I have a 2005 Yamaha Virago 250 cc bike, with spoked wheels, so the tires need to have tubes (otherwise air leaks out via the spoke holes).  Well, out of ignorance the tires I ordered were tubeless (Cheng Shin Hi-max 906/907's).  The tubed Cheng Shin OEM tires were out of stock.  Does anyone know if I can use these tubeless tires by just adding an inner tube?  I'd hate to have to go through the trouble of selling them and ordering another tubed set, but I certainly don't want to be riding on a safety hazard.
thanks.
Neuro  

If yo search on the net, there are a couple of places that will do the sealing (on a lot of rims, particularly spoked) to allow them to use tubeless tires.
I don't know that I'd use the tubes in a tubleles tire. The fit and finish doesn't have t be as fine if there isn't a tube rubbing on the inside.  

as long as you use the right tube you'll have no problems.  

The main difference between a tubeless tire and a tubed tire is that the tubeless tire has a inner liner as part of the tire that acts as a tube.  The benefit of the tubless tire is that it runs cooler because there is less friction between the liner and the tire verus between a tube and the inner tire.  So, you can put the tube into a tubless tire but it will run warmer than normal and thus get a little less mileage, but it should be safe at the correct air pressure.

Good luck
Tom  

Unlike car tires, properly inflated motorcycle tires flex very little. As a result, there is little or no discernable difference in the amount of heat generated when you run a tube inside a tubeless tire.

If putting a tube inside the tire causes noticably more heat, either you have been riding on an underinflated tire or the tire is simply inadequate for the weight of the bike.

regards,
Joe  

I bought new tires for a V-Star 650 about a year and a half ago. Didn't notice they were tubeless until I got them home, the bike takes tubed tires since it has spoked wheels. I went back to talk to them about it and was assured that I could use tubeless tires in a tubed application, but not the other way around. I went ahead with them since these were the folks that were going to install the tires and I could always go back to them if there was a problem. Have had no trouble at all so I would tend to think you'd be OK, but might want to double check with the installer just to be sure for your specific tire and bike.

Good luck,
Ken  

I know there are still tires available for dirt bikes, that require tubes, but do any of the major manufacturers even make a tube type tire for street bikes today? I don't recall seeing such a tire advertised recently.

regards,
Joe  

I've got tube type Dunlops on my 2006 V-Star 1100 Custom.  Bought the bike used with only 2800 miles on it so I assume they are original.  Of course things could have changed in the last couple of years.

Ken