I had a pinch flat with the 216 while running around Rd 2 of the nationals with Mark Kariya. We heard a loud bang like a gun shot and my slime managed to seal it to 8psi, but I think I was only at 14 to start with, which is probably too low.
I had no idea people were getting that kind of life out of Mousses. Very interesting. And this Golden front tire is on my mods list, sounds great, thanks for all the info everyone. -Ed
Yes, perhaps I'm in the stone age on them. I'm thinking with how little I ride, and at my mellow pace, if the fast guys are getting decent wear out of them, including putting them on practice bikes, well hell, they'd last forever for me.
Mousse tubes are expensive and have a very short shelf life. They shrink in size in only a few months. They run hotter than an air-filled tube, and when they heat up they change in size, get stiffer and often bond to the tire carcass. Don’t expect to get more than a few good rides out of a mousse. http://motocrossactionmag.com/news/mxa-wrench-tech-the-pluses-and-minuses-of-the-bib-mousse
Here is the deal with a mousse A mousse needs to be well lubed. A mousse hates heat. A dry mousse will produce head and bread down. I personally have never hurt a mousse. The only thing that happens to me is after time they do shrink When they shrink you can cut them and add another piece from another mousse that will make them bigger again NOW Here is the trick use Enforce tire lube it is water base I never use the stuff that comes with the mousse
We over stuff them and add tons of mousse grease. The faster you ride, the hotter they get. Many people do not ride at pro speed, so they last longer.
Kelly I do not care what the mag says If taken care of the mousse will last a very long time Chillie at endure 360 did a mousse report look it up he gets a very long time out of one. Ty just did a 500 mile high speed Vegas to Reno race on a mousse When was the last time anyone on here did 500 miles in one day at a average speed of over 60mph Lube it and it will last Once again I can get almost a year of racing on a single mousse Why would I run a tube
What does a flat cost in the fun dept A good heavy dudy tube is about 25 dollars and works for most But a mousse can be found for about 110 bucks and is priceless in the fun and performance dept Plus motorcycles and everything on them is expensive
All good, I'm not trying to argue about it. I have never ran them. I have spoke to local pros here that do and they all tell me short shelf life and 1-2 good races and they are done. They still run them as they don't flat. Seen crazy pictures of them stuffing chunks in to restore them for the next race. Thats all I know. If the reports were they last a long time I would run them. Even the manufacturer has warnings about life span. Also hear they feel dead and the tires tent to roll EZer with them and have an odd feeling. I think it is like tubliss, some people love them some hate them.
Why don't you take a look at the ones the pro you know are using after they are done. I bet they are all dry and ripped up. I use to think the stuff that came with the mousse was what to use. But then Ty turned me on to the Enforce tire lube. Since then never hurt one. Plus everyone I have had try the tire lube also has not hurt one. Once again check out endure 360 tire mousse report a lot of good info in there When I raced with a tube I would run 20 psi so as to not get a flat talk about bounce Now with a mousse it is around 12psi and the bike and tire work so much better
Thanks for the info. I'll pass on that lube recommendation. Is it this stuff? http://www.enforceproducts.com/tc-60.php
Ive been on them for a few years now, well lubed I get as long as 9 months out of them. If not changing tires we still remove and relube them monthly with ZipTy-Enforce. Fronts of course always last the longest. Up front I dont use a rim lock, out back I use a rim lock and balance my wheel. I have even taped them up with flex tape to extend them further. Most of my riding is single track, but I have done Mex rides with fairly long transfer road sections with no issues. Mousses are super high level peace of mind items, and I too like John have raced Nat H&H on mousses. Engineering wise-----not to stir the pot too much, think about it they are designed to last a day....just like my choice of FIM enduro tires. Under normal conditions for the Pro level design, (Rally, ISDE, 2 day enduro GPs, MXGP) They are thrown away after 1 day of use.... I have a HD tube in my TE300 rear at the moment only because the 140/80-18 size Michelin mousses are on B/O, and I was not liking doing the last 2 day Mex ride because of this. Remember for trail rides no more irons, tubes, rim lock wrenches, air pumps or cartridges etc.
Hot damn, it seems like the utopia tire we've all wanted. Robert, when are you going up north again, so I can give you cash to pick one up from Ty? Did I just offer up your services?
Ive been so up on the front suspension thread I have not mentioned the tire. It is an amazing tire, due to the fact it just works on everything....today I was riding hard over very sharp broken rocks some loose some embedded the tire was so neutral and with the mousse ist solid and Im hitting stuff with confidence. Add to that hard stuff and we hit some low areas of tight sand wash type trails, the 216 with the fattness stays right up on top and doesnt wander this tire is as stupid good as my ZipTy forks a a great combo me with stupid good forks stupid good tire and stupid good bike= stupid happy rob
