Took my Sportster up to visit my parents, about 200 miles away, and after I got up there the rear tire went flat. Pulled out a roofing nail. I put a plug in it and filled it up and it's been holding fine for two days. My question is, has anyone ever had any problems with tire plugs on a bike? I know they work fine with cars, had it done plenty of times with no problems over the years but how are they on bikes? Don't really have any $$$$$$$ for a new tire right now. Any thoughts or suggestions would be welcome.

 

Personally.. no way..


replace it.. life if to short.. in a car.. if it slow leaks.. no problem.. plug it.. and run..but loose that tire in a turn.. or high speeds..

do the safety first thing.. Your safety. If you ride 2 up you're putting someone you care about in danger.

 

If the tire is in good shape and not a radial, have your dealer put in a tube. Cost about $20. for the tube and same for labor. I had a new rear tire, (500 miles) go flat because of a nail, dealer put in a tube and now have 6,000 miles on it with no problems.

Don't laugh, it works...

 

Forgive my ignorance, didn't know Sporties had tubeless tires. By all means have the plug ground down in the inside and put a tube in it. That plug decides to let go while you are turning, and down you go.

 

my personal opinion, which after all is what you are asking for, is that i woulnt take the chance...id replace the tire no matter what.

 

Thanks for the responses.
I called my local dealer and they said it's $70 labor to install a tube or tire. The tube is $20 and the tires $140. I looked in to it more and found out that due to the thinner rubber compaired to a car tire that the plug won't hold as well as for a car. I just have to come up with the $$$$ since my future ex is getting about 60% of my salary from child support and spousal support. Don't mind the child support but she needs to get her lazy butt out and get a job!!!

Anybody ever put a tube in themselves? I've done it with trailer tires and such but never a bike. What about balancing?

 

$70 labor--we fix helicopters for $60 an hour. LOL. i'd rather not have a tube due to the heat factor compared to running tubeless.
spring for the new tire. many websites have them for under $100 and they are not hard to change yourself.

 

Pulled the tire off and found that there was a tube in there!!! The plug worked because there was a tear in the tube, not where the nail was, and the tire was essentially running tubless, SCARY!!! Put a new tube in and my biggest fear happened, I pinched the new tube prying the tire back on, #%@&!!! Since the wheels off, my local HD dealer will fix it for $35 plus another tube. I guess I'll just have them do it and balance the wheel and all. Hope they don't need to replace the tire though since my car payment is overdue don't have the cash right now
and I need to ride!!!