Radial tire plug
Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I hope it helps with the nails.
I got left on the side of the read for a couple of hours due to a nail in the rear tire.
Hence the change to mag wheels.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
Precisely why I put a mag on the rear of my Dyna.. I can change a front on the side of the road, the rear would be a bitch... A plug is your friend, mushroom/umbrella style are preferred. But, if I needed to use a rope, I would.. Then just take it to the shop to put a patch on the inside..
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,874
Likes: 36
From: Houston, TX
Precisely why I put a mag on the rear of my Dyna.. I can change a front on the side of the road, the rear would be a bitch... A plug is your friend, mushroom/umbrella style are preferred. But, if I needed to use a rope, I would.. Then just take it to the shop to put a patch on the inside..
Thinking I need to invest in the stuff to do that.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
Haha, luckily I haven't had to, but I could certainly get creative enough to do the front before the rear..
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,096
Likes: 4,673
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
In my case, just luck - 60+mph rear blowout on a 750 Honda, and went off the road in a 50's car that blew a front and plowed through a guy's front yard without hitting anything at around 60 mph. Bought a new pickup once that had tubes, blew every one in just a couple months. Last tubes I ever had on a cage. Not saying tubeless can't blow, but it's rare, usually leak slow and give you warning. When everyone had tubes, a whole lot of folks were familiar with that bang, flop flop...
I've gone 1000's of miles on tires I plugged myself. Just a nail or similar size hole with no tearing, in the tread, doesn't bother me. Tubes bother me. I put tubes in three wheels last year, only because they were spoke wheels, but I did them myself, do not trust anyone else to be as finicky and ridiculously cautious putting them in as I am (I've never torn a tube installing it, either). If a tire is bad enough it can't be plugged, I wouldn't put a tube in it either, time to replace. If I was going on a long (days) ride, I'd replace a plugged tire with a new one, but save the plugged tire for future use till it got too old (probably around 5 years from manufacture date). Haven't had a flat in over 10 years, but that's how I did it, and would again.
I've gone 1000's of miles on tires I plugged myself. Just a nail or similar size hole with no tearing, in the tread, doesn't bother me. Tubes bother me. I put tubes in three wheels last year, only because they were spoke wheels, but I did them myself, do not trust anyone else to be as finicky and ridiculously cautious putting them in as I am (I've never torn a tube installing it, either). If a tire is bad enough it can't be plugged, I wouldn't put a tube in it either, time to replace. If I was going on a long (days) ride, I'd replace a plugged tire with a new one, but save the plugged tire for future use till it got too old (probably around 5 years from manufacture date). Haven't had a flat in over 10 years, but that's how I did it, and would again.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 794
Likes: 1
From: Alvin TX
I pluged a new tire once 500 miles on it metzler ME 880 On the rear of my 03 E Glide forgot about till I had the tire changed out with 15k miles on it rode all over two states summer & fall , into spring ,I got the plug at a tire shop that's all he had , plug & play I say 
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I don't recall any roadside punctures on that bike, although I'm sure I had them. On other bikes a puncture was a routine repair and best done by changing tube, rather than patching.
As for those who think tubeless are better, if the tyre beads come off the rim you are stuffed! A tube will fix that, as the only roadside means of getting the beads back on. It's not much fun being trailered because of a 'flat'!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Iv'e plugged numerous tires over the years without incident. I use the string type, not the mushrooms. If the nail is in the contact patch, proceed. DO NOT plug or patch a sidewall or where the tire starts to curve. Mark the side of the tire where the plug is so you can find it and spray windex on it later to be sure it's not leaking.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 856
Likes: 9
From: North Carolina
I have plugged a couple of times. One morning we had one of the biggest rides of the year. I had a Gold Wing at the time. I went out and the front tire was flat with a screw in it. I aired it up, pulled the screw, plugged it and rode. I don't like to plug a front tire but, it worked out and I rode on it for a month or so. The string type plugs work better in my experience. I used the rubber ones and they seem to get dry and brittle in a year or two. The ones I used failed all of the sudden so, I won't be buying those again. I would tend to ride a while on a rear tire plug more than a front.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,198
Likes: 3,087
From: NW AR
I've done it (rope type plugs.) A patch on the inside is better, of course, and replacing the tire is best of all, but I've done it and put thousands of miles on it. I've never picked up a nail in a front tire (knock on wood,) so this has always been on the back.