[Goosechef]

I have always replaced flat tires but hear folks suggest I should have plugged it and kept going. Ask any bike shop they will tell you they really should sell you a new tire, but really, whats the popular opinion?
Any bad experiences riding on plugged tires?

[kwr8728]

i'm on number four. Nothing has let loose on me yet.

[KPerham]

Haven't had a bad experience with them. YMMV.

[mello dude]

Goosechef, on Mar 15 2009, 02:57 PM, said:

I have always replaced flat tires but hear folks suggest I should have plugged it and kept going. Ask any bike shop they will tell you they really should sell you a new tire, but really, whats the popular opinion?
Any bad experiences riding on plugged tires?

I've done it, but I dont like it. The flats always seem to happen on a new tire in the rear.

- Hey anybody ever get a flat in the front?

MD

[1LuckyDude]

I'll plug it to get home, but then take the tire off and do a proper plug-patch from the inside for piece of mind. Replacing a tire for a simple puncture is As long as it's near the center of the tire. Get rid of a punctured sidewall or a slice.

Here's an example of a proper plug patch. It patches from the inside while ALSO plugging the original puncture.
http://www.alltiresupply.com/c-Patch-N-Plu..._Ply_Tires.html


You also have to keep in mind when you plug it when the puncture happens. Don't do anyMORE damage than already done. I've seen perfectly good tires destroyed by some doofus attempting to do a plug repair. Then the complain that plugging don't work. Each persons experience will vary and of course each puncture is unique.

This post has been edited by 1LuckyDude: 15 March 2009 - 03:06 PM

[1LuckyDude]

mello dude, on Mar 15 2009, 02:24 PM, said:

Goosechef, on Mar 15 2009, 02:57 PM, said:

I have always replaced flat tires but hear folks suggest I should have plugged it and kept going. Ask any bike shop they will tell you they really should sell you a new tire, but really, whats the popular opinion?
Any bad experiences riding on plugged tires?

I've done it, but I dont like it. The flats always seem to happen on a new tire in the rear.

- Hey anybody ever get a flat in the front?

MD

Normally it's due to the front running over the object first (duh) and flipping it enough as the rear rolls over it just in time to puncture the rear tire. I'd always wondered why it almost always is the rear and this is the best explanation I have ever heard that makes sense.

[KPerham]

1LuckyDude, on Mar 15 2009, 04:07 PM, said:

mello dude, on Mar 15 2009, 02:24 PM, said:

Goosechef, on Mar 15 2009, 02:57 PM, said:

I have always replaced flat tires but hear folks suggest I should have plugged it and kept going. Ask any bike shop they will tell you they really should sell you a new tire, but really, whats the popular opinion?
Any bad experiences riding on plugged tires?

I've done it, but I dont like it. The flats always seem to happen on a new tire in the rear.

- Hey anybody ever get a flat in the front?

MD

Normally it's due to the front running over the object first (duh) and flipping it enough as the rear rolls over it just in time to puncture the rear tire. I'd always wondered why it almost always is the rear and this is the best explanation I have ever heard that makes sense.

I think I had a flat front once. Mostly rears. I think the shop I used to use for tires was sticking magnets inside the tire when they put a new one on! After a couple weeks I'd get a flat and they would remove the magnet when they patched it

[BusyLittleShop]

The choice is yours but I'd start pluging because there is mounting
evidence that plugged tires work and are safe... I have yet to note
anyone armed with first hand knowledge to the contrary...

For some riders tire plugs are unsafe... they would spend too much attention on the plug
and not enough on where they're going and what they're are doing... it short it's a
barrier for which only a new tire can solve... so even thought they may not find the right
words to express their fear... I still respect their choice...

I think we all can agree that riding all about over coming barriers...

Safety Seal kit...
http://www.safetysea...tore/atvkit.htm

WHAT THE MANUFACTURES SAY ABOUT TIRE REPAIRS:

Metzeler quote: "According to the specific regulations of different
country governments, a general recommendation regarding tyre repair
cannot be given. For your country, please refer to your distributor.
In case a repair is permitted, METZELER is only recommending the
repair of small punctures restricted to the tread area using a
mushroom head type plug. The repair of a punctured tubeless tyre by
means of fitting a tube is not permitted" .


Dunlop quote: "Any puncture or injury to a tire's tread area obviously
affects performance and safety. Proper repair is critical. The
puncture must be repaired on both the inside and the outside of the
tire. Because all parts of a tire are engineered to function as a
single unit, any repair must take that into consideration. Only
small, straight-through 3/16" diameter or less punctures in the tread
area may be repairable, if no secondary damage has occurred."

NOTE: A tire repair can be properly made only if the tire is removed
from the rim; a thorough internal inspection is carried out; and the
repair is made from the inside out. A repair must fill and seal the
injury, i.e. vulcanized plug and patch. Only specially trained
Technicians are qualified to repair a tire. Do not attempt to repair
it yourself.

Dunlop Safety Advisory, Speed Rated Tires: Repaired tires must not be
used in excess of posted speed limits, in race or other competition.
Speed ratings are not valid for repaired, re-treaded, under-inflated
or overloaded, excessively worn, damaged or altered tires. "



Bridgestone quote: Riding on an improperly repaired tire is dangerous.
An improper repair can cause further damage to the tire. It may
suddenly fail, causing serious personal injury or death. To be safe,
go to your local dealer for proper tire repairs.

Before having a tire repaired, tell your local dealer if you have used
an aerosol banned! to inflate/ seal the tire. Aerosol fixers could
contain a highly volatile gas. Always remove the valve core outdoors,
away from sources of excessive heat, flame, or sparks and completely
deflate the tire before removing it from the rim for repair.

* Never repair a tire with less than 1/32nd inch (0.8 millimeters)
tread remaining. At this tread depth, the tire is worn out and must be
replaced. * Never repair a tire with a puncture larger than 1/4 inch
(6.4 millimeters) in diameter. Such tires cannot be properly repaired
and must be replaced. * Repairs of all tires (radial and non-radial)
must be of the plug and inside patch type. Using plugs alone on any
type of tire is not a safe repair. * Never repair a tire with a
puncture or other damage outside the tread area. Such tires cannot be
properly repaired and must be replaced. * Any tire repair done without
removing the tire from the rim is improper. * Tubes, like tires,
should be repaired only by a qualified tire service person. * Never
use a tube as a substitute for a proper repair.

A tire's speed rating is void if the tire is repaired, retreaded,
damaged or abused, or otherwise altered from its original condition.
Thereafter, it should be treated as a non-speed-rated tire.


Michelin quote: In case of a flat, take the tire to your Michelin®
motorcycle tire dealer. Only a professional tire technician has the
expertise to properly inspect a tire for damage and determine its
repairability.


GENERAL GUIDE LINES
Minor tire repair is limited to an area of three quarters of the
normal section width. The maximum diameter of penetration damage
and/or cracking at the base of the injury should be no greater than
3mm. The repair patches must not overlap. If a tire is deemed suitable for
repair (by a professional) then follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of the repair material.

For permanent repair,it is only recommended that small punctures
restricted to the tread area be repaired, using a rope type plug. The
current condition of a tire is important in determining whether a tire
is suitable for repair. Some damage limits include: if the tire has
reached its minimum tread depth as indicated by the TWI (tire wear
indicator); ply separation, separation of inner liner and or cutting
of ply cords by penetrating object; brittle or cracked rubber caused
by exhaust heat; broken or bent bead wire, damaged bead zone; damage
caused by under-inflation; softening or swelling of rubber due to oil
or chemical attack; punctures too close together; damage or previous
repair of a puncture outside of area specified for suitable repair.

[Bad Boy]

I now always carry a plug kit and a $10 Walmat electric air pump that I can plug into the 12 V co axle supply I wired to my bike for electric jacket and battery tender.

I have plugged rear tires on 3 occasions in the last 5 years of riding 85k miles. The plugs always work so I can go on my way in 30 minutes. One plug on an almost bald tire leaked very slowly but was ridable 100 miles to a shop. Most of the time they hold air and I wear out the tire with the plug in place.

I find the tar covered string type used with rubber cement work best for me. I do not replace the tire as long as the plug does not start a slow leak. Now that I have a tire changer I can do an interior patch if it leaks.

[JES_VFR]

since I almost never get a nail anywhere near a tire machine, I use the stop-n-go mushroom plug gun in the field.
I still use rubber cement to make sure it adheres to the tire.

I got one in the rear tire on the VFR two days after I mounted the new avons. Just a nice big roofing nail right in the center of the tire. I patched then and have ridden over 8000 miles on it with it leaking. I've added five more plugs to the tire along the way, one as recently as last week. None have leaked.

And while I admit that I'm looking for a new rear tire, its because the tread bars are showing in the center wear section, not because of plugs.

[soichiro]

JES_VFR, on Mar 15 2009, 05:46 PM, said:

since I almost never get a nail anywhere near a tire machine, I use the stop-n-go mushroom plug gun in the field.
I still use rubber cement to make sure it adheres to the tire.

I got one in the rear tire on the VFR two days after I mounted the new avons. Just a nice big roofing nail right in the center of the tire. I patched then and have ridden over 8000 miles on it with it leaking. I've added five more plugs to the tire along the way, one as recently as last week. None have leaked.

And while I admit that I'm looking for a new rear tire, its because the tread bars are showing in the center wear section, not because of plugs.

I carry a plug kit and a mimi compressor. I like the gooey string plugs. I have plugged many and ran them down to the bars.

[JBAXX]

I have a plug kit for emergency use - fortunately I haven't needed it so far. If I ever get a nail (always on a new rear BTW) I pull the tire off and patch it. I plug car tires all the time though.

[alwaysaware]

Here is the solution to end all tire plugs and patches if they start making it for bikes. I saw it this morning on the news.

TWheel - Airless Wheel Technology from Michelin

New Technologies | Geeked by Geek 24 Geeks on 3 September, 2006 - 14:46.
TWheel is a new tire technology from Michelin that uses wheels with no air or tubes. The technology currently is under development but is way ahead of the 'run-flat' or other airless or tubeless technologies in use today. Michelin claims that it should be available for common use in about 10-15 years.

Go to the below link for the video

http://www.geek24.com/g/twheel-airless-whe...y-from-michelin

[vanion2]

alwaysaware, on Mar 16 2009, 07:02 AM, said:

Michelin claims that it should be available for common use in about 10-15 years.

Hey...by then the new 7th Gen VFR will be out.

[alwaysaware]

vanion2, on Mar 16 2009, 09:14 AM, said:

alwaysaware, on Mar 16 2009, 07:02 AM, said:

Michelin claims that it should be available for common use in about 10-15 years.

Hey...by then the new 7th Gen VFR will be out.

Maybe it will have airless tires in addition to that mythical V5 liter engine that everyone is raving about....

[KPerham]

alwaysaware, on Mar 16 2009, 09:50 AM, said:

vanion2, on Mar 16 2009, 09:14 AM, said:

alwaysaware, on Mar 16 2009, 07:02 AM, said:

Michelin claims that it should be available for common use in about 10-15 years.

Hey...by then the new 7th Gen VFR will be out.

Maybe it will have airless tires in addition to that mythical V5 liter engine that everyone is raving about....

That you can count on!

[Bent]

I wouldn't go far from home with just a plug. I just got back from over 1200 miles in the Gap area with a plug patch on my rear tire and it's now at the wear marks. The tire was put through Appalacian hell for 4 days with no leaks or problems. Everyone has an opinion.

Do what your head tells you to do....

[Rustbucket]

So is a field plug good enough, or should I get a tire shop to put in a patch/plug? Just got a screw in my 200 mile old rear tire!

I am way too broke to swing a new tire for the next couple of weeks, so it's either run the plug, or don't ride.

[FJ12Ryder]

Personally I would feel uncomfortable with a plug that is inserted from the outside for permanent repair. I have had a mushroom plugs installed in the past, and that is what I would use. But like I said that's just me. I've only had one flat that I can recall on a tubeless tire.

[dutchinterceptor]

I wouldn't hesitate on plugging a tire. I've run several without any problems at all. In fact I recently pulled off a plugged tire that still had a little tread on it and gave it to a buddy of mine. He commuted on it till the cords were showing before he tossed it.

[Rustbucket]

Welp, the plugged tire got me to work today for my first commute of the year - I figure I'm on bonus time now. I'll keep an eye on it and see how it goes...