1st flat
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Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 251
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From:
1st flat
I have a 06 1200C. Heres my question you guys can ponder on and tell me what I should do.
I came home this eveing and looked down at the bike after I had ity in the guargeat and saw this shiny thing. Its what think is a nail in my rear tire. I didnt pull it out, but the tire is still up. I read both sides, some say to replace the tire, some say to plug it, some say to patch it. The tire and bike only have 3000 miles on it, it has a whole lot of thread left.
What do I do, if i replace the tire. Do I go to the dealer?? Do I replace it with same tire or a wider or can i go wider??? Its got the stock tire and wheel on it now
I came home this eveing and looked down at the bike after I had ity in the guargeat and saw this shiny thing. Its what think is a nail in my rear tire. I didnt pull it out, but the tire is still up. I read both sides, some say to replace the tire, some say to plug it, some say to patch it. The tire and bike only have 3000 miles on it, it has a whole lot of thread left.
What do I do, if i replace the tire. Do I go to the dealer?? Do I replace it with same tire or a wider or can i go wider??? Its got the stock tire and wheel on it now
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,146
Likes: 50
From: A barrier island in NJ
RE: 1st flat
If it were my tire with a nail in it I'd replace that tire! The cost to replace it is a cheap price to pay, IMO,for the peace of mind replacing it would give me. If I plugged it or repaired it I'd be second-guessing my luck everytime I got on the bike...
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: south yorkshire UK.
RE: 1st flat
hi titus 3:5,i had the same problem about a year ago.the best thing to do is-1-phone hog breakdown cover for transport to nearest h/d dealership[if you have got it]and have it sorted there-2-check tyre pressure & see its holding pressure,arrange time &ride to h/d dealership-3-jack bike up SAFE use inch&one eighths sockets,take out wheel & take to tyre repair workshop & have a mushroom plug put in[had this done on a GILERA back tyre,been in a year now & no problems=your choice!!!!].bigger tyres will upset handling of bike[without other mods & professional knowledge!!!!.....when i had my tyre repaired,for pick up & new back tyre,with ULTRA-SEAL puncture protection,it cost ÂŁ230.00 ENGLISH POUNDS [rip p off big style].hope this helps.lollypop in the UK.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
RE: 1st flat
I'd change the tire! But there wouldn't be a Harley dealer involved. Unless you also want to replace the front tire, I would go with the same tire. It's a Dunlop 401. If you have the ability to remove the wheel, order a tire online, take thewheel off, and find an Indy that will mount and balance the tire for ya.
There are several good sources for tires online, this is the place I found the best deal:
www.motorcycleproshop.com
but that will vary depending on periodic sales, free freight promotions etc.
There are several good sources for tires online, this is the place I found the best deal:
www.motorcycleproshop.com
but that will vary depending on periodic sales, free freight promotions etc.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: 1st flat
I guess one question is whether or not the wheel has an inner tube in it?
If the wheel is spoked,there should be an inner tube. If it is a cast wheel, then it's probably just the tire.
Several years ago I had a nearly brand new $300 tire on my Hayabusa repaired. They plugged and patch the tire. They do this to car tires all of the time. Of course, I had tokeep my speeds down after that. (the same dealer will not repair tires today, they will only replace the tire)
Last month, there again, a brand new tire on my 1200C, (brand new bike)I got a piece of metalin it. I had thempatch the tire and put in a new inner tube. I found out some HD dealers do not want to just replace the inner tube. Some will, some wont.
It's your decision of course. Safer is probably better if you don't mind spending a few more $$$'s.
If itwas a front tire, Ido not think I would even consider repairing the tire.
Rear flats are not fun, a little shaky shaky, wobble wobble when they go flat. Just have to slow down very easy and slowly and stay off the back brake. I don't remember if I have ever had a front flat before. Hmmmmmmm, nope can't ever remember having one, but I am sure those would be very dangerous.
Anyone ever had a front flat while riding? How was it?
If the wheel is spoked,there should be an inner tube. If it is a cast wheel, then it's probably just the tire.
Several years ago I had a nearly brand new $300 tire on my Hayabusa repaired. They plugged and patch the tire. They do this to car tires all of the time. Of course, I had tokeep my speeds down after that. (the same dealer will not repair tires today, they will only replace the tire)
Last month, there again, a brand new tire on my 1200C, (brand new bike)I got a piece of metalin it. I had thempatch the tire and put in a new inner tube. I found out some HD dealers do not want to just replace the inner tube. Some will, some wont.
It's your decision of course. Safer is probably better if you don't mind spending a few more $$$'s.
If itwas a front tire, Ido not think I would even consider repairing the tire.
Rear flats are not fun, a little shaky shaky, wobble wobble when they go flat. Just have to slow down very easy and slowly and stay off the back brake. I don't remember if I have ever had a front flat before. Hmmmmmmm, nope can't ever remember having one, but I am sure those would be very dangerous.
Anyone ever had a front flat while riding? How was it?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 656
Likes: 2
From:
RE: 1st flat
I'd patch it if it's on the radial tread. Just buy a simple radial patch/plug kit, and plug it up. As a matter of fact I've got about 3 of these patches on my wheel right now. I live near a lot of new suburban development, so I'm always going over nails and other debris. But it's a waste of money to baby-out and get a new tire, the only time i'll be concerned is if it's sidewall damage but if it's on the tread it's no big deal. Although if your not confident in your skills, take it to a shop and let them do it.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
RE: 1st flat
I do not mess around with tires - replace it. Just my $.02.
To answer your other question, I know of many people (including me) that have gotten stopped safely when a rear goes flat. I know of two people who have had fronts go flat and both reported the same thing - you can get it to a slow speed, but then it just wobbles and goes over. Anybody had a different experience?
To answer your other question, I know of many people (including me) that have gotten stopped safely when a rear goes flat. I know of two people who have had fronts go flat and both reported the same thing - you can get it to a slow speed, but then it just wobbles and goes over. Anybody had a different experience?
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
RE: 1st flat
Assuming the nail is not to big or near/in the sidewall and the tire has plenty of good tread left I see no problem in fixing the rear tire. I do not like plugs other than as necessary for a temporary "on the road" fix. I see nothing wrong with an inside patch, often called a hot patch", and/or installing a tube.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 34
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From:
RE: 1st flat
My decision was easier than yours. My factory 401's had 11,000 miles on them. Had just bought the bike and had overlooked a plug in the rear tire. I was having a slow leak and discovered the plug was the cause so I replugged it. Bad idea. Two days later while riding in our small town it spit the plug right out. I got lucky and was able to pull right over. (And no, it wasn't the first plug I've ever installed).
Even though I had replaced the plug and rode it home, the bike shop that replaced my tires didn't even want me to ride it in to them. (Maybe they didn't trust my work). They came and picked up the bike for safety reasons.
$170 for the front and $210 for the rear installed. Dunlop 401's. My .02 worth.
Even though I had replaced the plug and rode it home, the bike shop that replaced my tires didn't even want me to ride it in to them. (Maybe they didn't trust my work). They came and picked up the bike for safety reasons.
$170 for the front and $210 for the rear installed. Dunlop 401's. My .02 worth.
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