tire plug

just ask yourself the question, IS IT REALLY WORTH IT. the majority would say no. get a new one. don

 

Plugging a tire is only for getting you to a proper repair or a new tire. If the tire is repairable at all, remove it from the wheel & put a hot patch on the inside. Even then, I'd consider running a tube in it for the rest of that tire's life.

 

I have had the same pleasure as you, brand new tire, not even 500 miles, took a nail and asked for the same advice and got a mixed bag. Some will say replace it others will plug it and ride. I plugged mine in order to get home. I have the stop and go kit and it took all of ten minutes. Took longer to pump it up with my sparrow tire pump.
I have the Smartire system on my bike which will monitor tire pressure and warn me if it drops. This is how I knew I had a nail. Driving at 85 MPH the flashing warning light came on, bike felt fine. Anyway, I decided to order a new tire from the internet and while waiting for it to come in I drove the bike. Put several hundred miles on it and didn't lose one PSI. I did change the tire, but kept the old one for emergency use (not sure how I would use it, but I keep it anyway).
I think the bottom line is paying for piece of mind. What is that worth to you? My vote is get a new one and chalk it up to bad luck. I'd also consider the Smartire system.

 

Happened to me too

Simple answer I use a lot, "If you are not sure, about a potentially life saving item, the answer is no."

 

Plugging the Tyre

That's the English way to spell it! If I know what caused the puncture (like your example) I'll plug it and wear it out. If I'm not sure, there could be hidden damage. In that case I'll plug it just long enough to get to a dealer and buy a new tire. Recently heard from Joe Katz on another list, he is a highly respected wrench and has plugged Lots of tires without any problems. YPYMATYC.

 

I was like a lot of the other guys - don't chance it. I walked out to my GS several hours before my BBG attempt and noticed a nail in the rear tire -- the brand new rear tire. Shit. I immediately thought it had to be replaced. I called my local dealer - tire not in stock. Shit. I thought, what the hell, I'll make the trip, monitor the tire pressure all throughout the trip and see how it works out.

I patched with a string patch kit and it looked just fine. Held pressure for several hours no problem. First few stops for gas, no problem. End of BBG, no problem. End of trip, no problem. 5000+ miles on the new tire since the patch, no problem.

I'd patch again - unless it was close to the sidewall.

 

If it were me, I would hot patch it, and plan on running it about half the normal miles I get on a tire. Even tire stores around here will not plug a car tire anymore as they used to.

 

Same darn deal with me yesterday.
Brand new ME on back and hosed $300 for one tire
installed in Salt Lake City this spring.

Not even 2,000 miles took a nail dead center of tread
doing 75mph last night, crap!
Thought about a plug, but passed and went with a
$170 Avon/Tow/labor total $281.09 middle of nowhere.

Chalk it up to the cost of owning a motorcycle
and some bad luck too.

 

Plug it and ride.

 

Plug until you can get a plug-patch / mushroom vulcanizing patch installed.

Then just ride it.. check often as you should anyway... spin the rear tire when you stop for fuel... check pressures.

 

As much as I hate to admit it, I'm in the Plug-It camp. I had a 2-week old rear tire with a nail and was pissed. It just went against my grain to have to waste that new tire. So, I went to Checker Auto, found a plug kit, plugged the tire and rode locally for about a month, testing my pressure every day. Finally I felt secure that the plug would hold--I rode the tire for 12,000 miles without a problem. Just got a new one last week for my upcoming ride to CCR .

 

I was like a lot of the other guys - don't chance it. I walked out to my GS several hours before my BBG attempt and noticed a nail in the rear tire -- the brand new rear tire. Shit. I immediately thought it had to be replaced. I called my local dealer - tire not in stock. Shit. I thought, what the hell, I'll make the trip, monitor the tire pressure all throughout the trip and see how it works out.

I patched with a string patch kit and it looked just fine. Held pressure for several hours no problem. First few stops for gas, no problem. End of BBG, no problem. End of trip, no problem. 5000+ miles on the new tire since the patch, no problem.

I'd patch again - unless it was close to the sidewall.

No one likes saving mula more than me. However my attitude runs a tad differently, if in doubt, replace.. and with far more certainty and confidence, no problem and again no problem, no problem. A flat at a high speed can ruin a perfectly good day. Trying to save less than $200 seems hardly worth the chance. To each his own, just dont take out some innocent bystander, that certainly is a problem. In addition, there are few if any shops now that will plug. Understand why others do it, but not something good to promote. Speaking for BMW senior members, they support saftey first.

 

Only a temporary solution. To much weight to count on a tire with a plug. Get a new tire! Don't even patch the old one.

 

Had the same issue and I plugged it and road 10,000 miles on it. But the plug was in a channel a little off center and wasn't ridden on until I needed to change the tire. A car repair shop did it for me, I had to pay in cash and agree they didn't do it but they had some extra special worm type plugs with lots of glue or gunk on them and did it in about 1 minute.

I think you have to look at were the plug is located. If it had been in the main meat of the tire and not in the grove I would most likely buy a new one. But being it was in that location I would go with the plug.

 

If it was me, I'd have to get a new tire. I'd be worrying about the plug to much to enjoy riding

 

I wick it up to often above 80mph. I would not want to press my luck and count on a plug to hold @ that kind of speed, passing a car or big rig. Could you imagine the dance this monster would do? Get a new one. We will take up a collection if we have to. Not!

 

I will plug it to get home.
Then put in mushroom patch from inside and
cover that with another patch.

dan

 

My new tire will be here tomorrow. But about 4,000 miles ago I noticed unusual tire leakage. Upon airing for a two-up ride, I noticed a piece of metal looking at me. A square nail or staple about 1 1/2 inches long. Well now a chance to use my Plug & Go kit. Ingenious kit, and quite easy to use. Worked very well up until recently. Started getting the unusual air leak again. Now mind you we have two vehicles besides the bike. Youngest son home from Georgia for ten day visit (college student) using mom's car a lot. And oldest son living nearby with no vehicle since he totaled his crotch rocket needing dad's truck to move into new apartment. (sigh) The things we do for our offspring. Anyway, so I plug the tire again to see if it holds. It does for a couple of days, & starts leaking again. It's off now waiting for the new tire. My question is.....Is there a better plug system than the one I've got? I like the mushroom head on the Plug & Go, but its not very sticky. Tire plugs I've used in the past have lots more glue.

 

I don't think Plug & Go was meant to be a permanent repair. More of a Plg and Go to the nearest shop that can properly repair or replace the tire. there is an issue as well with steel belts on the hole cutting the soft plug. My money would be on a proper mushroom repair followed by an internal patch.


Now for all you who would not ride on a plugged tire - how many are still using the rubber valve stems that have been known to let go without warning? I would bet on a plug before I would trust another BMW rubber valve stem.

 

They make a thing called a Plug Patch. It's a patch with a plug in the middle.

Works great for these types of repairs..

And a big Amen to John on the valve stems. We ate it one day with a failed rear valve stem..

I've driven thousands of miles on a properly repaired tire. But a plug should be just temporary till a proper patch can be put in.

John

 

I'm in the plug it and run it camp myself. That's provided it's a clean puncture. Cuts or holes that require multiple plugs are another matter. I'll change the tire when I get home. I'm not saying a plug can't come out it's just I've never talked to anyone that's had it happen to them. I have a Plug & Go kit and only used it once. It was a nasty hole in a friends tire that was at least a 1/16th in diameter. The Plug & Go just couldn't seal it. Pulled the old $3.98 rope plug kit from Auto Zone out as plan B. Threaded 2 plugs through the eye of the T-handle and slopped on the cement. Done deal with no leaks. Rode another 130 miles home and a week later still good. He ordered a new tire. Kinda hard to beat the old rope plug it seems.