The BMW G650x Country, F650 Dakar, and Sertao are all great bikes, and despite the varying rim sizes up front, they all share a 17″ rear wheel (130/80/17 tyre size). Great on the road but a slight compromise when riding off-road, if only due to the fact that many of the best off-road tyres, and so too inner tubes, are only available in an 18″ rear.
Michelin and Continental both make great tubes, but their heavy duty range isn’t available in 17″ sizing. Whether you really need a heavy duty inner tube is a moot point, they aren’t suppose to be used on the road, but are suppose to be more puncture resistant off it.
In a pinch (as in get you home) even a 21″ tube will fit on a 17″ rim, but when you consider that heavy duty tubes are often 2.5-4.5mm thick and weight well over a kilo each, you have to ask if you really want to add that extra rotating (unsprung) mass.
Better to find a tube (and spares) in the wheel’s native size if possible. To this end I scoured the usual forums and have started compiling a list of heavy duty (over 2.5mm thick) tubes that are available to fit the 17″ on these bikes.
Heavy duty 17″ motorcycle inner tubes
OK, it’s a very short list, but it’s a start. If you know of any others please let me know in the comments and I’ll add them up here.
Hey c-m I agree about the lack of 17″ tubes however I am happy with the Bridgestone Ultra Heavy Duty 18″ tube for my rear tire, it is a true 4mm thick! I think it weighs something like 4 pounds though! Ride on my XCountry brother! -matt
Thanks for sharing the info Carl, I’ve ordered the tube from Zen Overland. This is for my Transalp 650 rear wheel. Hope the more robust type will last a good while!
Good stuff. Taking the TA anywhere exotic? I’ve now moved to an 18 wheel but will update the list if I do find any more 17″ heavy duty tubes.
thank you for this great tip! getting a couple of Mefo Sport for my 1190 Adv here in the US
How about the Michelin MHR 17? Its not listed for 130×80 17 but the MH is. MH is normal airstop MHR is Reinforced MX/Enduro.
I have a spare one to fit the back wheel on my little Varadero XL125v as I have gone for Heidenau K60 M+S SiO2 tyres to get me though winter on my spare wheels
I’ve been running a Metzeler Tourance rear (all I could find in stock within 40 miles) last time I had a puncture and Pirelli Scorpion Trail front as I’m limited in choice by Honda’s weird choice of 100/90 18 front wheel.
Bought The Heidenaus in 110/80 18 front. Its 10%/10mm Wider and has a .06% smaller rolling radius than stock but its the only winter tyre I could find, and 130/80 17 rear.
Bought a Michelin 18MFR which isn’t listed for 110/80 18 but the 18MF is, went in with a lot of talc.
I need a pair of valve hole adapters as the wheels are designed for a snap in fit tubeless valve, I’ve used the rubber seal from the metal tubeless valves I had fitted to the rims to try them.
As the 18MFR works with the front tyre I can’t see why the 17MHR wont work with the rear.