Originally Posted by aliwakeskate

I think (someone may correct me) the reason for using heavy or ultra heavy duty tubes in dirt bikes is that it reduces the chances of getting 'pinch flats' when dropping the tyre pressure to ride off road in mud and sand.

I don't think they are designed to be more effective at resisting 'normal' punctures such as thorns and road debris. If a thorn can get through the tyre it can certainly get through an inner tube! (as happened to me a couple of times). So if you are touring and road riding, I can't see the benefit of the extra expense.

Another reported issue with running ultra heavy duty tubes is that for prolonged runs on the motorway and at higher speeds they are not recommended as they get hotter and expand more leading to higher risk of failure. Personally I run a rear ultra heavy duty tube in my DRZ and have never had any problems at mway speeds loaded up for weekends away though and a mate of mine ran his KTM990 with heavy duty tube without problems.

I use standard continental tubes in my tenere for both road and off road and find them to be fine. I wouldn't use an ultra heavy duty tube on my tenere to be honest as I don't need to and it would be a pain to fit!