Tire Plugs
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
For me it depends on the tire. If it's an older tire with more than half the recommended miles I'll replace. If fairly new then I'll plug.
I was riding with some buddies in the 4-corners a few years ago and I noticed a nail in the rear tire when we were at the hotel. The tire was fairly new with about 2500 miles on it. It was a slow leak, as I did the soapy water thing, so I plugged it with the kit I had. Checked everyday for a few days and was good until the tires needed replacing.
I was riding with some buddies in the 4-corners a few years ago and I noticed a nail in the rear tire when we were at the hotel. The tire was fairly new with about 2500 miles on it. It was a slow leak, as I did the soapy water thing, so I plugged it with the kit I had. Checked everyday for a few days and was good until the tires needed replacing.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 2,107
From: NoVA
I've plugged my OEM tire while why I was waiting on my Dunlop AE to arrive. I've rode a little over 1200 miles on it. Plugs work but to be honest I'd change it on first opportunity, just for the peace of mind.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 631
From: NorCal Rocklin
Pro tip. Buy your tires at Revzilla or CycleGear, have them mounted at CycleGear, and buy the insurance. Halfway through its tire life, shove a nail on it, report a claim, and boom you get a new prorated cost tire.
Plugs are hit or miss. Sometimes they work sometimes they don't. I usually have good luck with them, but recently they kept failing. A plug is a temporary fix until you get it replaced.
Plugs are hit or miss. Sometimes they work sometimes they don't. I usually have good luck with them, but recently they kept failing. A plug is a temporary fix until you get it replaced.
Last edited by vizcarmb; Jul 14, 2023 at 01:57 PM.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 204
Likes: 216
From: Kitsap County
The tire was brand new. The portion of tread was unused, despite the screw. I just hadn't leaned it over at all yet. The screw was threaded in, not driven. The screw was brand new. The screw was fully inserted and facing entirely opposite of the wheel's direction of travel.
Act of God?
Act of God?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 497
Likes: 575
From: Maryland
Assuming a nail or screw leaving a round hole in the tread (not sidewall), a properly inserted string plug (completely through the tread) will naturally mushroom a bit on the inside of the tire when pulling the inserting tool out. No way it's coming out. I've used plugs for decades and never had a problem for the life of the tire. Well, did have one leak but that one was inserted by a mechanic at a truck stop, not me. YMMV.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
Assuming a nail or screw leaving a round hole in the tread (not sidewall), a properly inserted string plug (completely through the tread) will naturally mushroom a bit on the inside of the tire when pulling the inserting tool out. No way it's coming out. I've used plugs for decades and never had a problem for the life of the tire. Well, did have one leak but that one was inserted by a mechanic at a truck stop, not me. YMMV.
As to deliberate action on the OP's bike? Not likely. It may look deliberate but if I want to screw with you or your bike, a slow leak from running a screw into a tire (with a portable screwdriver?) is not the way I'd go. Way quicker ways to accomplish the same result.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 11,226
Likes: 3,049
From: St.Louis Mo.
Never had a problem with a plugged tire. I did one time have a small finishing nail in my 21 inch tire on my old shovelhead. I broke the bead down and pulled the tube out and patch it without removing the front wheel. I kept thinking about this repair for quite a few miles after that. But i had to do what i had to do to get home. I ended up running it like that for a few years after that. When i broke the wheel down to replace the tube and tire all was fine with my patch.
Ask how many people have had a plugged tire fail. That'll be a better way to get to your answer.
As for me, I've used rope plugs in every type of tire I've owned (including a GSXR racing tire) and NEVER had one fail in over 35 years. I don't replace tires just because they had a nail / screw.
As for me, I've used rope plugs in every type of tire I've owned (including a GSXR racing tire) and NEVER had one fail in over 35 years. I don't replace tires just because they had a nail / screw.
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
