Dirtbike tube question

HMP

HMP

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So I got my little pit bike/dirt bike - KLX140L, and I KEEP on popping front tubes, just keep getting leaks/holes in the front.
WHY? I dont take it off road, havent in years, but even riding around the neighborhood/yard from time to time to keep things lubed up I'll get a puncture.
I dont get it.

What could be causing this?
Are the 'heavy duty' tubes better/worth it?
Im 220lbs (according to one scale the other day, 3lbs heavier than on another the day before, so not sure), its a 19" front wheel. No jumping or crap, just riding around on some asphalt and grass really.
 
Have you checked the inside of the tire to be sure there's nothing in the tire causing the leaks?
 
ronn47 said:
Have you checked the inside of the tire to be sure there's nothing in the tire causing the leaks?
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Never noticed anything when changing them, I dont know. I have never noticed any burrs or anything
 
Were in the tube is the puncture?

The spoke side (need new rim strip), side walls (probably pinch puncture due to low pressure), tread side (something in the the tire).
 
That I cant say right now @Mike Overlay
I can hear a slight leak in it now, but I've not yet got a new tube so I havent taken it off yet, I can look when I do change it up though.

Are heavy duty worth the extra dollars, or is it snake oil?
 
Are you sure you're not pinching the tubes when you install them? It's easy to do... Also, a sharp flake of chrome or sharp burr on the rim can puncture a tube.
 
Get a new rim liner and a new heavy duty tube, how many have you gone thru already?
 
Red Marley said:
Are you sure you're not pinching the tubes when you install them? It's easy to do... Also, a sharp flake of chrome or sharp burr on the rim can puncture a tube.
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Ive had these put on by a tire shop, his daughter races MX and he's good.
I dont know what the heck Im doing wrong.
Never had an issue with the rear in almost a decade
 
The first thing you need to figure out is whats poking a hole in your tube.. I suggest you remove the tube and spray it with soapy water after you inflate it to at least two times it normal size. Then look where the puncture is.. If its on the inside, orientate it on the rim.Then look for something sharp in that area.. The rims have rubber straps that protect the rim from the spokes, if its not there or damaged, wrap the rim in duct tape. If the hole is on the outside, once again orient the tube and look at the inside of the tire for something poking the tube from that side. If the leak looks like a split, and its located on the side or close to the bottom, then it was probably caused by improper installation.. Hope this helps..
 
SPST said:
Could be something stuck in the tire too. Run your fingers all over the inside of the tire. I've had small slivers of glass stuck in bicycle tires that kept popping new tubes.
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Hint,, never use your fingers.. If there is something stuck in the tire and puncturing the tube, its probably going to cut your finger., Use a rag instead, wipe in all directions, round and round and sideways. If there is something there, it will snag the rag. Hope this helps to eliminate blood shedding ….
 
As others have said figure out what’s causing the leak, as Mik_Overlay layed Out.

I recently found a thick thorn in my mountain bike tire, almost put a new tube in before checking the tire. Thankfully I quickly found a 1/2” thorn by running my hand in the area of the puncture.
 
Lager said:
Hint,, never use your fingers.. If there is something stuck in the tire and puncturing the tube, its probably going to cut your finger., Use a rag instead, wipe in all directions, round and round and sideways. If there is something there, it will snag the rag. Hope this helps to eliminate blood shedding ….
Click to expand...

This was going to be my advice as well. Air up the tube as Lager suggested in an earlier post, locate the area being punctured, and then focus on finding the root cause and eliminating it.
 
With 20+ bikes between my BIL (most of them) and the four we had. Our best success was to;
- check for burrs on rim & in tire
- make sure the spokes were snug (spin it with a screwdriver hitting the spokes, loose ones don't ping) so they don't push in
- place a wrap of duct tape over the rim liner
- use a HD tube
- If you've a rim lock, make sure it's secure
- check air pressure before getting on the bike every time
 
If you hit /jump curbs much, a low tire pressure will cause a "snakebite" where the curb and the rim will pinch the tube on each side.. Just another option.
 
Usually a thorn in the inside of the tire or a metal protrusion from the spokes. Follow the above advise. I found my problem was a at one of the spokes.
 
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