NAIL IN NEW POWER

If your just riding with it on the street I'd plug it. If your going to be riding with it on the track replace it.

 

Do a burnout, and the nail will throw sparks!

 

How can you even consider the plug? How much is a rear tire? How much would even a minor crash cost? You only have two wheels, be safe and replace the tire. Is it really worth it????

 

Safety 1st



New Tire!!!!!!



and stop running over nails.

 

why bother with a plug when you can use some "fix a flat" or duct tape...get a new tire brother.



ATTENTION ALL: If you attend a track day and we find a plug you will be forced to buy a tire prior to getting on the track. SO PLEASE DON'T DO IT. THOSE AROUND YOU DEPEND ON IT...



SAFETY!! SAFETY!! SAFETY!!

 

Get a new tire, end of story.

 

I know a nail in a new tire sucks big time, but plugging it could turn into something real nasty. Think about how many parts you could damage if it caused you to crash vs. the cost of a new tire.

If it only went flat and nothing happened while your at the track you can just take it home.

Now

Think of all the hassle if this happens while your riding out in nowhere. If your luck is like mine it will happen at absolutely the worst time.

 

While I don't think one should use a plugged tire at the track, I've put 10,000+ street miles on plugged tires without issue. I've never heard of a plug failing, though I am sure it happens. But I suspect it happens far less than picking up a nail, which I've done numerous times.

 

a plugged street tire on the street will be 100% fine. just keep an eye on it and do your daily pre ride/post ride checks, keep an air pressure gauge in you trunk and check it before and after you ride... you will be fine. ive plugged a couple powers, even a couple race tires on the street

 

Ok, for you couple of guys that said a plugged tire is ok.....



Go to the Michelin or Dunlop site and LOOK at how a modern radial tire is contructed. Now imagine putting a big assed needle through that maze of cords and belts TWICE and seperating them. (there is a 100% chance that you will cause seperation)



The proper and ONLY way to repair a flat is REMOVE the tire and use a vulcanizing patch FROM THE INSIDE.



I'm usually pretty nice but frankly if you ride on a plugged tire you are f@#ked in the head.

 

Ummmmmm see post above.......



BTW - if you have had to repair this many flats, you need to get out on the road and stop riding exclusively at construction sites!



It's amazing how some riders seem to get way more than thier share of flats and some never get even a single one.. go figure.

 

Monte,



A little bit of advice: before you start telling people, particularly those who defend you continually on other boards, that they are f@#ked in the head, you might offer some factual data, e.g., statistics, that show plugged tires have a higher failure rate than non-plugged tires. :idea:



I've plugged a couple motorcycle tires, a couple car tires, and a couple semi tires. Not a single one fail or held pressure less than before. Clearly not scientific proof given the small sample size. However, I've yet to find any data that shows plugged tires have a higher failure rate than non plugged tires.



Hypotheticals, e.g., see how complicated the construction of these tires are, are interesting for internet yelling matches but we all know they are pretty worthless when it comes to determining truth/facts. Show me statistical data and I'll take your argument as reasoned and thoughtful and not unsubstantiated opinion rudely expressed. And if there is such evidence, STT should check for plugs during the tech inspection (which I have never witnessed), yes?

 

You can make statistics and numbers say anything you want, just by how you use/state them.

Common sense will tell you a motorcycle tire which was never designed to operate with a hole all the way though it or designed to operate with a chunk of rubber sticking through it may effect how it performs. Do you really think plugging a tire makes it better or even just as good?

If you have ever had a bike tire blow at any kind of speed a wise person would do whatever to make sure that will not happen again, even if only by 1%. I had a rear go flat at speed, luckily I was on a straightway so all I did was load my pants and make deals with God. Had this happened in a turn I would have sold my soul for a the above.

When someone asks for advice I am going to give what I believe to be the best answer. OK to plug a motorcycle tire is not the best answer IMO. If I see a plugged tire at one of our trackdays, it will need to be changed before I'll let go on the track. Will or has someone been on the track with one? I would like to think no, but I am sure someone has.

 

Hey Kozy,

Yes and no. Regression analysis for social research is always a compromise, and the assumptions one uses will always be questioned by other researchers, e.g., sample selection criteria, etc. And one can use things such as step wise regression to identify trends and then select a sample in a way that will give the predetermined results one wishes to achieve. In grad school we had a little saying, "Step wise is unwise." Even this, however, is pretty easy to spot if one understands statistics. However, using statistics for simple failure rate tests is pretty straight forward.

Nope, not better nor just as good. Just "safe" for the street, i.e., no evidence they have a higher failure rate under normal street riding conditions.

No issue with your opinion on the matter. Rational people can disagree. My point was simply that one need not be f@#ked in the head to consider a plugged tire fine for normal street riding, unless there is actual evidence that such tires are prone to fail. And if I'm wrong, I can think of worse places to be f@#ked.

 

The proper way to fix a puncture on ANY tire is a vulcanizing patch FROM THE INSIDE.



Reputable tire sellers actually refuse to plug automotive and truck tires.



Did you know it is a federal offense to even patch a steer tire on a truck? Hmmmmm wonder why that is. I mean do the tire manufacturers pay the NHTSA to make these rules....?



My post reflected my true thoughts about the subject and I believe your information is flawed and could even get someone hurt, especially if it is stated as fact.



Does it mean you are a bad guy. Nope, not at all.



BTW - I took a friend to the hostpital in Marysville after his BMW's plugged rear tire rapidly deflated on the Cheraholla Skyway and he hit a rock wall. He was ok in about six months.



This hobby is risky in and of itself, no need to compound that risk with substandard equipment.



EDIT: I am pretty annal about tires on bikes and I have seen more than one guy wind up on his head because of neglected/poorly repaired tires. I don't pull punches when it comes to safety. I honestly care about all of my fellow riders and want us all to be safe. Don't take it as a personal attack, I didn't mean it that way... honest.

 

i think you are right davis. and kozy... if someone comes thru tech with a plug i would make them change the tire immediately... but for everyday commuting for the avg rider. i worked as a mechanic for a couple years, ive plugged many tires.... alot of people simply cant afford to go out and spend 150 bucks on a new tire when they can make it last for another 3 months with a simple 5 dollar fix.

 

Not to worry. I still think you're cute in an odd sort of way.