Motorcycle Travel on a Tiny Bike - Too Much Luggage, Camping and More Puncture Repair
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- čas přidán 24. 08. 2024
- My tiny motorcycle adventure continues as I ride across Arizona on a Honda Trail 125. Dealing with punctures, sending things home, camping on the Mogollon Rim, and riding through Chevelon Canyon and Winslow, Arizona.
Touratech Zega Panniers:
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Note: Pannier racks for the Honda Trail 125 can be ordered from Touratech Japan on eBay.
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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 😉
Now that is real wisdom. From an older guy in the UK, I’ve found the same. The frustration is often caused by setting deadlines and making them important, when they are mostly not. When you get one of these flats, care you do it right, more important than quick, quick will come with practice. Stay calm, easier said than done, but once you get that, many “problems” melt away.
Sure. It's good to give a different meaning to certain events in our lives. From now on, I will see flowers whenever I see a flat tire.😅
Now that's a good attitude. I will keep that in mind, not only on my first long-distance journey. Thanks from an older fella in germany.
The Bob Ross of moto-video content. The way these are shot, edited and narrated is nothing short of genius.
No doubt ...this has quickly become my favorite CZcams channel and I don't even ride
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👍🏻
Great reminder. I forgot that patching trick
I’m going to add this to my tool kit
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 CZcams 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!
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 have a set of plastic levers that I’ve managed to use on smaller bike tires. I use three to replace a tire yet still Almost no weight.
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!
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 🛵☁️☁️☁️☁️
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. 👍👍
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
It’s refreshing to see “adventure” riding enjoyed without forty thousand dollars worth of motorcycle and gear. Kinda inspiring really. Thanks for sharing this.
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! ✨ 🛞
Love the decision making about what to remove -- minimalism!
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.
This is solid advice and also why I added two “bead buddies” to my tire changing kit. Haven’t pinched a tube since. Also, I carry a little travel bottle of dish soap that I can use on the bead if I have to. 👍🏻
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.
Thank you! 😊 I have no problem doing that. I aways pack too much and let it even out when i am on the road. Every trip is different and I like figuring out what I am using vs. not using after a few days or longer on the road.
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
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!
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.
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
You made my day! Seeing you back on your trip!
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.
You want round corners on patches
AND, if possible, use patches that are feathered on the the edge
Super advice
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
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!
Agreed, I am going to replace the tubes with better when I change the tires, and probably go for a more off-road tire too. In this case I did have a spare tube and put then it when I got the first puncture, but then that got punctured too.
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.
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.
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.
Great content, I like the idea of a bit of a different ride. This makes it fun and interesting. Thanks
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! 😃
Arizona is always here for you
Your so right, we lean as we go , thx for not passing the buck on to its the tools fault.
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!
Well done Sterling for holding it together
Unreal footage again
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.
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!
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.
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.
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…”
Accountability is such a powerful thing! Thoroughly enjoy your videos and your ability to weave in real stories.
Thank you so much!
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.
Great video! Interesting, well shot. Great music.
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!
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.
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.
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!
Gorgeous work yet again. I used to travel with only a towel but quickly i found many limitations !
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!
Thanks for sharing the good and bad-awesome video (as usual). Keep your head up, pain is a great teacher!
Wait, 4 likes after 4 minutes posted ? It's okay to like this channel in advance. Never disappointed.
So Zen, it chills me right out to watch your uploads you are to mototravel what the wonderful Bill Masion was to canoe travel.
Thank you very much. I was not familiar with Bill Mason although I fondly recall watching Paddle to the Sea as a child. I'll be watching his old films now. I like that kind of thing. One of my inspirations is Dick Proenneke from Alaska.
Awesome scenery, thanks for sharing.
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.
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.
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.
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...
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. 🇦🇺
Cheers back to Oz from SoCal! 🌵🌊
It's great to see you persevered. Selfishly, we all get to benefit from your fortitude.
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...
Thank you - I've known that 90-degree tip for a while and it is good advice if you can stick to it and not be impatient!
Awesome photography Stirling. Thank you. Arizona is beautiful.
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.
Great video thank you the trick to changing tubs pack the tube in baby power. Works very well. Thanks again cheers to ya.
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!
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!
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
Enjoy the sunrise. Enjoy the sunset.
Great video.
Great job on showing the upside and downside of your adventures
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.
Awesome video! Good news on the inner tube patches 😎👍
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.💪
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.
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
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
Packed like an overlander.😂 Think like a backpacker!
Fantastic! Hang in with the little valleys 'cause the peaks will outweigh them mightily in the end.
Awesome video Sterling! Thanks for sharing another great trip. 👍👍
Another great one Sterling! I can’t wait to get back out on these roads and trails!
Thanks for sharing the reality of tubes. I've pinched so many...
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 👍
so crazy putting all that gear on that thing and taking off, great stuff
That was really travel vlog with motorcycle,full of good advice and tips about traveling with motorcycle 🏍️
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.
After many years of cycling (50 years) I have fixed many a tube. Once you get the hang of it you will be fine.
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!
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.
Good choice of music, thank you.
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.
wonder if a fatter back tire would do better? Awesome footage. I did not know they had a statue tribute to Eagles. going to have to ride the hexhead down there one of these nights! lol Had to pop that song on. Take it Easy my friend.
Great video Sterling. There's always lot's to learn along the road. That's the "adventure" part. 💯 👍
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.
Thanks!
Good attitude on life, and good film maker too. Cheers!
Cheers!
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.
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.
Hello Sterling, glad that you are sharing this beauty with us, as well as the difficulties. The following are just my suggestions based on growing up and working in my Dad's service station and tire shop a long time ago. Find the best patch and glue brand for your repair supplies. You may need to have your local tire shop order a better brand than the off-the-shelf type such as Slime. If the hole or cut in the tube is the size of a dime or larger, a patch will probably not hold. Rough up a much larger area around the puncture than you think you need. Smear the glue around a much larger area than will be covered by the patch. The idea is that any loose edge of the patch, even a very small one will eventually work loose as the tire rolls and flexes. Finally, check the tube of glue each time that you head out on a long ride. Once the tube is opened, the glue will rapidly dry out. I am looking forward to meeting you at the 2025 Desert Adventure Rally! Good luck and please keep bringing the outstanding content to your viewers.
Thanks so much for the good advice. Many will appreciate it!
Really good work Sterling. Incredible views. There's not much in that corner of the state except beautigul hidden views. Great job capturing. Now for a store with ballons. Next time. All good. Can't imagine rifing in one of those buggy things across country.
Hands down my favorite channel !
I love the small bike long trip concept. Although I'd be more inclined to ride a TW200 because of the more robust tires, the Trail 125 is a very cool bike! It's nice to show that you can have a 2 wheel adventure no matter what you ride.