Flat Tire- patch, plug or Replace?
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 673
Likes: 19
From: Folsom, CA
Flat Tire- patch, plug or Replace?
I have a buddy who's 2005 Road King rear tire has picked up a small nail; this apparently happened on Saturday and he noticed that the tire is near flat today. I was always told that a flat tire on a bike is a replacement of said tire- and I agree with that, I do not want to bet my life/health/safety on a compromised tire, but thats just me.
That said, in looking/researching, I am see a lot of "no, you do not have to do that" and a lot of "yes, replace the tire". What say you all?
BTW- I am STRONGLY encouraging my buddy to just bite the bullet and get a new tire.
That said, in looking/researching, I am see a lot of "no, you do not have to do that" and a lot of "yes, replace the tire". What say you all?
BTW- I am STRONGLY encouraging my buddy to just bite the bullet and get a new tire.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 610
Likes: 62
From: White Bear Lake, MN
Small nail
Clean hole
Not in sidewall at all...
I'd take it off the rim, install a plug/patch from the inside (the kind that look like a big flappy mushroom), reinstall, ride, and be happy.
But I have all the tools for this job, and do tires regularly. Not sure how feasible this is in his case...
All the best,
Shane
(Edited to add)...If the tire is more than half worn out though, I'd just replace it...
Clean hole
Not in sidewall at all...
I'd take it off the rim, install a plug/patch from the inside (the kind that look like a big flappy mushroom), reinstall, ride, and be happy.
But I have all the tools for this job, and do tires regularly. Not sure how feasible this is in his case...
All the best,
Shane
(Edited to add)...If the tire is more than half worn out though, I'd just replace it...
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
It depends on the mileage and wear on the tire. If its getting close to the 3/32 then replace it. You're going to pay for the R&R labor anyway, so might as well spring for the cost of the tire. If the tire is Fairly new, just replace the tube. You can't justify the cost of the tire in that case..
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Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Omaha
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 344
Likes: 8
From: wisconsin
My dealer will absolutely refuse to plug a tire. At this point I'm ok with that. It's part of my extended warranty coverage. As long as there is more than 3/32 tread left I get a new tire. It sucks it's still the Dunlop, but it's better than paying for 2 tires. I'm on my 3rd rear tire and I got little over 5k on the bike.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
