I'm going to plug my tire

[Planecrazy]

I've run the plug/patches for a couple thousand miles before, sometimes well over 100mph. I've used them several times on tires too new to discard. Call me crazy, but I never had a problem with any of the tires I used them on.

You're CRAZY ... Ok, I called you crazy, Billy ... satisfied? I wasn't going to but you asked!*

Just kidding of course.

Seriously, though ... do you REALLY believe that the potential disaster is worth the risk? I have no doubt that MOST of the time people get away with this if the job is well done (and I have no doubt you do it well), but do you REALLY want to be the "one in a thousand" who winds up on the losing end of that bet? Is your life REALLY worth less than the cost of a good "under $200" brand new tire?

To me it's not really a question of whether most plug/patch/tube repairs are going to hold ... it's a question of weighing the cost/benefit, and with the exception of doing a roadside repair to get the bike "home" I don't see any scenario where the repair is a better bet than the replacement. Maybe it's just me, but tires are SOOO cheap compared to the pain and suffering that could result from a repaired tire letting loose at an inopportune time.

Regards,

[Planecrazy]

180/55-17 radial tires are not cheep!

I beg to differ ... you may not value your life that much (although I suspect you do) but that "expensive" tire is DIRT CHEAP compared to your life ... EVERY day of the week, Pal! Besides, you said you picked up the bike and road it home the day it happened. If you can afford a new bike you can certainly afford the cheap insurance a new tire represents.

Ten miles? It sucks, I agree, but you're smarter than that...

Regards,

*EDIT: Even if it wasn't the day you "picked up" the bike (maybe you just picked up the bike with new tires installed) it's STILL cheaper than your life...

[Guest]

Got some tires in your bargain basement linky Steve?

[Steve]

Well, I sorta hafta agree with everybody on the fact that a plug should only be a temporary, emergency measure to get you to a place that is safe enough to change the tire, but ... yes, I have plugged a tire or two (or more ) and gotten away with it. The plugs I used were the Monkey Grip brand. This link shows them at Tractor Supply Corp., but they are available at Wal-Mart and virtually any auto parts store for about the same price. Absolutely no problem with them, and I'm not going to tell you how long my temporary repair was in place. The only thing I would recommend if you use them is to be sure to use plenty of glue when installing them. The glue acts as a lubricant, so it makes insertion much easier. By the time you get the tools put away, you can inflate the tire and ride off.

.

[Billy Ricks]

Your CRAZY ... Ok, I called you crazy, Billy ... satisfied? I wasn't going to but you asked!*

Just kidding of course.

Seriously, though ... do you REALLY believe that the potential disaster is worth the risk?

I guess I have used those particular type of patches with excellent results enough to trust them. One of the tires I used one on was a Dunlop D364 race compound. Those tires were hand laid and ran about $400. I got my hands on it through Britt Turkington, one of his qualifying tires at Daytona. The tire was too new to trash so I gave the plug/patch a try. That tire lasted up until one of our Texas Hill Country rides. About halfway through the ride I started having a strip of belt appearing around the center of the tire. By the time the ride was over the rear was a slippery mess. That's how well the plug/patches work.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Hey Cliff remember 6 monthe ago when I pluged my tire? The plug is still there......

[Planecrazy]

Got some tires in your bargain basement linky Steve?

"One of these days, Alice ... TO THE MOON!" hehe!!

I DID give my last set of used Pirelli's (in perfect shape with several thousand miles left on them at least) to Brad Maynard, who was in need of some "tire love," but otherwise I'm clean out! Besides, I generally defer to Joe Nardy and Brian Wringer for tire advice, and they haven't steered me wrong yet!

Regards,

[asetech]

If you decide to repair tire I wouldn't trust any plug. I would do a hot patch.

[tone]

Right here goes .... ive run properly plugged tyres for thousands of miles with no problems, note i said PROPERLY eg the plug is fitted by a professional from the inside of the tyre (glued mushroom type) & only ever in the reccomended area (the certral 3rd of the tread) this type of plug becomes an integral part of the tyre & is as safe as a tyre with no plug

The reason people not in the know about such things dislike the idea is because of the temporary plugs which are available that have speed & load ratings which if exeeded can cause problems

So imo if you cant get it done properly dont bother but if you can carry on you wont have a problem

[argonsagas]

Minor correction, Steve.

Note the FULL text of his post said he installed a plug, but it further states that he also installed a tube, so both things were done. I have done this, as well, with no problem.

I had a similar experience only mine was on the front. I took the tire off the rim, installed a plug then smoothed it out real good and just for safety and peace of mind, I also installed a tube.

The tire ran just fine until it was time for replacement. All this is contrary to what everybody told me to do. They all seemed to think it would be too risky to run a front tire with a plug.

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The tire ran just fine until it was time for replacement. All this is contrary to what everybody told me to do. They all seemed to think it would be too risky to run a front tire with a plug.

(Steps up on soap box)

...So the question becomes, "Because you were lucky and got away with it does that mean it was a good idea?"

I'm not trying to be snide - only to suggest that betting one's life against the chance that a compromised tire might rip apart and cause a potentially fatal accident seems rather foolish compared to spending under $200 for a brand new tire. There was a time when I wouldn't have thought twice about doing exactly the same thing you did, so I'm not judging you ... just saying that with time and age comes wisdom, and those of us who have acquired that wisdom are merely trying to share it with those who will one day acquire it themselves.

When I was young, single, and invincible I did a LOT of reckless things that put my personal safety in jeopardy. Now that I'm older, married, and have two young kids I'm more careful to weigh the risks in everything I do. I don't let fear stop me from living life and trying exciting things (being a motorcyclist certainly confirms this) but I DO attempt to minimize the risk as much as possible without compromising the things that make life worth living. That's why a new tire seems like the obvious choice to me - it truly IS cheap life insurance, especially if it's a front tire.

(steps off soap box)

Regards,

[focus frenzy]

I beg to differ ... you may not value your life that much (although I suspect you do) but that "expensive" tire is DIRT CHEAP compared to your life ... EVERY day of the week, Pal! Besides, you said you picked up the bike and road it home the day it happened. If you can afford a new bike you can certainly afford the cheap insurance a new tire represents.

Ten miles? It sucks, I agree, but you're smarter than that...

Regards,

*EDIT: Even if it wasn't the day you "picked up" the bike (maybe you just picked up the bike with new tires installed) it's STILL cheaper than your life...

there is a serious flaw in your logic Steve!!
if you are making new bike payments you do not necessarily have the money left over to be replacing tires on a daily basis compared to someone with a paid for used bike!

sadly my life is not worth much, and if I went poof today I would be forgotten tomorrow.

and finally, I did replace that brand new tire.

as has been pointed out, belt damage results from most punctures and while they can be safely repaired, you do loose any speed rating the tire had and they are only truly safe for commuter service.

some of the big box quality car tire retailers will replace performance tires instead of repairing them under the road hazard warranty due to the fact the speed rating is null and void on repaired tires.

[Road_Clam]

Hi everyone,

I was going to take a quick afternoon spin though my favorite local canyons. I had been working hard in the yard all day and was going to treat myself. But when I got the garage I found a hex head screw in my rear tire and it was flat. This tire still has plenty of life left in it, at least 3000 miles, but the front tire is almost finished. I was hoping to poke in a plug patch and ride it for another 1000 miles or so, then replace both the front and rear tires. I can afford them better next month.

Will you share your tips and suggestions on how to properly install a plug so that it will give me no grief? I talked to a mechanic friend of mine who uses plugs all the time. He said that if properly done, they will outlast the tire. But this will be for only a few weeks of daily commute. I'll replace the tires as soon as it fits in the budget. Thanks for your time.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Here's a few of my personall comments with regard to a "plug" . You NEVER plug a M/C tire. Period. Why? The inner belt system has already most likely been damaged and disruppted by the screw/nail. A M/C tire inner woven carcass is designed to move and flex in more directions than a car tire. To correctly add a plug, you need to cleanly "ream" the hole wit a serrated tool. Then you insert the cemented rubber plug with a hooked tool.
Remember, you only have approx 4 square inches of rubber between you and possible death. If I did ever decide to plug a tire (which I never would), the one thing that would be CONSTANTLY on my mind as I was taking an exit ramp off the highway at 60 mph was that tire plug I just installed....... that IMO would be lessening the enjoyment of my ride...


Just wait a few weeks and buy a set of new tires when your budget allows!


Rich

[focus frenzy]

I had a similar experience only mine was on the front. I took the tire off the rim, installed a plug then smoothed it out real good and just for safety and peace of mind, I also installed a tube.
The tire ran just fine until it was time for replacement. All this is contrary to what everybody told me to do. They all seemed to think it would be too risky to run a front tire with a plug.

OOO that is risky, I work on trucks for a living for the biggest truck rental and leasing company in the world and WE don't patch steer tires.

we patch and cap drive tires but get a nail in a steer tire and it becomes a trailer tire.

then again a motorcycle steers by leaning and never see's the forces exerted on cage steer tires.

[bwringer]

Well, I sorta hafta agree with everybody on the fact that a plug should only be a temporary, emergency measure to get you to a place that is safe enough to change the tire, but ... yes, I have plugged a tire or two (or more ) and gotten away with it. The plugs I used were the Monkey Grip brand. This link shows them at Tractor Supply Corp., but they are available at Wal-Mart and virtually any auto parts store for about the same price. Absolutely no problem with them, and I'm not going to tell you how long my temporary repair was in place. The only thing I would recommend if you use them is to be sure to use plenty of glue when installing them. The glue acts as a lubricant, so it makes insertion much easier. By the time you get the tools put away, you can inflate the tire and ride off.

.

I was about to post the exact same thing -- I've used the "gummy worm" string type plugs several times for far more miles than advised, with never a problem. So there.

I've also used the "mushroom" style patch installed from the inside, again with no trouble at all.

I do have one of the "Stop-n-Go" tire plugging guns, and it's a load of crap -- it's never worked in a motorcycle tire. I stopped carrying it long ago, and now simply carry the sticky strings, glue, and the installing tools, along with a tiny electric air compressor.

I also note that when I used the crappy Stop-n-Go plugs, I had the rear tire go flat on me several times at interstate speeds when those stupid plugs inevitably worked loose, and it really wasn't a huge issue -- the rear just sort of slowly goes mushy. Once I had to patch the tire in the parking lot at work, then three more times in 60 miles to get home.


These Nealy kits are considered some of the best available:

http://www.tirerepairkit.com/

YMMV, of course, but I don't think your rear tire will instantly shatter into a million pieces and cause your horrible grisly demise if you patch it correctly and replace it soon.

[Planecrazy]

Minor correction, Steve.

Note the FULL text of his post said he installed a plug, but it further states that he also installed a tube, so both things were done. I have done this, as well, with no problem.

No need for the correction, Ron (though I appreciate the attempt) ... I DID note both repairs were done, which is why I was careful to structure my response to reflect the possibility that the original puncture point (with its weakened belts) might "rip" apart. If the belts on the compromised tire failed in that fashion the forces would clearly have affected both the original patch/plug AND the tube, with potentially catastrophic results. Let's face it ... the likelihood is that such a failure would occur when the tire was under the most strain - at speed in a set of twisties when the forces trying to tear it apart are at their greatest.

Clearly the likelihood of this happening is remote, as so many of us (myself included) have used plugs and/or patches without incident (although I never did so on a bike tire). Just the same, I personally find the risk/reward to be not worth taking a chance when the replacement cost of even the most expensive replacement tire is so low in comparison to just the ambulance ride to the hospital (should one be lucky enough to survive the crash).

Right here goes .... ive run properly plugged tyres for thousands of miles with no problems, note i said PROPERLY eg the plug is fitted by a professional from the inside of the tyre (glued mushroom type) & only ever in the reccomended area (the certral 3rd of the tread) this type of plug becomes an integral part of the tyre & is as safe as a tyre with no plug

The reason people not in the know about such things dislike the idea is because of the temporary plugs which are available that have speed & load ratings which if exeeded can cause problems

So imo if you cant get it done properly dont bother but if you can carry on you wont have a problem

This is simply not possible. No matter how well done a repair (professional or otherwise) is done, the tire will NEVER be as safe as an undamaged tire, simply because the belt structure has been compromised. Riding such a tire at speed (especially speedy twisties) is asking for trouble that somebody will eventually experience. Note that I acknowledged above the low likelihood that it would happen, but ANY risk, IMO, isn't worth the cheap price of a brand new tire. I, personally, would plug a tire long enough to safely pilot the bike home and then bite the bullet and replace it...

Regards,