I didn't think the spokes actually entered into the "air chamber" portion of the wheel?

My V-Star had laced wheels, but you could tell by looking they did not penetrate into the air portion.

 

Ride-On ® | Tire Protection System

It really does work, but don't carry it with you, put it in the tubes before you get a flat. I've had it save me a couple times.

 

If you endorse it, then I'll try it. I've been a bit concerned about tire balalnce even though their web site says it's not an issue.

 

I've had several bikes with spokes, and I've never had a flat.
Buzz

 

Buzzardbane,

I've had the same experience and luck, yet I still worry about it. I hope that you haven't jinked yourself.

 

Its really tubeless vs tubed

The issue is not that the spokes cause flats, instead that most spoked wheels have tubes and you can't easily plug a tube flat without removing the wheel. As someone who "never had a flat" until two weeks ago, I was awfully happy that my tubeless tire allowed me to drive in a "sticky worm" plug and keep riding. FYI: there are ways to convert spoked wheels so they can be used for tubeless tires, but it seems preferable to just have wheels that work that way "as designed".

 

I'm not superstitious. My path is directed by Jesus. This doesn't mean that I won't get a flat, it just means that they happen. I also agree that there is no way to perform a temporary fix on a tubed tire. Given a choice, I would rather not have spokes.

 

BB,
I agree. I have a Drifter that comes with spoked rims and while they are sweet to look at, I would rather have the piece of mind a tubeless tire and rim gives as far as flat tires in the middle of B*mf**k, Nowhere are concerned. Whenever I remember or the worrys set in, I shop around to see if affordable cast rims for the Drifter 800 are available yet, either with spokes or ala 'Fatboy' disc style. Either would look cool and alleviate my flat tire worries.
Painless Black Wolf
...Here for the Dawn...

2005 Drifter 800

 

Ride-On ® | Tire Protection System

It really does work, but don't carry it with you, put it in the tubes before you get a flat. I've had it save me a couple times.

+1 - definitely, one of the first things I do when I change tires it to add the Ride-On, great stuff and doesn't mess up your wheels like Slime and some other tire sealant products. Just follow their installation directions, tire balance won't be an issue.

 

I forgot to mention the laced wheels on the V-Star were tubeless.

 

I carry a bottle of Slime and the Slime Power Sport Tire Inflator (about $30).
SLIME - Smart Solutions for Flat Tire Prevention & Repair!

 

The first street bike I ever rode any distance was a Honda 750 with spoke wheels. I got a flat on the rear. It went down fast due to air leaking from the tube and out the spoke holes. I'm not sure when it went flat but I knew for sure when I made a turn. It was a case of the tail wagging the dog. I got stopped with little issue. I did have to have the bike trailered home. With the tire going flat so fast it shredded the tube, thus no chance of a quick fix. I would suggest running the "ride on" stuff from the get go to prevent quick air lose and damage to the tube. You can have the spokes sealed to run tubeless tires without having to run tubes, but if the spokes have to be tightened or adjusted you'll need to have them resealed. Also they have some issues getting 21" spoke wheels to seal. Some bikes that have spoke wheels have tubeless tire and run tubes. Some brands have tube type tires only. So if you have tubeless tires you still may have tubes. I think BMW may have a true tubeless spoke wheel.