Kawasaki Concours Forum

Mish mash => Open Forum => Topic started by: shreveportSS on October 06, 2012, 05:41:49 AM

Title: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: shreveportSS on October 06, 2012, 05:41:49 AM
Anyone ever ride farther than just necessary to buy a new tire or get home? The ninja caught a small piece of metal in the tire yesterday. I plugged it and rode straight home. I will be setting at the local dealer when they open the doors this morning........with the wheel/tire in the back of the truck even though it held the 38psi I put in it after the plugging. Am I just a wuss for not riding on it?
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: SteveJ. on October 06, 2012, 05:57:45 AM
Yes.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: CigarSki® on October 06, 2012, 06:19:26 AM
4200 miles. Got a puncture a couple of months after putting on the new front tire. Held up pretty well until the tread started to thin out, then it leaked slowly for a while, then, really fast.
I won't be doing that sort of thing again, but, will patch it from the inside next time around.
As always your mileage and luck will vary.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: gPink on October 06, 2012, 06:49:13 AM
Anyone ever ride farther than just necessary to buy a new tire or get home? The ninja caught a small piece of metal in the tire yesterday. I plugged it and rode straight home. I will be setting at the local dealer when they open the doors this morning........with the wheel/tire in the back of the truck even though it held the 38psi I put in it after the plugging. Am I just a wuss for not riding on it?
It would depend on the shape of the puncture. A round nail hole will usually seal well with a plug but an odd shape like a glass cut or jagged metal will not.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: George R. Young on October 06, 2012, 07:06:37 AM
When changing a rear tire, I found the pointy end of a nail poking through. The head of the nail had been ground off flush with the tire by riding, presumably many miles. Sealed fine, never noticed any air loss.

So if a nail is ok, a plug slathered with sealant must be a bunch better.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: shreveportSS on October 06, 2012, 07:09:34 AM
The tire sealed fine. I worry about aggressive riding with a plugged tire. I already push the tires to their limit. I'm still getting a new one installed.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: Rhino on October 06, 2012, 07:12:37 AM
It would depend on the shape of the puncture. A round nail hole will usually seal well with a plug but an odd shape like a glass cut or jagged metal will not.

I agree with this statement completely and have ridden >3000 miles on a plugged nail hole. But you said a piece of scrap metal so I would  patch that from the inside.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: DeansZG on October 06, 2012, 07:21:24 AM

   Patch it from the inside & keep it as a spare. Rode many a mile w/ plugged rear tires, just depends on the damage & if it's in the tread of the tire ::) or the sidewall  >:(.
 
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: graham downunder on October 08, 2012, 02:01:55 AM
I have pluged a rear tire and ridden with it for a few weeks then had it pluged from the inside as it was weid shape hole and would slowly lose 2psi per day  . Tires pluged from inside are fine for most people but if you wear out the sides fast and realy push the limit then get a new tire .
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: Scaffolder on October 08, 2012, 06:24:26 AM
I had a brand new Dunlop Roadsmart in the rear and caughta nail in the first 400 miles. Plugged it and ran it to 12,000miles with no issues. I wouldn't be so brave if it were a front tire.
When I bought my newest bike I bought Tire and rim insurance for $321. I have replaced 3 tires since owning it. It was a good investment for me. Of course my bike is in the garage right now with too little tread for replacement by the insurance, so I'll just wait for my tires to arrive. Can't win them all.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: Mister Tee on October 08, 2012, 08:35:45 AM
I've plugged countless car and motorcycle tires.  Never had an issue.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: MrPepsi on October 08, 2012, 11:39:06 AM
Patched a tire, then went on a two up ride in 95 degree heat around 200 miles.
Tire started leaking on our trip back, with only 15 miles to go.
Replaced the tire the next week, and cancelled my two up ride to Oregon because of it. :(
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: redzgrider on October 11, 2012, 08:13:09 PM
I've had sticky string plugs -- U.S. made sticky strings! -- last through an entire tread life. I've had Chinese strings spit out in five minutes. I've had zero luck with solid rubber plugs -- instant spit out with inflation.
It's not just what kind of plug or patch, but what kind of damage too, as alluded to earlier. A nail makes a good place for a sticky string. Same for smaller screws. A tear from a piece of metal? That could be whole different kettle of fish.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: stevewfl on October 11, 2012, 08:24:59 PM
I rode a plug from Colorado to Vegas to LA then back to Florida.

My plug's name was Jill.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: Jeremy Mitchell on October 12, 2012, 05:27:43 AM
I've had sticky string plugs -- U.S. made sticky strings! -- last through an entire tread life. I've had Chinese strings spit out in five minutes. I've had zero luck with solid rubber plugs -- instant spit out with inflation.
It's not just what kind of plug or patch, but what kind of damage too, as alluded to earlier. A nail makes a good place for a sticky string. Same for smaller screws. A tear from a piece of metal? That could be whole different kettle of fish.

Can you post a link for some American made sticky strings? 

I just had a rear tire with a leaky plug, replaced.  I will patch the old tire (50% or better tread) and keep it for a spare.

'Merica! 
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OxTIi9sVZI0/T4KTdPD6LWI/AAAAAAAAB8w/38MGqovOQbM/s640/merica+4)

Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: stevewfl on October 12, 2012, 06:16:15 AM
I rode a plug from Colorado to Vegas to LA then back to Florida.

My plug's name was Jill.


^^^^i don't know if the string was made in America or china, but it was purchased at Wal-Mart  :D
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: Timalan on October 12, 2012, 05:28:33 PM
I always ride on a plugged tire. I always get a nail, i always plug the tire, I always ride it till its done. 74000 miles on my bike now and only one rear tire has made it without a nail in the first 1000 miles.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: redzgrider on October 14, 2012, 06:05:29 PM
"Can you post a link for some American made sticky strings?"
http://www.amazon.com/Made-Repair-Plugs-Strand-Thick/dp/B00969F5DI (http://www.amazon.com/Made-Repair-Plugs-Strand-Thick/dp/B00969F5DI)
I'll be ordering some to have on hand.
Title: Re: Riding on a pluged tire
Post by: Mister Tee on October 15, 2012, 08:57:36 AM
I always ride on a plugged tire. I always get a nail, i always plug the tire, I always ride it till its done. 74000 miles on my bike now and only one rear tire has made it without a nail in the first 1000 miles.

Yep.  Same here.