Educate me on Tire Flat fixes

[Tim Tom]

So I'm gonna be going on a long road trip in a few weeks and I'm in need of a flat tire repair kit. You know, just in case I get a flat in the middle of nowhere . Ideally I'm looking for a roadside fix that could last a little while.

Is it better to use a CO2 type inflater, or a pump that can be powered by the bike? I don't have any sort of power hook up on the bike right now, but am traveling with an electrician who can certainly rig up something.

I like the idea of not having a finite amount of air to put back into the tires.

Anyways, what have you folks used when you get a flat? I'm using tubeless tires on my 850 before someone asks.

Thanks All

 

[Tim Tom]

I'm thinking about picking up this little compressor. It has multiple power options, including alligator clips right to the battery, convenient as my bike has no power adapter on it. Plus it is very compact, only 6"x6"x2.5". Seems like it would be good to have on big road trip.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...ower-Sport-Tire-Inflator.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch

 

[chuck hahn]

If it has tubes, get an ordinary bicycle kit and a small air pump. They have some compact 12 volt compressors out these days. May have to let the bike idle to keep from battery drainage as you fill the tire but they are the cats tail as compared to a hand pump. Have a good pressure guage as well. Same way you patch a bicycle tube is the way you do a motorcycle. If tubeless, get an automotive plug kit. I know, I know, I know..theres gonna be all kinds of replies to the plug kit and I am hear to tell you theres no more danger using one on a bike than on a car!! Just cant plug anything on a side wall cut.

 

[bccap]

I'm thinking about picking up this little compressor. It has multiple power options, including alligator clips right to the battery, convenient as my bike has no power adapter on it. Plus it is very compact, only 6"x6"x2.5". Seems like it would be good to have on big road trip.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...ower-Sport-Tire-Inflator.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch

That looks like a slick little unit. Think I might pick one up, but with the slime as well.

 

[tkent02]

You can get that compressor at Walmart or someplace for about $12. I had one, it worked fine until I tried to pump up a car tire, it got too hot and failed. For bike tires it's fine. If you have a lot of pumping to do you might ant to let it cool a bit halfway along.

I'd bring the good tire plugs, and if you are going far away from civilization, Ride On is supposed to be far superior to Slime as a sealant.

 

[chuck hahn]

What was that spray in stuff that someone posted a video off a few weeks back..the one with the sport bike driving over the board full of nails. Cant remember the thread name or where it was posted.

 

[Steve]

If tubeless, get an automotive plug kit. I know, I know, I know..theres gonna be all kinds of replies to the plug kit and I am hear to tell you theres no more danger using one on a bike than on a car!! Just cant plug anything on a side wall cut.

I vote for the plug kit and the compressor.

Can't say that I am proud of the fact, but definitely not afraid to admit it, but I have put many thousands of miles on tires with plugs.

Just one suggestion when you do have to use a plug: use LOTS of the glue. It's also the lubricant that allows the plug to slide through the hole. If you don't use enough, you will tear the plug and jeopardize the repair.

.

 

[chuck hahn]

Or just get the ones with the glue already applied. Peel one from between the plastic sheaths and push it home. Trim the excess sticking out with a razor blade.

 

[Steve]

I'm thinking about picking up this little compressor.
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...ower-Sport-Tire-Inflator.aspx?WT.ac=SLIsearch

If you really like that particular model, you can save $10 by clicking HERE.

Or you can save a couple more dollars by clicking HERE.

.

 

[Tim Tom]

Thanks for all the advice already! I'm definitely gonna be taking a compressor. Probably the Slime one I linked, because I like it's compact size, and multiple power options. I checked out the walmart compressors too, but as typical with most of what they sell, look like they will break the first time I try and use it.

When you guys say 'plugs' your referring to the string type right? You pull whatever caused the puncture, ream out the hole, slather with glue, stuff the string in, let it cure, trim the outside, and re-inflate?

I know that is a pretty basic question but I've never had to fix a flat on a bike before. I want to be prepared should I need to.

 

[Tim Tom]

If you really like that particular model, you can save $10 by clicking HERE.

Or you can save a couple more dollars by clicking HERE.

.

Steve. You rock. Thanks!

 

[Seana23]

Hi babes....
The best flat tyre stuff i think is probably more air!!!!!!!!!

(sorry, couldnt resist that)

Xxx

 

[Jedz123]

I've always used patches... When My old Metzler Z8 popped (No suprise huh?) I tried plugging the hole but to no avail. I went and bought an inner tire patch, popped the bead and covered the puncture, then inflated it a gas station... Worked great for the rest of the life of the tire which was 2k more miles...
My 2 cents!

 

[Billy Ricks]

This is the only type of plug I trust. It means pulling the tire off the rim but I've had tires that were too new to toss and rode thousands of miles with this type of patch. I only trust the type you push in from outside the tire long enough to get me off the road. I've had them pull out after only a handful of miles.

 

[tatu]

So I'm gonna be going on a long road trip in a few weeks and I'm in need of a flat tire repair kit. You know, just in case I get a flat in the middle of nowhere . Ideally I'm looking for a roadside fix that could last a little while.

Is it better to use a CO2 type inflater, or a pump that can be powered by the bike? I don't have any sort of power hook up on the bike right now, but am traveling with an electrician who can certainly rig up something.

I like the idea of not having a finite amount of air to put back into the tires.

Anyways, what have you folks used when you get a flat? I'm using tubeless tires on my 850 before someone asks.

Thanks All

I have always taken an ordinary pucture repair outfit, a spare tube and an ordinary bicycle pump which used to tape up under the tank. Replace tube first option. Having these with you will almost certainly garantee a puncture free journey.

Just to mention again here that the Gs's of this era are all tubed type wheels even with the ally wheel. The manual clearly says that. It even says on the wheel somewhere. Tubed type. It is to do with the way the tyre bead sits on the rim.

 

[sebby110]

There's a tire pump that fits into the spark plug port of the engine. The engine's piston does the pumping. It has a lenght of hose attached to reach the tires.
Any one use this ?

 

[Seana23]

Air.... And lots ov it.

Xxx

 

[DanTheMan]

I have always taken an ordinary pucture repair outfit, a spare tube and an ordinary bicycle pump which used to tape up under the tank. Replace tube first option. Having these with you will almost certainly garantee a puncture free journey.

Just to mention again here that the Gs's of this era are all tubed type wheels even with the ally wheel. The manual clearly says that. It even says on the wheel somewhere. Tubed type. It is to do with the way the tyre bead sits on the rim.

All four of my GS's have front rims that say Tubeless, and the rear doesn't. I've been running tubeless for a long time, at least the last 50,000 miles on my 850, and have had no problems.

 

[DanTheMan]

There's a tire pump that fits into the spark plug port of the engine. The engine's piston does the pumping. It has a lenght of hose attached to reach the tires.
Any one use this ?

The problem with that is the engine oil mist that also gets pumped into your tires.

 

[DPage]

When on long trips, my emergency bag has a small electric pump made by Slime and a Nealey string-type repair kit - they look like skinny licorice, about 8" long.