A Non-Controversial thread for a Change
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Tejas
A Non-Controversial thread for a Change
What's your thoughts on putting a tube in a mag/solid wheel and running it when you pick up a nail on a fairly new tire?
I've heard lots of people on both sides of the argument and I always thought it was a no brainer to install a tube over tossing the tire
Griz
I've heard lots of people on both sides of the argument and I always thought it was a no brainer to install a tube over tossing the tire
Griz
Seasoned HDF Member
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From: NC
Or plug/patch it from the inside. You have to break the bead on one side anyway. I use the mushroom plugs and just run it. Monitor the PSI for a bit and then ferget it!
My kit is the Stop&Go brand.
My kit is the Stop&Go brand.
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From: central NC
When I busted tires fifty years ago at Sears, we’d put a tube in a tubeless tire if we weren’t confident of the patch on the inside. But that wasn’t foolproof.
That said, I'm a chicken. I have a Stop ’n Go plug kit in the bags for on the road, but if I know it’s got a screw or nail in the tire at home, I change the tire.
That said, I'm a chicken. I have a Stop ’n Go plug kit in the bags for on the road, but if I know it’s got a screw or nail in the tire at home, I change the tire.
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From: Pennsylvania
Rear tire if it was not near the sidewall, I would plug and not worry about it.
Front tire, different story, might use a tube; however, you will need to remove the tubeless valve stem and make sure the tube valve stem fits the hole in the rim and there are no sharp edges that will cut the tubeless valve stem.
You will need to make sure the tubeless tire seats correctly on the rim if the tube is inside making sure the tube does not interfere with the tire rim bead.
A tube in a tubeless tire may generate more heat and the recommended tire pressure may not be the same.
Additionally, the way a tire handles may be different because the sidewall may not flex the same, more so on the front than back.
Front tire, different story, might use a tube; however, you will need to remove the tubeless valve stem and make sure the tube valve stem fits the hole in the rim and there are no sharp edges that will cut the tubeless valve stem.
You will need to make sure the tubeless tire seats correctly on the rim if the tube is inside making sure the tube does not interfere with the tire rim bead.
A tube in a tubeless tire may generate more heat and the recommended tire pressure may not be the same.
Additionally, the way a tire handles may be different because the sidewall may not flex the same, more so on the front than back.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Cental, MI
Rear tire if it was not near the sidewall, I would plug and not worry about it.
Front tire, different story, might use a tube; however, you will need to remove the tubeless valve stem and make sure the tube valve stem fits the hole in the rim and there are no sharp edges that will cut the tubeless valve stem.
You will need to make sure the tubeless tire seats correctly on the rim if the tube is inside making sure the tube does not interfere with the tire rim bead.
A tube in a tubeless tire may generate more heat and the recommended tire pressure may not be the same.
Additionally, the way a tire handles may be different because the sidewall may not flex the same, more so on the front than back.
Front tire, different story, might use a tube; however, you will need to remove the tubeless valve stem and make sure the tube valve stem fits the hole in the rim and there are no sharp edges that will cut the tubeless valve stem.
You will need to make sure the tubeless tire seats correctly on the rim if the tube is inside making sure the tube does not interfere with the tire rim bead.
A tube in a tubeless tire may generate more heat and the recommended tire pressure may not be the same.
Additionally, the way a tire handles may be different because the sidewall may not flex the same, more so on the front than back.
Never mastered riding very far at all on a Flat Rear Tire..
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,281
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From: Eastpointe, MI
There use are about five or six reasons it's not advised to put an inner tube in a tubeless tire on a motorcycle.
Google it.
I didn't think it was right to plug a motorcycle tire either but I found it's perfectly fine as long as it's in the thick part of the tread not in a groove and not on the sidewall of course.
I use RideOn in my Harley tires - balance system too.
I used to beads in my smaller Honda.
Google it.
I didn't think it was right to plug a motorcycle tire either but I found it's perfectly fine as long as it's in the thick part of the tread not in a groove and not on the sidewall of course.
I use RideOn in my Harley tires - balance system too.
I used to beads in my smaller Honda.
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From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
My own thoughts are based upon my own personal experience, not the opinions of others. Back in the 90s I found a screw buried up to the head in the tread area of my week-old front Dunlop tire. It was holding air well enough to ride it over to the independent shop that had installed the tire. They pulled the screw, removed the tire, put a patch inside the tire, put a tube in and called it good. I got 20,000 miles out of that front tire. Id do it again, no question.
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From: England
The last time I searched about this it was dependant on the speed rating of the tyre with some that should not be plugged and others that can have more than one. It might be down to the type of plug used as to how it affects the speed rating.
Last edited by Andy from Sandy; Aug 27, 2025 at 06:37 AM.
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From: NC
The litigious USA society says to replace not repair! And then give me that 90% tread tire and I'll find someone who will use it.
But seriously, Why plug a tire from the inside 'AND' run a tube? I have put tubes in tireless tires after checking the entire tire and rim for sharp things that would puncture the tube.
But seriously, Why plug a tire from the inside 'AND' run a tube? I have put tubes in tireless tires after checking the entire tire and rim for sharp things that would puncture the tube.