| Author | Message | ||
     Nukeblue |
well it finally happened... got a big 'ol screw in my brand new front tire! problem is i'm totally broke & can't afford a new one. so i put a very high quality plug in it & rode the bike home (350 miles) and all is well. question is, how long has anyone gone on a plugged tire? | ||
| Froggy |
Next time invest in puncture proof tires!  | ||
| Spiderman |
I ran on a plug till I replaced the tire, id say about 4k... I didn't really pus them though. I will say this. I ended the tires life by doing a 4th gear burnout and after the tire popped I checked the plug and it was still there and solid... | ||
| Glitch |
I didn't really pus them though. I never pus my tires. | ||
| Nukeblue |
good to know spidy thats what i wanted to hear. my tires are pretty pus though, continental conti-touring | ||
| Froggy |
Was that burnout on the hood of a minivan? | ||
| Glitch |
Was that burnout before or after Bowling for Harleys?  | ||
| Jaimec |
This is another one of those questions that keeps popping up. There isn't one tire manufacturer out there who will go on record as saying a plug will last for thousands of miles, despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary. In other words, you're on your own. Other people's experiences may NOT mirror your own. How much is your health and continuing good physical condition worth? I always replace my plugged tire at the earliest possible opportunity. | ||
| Pammy |
I agree with Jaimec. If it were mine and a front tire, I would change it. But Not that I would recommend it, mind you...owning a shop and all. But I Have seen the inside tire patch/plugs, when properly installed, last the duration without issue. Not that I am promoting or condoning plug/patches in any way. | ||
| Spiderman |
Was that burnout on the hood of a minivan? Was that burnout before or after Bowling for Harleys? Screw you guys, I'm goin home!  | ||
| Nukeblue |
the plug used is a tech tire plug, good stuff, we use them at work. they have a rubber coating & a fluid that melts the rubber together. i've used them on thin stuff like atv & lawn mower tires too & they never leak. i'd say i would almost trust them with my life... however when i bank into a turn or get towards the triple diget mark there's a little voice that keeps popping up says "tire plug idiot!" maybe i just take it easy this summer. RIGHT!! | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
I have gone thousands of miles on plugs both in motorcycle and cars. Call me cheap but I just hate to throw out a new tire!  What hasn't been mentioned above is that the success of the plug depends on several factors: 1. The size of the hole. 2. The location of the hole, 3. The quality of the plug 4. The technique of the installer. As Pammy says "t I Have seen the inside tire patch/plugs, when properly installed, last the duration without issue." Listen to Pammy, I always say. Actually, everyone says so:-). What would eliminate a tire as a candidate for plug repair would be a hole in the side wall, a very large jagged hole, and a hole made by an object other than a small nail or screw. Of course no one wants to be responsible for a plugged tire and that would include me. Proceed at your own risk! | ||
| Etennuly |
I would first like to say I have never to my knowledge, pus my tires. I'm not sure I would know how to even. I, just today, installed my new PR2 on the rear of my Uly. I had to plug it at about 2,000 miles. I too was pissed about poking a hole in a new tire. I use the gooey rope type plug with clear tire cement. This is the first rear tire that I have ever had that lasted over 10,000 miles. It carried that plug for 8,000 miles. I did install a new plug at about 9,000 miles, as the tire wore thinner it did become a slow leak. I gave it a shot of fix-a-flat sealer and it was fine. As it got thinner I ran it easier, per common sense. Unfortunately I have had to plug at least three of the tires on my Uly in 37,000 miles thus far. I had done two on the City-X before it in 14,000 miles. I have not yet had a plug failure, except to say this last one became a slow leak when the tire got down to "mighty thin". I would only afford replacing the tire if I were to run it on track days or otherwise beating it on the Dragon or some other place. But I don't like to abuse my bike to the point of pus'n it. So even though plugs make me unhappy, I will continue to run the tire through its life cycle. | ||
| Chainsaw |
question is, how long has anyone gone on a plugged tire? Longest I've personally experienced was plugged at 1000 miles on my XB and rode the plug till the treads wore out at around 5000-6000 miles. I have plugs in the rear tires of both my bikes right now. They've been plugged so long, I had forgotten about them until I started typing in this thread. I figure that I am no more at risk of having a plug fail, than I am of picking up another nail or screw. YMMV | ||
| Etennuly |
After examining the carcass of my used up PR2, in the future after plugging a tire, I think it would be worth the effort to replace the plug with a vulcanized patch on the inside. It was worn so thin that it was easily pulled through from the inside. That could have happened with a stone on a dirt road or small bit of debris with unlucky placement. Perhaps I should have changed the tire earlier(circumstances wouldn't allow it this time) Something I will ponder more seriously in the future. I will set up a couple of pictures in the next day or so. | ||
| Boltrider |
I currently have 7000 miles on a plugged Diablo Strada. The shop that did it plugged it from the inside. (Message edited by boltrider on June 07, 2009) | ||
| Rich |
I've run a plugged rear tire 'til the tire was toast more than once. I would replace a front. | ||
| Aptbldr |
Chainsaw's closing comment cracked me up! : ) My plugged tire feels like a tiny risk compared to motorcycling on public streets. | ||
| 86129squids |
My $.02: I've plugged at least two of my own tires, keeping in mind what Jon said above. They were rear tires, Pirelli Scorpion Syncs, and the plugs worked perfectly. I'd think real hard about plugging a front tire, though- if it fails, the consequences are more severe than a rear tire failure. I once worked at an old time gas/service station, and have done/witnessed many plugs for car tires. Motorcycle tires, especially modern sport tires, are very robust in their construction- every time I replace my tires on the CityX, I take a real good look at the old ones. Burnouts can be instructive, once you look at the shredded tire... Rear plugs: yes, given the proper conditions. Front plugs: Only if I REALLY trusted the tire AND the plug. Even then I'd be second guessing... To reiterate: What Jon said earlier. | ||
| Froggy |
Or you could buy puncture proof tires and not worry about it again. If you put a hole in them big enough that even they leak, your stranded either way. | ||
| Nukeblue |
well since it is a front, and i have access to the inside the tire plug/patch, i think i'll take it off & do it from the inside. those plug/patches are cool. they have a plug coming out of the middle of the patch to fill the hole. the hole is right in a tread groove so i don't think it will be as stressed. i can trim it so it won't even touch the road. | ||
| 86129squids |
I just remembered reading in a recent magazine that Avon tires are offering a road hazard warranty. I've no experience with them, but that's a cool deal. |
