questrider Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 I finally ordered a Stop & Go plug kit last week so I am awaiting its arrival. Wouldn't you know it today I pulled in after an afternoon ride and something felt loose in the back of the bike. After pulling it into the garage, sure enough, the back tire is flat. I inspected it and found the culprit quickly. Since this is my first flat, and something about motorcycling is always a learning experience, I'm wondering if any of you flat-tire veterans can give me some advice and learning information about the area of the tire this has happened. I've read a lot of threads on where a puncture is located in the tire means a lot about whether you can plug it or not so now is an applicable time for me to absorb some more know-how. Basically when I get the plugging kit this week I'm hoping I can at least plug it for the ride to the dealer for a new tire, but I'm wondering if this puncture is too far from the center of the tire to plug, or, is it wedged in a funny place in the tread to make plugging it difficult? Any advice, comments, or informative diatribe is welcome! Link to comment
Boffin Posted July 31, 2005 Share Posted July 31, 2005 That looks perfectly plugable to me. The place you cannot plug is the sidewall, that is off the tread surface. Personally I always treat a plug on a Z-rated tyre as a temporary fix until I can get a replacement tyre. Others will ride the tyre until the canvas shows after pluging. I will leave you to decide how much risk you are willing to take. Cya, Andy Link to comment
johnt650 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 With that much tread I would have it removed and plugged from the inside with the mushroom type. I live in a relatively new development and did this on two tires with significant mileage left on them and never gave them another thought. On the other hand if it affects your confidence it may be worth replacing. Link to comment
lajazzlvr Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 I agree with Andy. My wife had a similiar situation about a week ago. The nail puncture was about a inch, to the left of your, with just as much tread left on the tire. I plugged it so that she could go to the dealer and get another tire. It was kinda expensive, but there's more peace of mind for her. So it was worth it. Link to comment
Reddog900 Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 I found a similar hole in my rear tire today, about the same spot. Used my trusty Stop & Go tire plugger and it seems to be holding air just fine. I am about 1k before I change my tire, I will ride it until it is worn. Good Luck. Link to comment
RockLives Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 We all make our own decision. I do not like replacing a tire that has plenty of tread on it becuase it has a puncture...but i would dislike a failure due to repair failure a lot more..so therefore with only one tire in the front and one in the rear to ride on, I will always replace the tire, I had to replace one at 1500 miles, because of a nail puncture that was plugable, and while I was not pleased with the expense, my life and my promise to myself is well worth the expense and peace of mind Link to comment
questrider Posted August 1, 2005 Author Share Posted August 1, 2005 Thanks for the advice, everyone. I agree that there is a lot of tread left on this tire, but it does have 4,500 miles on it. This makes me think for both safety and piece of mind, I'll probably get it replaced once I get it plugged. It's funny that I just ordered the plug kit last week after two years of riding that's been dumb, dumb, dumb without a plug kit, and then I get this nail in the tire. Good thing it happened on the way home and didn't get squishy until I pulled into my driveway with about 50% air. If I would have been out on the road I'd have been cursing myself that I didn't get the plug kit sooner. Better sooner than later, but I'd say I got lucky with this first one! Link to comment
Rottweiler Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Dynaplug is scheduled to be re-released this month. http://www.dynaplug.com/ Does anyone know if it's available anywhere yet? It looks like a great system, I can't wait to get one. Link to comment
rrrich Posted August 1, 2005 Share Posted August 1, 2005 Funny that Tim. I picked up a nail, 6d finish dead center rear, this weekend too. 25 pounds left when I pulled over. BMW glue was history so hiked to a convenience store for new glue, plugged her and rode back. Keep-no keep decision is going to be made based on daily monitoring. If it holds air well, I'll keep the tire another few 1,000 miles...if not, new tire. Link to comment
G Floyd Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hey, Magnuson! Any idea where you picked up that nail? (route 30 - where I got mine?) Don't feel bad - I only had 500 miles on the tire when you saw me on the side on the road . (but I trashed it and went for the new one right away). One thing about the Stop-n-Go plugs - I would advise that when you insert the plug and are pulling the mushroom-headed part flush to the in-side of the tire, pull VERY HARD. When I had my tire replaced and we looked at my (temporary) plug, it was not totally flush and seated against the tire wall. Nice camera, how about a picture of that bike? Regards, Gary Link to comment
RockLives Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 Here is a quote from Dyna Plug site...Read it guys and act accordingly"""Motorcycles: Dynaplug® Tire Puncture Repair Kit is recommended as a temporary repair only for punctures of motorcycle tires. If a repair is made drive slowly to the next available service center and have the tire replaced. Under no circumstances drive at highway speeds. Link to comment
Shawnee Bill Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 This is kicked around a lot, in this thread, Plug a tire or replace a tire? the question was raised if ANYONE has known of a wreck that resulted from a plugged tire? NEVER do get an answer to that one. Only speculation. Link to comment
questrider Posted August 2, 2005 Author Share Posted August 2, 2005 Hey, Magnuson! Any idea where you picked up that nail? (route 30 - where I got mine?) Actually, the trip I took yesterday was east on Rt. 30 to Hinckley (the town right after your breakdown where you probably topped off your plugged tire), hit the grocery and liquor store, and then came back west on Rt. 30. I was going to ride more, but it was too damned hot and humid, and, well, my back tire was flat! So, yes, the dreaded Rt. 30 did me in too! Dammit! Don't feel bad - I only had 500 miles on the tire when you saw me on the side on the road . (but I trashed it and went for the new one right away).Yes, I agree. I also agree with the post above about nobody here reporting a catastrophic blowout from a plug. However, better safe than sorry. I mean, really, what's another $150 in this big money pit known as motorcycling anyway? One thing about the Stop-n-Go plugs - I would advise that when you insert the plug and are pulling the mushroom-headed part flush to the in-side of the tire, pull VERY HARD. When I had my tire replaced and we looked at my (temporary) plug, it was not totally flush and seated against the tire wall.Thanks for the tip. I will definitely keep this in mind. The beauty of this situation for me is that I'll get to plug the tire in the security of my own garage and see if it holds air overnight before trying to ride to the dealer. Not bad for a first-time plug job. I'm sure my next one will be, well, on the side of the road on Rt. 30!! Nice camera, how about a picture of that bike?No problem, I will do so soon. However, it's just a blurple '02 RT! Not like no one's ever seen one of those! (I'm still lusting after a new GS... maybe next year I can do the trade in that keeps me up at night and haunts my dreams. No really, I actually have very vivid dreams of a red GS!) Have fun on the Ely ride. I'm sorry I'm not going to be making it. It's sounds like a great ride to miss! Link to comment
Larsen Posted August 2, 2005 Share Posted August 2, 2005 You might want to review comments made just recently on another posting. See: http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/539753/an/0/page/2#539753 Good luck, Just noticed that the thread I mentioned above was already mentioned by Shawnee Bill. Link to comment
Kenny2 Posted August 6, 2005 Share Posted August 6, 2005 ....Don't feel bad - I only had 500 miles on the tire when you saw me on the side on the road . ..... Regards, Gary I picked up a sheet metal screw in Platt, Ks on the way to Lima. I got into Kansas City, (Engel's BMW) for a new tire, (Avon). Adam was filling out some paperwork and I asked what it was. He said Avon has a 'road hazard' warranty. Well, with 1654 miles on a ST46, I got a new tire..free. Avon picked up the costs.... Amen. By the way, great tire in a mid west rain storm...at highway speeds. Link to comment
AndyS Posted August 8, 2005 Share Posted August 8, 2005 Why not whip your wheel along to a tyre specialist and have them carry out a professional vulcanised repair? My local motorcycle tyre dealer (Freddy Furlong - Furlong tyres) is qualified and authorised to do these repairs. The benefit is that these guys are trained, have all the right (and in date) gear, and of course can rebalance the wheel which is a real bonus for a part worn and now out of balance wheel. You know it makes sense. AndyS Link to comment
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