Flat Tire - Patch, Plug or Buy New?

[ddlewis]

it physically pains me to throw away a good looking tire over a nail puncture, but I do it.  that's one thing you don't want on your mind while your leaned over in 60mph sweeper.

couple years ago tossed out a 5 day old Metzler Tourance ($150)..  I'm still not over it.   

[Yamifj1200]

" I'm still not over it.  "

I know its hurts to replace a new tire that gets punctured, but it would hurt alot more to damage ones ass or bike for the sake of a new tire.
Hows the new bike riding Dan?

Eric M

[ddlewis]

... Hows the new bike riding Dan?

Eric M

Sweet!  I just rolled her into the garage, couldn't let this 75F get by without a tour de matoaca..

[racerman_27410]

i will run a patch/plug in the rear but in the front i would get a new tire.... surpisingly i've never had a front get a puncture (knock on wood)




KOokaloo!

[craigo]

Well it just happened to my brand new 17" rear tire.  I popped her off the center stand and @#$^%$&*($)$% flat as a pancake. .  Thing is, I just had to plug one of my car's tires for the same thing.  Guy that lives in the house in front is in construction.  Seems hardware is falling off his truck onto our gravel driveway.  One flat, well could have been anywhere.  2 flats inside a week.  Has to be him.

Gonna have to have a talk with him and comb my driveway with a magnet. 

CraigO
90FJ1200

[Scooterbob]

That really sucks. I'd say you should remove all the valve stems on his tires and maybe he'll get the idea.


I see that 50% of the voters would go with a patch now. I know the saying is "if you can't afford the parts, you don't belong having a motorcycle", but I totally don't agree with that saying. I got the FJ because I love them, they're dependable, and it was an inexpensive investment on a daily driver. Coughing up $120 on a new tire just hurts beyond money. My tire is barely 2 months old. I understand the results of a blown tire, but I don't believe a hole that was the size of a tack being patched is a very high risk. I will run the tire with the patch until it either wears out or goes flat again, just like any other tire. Crazy? Maybe. I get called that every day I ride in Houston traffic.

[craigo]

Bob,

That's a great idea about the valve stems.  but first I have to prove it.  I need a strong magnet to rake thru the gravel at the end of the driveway.  If I find a bunch of nails, I will give him the bill for a new tire.  If he refuses to pay for it, then the valve stems go.    Then, I'll just have the tire patched. 

If I was going to ride her on the sunny side of 100mph, I'd buy a new tire.  But I so rarely go that fast anymore, I feel I can risk a patch.  (7 come 11, baby)....

And I totally agree with you on the reasons of having the FJ also.  I love them.

CraigO
90FJ1200

[Scooterbob]

Bob,

That's a great idea about the valve stems.  but first I have to prove it.  I need a strong magnet to rake thru the gravel at the end of the driveway.  If I find a bunch of nails, I will give him the bill for a new tire.  If he refuses to pay for it, then the valve stems go.    Then, I'll just have the tire patched. 



CraigO
90FJ1200

How bout just one valve stem?  He might be more inclined to help you look for nails in the area that way.   

[FJmonkey]

Bob,

That's a great idea about the valve stems.  but first I have to prove it.  I need a strong magnet to rake thru the gravel at the end of the driveway.  If I find a bunch of nails, I will give him the bill for a new tire.  If he refuses to pay for it, then the valve stems go.    Then, I'll just have the tire patched. 

CraigO
90FJ1200

How bout just one valve stem?  He might be more inclined to help you look for nails in the area that way.   

Then get him to spring for the cost of the Mag-Rake you had to buy...for his other jobs....He gets to learn how not to piss off other potential customers.

[RichBaker]

That really sucks. I'd say you should remove all the valve stems on his tires and maybe he'll get the idea.


I see that 50% of the voters would go with a patch now. I know the saying is "if you can't afford the parts, you don't belong having a motorcycle", but I totally don't agree with that saying. I got the FJ because I love them, they're dependable, and it was an inexpensive investment on a daily driver. Coughing up $120 on a new tire just hurts beyond money. My tire is barely 2 months old. I understand the results of a blown tire, but I don't believe a hole that was the size of a tack being patched is a very high risk. I will run the tire with the patch until it either wears out or goes flat again, just like any other tire. Crazy? Maybe. I get called that every day I ride in Houston traffic.

I've run 2 tires with patchplugs in them, one from a week old to used up, and the other from from ~1/2 used to done-in. Both in rear tires. I would not hesitate to do it again.... But, I wouldn't trust a plain, old-fashion patch, to get me much further than home.  If it's good enough for the tire manufacturer, it's good enough for me....

[Lotsokids]

I've used plugs where patches failed on my car. The patch-plug looks like a good idea. I've never seen that. I've plugged a rear tire a few years ago on a CBR 600. I had to really tame down my riding because my faith in my tire was no longer 100%. It held just fine, though.

And yes, the best option is to replace it.