Some folks swear by the rope style plugs. Thankfully I've not needed to try and repair a motorcycle tire (yet). Part of it would depend on how big the screw is and where on the tire if it's something a plug type repair makes sense to try. But otherwise, given this is a new tire (and they're not cheap) I'd go ahead and put a tube in there to live out the life of this tire.
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Tube in tubeless tire?
I caught a piece of metal in my rear tire last week. My mechanic put a brand new tire and I picked the bike up last Friday. Come today, I caught a screw in the brand new tire much to my frustration. My mechanic says he doesn't patch tires for insurance reasons, but he can put a tube in there. What do you guys think?
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I would just add that if the damage is on the sidewall of the tire it could, worst case scenario, cause a tire failure (sidewall tear) and the tube (or patch or plug) would do you no good if the tire shreds. I would probably risk it on a 4 wheel vehicle, but I am much more conservative when relying on only 2 to keep me upright. Damage to the tread part of the tire can be remedied with a tube.Some folks swear by the rope style plugs. Thankfully I've not needed to try and repair a motorcycle tire (yet). Part of it would depend on how big the screw is and where on the tire if it's something a plug type repair makes sense to try. But otherwise, given this is a new tire (and they're not cheap) I'd go ahead and put a tube in there to live out the life of this tire.
It is not in the sidewall, it is right in the center of the threaded part.
This is a very good point. Sidewall damage generally is the end of a tire, especially on something like a motorcycle.I would just add that if the damage is on the sidewall of the tire it could, worst case scenario, cause a tire failure (sidewall tear) and the tube (or patch or plug) would do you no good if the tire shreds. I would probably risk it on a 4 wheel vehicle, but I am much more conservative when relying on only 2 to keep me upright. Damage to the tread part of the tire can be remedied with a tube.
Even on car tires, a nail in the tread near the sidewall often causes too much flex for a patch to hold for any length of time. On two wheels we have to error on the side of caution.
IMHO, it appears to be a safe practice. I have a 650 with spoked rims. First set of tires were OEM Dunlops and the rear had to be replaced after only 5500 mi. After researching I replaced it with a Kendra tubeless and used a tube. My research at the time indicated it was ok. Hoping to get at least 10000 or more out of the Kendra. No problems so far after 2000 miles. Note that I am conservative fair weather rider, should that make a difference.
If your bike has cast wheels and hence run tubeless, I can say from personal experience that plugging a small hole has worked perfectly for me on multiple cars and bikes. Two repairs was made by shops, the rest I have made myself, using a kit like this https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Automotive-22-5-08806-M-Monkey-Tubeless/dp/B000KKLOBY
Note that the glue is basically toast once you open the tube - I always buy a new one after fixing a flat. The glue is not sold separately here, but is AFAIK the same as used in typical bicycle patch kits, and has worked excellently.
I reckon if a plug can withstand thousands of miles, often cruising fully loaded for hours at 80-90 mph, on my car, it should not have any problem on a motorcycle.
The reason shops are reluctant to plug tires is that if you have an accident, they do not want to be held liable.
FWIW, I personally consider a correctly patched tubeless tire to be safer than a tire running a tube. If you do fit a tube, use on made from natural rubber. You will need to check the tire pressure quite often, but a natural rubber tube is much less likely to rupture in case of a puncture than a tube made of butyl. A rupture will cause an instant and complete loss of tire pressure.
Note that the glue is basically toast once you open the tube - I always buy a new one after fixing a flat. The glue is not sold separately here, but is AFAIK the same as used in typical bicycle patch kits, and has worked excellently.
I reckon if a plug can withstand thousands of miles, often cruising fully loaded for hours at 80-90 mph, on my car, it should not have any problem on a motorcycle.
The reason shops are reluctant to plug tires is that if you have an accident, they do not want to be held liable.
FWIW, I personally consider a correctly patched tubeless tire to be safer than a tire running a tube. If you do fit a tube, use on made from natural rubber. You will need to check the tire pressure quite often, but a natural rubber tube is much less likely to rupture in case of a puncture than a tube made of butyl. A rupture will cause an instant and complete loss of tire pressure.
I will ask the mechanic to at least put the plug into the puncture before he puts in the tube. It is a very small screw in there, right in the middle of the thread.
Just to make it clear, it is a tubeless rim with a tubeless tire, and we are adding a tube to it.
Just to make it clear, it is a tubeless rim with a tubeless tire, and we are adding a tube to it.
I would not put the plug in the tire if you plan to install a tube. You want a smooth consistent surface and a plug will protrude into the inside of the tire. At this point I would say go with either the plug or the tube but not both.I will ask the mechanic to at least put the plug into the puncture before he puts in the tube. It is a very small screw in there, right in the middle of the thread.
Just to make it clear, it is a tubeless rim with a tubeless tire, and we are adding a tube to it.
I agree with this post. I def wouldnt try a tube after a plug unless you cut the protrusion inside and apply a hot patch to ensure it’s smoothness but then again a good quality well prepped hotpatch should also work well as a standalone fix IMOI would not put the plug in the tire if you plan to install a tube. You want a smooth consistent surface and a plug will protrude into the inside of the tire. At this point I would say go with either the plug or the tube but not both.
about two months ago, my yamaha xmax scooter rear tire had a hole in the middle of the tread. the bike felt weird when i exited the interstate. luckily i was about a mile from my destination. that tire was hot. shop put some rideon sealant in the back tire when it was mounted. there was either not enough or it didnt work. i had the cheapo rope plug kit from wallyworld that i bought last year for a road trip still on the bike. 1000-2000 miles or so later, im still alive to talk about it. even rode out to a meet and greet in Belton with it but with some added sahara sealant in it. also put some sahara when i had the front tire replaced. i can say that I35 is not a path recommended to stick below speed limits.
there's probably a few hundred miles left before it hits the wear bars. ive got half a mind to ride out to galveston for some seafood. gotta bolster the mileage challenge standing somehow. hopefully, the island trolley rails wont jump up and bite me again. then again, i might do austin as it's a bit closer. that'll put me right about when the tire changer will arrive at my doorstep tuesday night.
just saying what i did. 400lb bike vs 700-800lb bike. not going to suggest anything, choice is yours. it's your safety. it's your risk management.
below are the references i used after plugging it.
How To Repair A Motorcycle Tire
edit: i might just ride to coopers bbq in llano for some smoked goat. hopefully ill run across someplace with population under 200.
there's probably a few hundred miles left before it hits the wear bars. ive got half a mind to ride out to galveston for some seafood. gotta bolster the mileage challenge standing somehow. hopefully, the island trolley rails wont jump up and bite me again. then again, i might do austin as it's a bit closer. that'll put me right about when the tire changer will arrive at my doorstep tuesday night.
just saying what i did. 400lb bike vs 700-800lb bike. not going to suggest anything, choice is yours. it's your safety. it's your risk management.
below are the references i used after plugging it.
edit: i might just ride to coopers bbq in llano for some smoked goat. hopefully ill run across someplace with population under 200.
almost forgot about this one.
I would not recommend doing both either. Choose one and go with it.
@Shotround thanks for those videos, especially for the one that shows the different type of plugs (haven't actually watched it yet) as we're kind of tossing the term "plug" loosely. There are variations to the plugs and I was mainly thinking of the rope type as they're very common and often available at many road side convenience stores where I live.
--If your bike has cast wheels and hence run tubeless, I can say from personal experience that plugging a small hole has worked perfectly for me on multiple cars and bikes. Two repairs was made by shops, the rest I have made myself, using a kit like this https://www.amazon.com/Bell-Automotive-22-5-08806-M-Monkey-Tubeless/dp/B000KKLOBY
Note that the glue is basically toast once you open the tube - I always buy a new one after fixing a flat. The glue is not sold separately here, but is AFAIK the same as used in typical bicycle patch kits, and has worked excellently.
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Agree it it notoriously hard to reseal an opened tube of rubber cement to be used again. My solution is to buy kits with lots of plugs and a small bottle of rubber cement like you would use in an office. The bottles are sturdy, don't leak, and can be used many times over a long period.
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Find a shop that will plug it and then glue in an internal patch. It's a tire, not a fragile piece of fine china.It is not in the sidewall, it is right in the center of the threaded part.
There are patches with a plug on them and the plug is there to seal the outside from stones and punching holes in just a patch repair. We really have to watch where we are riding.
patch plugs are the only way to go, even on your car and truck
Put a tube in the rear as a stopgap a few years back, was 300 mile from home on a coastal holiday with the wife and picked up a screw.
Didn't want to risk just a plug for the motorway trip back home, so had a shop stick me a tube in!
Did the job and kept it in for about a thousand k.
Didn't want to risk just a plug for the motorway trip back home, so had a shop stick me a tube in!
Did the job and kept it in for about a thousand k.
I bought a new tire already, did not want to risk a tube or a plug. I'll probably patch the old tire as the hole is from a very small screw and perhaps use it when the tire I have on right now wears out.
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