When replacing motorcycle tyres, one of the most common questions we’re asked is tubed versus tubeless motorcycle tyres.
The common questions we’re asked are:
- Does my bike have inner tubes?
- Can I run a tubeless tyre on my standard (non-tubeless rims)
- What does TL or TT means next to the tyre’s size?
- Can I convert my tubed rims to tubeless?
- If I have tubeless rims can I run tube-type tyres?
We also get calls from customers who are planning a big adventure trip and then they learn their bike runs inner tubes, which means you’ll have a bit of a job to sort out a puncture at the road side. For anyone who’s not mechanically competent (I’ve got my hand up) that’s a scary prospect. The next question is usually ‘Can I convert my rims to tubeless’. Most of the time, the answer is that you’ve bought the wrong bike.
While the world of tubeless and tubed can appear confusing, it’s actually fairly straight forward but there are a couple of exceptions which we’ll discuss further down. The two systems may look similar at a glance, they work very differently and each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Understanding the difference is important, as fitting the wrong type can cause safety issues, poor performance, or unnecessary expense.
What is a tubeless motorcycle tyre? (TL)
A tubeless motorcycle tyre is designed to hold air without the use of an inner tube. Instead, the tyre forms an airtight seal directly against the wheel rim, with the valve mounted in the rim itself.
The only bikes you’re likely to find running inner tubes these days are some Adventure bikes and Cruisers. No Sportsbikes or pure Touring bikes run tubes.
Advantages of tubeless tyres
- Slower air loss when punctured, especially with small holes
- Easier roadside repairs, often possible with a plug kit
- Lower operating temperatures, as there is no tube creating friction
- Reduced weight compared to tyre-and-tube combinations
Because of these benefits, tubeless tyres are now the default choice for most road-going motorcycles.
What is a tube-type motorcycle tyre? (TT)
A tube-type tyre relies on an inner tube to hold air. The tyre itself is not airtight, and the tube sits inside it, inflating to maintain pressure.
Tube-type tyres are still common on:
- Off-road motorcycles
- Trail and enduro bikes
- Some adventure bikes with spoked wheels
- Older motorcycles
Advantages of tube-type tyres
For off-road riding, tubes remain popular because they cope better with impacts that might damage a tubeless rim seal. If you have a ding in your rim, an inner tube will (if it hasn’t punctured) work fine and keep air pressure in the tyre. On a tubed rim, this ding may cause the tyre to deflate and fail to seal properly.
- They are more tolerant of rim damage, which is useful off-road
- There is a wider tyre choice for certain wheel sizes (especially 21” and 18”)
- It requires a simpler (and cheaper) wheel construction, particularly with traditional spokes
Tubeless vs Tube for Adventure bikes
Adventure bikes will be in one of two camps. They will use either:
- Tubeless spoked wheels (sealed spoke systems)
- Tube-type spoked wheels, especially on more off-road-focused bikes
Many riders prefer tubeless systems for road touring due to easier puncture repairs, while others stick with tubes for serious off-road riding where rim damage is more likely. Some firms offer tubeless conversion kits for bikes (the Honda Africa Twin first came with tubed rims and tubeless ones were offer as aftermarket options but then Honda launched the updated model with tubeless rims). So they are out there but we’d advise you to buy a bike with the rims you need, rather than go messing around trying to convert rims.
That said, there is no universal “best” option — it depends on how and where the bike is used.
Puncture Repairs: Tubeless vs Tube
One of the biggest practical differences is how punctures are dealt with. Tubeless tyres can often be temporarily repaired at the roadside using a plug kit. However tube-type tyres usually require wheel removal and tube replacement
For commuting and touring, this alone is often enough to sway riders towards tubeless setups.
How to Tell If Your Motorcycle Uses Tubes or Tubeless Tyres
You can usually tell by:
- The wheel type: cast wheels are almost always tubeless
- The tyre marking: “TT” (tube type) or “TL” (tubeless)
- The valve: tubeless valves are fixed directly into the rim
If in doubt, always check the manufacturer’s specifications or ask before fitting tyres.
Summary
Tubeless tyres are now standard on most modern road bikes. Tube-type tyres remain common on off-road and spoked-wheel motorcycles. Tubeless tyres offer easier puncture repairs and are more convenient. Tube-type tyres still have advantages in harsh off-road conditions.
Choosing the correct system for your bike is essential for safety, performance and reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fit a tubeless tyre with an inner tube?
Yes — in many cases, a tubeless-rated tyre can be fitted with an inner tube, provided the tyre size and load rating are correct. This is common on: spoked wheels that are not sealed for tubeless use and older bikes converted to modern tyre sizes However, the reverse is not recommended.
This tip may help you out in the future: If you are out on your bike (that runs tubeless rims) and you get a puncture, you can always use an inner tube to fit the issue. Of course, you’re unlikely to do this at the road side, but let’s say you’re at a local bike shop in Outer Mongolia and they offer you an inner tube, our advice is to fit it!
Is Tubliss and Tubeless the same thing?
TUbliss systems work differently from conventional tubeless tyres. Rather than relying on an airtight rim, a TUbliss setup uses a high-pressure inner core that sits inside the tyre where a traditional inner tube would normally be. This inner core is inflated to very high pressure (typically around 100–110 psi) and expands outward, forcing the tyre bead firmly against the rim. By doing this, it creates an airtight seal and isolates the tyre’s main air chamber from the spoke nipples, which are normally the source of air leaks on wire-spoked wheels. The high-pressure core itself is made from a thick, non-elastic plastic casing, not a conventional rubber tube. Importantly, it is positioned away from the tyre’s tread and sidewalls, meaning punctures in the tyre generally affect only the main air chamber rather than the high-pressure core. In effect, TUbliss systems allow spoked wheels to behave like tubeless setups without sealing the rim itself. This makes them popular with off-road and adventure riders who want tubeless-style puncture resistance while retaining traditional wire wheels.
Can you run a tube-type tyre without a tube?
No. A tube-type tyre is not airtight and cannot safely be used without an inner tube. Attempting to do so will result in rapid air loss and is unsafe.
Can I run a mousse in a tubeless rim?
Yes you can, many riders do. Despite the fact a mousse is made to replace an inner tube on a tube-type rim, people do use them on tubeless rims. Why? Well, the mousse provides an element of a safety net should you get a puncture but also the mousse allows you to run lower pressures on your tyres with less risk of damaging your rims.
