I think I know the answer

[royal]

I've been looking forward to this three day weekend all week. I had nothing planned and I was really looking forward to three days of just relaxing and riding my new 07 RT around the country roads up here in New England. Winter is fast approaching and this weekend promised to be a good one. I started out, today, and was playing around on some great roads and I stopped at a leather store to check out some jackets. When I came out of the store, I gave the tires a once over (As I almost always do before I start the bike up after a stop). And there it was. The shiny head of a nail visible smack in the middle of the rear tire. What to do ? Ten miles from home, five miles from my BMW dealer, and 3:30 PM and the dealer closes at 3 PM. Against all better judgement, I decided to ride it slowly to the dealer, hoping that someone might still be there. Two sales guys were still there, but everyone else had left. They got a tire plug kit out and the three of us tried to plug the hole where the nail had been. Neither one of us had ever done this before. Well, somehow we got the tire plugged, air back in it and I rode home without incident. So, here are my questions. Do you think I can still ride it the next two days or should I just garage it for the weekend and not risk the plug failing ? And, would you throw this tire away (Only 1400 miles on it), and buy a new one, or have the dealer patch it from the inside when they reopen on Tuesday ? Lastly, a big thumbs up to Second Wind BMW in Merrimack, New Hampshire for helping me out after closing to get me roadworthy and home. I've dealt with this dealership on two different purchases and while they might not be the cheapest, they are good honest people and they will get my business as long as I am fortunate enough to be able to own motorcycles the caliber of a BMW.

Roy

[RonKMiller]

Ah yes - to plug or not to plug - that is the question? :D

I've done it dozens of times and happily made it to the normal life expectancy of the tire. I also wash the tire thoroughly and let it dry before inserting the plug to make sure the hole is not contaminated with grit, road oil, etc.

ON THE REAR ONLY!

I would never ride on a plugged front tire, period.

I would carefully check the tire pressure tonight with a quality gauge, then check it tomorrow to make sure it is holding steady - then go riding.

I would also spray the area with a mixture of tap water and a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent (Dawn or similar) in a spray bottle. If you have any leaking you'll see it - look carefully for at least 30 seconds or so for any bubbles. Check it again after about 10 minutes when the tire has warmed up a bit, and until then keep the speed low.

As long as the nail was small, clean and went into the center of the tire I think you can fugghedaboudit - but if it went close to the sides scrap the tire and don't ride it.

Those guys at the dealership sure were nice but crazy... If I was their boss and found out what they did (especially without having any expertise at plugging tires) I would ream them out (a little tire plugging humor there) big time.

My opinion comes with a huge disclaimer: Don't do what I just said! ;)

[PMitchell]

Roy,
I've never had to plug a tire, but I rode with a small group last year and there was rapid air loss while riding on one of the other's bikes. Fortunately he was an Iron Butt type of guy, controlled the bike to a safe stop, quickly pulled the nail & plugged the tire. We were one our way for the rest of the day.

The decision for the remainder of the week-end is yours and since it was in the middle of the tire, its probably OK for a short distance.

However . . your other question regarding tossing the tread after < 2K miles. If it were me, I get new rubber. Your life is certainly worth more than a couple of hundred bucks!

[DavidTaylor]

I've been looking forward to this three day weekend all week. I had nothing planned and I was really looking forward to three days of just relaxing and riding my new 07 RT around the country roads up here in New England. Winter is fast approaching and this weekend promised to be a good one. I started out, today, and was playing around on some great roads and I stopped at a leather store to check out some jackets. When I came out of the store, I gave the tires a once over (As I almost always do before I start the bike up after a stop). And there it was. The shiny head of a nail visible smack in the middle of the rear tire. What to do ? Ten miles from home, five miles from my BMW dealer, and 3:30 PM and the dealer closes at 3 PM. Against all better judgement, I decided to ride it slowly to the dealer, hoping that someone might still be there. Two sales guys were still there, but everyone else had left. They got a tire plug kit out and the three of us tried to plug the hole where the nail had been. Neither one of us had ever done this before. Well, somehow we got the tire plugged, air back in it and I rode home without incident. So, here are my questions. Do you think I can still ride it the next two days or should I just garage it for the weekend and not risk the plug failing ? And, would you throw this tire away (Only 1400 miles on it), and buy a new one, or have the dealer patch it from the inside when they reopen on Tuesday ? Lastly, a big thumbs up to Second Wind BMW in Merrimack, New Hampshire for helping me out after closing to get me roadworthy and home. I've dealt with this dealership on two different purchases and while they might not be the cheapest, they are good honest people and they will get my business as long as I am fortunate enough to be able to own motorcycles the caliber of a BMW.

Roy

Let me ask you a question - is your life worth more or less than a new tire?

I view a plugged or patched tire on a motorcycle as a temporary fix to get you somewhere in order to replace the tire. Too much is at stake not to have complete confidence in the rubber that's meeting the road. Just my opinion, but that is what you asked for. ;)

[kdog]

IMO, an inside patch will work well for this situation. I view plugs as temporary to get you to a more permanent solution. Inside patches work great and will last the life of the tire, as long as the guy doing it knows what he's doing. I guess that's a big "if" though.

-joel

[royal]

I guess I'll forgo riding the rest of the weekend. I'll just bring a chair into the garage and sit and stare at my bike and not accept any visitors while I stew in my own depression. I guess the real decision, for me, is whether or not to have the dealer do the inside the tire patch and remount it, or throw it away and put a fresh tire on. I tend to be a little on the obsessive side, so I'll, probably, throw it away and buy a new one. I really HATE this. There's way too much crap on our roads !!! In the last two years, I have had three nails in my car tires and now one in my bike tire. Anyway, thanks for your opinions. This board is one of the best things about having a BMW motorcycle.

Roy

[Jim]

Roy,

The last time this happened to me I had less than 300 miles on the tire. First ride after installing it. Plugged it, rode it home and replaced it.

You can keep the old tire and practice plugging it.

[Morley]

I would do the inside patch. Then remove and replace the tire, BUT! keep the old tire to have as a spare. Murphey's law says that if you throw it away, you'll need it later (ie nail in sidewall, cut tire, blown tire, etc) and it will be late on a Saturday or on Sunday when nothing is open and you have no way to move the bike.
Don't forget to replace the valve stem while you are in there...maybe get the metal "lifetime" stems.

[CharlieVT]

It's gonna be a beautiful day here in New England, shame to miss riding today.

I would personally go riding on a plugged front tire, albiet cautiously; leisurely riding only.

I would replace the tire before returning to normal riding.

[motoguy128]

I'd go ride on it. Keep it under 80mph to reduce heat build-up. Remember, motorcycle rdail tire have some self sealing qualities. There's a lot of force trying to push the hole closed. Much more than the 40psi acting on the 1/8th of a square inch of the plug, or perhaps 5-6 lbs of force. I think the bigger concern is the tire being very sligtly out of balance from the plug.

I rode a plugged tire on my sportbike for almost 5000 miles with speeds up to 130mph. Would I do that again, no, but i wouldn't throw away a great weekend of riding. Maybe cut the miles back and little.

[billd]

Well this discussion always seems to come up. BUT.. for those of us that were lucky enough to be at CCR this year, and attended a tire session sponsored by the Bridgestone team. This exact item came up! As I clearly remember the discussion lead by the senior engineer was effectively that if it is a puncture in the center of the tread with no breakage of the cords a repair can be made. The supported repair is to remove the tire and install an "Umbrella or mushroom" patch. Once installed and remounted this provides a sound and safe tire. This does not remove the need to monitor the tire pressure and watch for any leak.
I was unlucky enough to also get a puncture several months back and had this exact repair made. I have had no loss of air and have ridden over 3k since in all kinds of conditions with no issues. I did purchase a spare rear tire, but until the tire has the wear to indicate replacement I will leave it alone!

[jayjacobson]

....My opinion comes with a huge disclaimer: Don't do what I just said! ;)
[/size][/size]
Nice, Ron! May I steal that as a future tag line?