

Sterling you are such a trooper. Also thanks for sharing your self-eval + responsibility process. I love love love those Big Horn Sheep! And the Burro happily rolling in the dirt! It’s like a dichotomy to us humans having everything yet not being satisfied. Your videos are really therapeutic ha. I always grab 3-5 screenshots of your stunning vistas. Thanks for all you do brother! ✨ 🛞

Standard inner tubes for CT are so thin and easy to be punctured. Mine has changed to Butyl type! It holds air better than the standard. Thicker wall and can inflate around 45 PSI. Been 3 years without a single puncture but i carry 2 sets of spare inner tubes. Do not fix the puncture just change the new one!

Love the decision making about what to remove -- minimalism!

The first thing I would have done is go to the first town or city large enough to have a m/c shop and got a new tire and a couple of tubes. That nail you pulled was too close the sidewall and has no reflection of how much tread is on the tire. Glad you got rid of the dead weight. I overpacked nearly every time but never quite learned the lesson that thing I used only once in twenty times on camping trips didn’t really need to come on any of those trips. Did I really need to bring a butane mantle lantern when I have a great little LED lantern that weighs about a third of the gas one. With the weight you are carrying you are asking for and experiencing trouble. Good luck.

I am really enjoying these videos. It's a good reminder that we all need to take control, rather than blaming other factors for our own issues. It is a learning experience, but it makes for an eventful adventure. I have remembered my breakdowns and roadside fixes, they have been wonderful memories to talk with friends

It's a sad day when I do not learn something! If you engage life, you will learn lessons which will positively impact your future.

Hey Stirling love your channel. Biggest advice on changing moto tubes and tyres is to get the tyre off the bead opposite to where you put your tyre levers in and i usually kneel on the tyre in that spot. Same goes when you are putting the tyre back on. When the tyre beads are in the centre of the rim there is less overall diameter which aids in allowing easy fitting.

Yeah…. You don’t want to inflate the tire to “check” it before installing it. The patch needs the support of the tire when the tube is inflated. Love that you’re doing your trip, would love to do similar when I retire-and I’m a lifelong, hardcore sportbike junky!

Really like how you made the choice to send some items home. The choices between need, want, must have, and can do without have helped me a lot on my motorcycle adventures and my long distance backpacking trips.

These videos are fantastic, they way you filmed them I could feel every emotion you were portraying, especially during the tire tube issues. Stirling, your videos are my salvation when I’m feeling down in the dumps.

People can ride around the world on a pushbike with not much, and still produce stunning videos, I guess it can be hard coming down from a big BMW where you can bring more than you need. We all learn along the way. Another great video.

Tire repair is a basic skill that needs practice and experience to be good at. Now that you understand that the proper tools are essential put together a comprehensive kit worth carrying! In fact build several dedicated to each of your motorcycles. Highly recommend motion pro and tusk. Bead buddies make a huge difference. There are small ones that fit nicely into your kits. I also carry a small ground cloth as not too get dirt in where it doesn’t belong. Soapy water in a small container is a must, so many uses.

You want round corners on patches

Wait, 4 likes after 4 minutes posted ? It's okay to like this channel in advance. Never disappointed.

Sterling: Your tire patching ordeal has been a great inspiration. Especially all the reader comments of subtle "tricks" with tube patching that I and others probably others have forgotten over the years.

Accountability is such a powerful thing! Thoroughly enjoy your videos and your ability to weave in real stories.

The trials and tribulations make you appreciate the good days all the more. Thanks for another beautiful video, Sterling. Good Lord, you make me miss Arizona! 😃

If I can learn to produce videos half as good as you do I'll be fine. You produce top shelf material. Love your videos. I get excited when I see you've posted a new episode.

Your so right, we lean as we go , thx for not passing the buck on to its the tools fault.

I've been on motorcycle trips like this. It is so difficult to distinguish between wants & needs when packing. I almost always find I have things with me I didn't need, or use, for that matter. Good video!

Well done Sterling for holding it together Unreal footage again

You made my day! Seeing you back on your trip!

Lube! It's your tire changing friend. I carry a small hotel bottle of hair conditioner for this purpose, much easier to clean off than olive oil. Also, a bead buddy is a great tool to carry.

Fantastic video as usual and happy you did not call it a day with the frustration of the tire. I had issue with my ryker yesterday and could not make a event, had to turn back in limp mode 70k/h max, I had to avoid fast road and took back roads took much longer , will have to have this looked at by a mechanic, but for the first time I did not get mad and took it as part of the journey , enjoyed the slow ride back and tomorrow will be another day. thank you for your video , I have learner something about riding from them and it resilience Alain * Yellow

Your videos give us a sense of riding along with you and sitting in camp with you, as if the camera was a real person, relaxing with a cold one in your camp and watching you set up. We see ourselves right there along side you. Nice filmmaking skill there brother!

So glad that you overcame the frustration of flat tires! Nails happen! Some riders swear by heavy-duty tubes, others by sealants added to the inner tube. Flats are part of the game (although I rode the TAT and several BRD's without one!) The BEST precaution against flats is carrying a lighter load. You did the right thing by sending stuff home. When you get back, eliminate EVERYTHING that you never used or used only once. I bet you can shave another 10 pounds. Unfortunately, you can't reduce the weight of your LUGGAGE. My total MotorBikePacking kit weighs less than your hard cases and the mounting racks. Soft bags are the solution for light ADV riding!

I always carry a spare tube to swap over & get a proper fix on the puncture when I'm back in town. Enjoy your freedom, that's why your doing what your doing right.

Great content, I like the idea of a bit of a different ride. This makes it fun and interesting. Thanks

One of your best videos. So glad you hung in there with the trip. The story telling of the trip with awesome videography, the scenery and the music. Simply incredible! I have watched a lot of your videos. This one is an amazing 5 star. Absolutely loved it. Can’t wait for the next episode.

I was lucky that I had a dad, an uncle and a grandfather who made sure I knew how to do stuff. I think I patched my first bicycle tube at age 6! First Rupp mini-bike (Tecumseh 4 hp) at age 7. Love your channel and it really doesn’t matter when you acquire this knowledge. You’re better and more self sufficient for knowing it!

The trick with tire patches is to let the glue dry! Do not stick the patch onto wet glue. Spread the glue and give it 5 minutes to dry. Then peel the plastic off the patch and press it on. It will vulcanize and will stay permanently. I also lay the tube on a hard surface and use a box end wrench to press it firmly, rolling it firmly.

Back in 80's (!) had a few months problems with punctures with a motorcycle, happened again anad again and I could not find the reason. at the end understood it was the damaged tire that made the holes! with spare money I had as a teenager bought a new tire and had never any problem again. This video reminded me of the sweet past time, and the beloved Honda CG 125...

Great video! Mistakes do happen. As you as you learn and do better next time fixing the tubes. But that's also part of the adventure. Not getting too excited or frustrated about mistakes, but maybe to see the good things aorund you. They're still there in all their beauty. Happy rides and no more punctures, Günter/Nürnberg

Fixing a tube and all the challenges, wow. Firstly it’s hard to do when experience is missing. To avoid pinching lubrication is key, 2-4-D or equivalent is used to drown the tube. The tube will slip away from the irons rather then to pinch.Slightly inflate the tube before installing the tire so it can slip. Good luck on your trip.

Sterling I've been watching for the past couple years! Love the content. One tip when patching any tire is make sure you do not touch the prepped surface with your bare hands. The oils from your skin will prevent the glue from setting up. Thank you for the amazing videos!

Nice video…your honesty is refreshing and I agree about bringing too much stuff. I had an epiphany one day that when I go backpacking for a week, everything I need is in my backpack…so how is moto-camping any different? No panniers, no sea-trunk sized box on my bike now…just my backpack strapped longways behind me on my seat. Remember the old infantry saying, “ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain…”

I have used Best Rest Products for tire repair products, they use truck tube patches and glue, I've never had a patch come loose.

Hate that you're having so much tire trouble - but I sure do relate to it. Have had all sorts of tire problems on my CT125. Someone recently gave me a great tire changing tip... they said to never move your spoon more than 90 degrees to the wheel. it's kind of hard to do because you have to sort of press the tire edge down to get it to slide under the rim and the instinct is to crank that rubber it over the rim, but it really keeps the pinches away... amazing filming as always...

So Zen, it chills me right out to watch your uploads you are to mototravel what the wonderful Bill Masion was to canoe travel.

It's great to see you persevered. Selfishly, we all get to benefit from your fortitude.

Crazy, I just went through this area! Stupidly, for my first ever big trip (new-ish rider), I did a 550 mile 1 day trip up to Sedona and through the Navajo nation. I passed by Winslow on my way to Snowflake. What a beautiful area.

Gorgeous work yet again. I used to travel with only a towel but quickly i found many limitations !

Brilliant editing. Like others said it’s absolutely so well done got absorbed forgot to drink my coffee. Please include more shots of native plants! You can order inner tubes and get them send overnight to a hotel mailing address.

Thanks for sharing the good and bad-awesome video (as usual). Keep your head up, pain is a great teacher!

Great video! Interesting, well shot. Great music.

Great video! Yea we all mess up at times, I have changed hundreds of motorcycle tires and tubes and I admit that I have pinched a tube also, it happens. Hey I just live over here between Sierra Vista and Bisbee. I have a Trail 125, CRF300L and a Goldwing. Let go ride sometime, I was on the CT125 in Bisbee a couple days ago. Frank, Woodzman Adventures

I was about to remark that I was pleased that the road had smoothed out a bit for you, then another flat. Sorry, but thank you for an otherwise wonderful vlog. Desert Bighorn picture was awesome, as were the burros and horses. Thanks for all the hard work to take us along.

If you don't use it you don't need it. Send it home. Lot of decisions to make before leaving. Sometimes it takes a few days to wear in on what are the essentials and needs of the trip. Right now inner tubes. The rest a place to stay with a good bed and coffee and some food. That's about it everytime.

Don't beat yourself up over pinching a tube, everyone has done that at some point. Enjoy your trip, you can definately have lots of fun & adventures on a small bike.

You might want to look into bicycle tire puncture liners. Chief plastic strips that sit between your tube and the tire. Tubed tires are a real PITA

I always enjoy your videos, I cannot thank you enough for sharing with us all, yes when you do these trips, you have no choice to take the good with the bad, but I have really enjoyed this series that you are currently in, me and my buddy leave next week And head out west and up to BC on our way up to Dawson and maybe beyond, this is our yearly adventure we share, take care. Look forward to your next. Rob in Ala.

Keep up the great videos and content. Cheers from Australia. 🇦🇺

Awesome scenery, thanks for sharing.

You are so invincible, with so many frustrations, you are still doing so cool way of commentary and footage. Setting cam in advance, back and forth, truly truly respected, especially at your age.💪

Love the go anywhere ability of the postie bike. Great soundtrack, great scenery and great problem solving. Although, I think you might regret sending back that spare pair of trousers. Thank-you for sharing your adventure.

Sometimes a flat tire is the least of troubles. You will master the change and patch and this worry will become a joy of labor. Excellent video

Hay your really good at making videos just saying hello from a fellow biker in England 👌👍

Sterling, thank you for posting these honest videos, you have thoroughly convinced me to continue riding on tubless tires!

I like the peaceful breakfast scene at 15:30 with the guitar music and birds on the wires in the background. It very much represents a quiet morning camp.

What a nice video and commentary. Thanks for taking us along on this journey. Have fun, stay safe and keep the rubber side down. All the best!

Great video thank you the trick to changing tubs pack the tube in baby power. Works very well. Thanks again cheers to ya.

Before you fit the patch on the inner tube, sand those ridges, that are on the joins of the inner tube, right off, till they're smooth.

Great job on showing the upside and downside of your adventures

As I recall, the old-timers way back when used to put glue on the tube then put the patch on the tube with some glue on it and then light it on fire with a match and blow the flame out once the glue bubbled in a few seconds. I guess this would really vulcanize the patch to the tire but it always seemed to work back then.

Awesome photography Stirling. Thank you. Arizona is beautiful.

Enjoy the sunrise. Enjoy the sunset. Great video.

After many years of cycling (50 years) I have fixed many a tube. Once you get the hang of it you will be fine.

Getting a flat is an annoying part of motor bike riding, but you learn and move on - like you have. Great video mate, well edited production. Greetings from Australia 👍

That was really travel vlog with motorcycle,full of good advice and tips about traveling with motorcycle 🏍️

Thanks for sharing the reality of tubes. I've pinched so many...

Had to fix a flat on my bicycle today, found the patch I put on a while back had failed. Nice to know i'm not the only one!

Another great one Sterling! I can’t wait to get back out on these roads and trails!

Awesome video! Good news on the inner tube patches 😎👍

Buy yourself OKO Tyre Sealant for both inner tubes (preferably never punctured ones). This fibrous fluid immediately seals punctures and the green colour alerts riders that the tyre has been punctured. OKO seals so well that if it weren't for the visible green fibres showing the rider would never know a puncture had occurred. Then buy a Breezer Tyre Tool (or equivalent) and never again pinch an inner tube or damage a rim). The Breezer also makes tyre fitting and removal much easier! These two products have served me very well since the 1980's, and I knew one rider that had a huge, bent nail enter his front tyre tread and protrude out through the sidewall... At over 80MPH! OKO literally saved his life as he'd have had a front wheel blowout at very high speed! Just not being stopped by extremely inconvenient punctures makes life better, but you still need to fix the puncture, but may do so at your own convenience. These are essential if touring!

Awesome video Sterling! Thanks for sharing another great trip. 👍👍

Packed like an overlander.😂 Think like a backpacker!

Check your tent after it was placed so close to the fire to avoid any surprises when it rains

so crazy putting all that gear on that thing and taking off, great stuff

Motion Pro Bead Breaker pro tire irons and bead breaker set are two tire levers that make the job easier even on my big ADV bike (Africa Twin). If you carry alcohol wipes, patches will stick better to cleaned tube. Finally, once the tube is tucked into the tire, slightly inflate it (enough to make it round/plump and firm) before you spoon on the second side of the tire. This is the key, it will help eliminate the chance of a pinch flat with your spoons.

Fantastic! Hang in with the little valleys 'cause the peaks will outweigh them mightily in the end.

I just finished 10 days on my TW 200. I think I had way more fun and less stress on it instead of my 690. Minimal camping gear, some wild camping. What a lil tractor the Tdub is!

I put Ride-On tire sealant in my motorcycle tires. It won't fix every leak but it's good insurance, plus it balances the tire!

I really enjoy your video content. Long time fan of your bdr work and your videos. You are a veteran mc camper and is great that you share your decisions and comments about overpacking Nice to have or just in case vs what we ‘need’ is an every trip decision.

I am a Long time fan of your excellent motorcycle videos and motorcycle travels. I have travelled on larger and smaller motorcycles and I have done extended trips on Yamaha XT250, TW200, WR250, and Honda CRF250 and CRF300 Rally. My advice (worth at least 2 cents) is to put the panniers on a bigger bike and get your luggage system down to a few lbs and the whole load down to 30 lbs or less including the luggage system. My current setup for travel on the 300 Rally is Wolfman Threadworks base system and some super light rollie bags. My whole luggage system and load is 20-30lbs and that makes small bore travel much more pleasant. When I went to small bore bikes I found a lot more joy in the journey once I got the load down to fit the bike better and that makes it a lot more fun and is easier on the bike and the tires. If I need more luggage now I take a bigger bike that can handle it better. Keep up the good work and thanks for posting this series. Small bike travel can be a lot of fun and I think it is under rated in the modern world where people think a 900cc bike is "middle sized"? I personally found the sweet spot for me at 300cc and 300lbs but it is different for everyone.

Great video Sterling. There's always lot's to learn along the road. That's the "adventure" part. 💯 👍

Good choice of music, thank you.

With less weight.. the tire should hold out longer. It is a pretty thin tire.👍🏼