Are wire wheels with tubed tires more prone to blowouts or "rapid deflations" than tubeless tires on alum or steel wheels? If so, why would HD sell so many bikes with wire wheels?

 

No. Underinflation will cause more blowouts than anything else. How many years and how many millions (billions) of miles have been seen on spoke wheels?

 

I've had more flats on tubeless tires than tubed.
Seems like worn tires pick up punctures easier than good tires.

 

"Blowouts" are generally caused by under-inflation or major road hazards. Tube tires will generally deflate quicker if you run over a minor road hazard like a nail...hence they get a reputation of more flats, because with tubeless you may not notice a nail till you get home. On the flip side of the coin, with a tubeless tire you may keep riding with a nail or screw till you get a blowout ....so it is luck of the draw...neither one is safer.

 

Gotta disagree with you there dude... New tires are a MAGNET for sharp pointed objects ... (especially rusted objects...)


had a spell a couple years ago where I went through three tires in two weeks... all BRAND NEW...

Come to think of it...I think my neighbor was a tire distributer ... hmmmmm.....

 

I always wonder why Harley doesn't use tubeless wire wheels.

As far as flats or punctures I agree with rmatt34. I never have had a puncture in a worn out tire on any vehicle.

 

I remember gettin a new avon venom and then gettin a nail within 20 miles so i dont buy the old tires get punctured more theory. Whether old or new, flats still suck