Honda CB500X / Transalp - Clueless Tubeless Phobia

[@GaseousWorm]

Me riding my bikes on tube tyres for the last 15 years on really hot roads and never had an issue with OVERHEATING, I even run the same tubes for atleast 4 or 5 years. Even with a pucture the tube has never fallen to pieces

[@CodgerBiker]

Good to hear. Not for me anymore. Each to their own 👍

[@mikethebikemt07tracer]

The last time I had a bike with tubed tyres was in the 1980's and it was a pain in the butt to repair a puncture. Many tubeless repairs carried out by the roadside to mine and my mates bikes since then without issue. I also have a Mazda MX5 without a spare wheel and I used a bike repair plug kit to get me home when I had a puncture in that one. Plug, pump up and go within minutes so tubeless for me every time.

[@CodgerBiker]

It’s worth it just for that one reason. You get home with only a short delay most of the time. My days of tyre levering by the roadside are long gone 👍👍

[@eddale5557]

Same here i have a Honda NX 500 with tubeless tires and it working fine, i had that on my my Triump Rally Pro too and puntured and it was fixed in maybe 10 minutes then it was plugged and ready for many more miles!

[@chriscm6461]

Totally agree. Many years ago, on our way to the TT, I had a blow out on a tubed rear wheel, 75mph, with passenger and luggage, on the A74 just outside Lockerbie. I held on to the bike as long as I could...the back end was swinging almost full lock to full lock! Finally, I lost it....tumbled down the road, a big artic stopped the traffic behind us and probs saved us from getting run over. Cuts, bruises and helluva a snore knee was, amazingly, the extent of injury. I think that was way back in the 80s....I've never forgotten it...still gives me the heebs! At high speeds, a punctured tube can just deflate almost instantly!

[@CodgerBiker]

Glad you survived it. So many people don’t get it until it happens to them. No more tubes on-road for me 👍👍 PS Rode past Lockerbie only this morning from Elgin to Liverpool.

[@007vsMagua]

That's right! I once lived in a rural village in Alaska forty years ago with a pop. of around 5000, and most everyone had a bucket(s) in their house at that time. We would set our buckets out on the street weekly, like garbage cans, and the city bucket man would make his rounds, then drive to the diked pool (lake) out on the tundra and dump the load. Sometimes the dike would break and concern would rise. So yeah, I'm a tubeless guy to. What was Honda thinking ❓💲

[@davidkeppler56]

Is it possible to lower the pressure in tubeless tyres for better grip in off road riding, such as sand and mud? I would assume not, I can’t imagine they’d seal well at 20psi, which is probably why the manufacturers of ADV bikes stick with tubes. I know most are never going to be ridden off road, but I guess they want to give us the whole “factory” package.

[@CodgerBiker]

20 would be okay, but not much less in my experience, likely to have a tyre come off the rim on gnarly rocks etc. Some dirt bike riders run inner tubes down to 10. But the Transalp is not that kind of bike, it isn’t a 120kg dual sport. Of course Honda will always have people who want spokes for the image. So easy problem to solve imho offer spoked wheels or cast. A great bike otherwise, I loved it! 👍👍

[@iangriffiths9930]

I prefer tubes on a bike that is designed to venture off road, it provides more flexibility for in the way you can alter the tyre pressure to suit different conditions. If you want a bike with tubeless wheels buy a bike designed for road riding only. I also think you have more chance repairing a tubed tyre as you can only plug a tubeless tyres in certain situations. Maybe is Hondas fault in trying to produce a bike to cover too many bases, road tourer/off road explorer/ daily commuter and not really making a bike suitable for any? Just saying.

[@CodgerBiker]

Well, you’re covered then. Buy it. Personally I’d like to choose 👍

[@jbeharrell4351]

Modern trials bikes use tubless tyres and are inflated to around 0-5psi

[@shreedevi2005]

I agree with you. I put on the alpina tubeless rims on my Africa Twin and I will never go back to inner tubes, nor will I buy another big adv bike with those. Though in all the years of motorcycling, I have had only one puncture, I am always concerned about a puncture at high speed on the highway. The tools and spare tubes take up quite a bit of space and it's not trivial to remove a wheel and fix a tube out in the middle of nowhere. Seems like Honda just want to cut costs and it boggles the mind that they would put inner tubes on a road oriented bike.

[@CodgerBiker]

I have done the same in the past just for peace of mind. Expensive and waiting times for wheels were long. So I decided, after that, never buy a bike with tubes again. Luck, of course, plays the biggest role regardless of wheel-type. I choose tubeless as the better bet 👍

[@ikutiap5923]

same for the t7. should have an optional tubeless setup. even if it cost me 1000 upwards of the msrp. or 2000

[@dongraham1559]

Fully agree! I'm now worried as using Honda CRF's later in the year on a trip to Spain. Last year got a puncture on the road to Spain on my BM tubeless and on the road again within 15 minutes! Think OKO will be going in the CRF with fingers crossed!

[@CodgerBiker]

Well luck plays a big part of course. So many people tell me they’ve never had a puncture, funny thing is garages are always fixing tyres. But CRF (300s?) are at least a bit lighter to deal with. Go equipped, and enjoy it. If the worst happens help each other. At least you won’t be on M6 in the rain 👍

[@smallfact0ry]

Absolute line in the sand for me. I grew up riding enduro and dual sports (1980’s Honda xr’s mostly) here in the northeast USA. On a dual sport it makes sense to have tubes. We’d air down when doing crazy rough terrain, and would either lay the bike down, or simply pop it up on a log or stump to change the tube. They weren’t touring bikes, and adventure bikes are essentially. I won’t ever purchase a tubed multi-cylinder bike. If the transalp had tubeless, I’d have one on order. The question in my mind… how much more is it for the manufacturer to do a tubeless wheel? They are already purchasing the hub, and spokes. Is the extruded metal rim style of a tubeless rim as well as the tubelsss rubber many hundreds of dollars more then the tubed style for them? I am honestly curious….

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree. The Chinese appear to be able to equip their Adv bikes with spoked tubeless wheels. Ironically the Japanese bike industry is in danger of falling behind, like the British bike industry did when I was a kid. 👍

[@Banditmanuk]

The last inner tube bike I owned was a Triumph TIGER 800XC. Rode that bike to the Alps and back but it was definitely on my mind. Carried spare inner tubes but refuse to go there again on a bike I intend to cover road distance on. Think I'm with you on the merits of tubeless for the road👍 I also wouldn't buy the Transalp for that reason.

[@CodgerBiker]

If nothing else I prefer to be independent. My days of changing/repairing inner tubes at side of a busy road are over. Plug n go everytime 👍👍

[@aveguy451]

Reading through the comments, the overwhelming consensus is with you. I’m glad to see that. You have started a movement that will change the industry. I wish. These comments likely do reflect the general opinion of the motorcycle riders of the world. I’m on my six bike in 5 years. I decided that my six bike (500x, love it, it’s a keeper) had to have tubeless tires, mostly for ease of repair. The safety aspect hadn’t really entered the thinking process. I see now how much better a person is, at speed, when a picture occurs. The TransAlp is a tempting bike but, like you, not with tube tires.

[@CodgerBiker]

Cheers, appreciate it. Just an old bloke moaning into his crash helmet 👍😉😅

[@Checkpat]

V85tt was launched with inner tubes… and quickly moto guzzi changed his mind. I bet Honda will do the same

[@CodgerBiker]

I think it will happen 👍

[@dungspreader]

I've had one front tubed tyre "rapid deflation" on the M5 which turned into a tank slapper , many years ago , very scary , it's not an experience I'd care to repeat . The roads are much more crowded now and the car drivers are ruthless . Tubeless tyres for me , if I'm riding in that environment . Honda have made a big mistake not offering a tubeless option for the Transalp .

[@CodgerBiker]

Yes that’s another great point. I grew up riding with very few cars, now it’s Mad Max out there some days. The dealers I spoke to seem to think the next version will have tubeless option. I think they have had a lot of feedback, at least from UK. 👍

[@Dave_East_Riding]

Agree with you 100% on pros and cons, only had one tubed tyre bike in the distant past but currently I have 2. Although I’ve never (touching wood!) had puncture in 54 years (on a motorcycle) I became concerned that my luck must run out soon! In March, as a birthday treat, I bought a nice new CB500X and love it enough to have done over 2k miles already. However... in 2 months of ownership I’ve collected THREE punctures in the back tyre. Repairs were carried out at the Honda dealer who said they never get tubed tyre with punctures. Had my luck run out or are tubed tyres tougher? 😊 I’m now running a set of Michelin Road 6’s and hoping for better mileage. Anyone want a front Dunlop Trailmax, hardly used? Enjoying your content, your spannering is always good for a laugh.

[@CodgerBiker]

Cheers. Well there are no guarantees. No punctures ever is the optimum, maybe one day someone will solve it. I just know the day-to-day life of a once-upon-a-time tyre fitter. I’m going with Road 6s too when the time comes. 👍👍

[@ljoelmchanley3676]

"never get tubed tyre with punctures"...that's because they go flat in a flash so you can't get "punctures" just one "puncture" at a time with tubes...hehehe. They are just as vulnerable, I once got a puncture on a tubed tire from a little pissy thorn...pathetic.

[@CodgerBiker]

There is also a lot of luck, both good and bad, involved 👍

[@chrishart8548]

​@@ljoelmchanley3676 (Never) sounds a bit extreme doesn't it. What could be the case is sportsbike tyres with a softer rubber could be more prone to a puncture. The tyres that tend to run a tube are lightly to be more robust harder wearing and less grippy. You can't even really ride fast with tube tyres as heat builds up between the tube and the inside of the tyre. I've only ever had 1 puncture and it was on a very old tyre. I think if it had been a new tyre it wouldn't of even got punctured

[@MattMiss79]

That's exactly the reason why I'm not looking at the Transalp either and I was so looking forward to buying one soon. The Suzuki VStrom has nice spoked tubeless wheels. Honda should have opted for that on the Transalp. I reckon there are a lot of riders out there thinking the same. How many riders are really going to take the Transalp off road anyway.

[@CodgerBiker]

I’m sure it’ll happen in future versions. But, of course, that’ll be a ‘reason’ to charge more, like the Adventure Sports Africa Twin. Time will tell. 👍

[@ToCoolToBeOld]

I have a KTM EXC & as soon as I can afford to I will be fitting mouses. I can't be dealing with the hassle of being stuck on a trail miles from a road with a puncture. I can't understand why manufacturers still make tubed wheels. To me it doesn't look like they are more expensive to make.

[@CodgerBiker]

Mouses offroad 👌 It'd be great to have a road version, but current ones would over heat at 80mph all day. 👍

[@ToCoolToBeOld]

@@CodgerBiker Michelin are currently developing airless tyres for cars so maybe one day they'll develop them for bikes.

[@ikutiap5923]

seriously... why ride 80 MPH, especially all day? :)@@CodgerBiker

[@acgadventures90]

I completely agree with you. Tubeless all the way, even for off-roading. The off-roading I do isn’t hard enduro stuff, it’s adventure off-road exploring unsealed roads and bush tracks (similar riding to what itchy boots does) and for that tubeless spoked is more than enough. the thought of getting a puncture ruining your camping trip is just not on. Cannot beleive Honda and Yamaha run tubes in the tenere and transalp for the type of riding they are made for.

[@CodgerBiker]

That’s my thinking/experience too. I even have tubeless on my 690 Enduro R. I take it on some rough/rocky tracks, but I take my time. If I was a gung-ho enduro racer it’d be different (and I’d run mousses), but that’s not my style. I doubt 95% of other Adv riders do hard off-road either. The bikes are heavy and riders (like me) no longer young. 👍

[@ConstantThrottle1]

I'm the same as you, I read horror stories about them deflating fast on a motorway and it put me off instantly but winds me up that I can't get certain bike like the tenere or standard Africa twin 😢

[@CodgerBiker]

YES! I too had to pass on the Tenere. P*ssed me off. Got rid of my 2018 Africa Twin because of tubes, and won't pay for the Adventure Sports. 👍👍

[@ConstantThrottle1]

@Codger Biker very annoying if they can put them on the adventure sport they should at least give the option to put them on the standard!

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree. I'd be on one now 👍

[@JinKazama92]

@@CodgerBiker even the africa twin uses tubes?

[@nockianlifter661]

If you’re only riding on the road then tubeless is superior. Off road it’s a trade off - if you lose the rim seal then you are forced to fit a tube just to get going. My new bike has the best and worst of both worlds - tubeless rear and tubed front so I’ve got to carry both tube, foam, plugs and a compressor 😮

[@CodgerBiker]

👍😂 Or the worst!👍

[@slakk5093]

I have a wr250r that of course runs tubes, and I’m in the market for an adventure bike to compliment that bike. I have had to change tubes on the side of the road on my wr250r and it’s a pain. Now that bike has skinnier tyres than any of these adv’s and is easier to change tubes on but is still an ordeal and last time it took me over an hour in the hot sun. Don’t want to deal with that on a heavy loaded adventure bike

[@paulyflyer8154]

I've even gone tubeless on my pushbikes so it's unbelievable that someone like Honda have gone back decades like this especially on a road-centric machine. For me it's a major deal breaker as would be drum brakes and carbs.

[@CodgerBiker]

Agree 👍

[@daddystu7046]

My MTBs went tubeless over 10 years ago - inner tubes should be consigned to the scrapheap.

[@CodgerBiker]

​@@daddystu7046Definitely on road bikes 👍

[@paulyflyer8154]

@daddystu7046 Agreed. They're manageable on a pushbike.. only 3-4 minutes to swap over but on a motorbike on the hard shoulder of the M4.....no thanks.

[@jeffferguson899]

I have been riding for 40 plus yrs and know hundreds of bikers,never known anyone who crashed because of a puncture while at speed. And if you get a puncture at speed I dont think it makes any difference if you have a tubed or tubless tire . also I can fix a puncture on a tubed bike in about 1/2 hour on the side of the road. yes its a little more inconvenient than just putting a plug in but I will take the advantages of having a tubed rim on an adventure or dual sport bike every time. You are taking a chance riding an adventure bike with cast wheels, as soon as you take it off road those brittle cast wheels can break and then you are really screwed

[@CodgerBiker]

As I said, freedom to choose 👍

[@ljoelmchanley3676]

"And if you get a puncture at speed I dont think it makes any difference if you have a tubed or tubless tire"...when a tube is compromised it loses all it's pressure fast almost every time, when a tubeless tire picks up a foreign object in most cases it doesn't deflate in seconds.

[@CodgerBiker]

Often tubeless tyre will seal around a nail/screw, whereas a tube will lose air through the valve stem, the spokes. As you say it can be too fast to react when it happens. 👍

[@nicholas6000]

Honda has spoke tubeless on x adv, why didn't they put them on transalp? Why?

[@CodgerBiker]

It's a mystery. Victorian tech on a 21st century ride. But much about Honda puzzles these days…

[@tommck2386]

Hi, im enjoying your videos. Ive had my eye on a Transalp but your video is giving me pause for thought as Im a new rider. Would you recommened the Honda NC750 X as a safer alternative, Im planning on using a bike for the work commute and weekend touring. Thanks

[@CodgerBiker]

Cheers Tom! Similar bikes, but also different. My mate Maurice swears by his NC750. Solid bike. I'd prefer a Transalp, but prefer the NC wheels if commuting. The NC is also very economical. 👍

[@tommck2386]

@@CodgerBiker cheers 👍

[@CodgerBiker]

Thanks for watching 👍

[@chrishart8548]

I think what he meant is our choices do have effects on everyone else. If tomorrow we all decided we would never ride a bike with tubed tyres the industry would have to make a change.

[@CodgerBiker]

'Existence precedes essence' 👍 Sartre didn't 'believe' in the influence of others, which is why I part company with his hard edged existential outlook.

[@DanTube2010]

Mechanical failure including punctures only plays a part in a few percent of motorcycle accidents. The biggest risk by far is other traffic. Bikes don't kill people, cars do.

[@CodgerBiker]

Well I can't control car drivers. But that doesn't mean I shouldn't equip my bike to work the best I can. That's my view 👍

[@stanleylawson9015]

very good points covered so why is it the manufactures still supplying tubed?

[@CodgerBiker]

European bikes aren’t. Japanese companies are conservative I guess. Hopefully they will take note in future versions. 🤞👍

[@stanleylawson9015]

Royal Enfield?

[@CodgerBiker]

True. Price/looks. Also it's not a fast bike.

[@slakk5093]

The put tubed tyres on the transalp to push you up to the big ticket top of the line models… I mean the new Himalayan 450 is coming with a tubeless option, why? Because it’s their flagship, they don’t have another bike to upsell you too

[@CodgerBiker]

Maybe. But so it the Tenere and the top Suzuki (DE), yet the supposedly lesser version(RE) has tubeless. Muddled thinking. Most cheaper Chinese bikes have spoked, tubeless as stock, so it can be done. The Japanese were once the innovators, sadly now falling behind on all fronts.

[@slakk5093]

@@CodgerBiker so weird huh, they could dominate easily with just tubeless and cruis control. I’ve had many Japanese bikes and they are amazing pieces of engineering and just so damn reliable. If only they added these two things they would be dominating once again

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree. I grew up on Japanese bikes. They were always the best. Sadly they appear to have lost the energy to be the best. Yet it would, as you say, be easy to solve. But I guess their main markets are small bikes, cheap price and high volume. 👍

[@slakk5093]

@@CodgerBiker I reckon you are spot on there.. they’ve found their money makers and are happy to lose market share to the now innovators. But it’s neither here nor there to them because they have their market locked (the small displacement high volume). But sad for us as consumers though, because I love that bulletproof Japanese engineering.

[@tedsalmon2533]

I'd never had an issue with tube type tires untill earlier this year when I got two punctures in a 20 mile stretch on my Bonneville t120. The first one cost me a new rear tire and the second was a slower leak that I didn't notice till hours later in my garage. I love the bike but hate the wheels - spokes not withstanding. I'm biting the bullet and swapping for tubless wheels.

[@CodgerBiker]

Did the same on my 690 R. It nagged at my mind. Good investment 👌

[@simon2428]

This is quite a subject…. Brief history for me, I’m 57 and the first time I ever sat on a bike was 5 years ago… past my test and now own a 500X like you plus own a Himalayan as well for just over 3 years… great bike also but I had a puncture on the rear 18 months ago in the dead of winter… nightmare ! Had to leave the bike in a Good Samaritans garage and had a right faff to get it back in the road. Since then it’s knocked my confidence on tubes and yes I could see myself on a Transalp as for me I feel it is the perfect bike but TUBES really 🤦🏽 it will probably stop me from buying one as like you I have plugs if needed. I would be interested to see what compressor you have as yes I have one but have no experience if it’s any good so to see one that has been used and you like would be good info to see.

[@CodgerBiker]

Mine is a cheap one from Amazon. Nothing special. DrJ bought one first and I was very impressed. I use it to blow my car tyres up also. Not sure what make it is. Just charges on a USB-C, set the pressure and it shuts down when that value is reached. I practised on the car first. Get one, you won't regret it.👍

[@gordripley1406]

The only thing holding me back from the Transalp are the tube rims...it can't be much more money Honda to put a set of tubeless rims on these bikes...maybe next year's model. In 30+ years of riding, I've had two punctures, both resulting in slow leaks because the object (nails) was still lodged in the tire...so could inflate the tire and get to my destination without any issues, not possible with a tube.

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree. For those happy with inner tubes it is a superb bike. Even the cheapest Chinese bikes come with a tubeless option. It is beyond me why Honda do not offer it in C21st! 🤔👍

[@winter-survivor]

One thing I really didn't understand is: Why did you put a freaking sticker right in front of the windshield blocking your main focus point? LOL

[@CodgerBiker]

Camera is on my chin. I see clearly over the screen. Just for fun 👍

[@timcarter7051]

I would rather have tubeless on a motorcycle. No need to remove the tire , alot of bikes don't come with a centerstand ,no need for tire irons and way faster to repair. Sure there are those exceptional times but for simple screw or nail repairs tubeless rules hands down.

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree 👍

[@ikutiap5923]

good point. f'n yamaha doesnt include the ctr stand even when the bikes have tubes. wtf. really@@CodgerBiker

[@woody_vlogs]

Was using a RE for 5 years and just had a couple of punctures in that period. But after moving to a CBR 250R, I couldn't imagine going back to a tube tyre. One of the mates who came in a RE for a group ride had a puncture and due to that we had to stop and I was the one who went in search of a repair shop as i knew the pain :P. Held us back by 2 hours. No tubes for me hereafter.

[@CodgerBiker]

In my experience punctures are inevitable. Some people get lucky I guess. So being prepared is the best we can do, and that starts with the correct wheel for the job 👍👍

[@woody_vlogs]

@@CodgerBiker yes. Even if we learn to change the tyres in tube tyres if we're stuck solo then it's impossible and will drain a lot of energy to continue ride. Tubeless is always best

[@CodgerBiker]

👍

[@John-oy8nj]

Like you had a puncture whilst out and about some years ago. Was able to fix it with my puncture repair kit and then carry on my way.

[@CodgerBiker]

Just so much more convenient also 👍

[@ram64man]

I’m with you, Honda really should offer the trans with tubeless alloy option for road only users I’ve had one to many punchers for my own good , it’s ok to fix the front but a nightmare on rear especially laden often those with tube puncher just keep inflating than fix with a slow tube leak than try fixing (I’m talking you old Harley owners ) a quick puncher kit is all we need and away we go,

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree. I'd be on one now if they did. Still waiting... 👍👍

[@AdrianHollington-vm9qz]

Seeing how much you like fiddling about with your stock CB500X I’m surprised you didn’t get the Transalp and do your own conversion of the rims…which seems very simple…and so have tubeless tyres.

[@CodgerBiker]

'Seems' simple is right. To do it properly would require Africa Twin Adventure Sport wheels. You can't convert tube rims to tubeless, as they lack the retaining ridge. I covered this in the video. 👍 Also I'd fiddle, as you put it, with any bike.

[@martythompson6509]

​@@CodgerBikerincorrect. There are several kits of various brands which convert tubed wheels to tubeless. I have such a kit on one of my farm bikes.

[@sergiosoares264]

The Teneré 700 is tubed and it is a best seller….

[@CodgerBiker]

Yep. And it's why I never bought one 👍

[@JinKazama92]

no its not. lol

[@podunkman2709]

Tenere is off-road bike. Transalp is 'adventure'. I lost hope people will finally get the difference...

[@scryla6995]

But it is possible to change for tubeless with a kit. Does it worth it? Is it reliable ? Thank you

[@CodgerBiker]

The kit doesn’t provide tubeless rims, they are different with an extra ridge for the tyre. Insurance would likely not cover DIY ‘tubeless’ conversion either. In any event I don’t want the hassle 👍

[@Texasgolf]

Ok Harley has tubed tires, Indian scout tubed tires, Honda Xr 650 Kawasaki KLR Lots of bikes still run them. I’m 65 that’s all you got back in the day. My Triumph Bonnivile did. I have been left out once in 50 years of riding with a flat due to a tube. So it’s not that big of a deal folks.

[@CodgerBiker]

As I said, it's a free (ish) world. 👍

[@davea9946]

Only a matter of time before Honda bring out a road focused Transalp to match the VStrom 800 road edition. Will probably be called NX750.

[@CodgerBiker]

Hopefully. Maybe a replacement for the NC750x, but it also offers DCT so hard to say... 👍

[@Tommy-Atkins]

One of the reasons why if I went for a street oriented ADV bike it would be the Suzuki V-Strom with the cast wheels (although I do believe the XT version of the thou has tubeless Bridgestone “battle-wing” tyres on spoked wheels!)….you make a balanced viewpoint pal and I wholeheartedly agree with you! 👍

[@CodgerBiker]

Cheers. V twin too 👌

[@slakk5093]

Yes the XT runs tubeless spoked rims. What I don’t get is how that bike can get tubeless and be cheaper than than the transalp and the new 800DE

[@R-r5s]

Is that a combined jump starter and tyre inflator you have? If so can you say where you bought it? Wish I had a quid for every time I've ridden down Ramsbrook Lane BTW.

[@CodgerBiker]

Ha ha, well spotted 👍 No it's just a compressor with built in gauge and powerbank to charge phones etc. Rechargeable, with torch. Lots of them on Amazon, various makes. Handy thing 👍

[@Gggggggg618]

HONDA AND YAMAHA HAVE DONE IT TO CUT COSTS .THE TRANS ALP IS A LOVELY BIKE BUT NOT FOR ME WITH INNER TUBES.JUST DONE MANACO AND ROUTE NAPOLEON I CANT IMAGINE THE GRIFE OF A PUNCTURE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE.😢

[@CodgerBiker]

I'm sure there will be a tubeless option one day. Great bike but, like you, I reject inner tubes for touring. 👍

[@mikerichardson415]

The beauty of democracy is freedom of choice! Stick with your 500X and I will enjoy my new Transalp, should it ever arrive. The last thing on my mind when I am riding will be the tubes in the tyres. There are far too many idiots in tin-tops sharing the roads and trying to kill me to lose focus on that risk. Yes, it would have been better if Honda had chosen to fit tubeless rims to the new Transalp, but it's not a deal breaker for me. Do Brits deliberately drop nails on roads???

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree. Just wish Honda gave us a choice. So much building work going on in this congested isle, poor road surfaces and many screws, at least where I live 👍

[@Hitoversat]

The v-strom 650 went from beautiful tubeless spoked wheels, to tubed spoked wheels on the replacement v-strom DE800... Why? Its bloody idiotic- Its obviously very doable to have spoked tubeless wheels, Triumph and BMW have it on all their adventure bikes, and Suzuki decided to go backwards on the new model. 🙄

[@CodgerBiker]

Meanwhile Chinese bikes with cheap spoked tubeless option. Reminiscent of the way British bikes fell by the wayside... 👍

[@Hitoversat]

@@CodgerBiker It's so frustrating, like you; the only thing putting me off the Transalp, is them inner tubes, it's a backwards step and yeah, maybe inner tubes are preferred by off-road riders for some reason(?), but most people who are possibly interested in the Transalp, are- let's be honest- going to ride this thing 90% of the time on the road, with an option of being able to take a few off-road routes here and there, so it just doesn't make sense. Well, in my mind anyway...

[@CodgerBiker]

Inner tubes great on a proper off-road bike as you can add rimlocks and pressure them right down, or use mousses… but the Transalp isn’t that bike. So I think it’s a style thing and price cutting. I know the dealership have been bombarded by people asking for tubeless so maybe the next one… 👍

[@Hitoversat]

@@CodgerBiker Fingers crossed for the 2024 model then. 🤞🏻

[@CodgerBiker]

And the lotto 😂👍

[@davmanlop333]

Why tubed tyres 🤦

[@CodgerBiker]

Because ?

[@davmanlop333]

@@CodgerBiker because they wanna save. I rather pay an extra 100 or 200 for tubeless. Should give us the option 😂

[@CodgerBiker]

No argument from me. Just give us the choice at point of sale. Simple 👍

[@dfloper]

Because they are better in an off-road expedition situation. Bend a rim on a rock in the middle of nowhere. If it is tubeless you are stuck. If it is tubed it can keep air. Also you can run ultra low air pressure for better traction. Another thing. It is possible to change a tyre by yourself with tyre levers. No worries about making the Tyre bead sealing and needing a strong compressor. But most people don't use their bikes in the middle of nowhere or touring around the world, so i think Honda does this just for marketing and to show the bike as off-road worthy. It is not a matter of cost.

[@nevangelos9277]

Ιf someone afraid of something like that will take place(may be once in a lifetime on motorway or never) he can buy tubeless rims (1.5K €), put them on Transalp 750 and have piece of mind. Also i am sure that in the near buy feature it will be an adventure version of Transalp 750 with tubeless rims( +2K€ of course) like that on Africa Twin 1100 Adventure version. If you dont want to pay 2K more stick to CB500X.

[@CodgerBiker]

I think that's what I said 🤔

[@michaellaw7525]

I like the Transalpine But I had a African twin had a put her waited 4hrs for the AA to come out to take the bike back to the shop because they don't fix them on the road inner tube OUT

[@CodgerBiker]

Yes, I loved my Africa Twin, but tubes and top heaviness meant it had to go. Agree with you. I’m never going back to inner tubes 👍

[@2wheels.are.better.than4]

I agree, but if the bike really is that good I would probably buy it anyway and then just buy some Alpina tubeless wheels for it.

[@CodgerBiker]

Yes I have done that with other bikes in the past. But budgets are tight and £2k extra (I think Africa Twin Adv Sport wheels might also fit, but don’t quote me) is too much for me. Especially as Indian and Chinese bikes offer them OEM, for little or no extra.

[@Stefan_trekkie]

Just relace the wheels with tubeless rims and new spokes with the original hubs.

[@CodgerBiker]

Never again. £2k and prices rising fast kzbin.info/aero/PLeqBZ9Sn4T5uaRif752E3Vn7aJUi_YSwW

[@sergiosoares264]

You know it is possible to change the wheels for tubeless rims…

[@CodgerBiker]

Been there, done that. £2k. kzbin.info/aero/PLeqBZ9Sn4T5uaRif752E3Vn7aJUi_YSwW

[@BodybuildingSteve]

does seem stupid, did Honda ever say officially why it has inner tubes? maybe they had to make it crap somewhere so the africa twin stays as top dog lol

[@CodgerBiker]

Base Africa Twin, the one I'd actually buy, is inner tube also. You may have a point 👍

[@frankmccleese5092]

I agree, do not like tubed tires.

[@CodgerBiker]

👍

[@ed.t.hansen6499]

Lovely. I'll get next one that's tubeless!!

[@CodgerBiker]

Me too. Great bike otherwise 👍

[@chrishart8548]

All cast wheels are tubeless. Cast for the road wire wheels for off road.

[@CodgerBiker]

What I said. 👍

[@pauloakes5718]

I came of in 1982 at 70 and walked away with a sore arse with tubed tyre on a CB750 f2. I came off in 2000 at thirty and broke a few things! If it’s fast though tubeless if it’s slow innertube👍

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree. Everything is fine until the moment it isn’t! 👍

[@pauloakes5718]

I ride a 2006 Triumph Daytona 955i for fun been my stead for 8 years. Looking to buy a 450 Himalayan or an old XL for my spiritual real life bike. Great content,crap roads👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@CodgerBiker]

I still hanker after an old XL500, but no longer have anywhere to ride one 😕👍

[@pauloakes5718]

@@CodgerBiker What about a TDM? Some really nice examples out there. Xl 500 is the perfect apocalypse ride don’t you think?🛶

[@CodgerBiker]

I've always wanted one. I used to ride my mate's XL500 about in 1980, in local rec. Loved it, but never could afford one. My KTM690 Enduro R is about as close in modern terms, probably why I love it so much 👍

[@dondle2]

I concur Sir.

[@CodgerBiker]

Glad somebody does 😉👍

[@podunkman2709]

What a stupid idea not to give people a freedom to choose they want tube or tubeless in configurator.

[@CodgerBiker]

I reckon a cast wheel version might be along, Suzuki already released one this month - 800RE - Honda will have to respond… well maybe 👍

[@claretbuck1882]

Awesome bud cheers 👍🏻

[@CodgerBiker]

Thanks 👍👍

[@nfineon]

To be fair, you _could_ buy some actual tubless tires, new wheels, adjustable suspension annnnnd damn its now more expensive than a base africa twin oops.

[@CodgerBiker]

Been there, done that. Never again. Base Africa Twin also tubed.

[@rjeepster8640]

I will take a cast Wheels anytime so much easier to clean and deal with and 99% of the people that use them never bash them over rocks anyway

[@CodgerBiker]

Totally agree. Cast wheels more than good enough for a 'soft' Adv bike like the Transalp. 👍

[@markjacobs3956]

19th century tech on 21st century bikes. Tubes are a joke for 99% of riders. It's why I ride a T Rally Pro 900. Plug and go.

[@CodgerBiker]

👍 agree 100%

[@kalamityken3416]

Codger, reminds me of Clarksons comment on Top Gear around 2010. At the time Pirelli were the sole tyre supplier to F1 and were told by F1 to make the tyres wear quicker so that teams had to make a pit stop to change tyres. As a result some tyres only lasted 10 laps before they delaminated ruining the drivers race. Clarkson then famously said, The Stig has tried the new Pirelli condoms - and now he has 17 children! Enough said. 😂

[@CodgerBiker]

Ha ha! Brilliant 😅😂🤣