Another #@$%&* Flat
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: No. Alabama
Another #@$%&* Flat
Went to get the bike out today to ride to work and found the rear tire flat. 09 Ultra with about 2800 miles on one of those fancy new fat Dunlop tires. Had to be a slow leak as the last time I rode it all was fine. Been sitting about 5 or 6 days because of the rain. I've seen lots of opinions on plugging/patching bike tires but I can't decide whether to try fixing it or just replace it. And if I replace it, what should I put on? I'd love to hear some ideas. I'm not wealthy, but if I need to replace it, it won't break me.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 784
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
I got a screw in my rear tire a week ago and about 3000 miles after I replaced it. P!$$ed me off. I called to shops and neither recommended plugging. They both said with the leaning you do on a bike, the plug will loosen up and leak soon. Also, with only 2 tires under you, do you want to chance it failing at the worse time. I ended getting it replaced AGAIN.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
What xxxflhrci said.
I also run Ride-On in my tires to hopefully keep from getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I also run Ride-On in my tires to hopefully keep from getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Central Florida
I would never recommend just plugging it. the patch/plug combo that a lot of shops use is suppose to work fine. Had one in a front tire for about 3000 miles before I replaced the tire. It's all in what you feel comfortable with.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Spokane, Wa
In '91 I got a sheet rock nail in my just bought new rear tire on my 750 Honda. I wasn't about to buy a new one. So I plugged it. I didn't ride it much over the next few years and gave it to my brother. He still rides it everyday. It still has the same tire on it. It never leaked. Just last week I got a screw in my rear tire with 3500 miles. Luckily it went in sideways and didn't puncture the tire. If it had, I would have plugged it. If that didn't hold I would have got a new one then.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
When you're hot you're hot. I've had two punctures in the last year. Put the patch/plug in myself in both cases. Ran the rear until it was worn out. The front is still going strong.
Check the Dunlop website for their guidelines on tire repair. There is no way a properly installed plug/patch is going to fail catastrophically if these guidelines are followed.
Check the Dunlop website for their guidelines on tire repair. There is no way a properly installed plug/patch is going to fail catastrophically if these guidelines are followed.