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Peace of mind with Activa's Tuffup tube

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, July 12

TWO-wheeler buyers have some thing new to cheer about. Dogged by frequent punctures and flat tyres that need the immediate attention of a mechanic, the newly introduced `Tuffup' tubes in the Honda Activa, would see them heave a collective sigh of relief.

The `Tuffup' tube is a Honda innovation, patented and marketed worldwide by Honda on many of its two-wheelers. The Honda Activa, the recently introduced metal bodied scooter from the wholly owned subsidiary - Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (Pvt) Ltd -- is the first in India to be equipped with the original Tuffup tube.

The Tuffup tube design prevents the sudden loss of air pressure by sealing the holes or cuts made in the tube by any piercing foreign object, like a nail, with the help of a sealant.

The Tuffup tube has a two layer structure consisting of an air compartment and a liquid sealant compartment. The two compartments are independent from each other and the liquid compartment covers the outer side of the air compartment's surface through 18 0 degrees.

The liquid compartment is filled with a newly-developed water soluble sealant consisting of non-toxic fibres and powders. An anti-freezing agent is also added to the sealant to prevent it from freezing in high altitudes.

In the event that a nail pierces the tube, the liquid sealant instantly oozes out into the hole. Due to the elasticity of rubber, fibres in the sealant become sandwiched between the nail and the tube. The sealing process is assisted by the powder that fi lls the gaps between the fibres and the liquid. Should the nail become dislodged, the sealant seeps out and seals the hole.

Due the air pressure the liquid sealant cannot enter the air compartment, even when a hole is punched between the air and liquid compartments. Should the fibres which have been sealing the hole fall off, the sealant will seep out and the process will beg in again.

Honda has said that long term user tests have proved that the Tuffup tube handles 90 per cent of all punctures in Japan. On the other hand, short term user tests, that were conducted in India have shown that even in the most rugged terrains and roads, th e Tuffup tube can handle 70 per cent of punctures. The company, in the meanwhile, is in the process of conducting long term user tests in the country.

Honda also feels that since the incidence of sudden punctures is sharply reduced, spare tyres will be used lesser. In fact, the Japanese company is so confident of the Tuff tube that a `stepney' or spare tyre is not being offered as standard fitment on t he Activa.

A spare tyre is only an optional accessory, along with others such as a side stand, step for pillion rider and a carry box.