I was scooting home from by brother's house the other evening on my KTM 640.As I was entering a slight corner all of a sudden the front end washed out and I was heading down and into the other lane ..I only just caught it because I was only going 30 mph or so. I wound up with a huge bruise on my leg for my efforts though ..Since then I have had a second flat on the same (ridiculous) bike.
Okay I was thinking ..If 30 miles an hour and a front flat nearly cost me some broken body bits..the question is have any of you had a front or rear tire go down on your 14- at speed? If so how did you react, and what are your suggestions. I am heading out for a long long go on my 14 once again ,,and any input would be helpful;..

* Last updated by: painterdude on 6/8/2009 @ 2:17 PM *

Sorry to hear that-but yeah,at least you weren't on your big bird.My OPINION-It's unlikely a tire(in good condition) is gonna BLOW at any speed.A nail,screw-ya-it's gonna leak-but you'll probably notice(hopefully yer payin attention to how yer baby's handling)BEFORE she gets completely flat.At a 150-well,who knows?A screw or nail is gonna imbed in the tire I would think,not penetrate and fall out.Fresh rubber-that's what I do.I don't wait anymore to get to the cords or past the wear bars.Cords-speed-BLOWOUT.149 rated tire,186 mph missle-BLOWOUT(possibly).Overinflated/underinflated-Bead loss=BLOWOUT.You'll be fine-just keep good tires on there.I'd slow the bike down as smoothly as I could,stay off the brakes.Coast to the side(under power of course).Whatever ya do-DON"T FREAK!Keep er straight and come to a gentle stop.Have a BLAST on yer trip(you do have a tire repair kit with ya?(Aerostich sells a good one called "Expedition"will fit right under yer seat there just in front of the latches on the frame.)

* Last updated by: blue07 on 6/8/2009 @ 2:30 PM *

On a 109, far left lane on the 60 freeway, at about 75-80 MPH front tire went out after getting clipped by a piece of steel:

Initially not to hard to handle, as speed helps, but slowing below 30 ish and lower it was a stink with wobble. Everyone on the highway behind me cleared waaaaaay back and I was able to pull off to the right shoulder. I though I was going down for sure when the speed got below 30 ish and the wobble was just terrible. All of my little strength could hardly keep it pointed forward.

* Last updated by: JDC on 6/8/2009 @ 4:24 PM *

Glad you survived that one-Ya-I wasn't considering hitting something like that.(which changes the whole "leak"scenario).I say again-VERY GLAD you were able to hold on-don't know if I could have-hope I never find out!Thanks for the pics and post.(sometimes ya just can't swerve outta the way of something-that's for sure).Stay safe!

With my recent flat I was unaware that the tire was deflating until I hit the corner..and was slowing for it.
A piece of metal or a spike or many things can cream a tire. My friend was driving on the freeway in his van and what I was told was a roll of nails from a nail gun? fell on the highway from a truck in front. They landed points up and my friends front tire was hit with 13 nail holes at once. Wrecked the tire ..but he had no probs getting over ..Now if that had been me on the 14 ...humm.
Think its time to bribe and angel for 24/7 coverage.

Painterdude do you give your bikes a pre-trip inspection, before riding?

Which way you heading on your trip this year?(Those were some great pix, last year)

And what Blue07 says about staying off the breaks and keeping her strait and coastng to a stop, is the way to go...

yup ..gunnah check everything before I set out again. Have to check and shimm if needed, my valves and give the beast a once over. I do my own work as much as possible. The coin drop and the screw ups at the stealership are not worth it.
Heading to the high desert this year ..haven't gotten it all worked out but New Mexico is a possible. Wanna swing through Momument valley as well..which we missed last go around ..so..
We kind of pick a spot about as far as we think we would like to go south and then work in cool off shoot rides from there. Lots of make it up as you go stuff and it has always been a huge blast ..My brother and I have some awesome times together. We always tent. The 14 is one easy touring blaster.

* Last updated by: painterdude on 6/9/2009 @ 11:42 PM *