| Author | Message | ||
     Xl1200r |
Got a flat last night - picked up what looks like a broken off hollow drill bit - didn't stand a chance. Luckily I had my plug kit under the seat still and was able to get it plugged up and enough air to get to a gas station to fill her up. Rode home (just a few miles) and is still holding. The tire is pretty close to being used up, anyways, but I was hoping to be able to hold off on new shoes until the spring. Safe to do? My cheap ass says yes, lol | ||
| Kyrocket |
I have and I will. I'm cheap like yourself, I've not had any problems doing it thus far but you need to do what your comfortable with. I'm comfortable running on a plugged tire, a little less comfortable parting with $300.  | ||
| 86129squids |
I'm assuming this is your rear tire, right? I'd NEVER recommend keeping a plugged front- that's good only to getcha home. If the plug is in the center of the carcass, NOT the sidewall, I'd just check it regularly with an accurate gauge, ride conservatively, replace in the spring. What brand/type of tire? I remember having a plugged rear Scorpion Sync that lasted until the rest of the tire wore out. Given the extremely sticky compounds in sport tires, they seem to bond with the vulcanizing plug very well. YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY... | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
sportbike tires are very thin compared to just about every other tire out there. If the tire is about hosed, I would replace it asap. Better safe than wadded up in a ball on the side of the road with road rash... | ||
| 86129squids |
Mark's right- the determining factor is what % is truly left... And he's right- spending $$$ on a new tire is a LOT easier than spending $$$ on medical bills... Still, gotta deal with the cheapo factor. FWIW, this may be a good time to look into sale prices on whatcha need, going into fall... | ||
| Xl1200r |
Yes, rear tire, it's a Pilot Road 2. The plug is a little off center in the tread, not in the sidewall. I'm not sure how much life is left in the tire - it's the first time I've run them. All I know is there's no belt showing yet. | ||
| Bosh |
I've put literally thousands of miles on plugged tires and never had one leak, let alone fail. I use the sticky rope looking kind from the local auto parts store. | ||
| Mayerhd |
I picked up a pheasant bone near Wall SD on the way to Sturgis. Put a plug in the tire and put 4K more miles on it. Never had an issue. Your results may vary. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I've put literally thousands of miles on plugged tires and never had one leak, let alone fail. I use the sticky rope looking kind from the local auto parts store. I've done the same thing cause I'm a cheap SOB. But do yourself a favor. Once you see cords showing and you replace the tire. Take a knife and cut the tire so you can see how much rubber there isn't. Makes me think twice about plugging a sportbike tire. | ||
| 86129squids |
Those Pilots should have tread wear indicators- I'd keep a hairy eyeball on them and start looking for cold weather prices on fresh rubber. | ||
| Hughlysses |
It's OK to plug tires as long as you aren't using synthetic oil.  | ||
| Fast1075 |
I rode for YEARS and never got a flat until this year. I have somehow managed to get a nail in two different tires this year, both with less than 500 miles on them. I plugged both to get me home...I used the "rope" type plugs, properly installed. They both leaked...I took the Q2 off and had it properly repaired and ran it until I wore it out at around 2600 miles. I replaced that tire with a new PP...the first ride, I picked up a nail...after getting it home, I had it properly repaired and it now has around 2800 miles, with maybe another 800 miles left on it before I hit the wear bars. It does not leak, is well balanced, and you cannot find the repaired spot. (the shop used a boot batch with the plug attached.) The bottom line is at least in my experience, plugs leak. A proper patch is a permanent repair, unless cord or belting is damaged...if so, the tire goes to the recycler. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Squids, they do have wear indicators, but with no tread in the center of the tire and the wear indicators even further from it, it's hard to really judge. To be honest, I'm expecting to see chords any day now. | ||
| Thumper74 |
Or find parts thread where he cuts into a tire and his leg... I've run proper patch/plugs that pull from the inside out, with no issues, but get nervous considering the thin nature of a sport bike tire carcass, plus they usually don't have steel belts like a car. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
plug and ride | ||
| Just_ziptab |
 | ||
| Trac95ker |
I had a bike shop owner tell me that tires can delaminate when plugged. He also said he witnessed it. Just thought I'd throw it out there. I'd take the chance. | ||
| Forerunner |
I've plugged several tires and never had a problem. Someone once posted a link to the Dunlop tire site that stated properly repaired tires were acceptable but I'm too lazy to look it up. YMMV, Nels | ||
| Doz |
I've run plugs on the track (forgot about it honestly)run it till the season ends, wich may be next week knowing the weather upm there! | ||
| Etennuly |
I have run several tires with plugs with no problems from the tire for as many as 6,000 miles. I had a gooey rope plug in a PR II that I actually wore out. I had to put a new plug in to run the last thousand miles of that tire. | ||
| Rick_a |
All my rear tires for the past several years have been plugged low mile take-offs. I would not use a "rope" style plug except for emergency use. I've never had one seal well enough on a motorcycle tire. The internal umbrella style plugs, when installed properly, will last the life of the tire. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I'm just going to run it, then. There aren't too many miles left in the tire or the riding season up here. I'll be sure to keep an eye on it be more dilligent about the pressures. | ||
| Richsm2 |
Use the red plugs , the black do not like the heat that is generated in our tires, i just recheck the pressure and trim it until it stabilizes then run it down to the markers. Ride 2 up mostly, as for the front i concurr my choice would be to change it out soon. The first of this years run, my front was down to 20 psi and though slow in turning it stayed up fine. i donot ride much so i take it easy the few rides anyway. |
