Plug in Tire Question?
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
Plug in Tire Question?
I feel like I know the answer, but would like to get some feedback. I have a fairly new commander II rear tire. I just found a nail directly in the center portion. I plugged it and have checked it several times for air loss, it is holding steady. I have not ridden on it yet with the plug. My gut says get a new tire. Do any of you have experience with riding a plugged tire or any advice?
Thanks Mike!
Thanks Mike!
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 642
Likes: 3
From: Southern California
I put 5K on a plugged rear tire on my bagger just to get the last of the life out of it.
Your personal comfort level may be different than mine, though....
I checked the air for the first couple weeks then just kept riding it.
Dave
Your personal comfort level may be different than mine, though....
I checked the air for the first couple weeks then just kept riding it.
Dave
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 783
Likes: 66
From: Sacramento
I had a fiber style plug on the back tire of my Honda CBX. The plug failed just before I entered the curve on a freeway onramp and the tire came off the bead on one side. I almost lost it. The risk outways the reward.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Oahu
As stated it comes down to personal comfort level. If plugged correctly in the center of the tire, I have only had one out of maybe 5 plugs in my riding years that experienced a leak. And it was a slow leak at that. I have driven with plugged tires until the wear bars required me to buy new tires. That said, I never plug tires near the edge. Center puncture - no issues.
Others will tell you not to. Just sharing my experience.
Others will tell you not to. Just sharing my experience.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Italy
This wil be my first touring bike. On my sports bikes i would never run a plug. I am pretty sure if I pick up a nail on my Street Glide I will buy a new tire though. A couple hundred bucks for a new tire and piece of mind.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,432
Likes: 290
From: FL
I wouldn't chance a plug in the front tire. I once had three plugs in the rear tire because I lived in newly established growing neighborhood. Construction trucks everywhere, it's up to you. Had I got a new tire that year with every nail, it wouldn't have been fun. Plus I wasn't going on any long trips or the interstate at the time.
Purely you choice though.
Purely you choice though.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
I would ride it with a plug to get it replaced, to many what if's. Its dangerous enough to ride on 2 wheels already, worse with one of them plugged. Others can say " I will run it." Well ya'll have fun with that, I value my life more. Now a car with a plugged tire, hell yeah, just switch it to the back.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
I'd have it dismounted from the rim and do a patch plug from the inside. I've put thousands of miles on MC tires with this kind of repair. I cut a sidewall on the Dalton Hwy, just south of the Arctic Circle. After levering one side of the tire off, I patched it from the inside. I seated the bead with starting fluid, filled the tire with Co2 and headed down the road. I didn't replace the tire till I got back to the lower 48. But, just because me or anybody else on the internet got away with some dumb **** doesn't mean you will.
Like the others have said, peace of mind is worth something. The fact that you're asking is answer enough. Get yourself a new tire.
Like the others have said, peace of mind is worth something. The fact that you're asking is answer enough. Get yourself a new tire.
