I would only plug a motorcycle tire as an emergency repair, not as a permanent fix.

 

Over the years I have put over 135,000 on various bikes...never a nail or flat...What was it you said again?

 

Can you give more details? What punctured the tire and what you used to plug it? The reason I ask is I've personally plugged at least 10 tires in the last 20 years of riding and never had an issue. I've got a snake bit buddy that rolled up to go for a nice 1000 mile ride with 5 plugs in his rear tire. Even I went WTF! He ran it past the warning bars then changed it. A little too bold for my tastes.

 

And yet the product description says, "...The tire plug gun kit is for use on off-the-road vehicles only."

So, maybe their legal department insisted on this disclaimer?

IMO, I would plug a tire just to get home or to my bike indy shop, but that's it.

 

I agree. I'd say your chances of getting wiped out by a cage or missing a curve, are way higher than a good plug failing in the tread area.

 

i believe that they changed the esp in sep of 2013 to include a $50 deductible on tires now....

 

I would have a patch put in it. I would only plug it in an emergency. Tubes will work fine also have used both.

 

can I have your old tire that no one would plug? I'll sign a waver if ya like...

 

It's not a glib or simple answer. I've plugged and patched many a tire myself. Motorcycle, car, truck, tractor, etc. High pressure, low pressure, high rpm or low, high flex, low flex, etc. Not all repairs work, and sometimes the repair isn't a failure but is a problematic band-aid, prone to leaking or such.

Motorcycle tire failure was a typical nail hole. Do not remember the angularity of penetration, but I think there was something unseemly about the damage. Rope cored plug. This was one that would never stay solidly in place. The plug would gradually wiggle its way out. Hole was in between the tread block as I recall. Tried red and black plugs, worked on attempting to knot the cord on the inside of the carcass. Regardless, the plug would invariably work its way out. Money was an issue at the time, so I would monitor the plug and replace it every few months.

It's not the only failure I've had with plugging tires. Many don't set well in the hole, as they are not designed to dry hard. Flexing of the tire carcass and higher pressure seems to help work them out.

I've also found them to be prone to slow leakage of air, and in a few cases, air works its way between the laminate layers of the carcass, leading to air bubbling or blistering.

In my experience, I've found the corded plugs to be superior to the solid rubber plugs. They are easier to install, require a smaller reamed hole, are less prone to breakage on insertion, and less likely to blow out in service.

I do not fear plugging tires, but I recognize their limitations. They are not a do all be all end all repair for a penetrated tire. They can work for long term repairs, but are not really well suited for it.

I have never installed a boot plug myself, that I can recall. I've seen it done and used tires that have had this repair performed. This is the type of repair I would consider an effective repair, generally speaking. I have never seen it done to a motorcycle tire.

I've also stitched tires. Ag/industrial applications only. Interesting, can be long term effective, and requires the use of an inner tube after the repair.

 

I have patched and tubed a rear tire in the past. picked up a small screw and did not have the money to replace the tire. so i had an indy patch it and install a tube. no issues and no problems. I once bought a new Metzler and picked up a screw with only few hundred miles. Again, I patched and re-inserted the tube (kept the tube just in case) and rode that until it was time to replace.
I have patched and plugged many a tire in the past.... primarily automotive. Have patched many a tube on my dirt bikes as well. As has been said before, they are not gauranteed nor fool proof. Proper prep and careful install is required. Personally, I would repair if more than half the tread left. Otherwise I would replace.