tires: plug or not to plug

[jdog]

With help from members of the forum, I was able to get my cold start problem rectified. Now I have an other problem, I pulled a big screw out of my back tire. Both front and rear tires are Dunlop Arrowmax GT501 and are in great shape (except a big hole in the rear). Is it safe to plug a bias ply motorcycle tire?

[Pat Conlon]

IMO On the road, plug the tire.
At home, take the wheel off and take it down to your local m/c shop and have it patched from the inside.
Recently I saw on this forum, a neat product that was a combination patch and plug. It looked to be the more effective than a patch.

Seems that everyone has a different opinion on this.....

HTH  Pat

[Marsh White]

IMO On the road, plug the tire.
At home, take the wheel off and take it down to your local m/c shop and have it patched from the inside.
Recently I saw on this forum, a neat product that was a combination patch and plug. It looked to be the more effective than a patch.

Seems that everyone has a different opinion on this.....

HTH  Pat

Non motorcycle related - but the other day my wife picked up a screw in one of our car tires that was purchased at Costco.  They have a 5 year road hazard warranty.  I took it in and watched the guy both plug it and patch it - both from the inside.  They had a special workstation for doing just this.  He then put it in a caged off contraption (in case it blew up) that pressure tested it repeatedly for about 5 minutes before putting it on the car.  I was impressed.  Didn't cost me a cent.

My point being - apparently BOTH plugging and patching is considered safe for the life of the tire - as long as the screw/nail is is picked up in the tread and not the sidewall. 

[mikeholzer]

I can't speak for bike tires, but I've been using Safety-Seal tire plugs for nearly 20 years. The only car tire I couldn't successfully repair with those is the one with the CO₂ pistol cartridge in it; that hole was way too big. I wish I had a photo of it, you guys wouyld have never believed it.

[RichBaker]

PatchPlugs.... They're the only method endorsed by MC tire manufacturers...... Only caveat is to reduce the speed rating one level.

[andyb]

Put a patch/plug thing in my last rear.  Lasted 1500 miles and didn't leak at all.  Would have lasted longer but the front tire was getting square and I wanted to try a different brand, so replaced both as a set.

Though, those were radials, ymmv, patching tires causes instant death and probably AIDS and makes your ears fall off, according to the manufacturers.

[Harvy]

Though, those were radials, ymmv, patching tires causes instant death and probably AIDS and makes your ears fall off, according to the manufacturers.

Thanks Andy, I now have coffee in my nasal passages!

Harvy

[jdog]

Thanks guys for the help.
about 6 weeks ago when I pulled the screw out of the tire I put a gooey rope type plug in the tire (because that's what I had in my tool box and it's what I use on my jeep and work truck) I figured once I got the bike running I would get a new tire but the bike is running and I've done a few 120mph runs down the freeway and it's still holding  35psi. I think I'll just keep an eye on it and change out the tire when it wears out and maybe ride closer to the speed limit no i won't.
Jason

[RichBaker]

35 psi is too low for an FJ......  38F, 42R.  Especially if you're going to be running those speeds regularly...... 

[chapindad]

Thanks for the psi. I never thought to ask.  I will fix that tomorrow. 

[FJ Flyer]

Hmmm...I always ran 36F 38R.  Any case, I got a nail in my week old rear Angel ST on my FJR.  Pulled the tire and patched it from the inside.  Got a lot of miles on in, including the ride down and back to the Boone Rally.  Not sure I would ride that much with a plug.

[RichBaker]

Owners manual says 38/42 for high temps or extended high speeds..... Living in Tucson, I went with it for both reasons.   

[FJ Flyer]

Manual also says use bias ply tires.  Are you running bias or radials?

[RichBaker]

I'm running radials, Pilot Road CT2.  Michelin says to run the same pressures I quoted....... 38/42.  I've already covered those bases.....