To Plug or Not To Plug???
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: MS
To Plug or Not To Plug???
Walked in my shop this morning to find my rear tire flat. Must have been those practice turns I was making in the back yard Monday.
Called a few guys and most of them say they won't plug a tire due to liability.
What's you guys thoughts? Does it hurt to plug a tire or do I need a new one every time I have a flat? Still got plenty of tread on this one.
Called a few guys and most of them say they won't plug a tire due to liability.
What's you guys thoughts? Does it hurt to plug a tire or do I need a new one every time I have a flat? Still got plenty of tread on this one.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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I have and will plug a tire and not give it a second thought but....does your RK have wire wheels? If so you have a tube, so just like any tire, patch or replace the tube and unless the hole in the tire is huge forget about it. Some people replace the tube and patch the tire from the inside.
BTW - How's Mom and Pop? Sore I bet.
BTW - How's Mom and Pop? Sore I bet.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: MS
Mom and Dad are doing well. Thanks for asking. Mom really wasn't as sore as she thought she would be. Now they're dealing with the insurance company. Hopefully that works out. They're looking for a bike to rent for their trip seeing as they won't find out anything in time to replace the wrecked bike.
On the tire...my bike has aftermarket rims with a Metzeler ME 880 160/60 R18 on the rear. Just started shopping in case plugging appears to be the wrong move. Seems this tire is hard to find and isn't cheap! Plugging seems pretty appealing right about now.
On the tire...my bike has aftermarket rims with a Metzeler ME 880 160/60 R18 on the rear. Just started shopping in case plugging appears to be the wrong move. Seems this tire is hard to find and isn't cheap! Plugging seems pretty appealing right about now.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,282
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From: southeast PA
I ran over a nail with the rear tire, had 1000 miles on it. Had it plugged and installed a new tube to be safe and because they're cheap. Just make sure the inside of the tire is smooth after it's plugged. BTW, the tire lasted another 6K until it wore out.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
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From: NJ
Bad JU Ju to ride with a plug on a bike....Have people done it..yes...do some do it....yes.....is your life worth more than 100-200 bucks......?
of course you won't remember that until god forbid the day the air rapidly escapes while your crusing and puts you in a wobble cause you didnt want to pay for a new tire.....
Will this "worse senerio" happen? Probably not......
Could you get a blow out on a brand new tire and wreck...sure you could....
Should you plug it or buy new.........>? Only you can really decide this...not us.<
of course you won't remember that until god forbid the day the air rapidly escapes while your crusing and puts you in a wobble cause you didnt want to pay for a new tire.....
Will this "worse senerio" happen? Probably not......
Could you get a blow out on a brand new tire and wreck...sure you could....
Should you plug it or buy new.........>? Only you can really decide this...not us.<
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 21,737
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From: Driftless Area
Same here. I had a brand new back tire, about $175 by the time you get it mounted and balanced. I was getting sandblasted by an uncovered gravel truck, and took it momentarily up to 85 to pass him. When I pulled into the driveway 10 minutes later, the tire just flattened as soon as I stopped.
Took a screw out of my brand new tire and plugged it. Lasted another 12,000 miles.
Took a screw out of my brand new tire and plugged it. Lasted another 12,000 miles.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 2
From: DUNDALK,MARYLAND
He funny with those spoke wheels he can plug his tires any way. I have plug my tires for past 20 year never any problem with a plug on the bikes.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: NJ
tire
Same here. I had a brand new back tire, about $175 by the time you get it mounted and balanced. I was getting sandblasted by an uncovered gravel truck, and took it momentarily up to 85 to pass him. When I pulled into the driveway 10 minutes later, the tire just flattened as soon as I stopped.
Took a screw out of my brand new tire and plugged it. Lasted another 12,000 miles.
Took a screw out of my brand new tire and plugged it. Lasted another 12,000 miles.
But being the moron I am...I'd get a third tire as soon as I could afford it.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 791
Likes: 1
From: The Real World
Got a slow puncture on a rear tyre of a Softail once whilst on vacation - used a self tapping screw to fix it (which worked real well) However, I pushed it too long before changing the tyre out (actually around 3 days) and ended up with a blow-out in a long sweeping left hander. Ended up on the opposite carriageway and a 5 hour fix/replacement turnaround....dummy.