Safe to plug tire?
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 546
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From: Bergen County, NJ
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Do know that after I had the wheel checked for roundness and true, we put a rim strip and a tube on it, then put on a new tire. It just doesn't feel the same as a tubeless....It's like there's a slight hesitation as the tire moves on the tube.
Forged wheels are in my future I think, which sucks because I really like the look of the spokes.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 953
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From: SOUTH-ALABAMA
I pierced my 200 rear with an industrial staple. It was leaking slowly, but enough to notice. Not exactly sure how long it was in there before it was noticed. An old timer at the dealership pointed it out to me. I got it home and threw a plug in. Only put a hundred miles on it or so before it was replaced. Mine was in the middle of a tread. I felt "ok" on the plug for a bit but slowed my roll just in case. Plug = temporary.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
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From: Punta Gorda,FL
I have plugged my tires before without a problem. You just don't want to use a plug or patch if it is on the side wall.
If the tire was 2/3 worn out I would replace the tire, but not a fairly new one.
Tom
If the tire was 2/3 worn out I would replace the tire, but not a fairly new one.
Tom
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: back home in Michigan
I was a mechanic for years. Plugged and patched many tires for 4 wheeled vehicles, never one problem. Buttttt, if a tire on a 4 wheeled vehicle fails, you have 3 others. Not so on a bike. Bottomline, its your life, so go for it anyway you see fit. I will not run a plugged tire on my bike any further than to get it home or to a tire shop. Cheap insurance if you ask me
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,033
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On Harleys, they are the same tire. How do you "feel" any difference between when thre is a tube in there or not? I've never noticed a difference. I have a tube in the front and no tube in the rear with my current set up, compared to tubes on each end the way it came stock. Feels the same to me.
Last edited by xxxflhrci; Sep 14, 2009 at 08:08 PM.