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.

 

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...

 

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..

 

I agree with Shanebo but then again I have the equipment to do the job as well. Also it all depends on how warn the tire is too.

 

He could always just plug or patch it and get a TPMS system for it so that if it starts to lose air he will know it.

Personally, I'd replace it.

 

I got a nail in my back tire two weeks after replacing it , plugged it from the out side watched for about amonth , never had a problem got 6000 miles out of it.

 

pass this on and let them make the decision:

http://www.tristatehomepage.com/stor...XE24RrAxL6KNGA

 

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.

 

That's why I said replace the tube. No patches. The tire would be fine, but take no chances with the tube. They're cheap anyway..

 

I would replace.