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Safe to plug tire?

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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 02:35 PM
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Default Safe to plug tire?
A friend of mine has an 04 Sportster.He picked up a roofing nail in his back tire and wanted me to plug it.(I own an auto repair shop) I did it,but I told him to get a new tire.I don't think it's safe.It was in the middle of the tread, but at a hell of an angle.I just don't think his life is worth the price of a tire.So what's your guys opinions?
 
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 02:51 PM
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Replace the tire! A plug is only a temporary fix.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 03:09 PM
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Patch, maybe. Plug, new tire. JMO.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 03:36 PM
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I have personally plugged motorcycle tires before and put thousands of miles on the tire with no problem. But I guess it is a matter of what makes you feel safe.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 04:17 PM
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i never plugged a rear tire...plugged a front one, once, it was a small screww right in the middle of the tread. i rode that tire for thousands of miles without problems.
 
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Old Sep 13, 2009 | 10:11 PM
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I have seen several people plug m/c tires and they would last the life of the tire. I've plugged alot of tires on cars and trucks with out any problems too. Matter of fact, my left rear tire on my Yukon is plugged right now.

Chop On,
Robert
 
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 06:58 AM
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i plug the rear and ride it but change maybe 2000 miles sooner than normal. also needs to be tubeless and not in the center
 
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 07:26 AM
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Tire failure is no joke. I lost my front tire at 70mph with my daughter on the bike with me. Thank God the carcass held together long enough to get to the side of the road. There are a ton of patch/plug kits out there, but I'm not sure I'd bet my life on them.
 
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 08:06 AM
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Originally Posted by rthomp159
Tire failure is no joke. I lost my front tire at 70mph with my daughter on the bike with me. Thank God the carcass held together long enough to get to the side of the road. There are a ton of patch/plug kits out there, but I'm not sure I'd bet my life on them.
I agree. A plug is good enough to get you home. The cost of a tire is miniscul compared to what could happen if you have a catastrophic failure.
 
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Old Sep 14, 2009 | 08:10 AM
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Tube it and ride on....All of you guys that throw away good tires because of a nail puncture, please mail them to me. I will gladly wear them out.
 
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