Got a nail!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
RE: Got a nail!
Regarding tires and insurance for same, I think that in 75K miles of my riding on my FLHT and 45K miles on my wife's 883, I've picked up one nail (knock on wood). I plugged that one with a Wal*Mart tire plug kit and rode it a while until I changed out the tire. It was about shot at that time anyway. I seem to recall picking up one in the 25K miles I put on a Shovelhead. Three bills for tire "insurance" is more than I care to spend, being about two tires worth with mounting, etc. Maybe if I lived in a high home construction area where the carpenters were always losing nails, I'd be more interested.
Regarding dealers, there is one here that I won't mention by name because they have not ripped me off personally, that has a lot of bikes on the floor. Each and every one has had all the "stuff" stripped off it, like floor boards, pegs, grips, mirrors, etc., and replaced with"theme" items: All stripes going one way or another, shapes, etc. They charge full list on all the "accesories" plus labor to install them. They will even strip the new front end off and replace it with a chrome one. Of course, you don't get the original parts when you buy the bike, but they will sell them to you at 1/2 of list. Oh, and the final price on the bike is close to double list, depending on how carried away they got.
Regarding dealers, there is one here that I won't mention by name because they have not ripped me off personally, that has a lot of bikes on the floor. Each and every one has had all the "stuff" stripped off it, like floor boards, pegs, grips, mirrors, etc., and replaced with"theme" items: All stripes going one way or another, shapes, etc. They charge full list on all the "accesories" plus labor to install them. They will even strip the new front end off and replace it with a chrome one. Of course, you don't get the original parts when you buy the bike, but they will sell them to you at 1/2 of list. Oh, and the final price on the bike is close to double list, depending on how carried away they got.
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,289
Likes: 3
From: Rowlett, Texas
RE: Got a nail!
No offense. Anyone that plugs a motorcycle tire is a moron unless it is temporary.It is temporary fix and makes the tire unsafe at highway speeds because the reamer tears the plys and belts in the tire.Forgive me if I upset anyone.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 12
From: Parkton, Maryland
RE: Got a nail!
Just checked the bill from having a flat replaced due to a nail while traveling. Only 8,000 miles on the tire. With tire and wheel coverage they do not patch a tire, they replace it. The coverage also covers towing, lodging and meals when away from home. The bill was $273.84 which did not include the cost of the tow, You can bet that would have been another $100. I paid no out of pocket money and have 4 more years of coverage with no limits. Looks like $300 is a good buy unless you only ride around the block on Sundays.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,200
Likes: 3,089
From: NW AR
RE: Got a nail!
I agree that a plug on a bike tire should be a temporary fix, and that's basically how I did it when I had to. I think that a proper patch would be an acceptable repair, though.
"Only 8,000 miles"? I'm lucky to get 8K miles from a tire. At that point, I figger it owes me nothing at all, and I'd be lucky if it wasn't corded. But then, I like sticky high performance tires on my dresser. I have a Dunop HD tire on the back right now, and it has about 13K miles on it, with maybe another 1-2K left. I'm quite impressed. I've never had more than 8K before this one. Miss that Metzler Mezlaser grip though.
I guess it comes down to where you ride, as I said, and if you want to farm out your risk to an insurance company, which _will_ make a profit, have no doubt.
"Only 8,000 miles"? I'm lucky to get 8K miles from a tire. At that point, I figger it owes me nothing at all, and I'd be lucky if it wasn't corded. But then, I like sticky high performance tires on my dresser. I have a Dunop HD tire on the back right now, and it has about 13K miles on it, with maybe another 1-2K left. I'm quite impressed. I've never had more than 8K before this one. Miss that Metzler Mezlaser grip though.
I guess it comes down to where you ride, as I said, and if you want to farm out your risk to an insurance company, which _will_ make a profit, have no doubt.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,167
Likes: 20
From: NE Pennsylvania
RE: Got a nail!
Hey Dallas,
If you're happy with the deal you got then great!! I just replaced both tires on my bike and I know how expensive it can be. I paid $130 for a new rear tire for mySporty Custom with an additional $50 tacked on for labor. I know I wouldn't be too happy if I picked up a nail and had to replace it before I put at least 8k miles on it. So the tireplan paid off for you. I don't think I would necessarily pay for the servicecontract since I think you can save $by doing most of the work yourself. To each his own...
If you're happy with the deal you got then great!! I just replaced both tires on my bike and I know how expensive it can be. I paid $130 for a new rear tire for mySporty Custom with an additional $50 tacked on for labor. I know I wouldn't be too happy if I picked up a nail and had to replace it before I put at least 8k miles on it. So the tireplan paid off for you. I don't think I would necessarily pay for the servicecontract since I think you can save $by doing most of the work yourself. To each his own...
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 384
Likes: 0
From: Oro Valley, AZ
RE: Got a nail!
I should have done the maintence thing, given what I paid for the 1k service today[:@]
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 521
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, IN
RE: Got a nail!
What abouttires with tubes in them?
Any harm with having a new inner tube installed & patch up that small tiny hole in the tire?
That's the route I chose. The bike was new with 450 miles on it &bam,ran over a piece of metal (nail, something).
Almost 5000 miles on the bike now & no problems.
Any harm with having a new inner tube installed & patch up that small tiny hole in the tire?
That's the route I chose. The bike was new with 450 miles on it &bam,ran over a piece of metal (nail, something).
Almost 5000 miles on the bike now & no problems.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
