Rabaconda, New Tires, Cast Wheels on the KTM 390 Adventure

In this video I use the Rabaconda Street Tire changer to replace the tires on the cast wheels of a KTM 390 Adventure. I decided to return to cast wheels so that I would not have to deal with tubes. I installed the Bridgestone Battle AXE AX41 on the front and the Heidenau K60 Scout in the rear. Check out how easy it was to change tires.

[@Interbeing_CDN]

Glad to see you haven't abandoned the little 390 ADV, I look forward to seeing additional content in the future.

[@advmatt]

I am getting started on a comparison between the 390 Adv and T7. There are some interesting similarities and the differences are not as great as you might think.

[@tigereign]

@@advmatt cant wait for this

[@manybikes]

I absolutely LOVE my Rabaconda and.... the 390!

[@advmatt]

For the win!

[@Hammerhead812]

Currently running the Motoz Tractionator GPS on the rear and the Motoz Tractionator Dual Venture on the front. Had the GPS on the front but, while it's awesome on the pavement, not so much off road. 22psi in the front and 25 in the rear.

[@advmatt]

Great setup. Seems like you have your tire setup dialed in.

[@CallMeJazz]

Nice...thanks for this. I've been very interested in learning to do more work on my 390 without involving the shop.

[@advmatt]

It will save a lot of money over time. You need to purchase the 15mm Axle spindle for the 390 wheels. I forgot to mention that.

[@alanwarren5846]

To break the bead, try using 3 or 4 small wooden blocks between the rim and the bead as you go around the rim. Stops the bead reseating on the rim. And lots of lubricant. Good to see you back on the 390.

[@advmatt]

Great tip. With my Tusk bead breaker it pops pretty quickly just spinning it around. Just need to modify it a bit for bigger rotors.

[@nealmcmillan5675]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who has put a tire on backwards.😥 Sprung for the vmx tubeless cross spoke. Pricey but getting the best of both spokes and tubeless I think was worth it. Thanks for your videos.

[@advmatt]

The VMX wheels have received good reviews. Hope they work out for you.

[@RYwoodview]

My 2023 KTM Adventure SW came with tubeless tires. Best of both worlds!

[@TheRaed09]

Tire may be tubeless , but the rim is not. There is a tube in there.

[@advmatt]

Yeah, you still have tubes installed. Carry spare tubes if you do any long trips.

[@RYwoodview]

@@advmatt Hmmm. Glad to know. Thanks!

[@RYwoodview]

Makes me think to switch to alloy then. I’m not going to do heavy off-road riding. Your experience trying to convert tube to tubeless doesn’t encourage me to try that either.

[@advmatt]

@@RYwoodview I don't think you will have any regrets.

[@RonOrud]

Take that plastic thing off. The straight metal works better. 3 of us split the cost on a rabaconda. Had one tire we couldn't seat. Bike shop said they use dawn dishwashing liquid. Went right on. Dawn and water in a spray bottle seems to be the best.

[@advmatt]

I will remove the plastic from the bead breaker and try again. I usually use extra soapy dish soap and water when changing tires. The Rabaconda bead lube is pretty good too.

[@Sprchkn]

Seconded, it slides up the tire due to that having a fixed connection to the bar. If you've ever been fortunate enough to use a commercial changer, you can see that the bead breaker can be aimed to pivot down into the wheel lip rather than aim up on the tire sidewall like this tool. Additionally the commercial machines also don't have plastic there as it grips the tire better to prevent it slipping up towards the tread of the tire.

[@advmatt]

@@Sprchkn someone here suggested removing the plastic. I will try that next.

[@Sprchkn]

@@advmatt Sorry should have been more clear, I was seconding the entirety of the comment I replied too, including that bit. 🙂

[@AOHgoog22]

i litterrally bought my Rabaconda and put new front rear TrailMAX Missions on my Africa Twin 2 days ago... i will have my Rabaconda till i die ...local shop want $200 to swap mine so at $750 ..my cost basis is down to $550 already... it worked perfectly for my 21" front and 18" rear ...oh, use the grease Rabaconda sells ... best lube ive ever used on tires... yeah try the bead breaker again... put magnets on very edge of Rim...I also have the Tubeless OUTEX conversion and reused it no damage.... i also use Ride-On tire balance sealant...A+ ...just put opposite side of tool in drop center...i used Irwin Quick Grips...i'm sure people gonna be asking me to use mine out on the road ...friends yey!

[@AOHgoog22]

yaww stand on back side use body weight to get it on..keep tire lube wet...it dries quick...i got lucky i guess i didnt need those plastic clamp things

[@AOHgoog22]

yaww i weigh 157 and i broke my trailmax mission rear Thick wall ... pump it with tool edge right next to rim ...spin tire 5" and repeat both sides.. then back center...mine popped and these tires are beasts

[@advmatt]

Great tips for breaking the bead with the Rabaconda. I had the magnets right at the edge of rim and still wouldn't budge. I have to change tires again in a few weeks so I will try it again.

[@azlong4596]

Try holding the bead in and spray with major soapy water around the tire and in the bead where you are holding it in. Oh and get off your knees unless you want to hurt yourself, pushing down with your body weight is much easier. I had to play with my bead breaker at different angles until I found the right spot for each size wheel. A few ideas to play with just keep riding.

[@advmatt]

It was suggested I remove the plastic piece off of the bead breaker. I will try that to see if grips. I am up for the task doing it on my knees. Road/trail side repairs demand it. Thanks for the tips.

[@louispaulter8733]

My mistake, I mean Dunlop Trailmax Mission tire set, - have you ever tried these tires ?

[@advmatt]

Yes, I have put about 10k miles on the Trailmax Mission on my GS. In my opinion it is an 80/20 tire at best. The 50/50 rating Dunlop gives it is a gross overestimation of its performance in dirt and gravel. I am not a fan of these tires. If I was riding across the country and planned very little dirt roads they would work. I would not use them if I was planning to ride a BDR. I am sure plenty of riders have used them on BDRs, but so much traction is given up over a good knobby tire.

[@gkeller9958]

Think I’ll stick with the spoons. It makes you appreciate your tires more and doing less unnecessary tire spins on the trails

[@dangerdave8080]

Great video!

[@advmatt]

Thanks.

[@vtrack1963]

Great explanation on why you like tubeless tires. I came to the same conclusion on my own, although for where I ride there isn’t any reason to carry a tube and irons. If I damage a rim or rip a tire, I’ll call AAA. Also thanks for the Rabaconda demonstration. I’m debating on getting one. It looks like it will take some practice. By chance do you balance your tires, and if so, how?

[@advmatt]

Thanks. I use Ride On fluid to balance my tires. Squirt a bottle in rach wheel and it will auto balance for you. It is supposed to plug small holes but I don't if that works. Maybe it does, which is why I have never had a flat on tubeless wheels and tires.

[@scottsmith1897]

Have been looking for a set of used cast 390 wheels myself....... love the spoked wheels but would like a set without tubes.

[@advmatt]

That might be hard to find. There is the tubeless cross spoked wheel set on E-Bay, but they are not cheap.

[@scottsmith1897]

@@advmatt Yeah saw those and yes to much if you ask me. I actually found a set some time ago but at the time didnt want them. Stupid me.......

[@louispaulter8733]

Matt, How does this tire set compares to the Dunlop Trailmaster Mission Tire set ?

[@advmatt]

This tire setup is much better on dirt and gravel roads both in traction and braking. The Trailmax Mission tires will last much longer but in my experience are not really a very good handling tire in comparison. If you want lots of miles and ok traction go with the Mission. If you want the best possible traction with decent tire life go with the setup I have here.

[@OneOldManRiding]

Have you tried a Mitas E-07 + rear Matt? It's fairly similar to the K60 Scout, though wtih greater longevity. - Frank

[@advmatt]

I haven't. I don't like the big chevron pattern. I am concerned it will not hold off camber stuff. I hate the chevron pattern front tires, they slide out. I may need to give the rear tire a try.

[@OneOldManRiding]

​@@advmatt I have worn two down so far. I have yet to find a rear I like as much. Next two are the AX-41, and the Motoz Adventure. I had a bad experience with the Motoz on the 790... - Frank

[@advmatt]

@@OneOldManRiding ok, I will give them a try.

[@OneOldManRiding]

@@advmatt Its a tough tire. Not looking forward to pulling it off with the Rabaconda, possibly this weekend! - Frank

[@ktmgek]

I think the bead breaker is welded the wrong way around.. it tends to bend away from your rim. Very strange.

[@advmatt]

Yeah, there was a suggestion to remove the plastic off of it. I may try that and see if it grips the tire and can break the bead.

[@jimscaffido6531]

I agree, the angle for the bead breaker looks like it’s pushing away from the bead and not down on it…

[@rideyourluck1371]

Waw adv 390 waww