Road Glide banner

Running a plugged tire?

5K views 29 replies 20 participants last post by  Quicksand 
#1 ·
Put the bike on the lift today to start preparing it for my Sturgis run today. Did the fluids and removed the exhaust so I could remove the trans covers to wrinkle black powder coat them and noticed something shiny in the rear tire. A screw without the head. It's right dead center in the tread. I checked the air pressure and it's where it should be, and there are no leaks around the screw after spraying it.

I plan to take the bike to the local dealer before I depart to have the recall brake switch done and I figure a new tire now while I'm at it to be safe considering my upcoming journey.

The current tire only has 6k miles on it and plenty of tread remaining. Being the frugal SOB that I am i hate to trash the tire. Should I replace it or just plug it and go or leave the screw there since it's not leaking? I have the plug and go kit, but always figured it to get me to the dealer not as a permanent fix, but never considered the same could happen to even a brand new tire. The Dunlop website allows for a patch, but not sure if my plugs fit that same bill.

I didn't see any previous threads about this here so figured I would get my fellow RG brothers opinions. I checked the other site too, but saw a real mixed bag of answers.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
You can't leave the screw in there. It will constantly move and make the hole bigger. As far as plugging it, you can chance it and will probably be ok, but that's your choice. I plugged my car tire with the Stop and GO and it lasted 3 years.
 
#3 ·
I wouldnt leave the screw in there and a patch would be the best way to repair it but i personally would plug it. Knowing the plug is in there i wouldnt try to break any land speed records with it but i wouldnt worry about it for normal use
 
#12 ·
I had that same thought when it wasn't leaking.

Definitely patch it. There's no way I'd spring for a new tire just because there's a screw in your current one.
Is the patch something I can do or something the pros should do? Any old tire store do it? Assuming I took them the tire unmounted.

NEW TIRE = PEACE OF MIND :eek:
That was my initial thought.

Save the old one for a spare on down the road.
That's what I'm going to do.

If I didn't have such a long trip coming up soon I would have tried the plug and patch, but I think a new tire is in order and saving the old for a spare. Thanks for all the responses.
 
#9 ·
Patch It

Have it patched it will be just fine. I had a little over 2000 miles on a new bike and picked up a nail. Had it patched and have put over 18000 miles on the tire. No problem at all and it was a lot less expensive then replacing the tire. The dealership told me there is no real reason not to patch a tire. I had the same fram of mind as you then found out patching is fine as long as you are not one of those 0 to 70 MPH in 4 seconds kind of rider.
 
#10 ·
NEW TIRE = PEACE OF MIND. Even if you patch/plug the tire the fact that you may have a tire failure is always in the back of your mind. You only have 2 wheels make sure everything is 100% and we would hate to read about you in the obituaries :eek:
 
#11 ·
I agree with ironmark. If ya plan on going to Sturgis, and ride in the heat and mountains, and desert ya better just spring for a new one so ya don't have to piss with the chance of a flat in 100 degree heat and in the middle of nowhere. Save the old one for a spare on down the road.
 
#13 ·
take it to a tire place and have them plug/patch it one peice. umbrella plug i think the tech name is.i had one put on a old bike on the road in NE and rode to MA actualy ran the tire until it was wore out never a problem.had my v-rod tire just patched also same thing no issues rear tire turbo bike holeshots speed ran bald:D but its your chioce your money!!!!
 
#15 ·
+1 on replace tire-trouble on the road=lost recreation time and additional expenses. And if you have to replace it on the road, you're probably gonna buy any tire available, rather than what you would choose.
 
#16 ·
When you said you had 6k on the tire already that would be easy answer for me; replacement is the only way I wouldn't worry about esp since you are gearing up for Sturgis (unless Sturgis is next door).

I had a Kaw Voyager years ago that I got a nail in when the tire was almost new. I ran for a few months with a umbrella patch (which essentially plugs and patches) then before the next out of town trip I replaced the tire.

Good luck !!
 
#18 ·
Hell we still don't know if the tire is even punctured until he pulls it out
the piece in the tire might be 1/32 in long for all we know at this point. Sounds like s bunch of democrates telling him how to fix it when they don't even know if there is a problem lol
 
#23 ·
:D:D:D. It's all good my fellow right winger. I asked for everyone's opinion. For the record it was a #10 SMS and it was 1" long. The one good thing is I have a hole to try out my stop & go tire plug on. I'll being plugging it tomorrow.

I really don't think Dunlop would put on their website that it is acceptable to have a pro install a patch w/integral plug if it wasn't OK. They would be putting a huge legal X on their back if it were unsafe. Considering my situation with a 5k round trip and I have to take my bike to the dealer for a recall item anyway I'm going with new rubber out back.

I appreciate all the responses. I didn't see anything on this topic when I searched so hopefully this thread will help others down the road.
 
#27 ·
OK, so your putting new rubber on the back before Sturgis. Good call considering you have 6k on the tire and you are investing time and money in the trip.

I have no problems with plugging a rear tire. I pulled a similar screw out of the rear on my RK at about the same miles and plugged it. I was not riding anyone two up at the time, not sharing a lane with a bunch of folks and not taking any long trips so I put another 4k on it with no issues.
 
#29 ·
Mark, I agree with you with regard to a plug. That should be temporary. The patch-plug however as Dunlop suggests I would attempt if my situation were different. Below is from the Dunlop website with regard to tire repair for everyone's information.

I did find the 3rd paragraph interesting. If I am reading it correctly it is saying if you put a temporary plug in your tire you shouldn't do the patch-plug.

Some punctures in motorcycle tires may be repaired.

Dunlop recommends only permanent plug-patch repairs of small (maximum 1/4-inch diameter) tread-area punctures from within the dismounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an inner tube as a substitute for a proper repair. Speed should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should never be used over 75 mph. Advise your customer to check inflation pressure after tire cools for at least three (3) hours following run-in, or sooner if air loss is suspected. See the Dunlop Service Advisory for additional motorcycle tubeless-tire repair information. Follow the same repair procedures for tires on rims requiring tube replacement. The repairer is solely responsible for the repair and any instructions to the repaired-tire user.

Advise your customers that no form of temporary repair should be attempted because secondary damage caused by a penetrating object may not be detected and tire or tube deflation may occur at a later date.

Dunlop does not recommend the use of liquid sealants. These are a form of temporary repair, and they may adversely affect ply material and mask secondary damage caused by a penetrating object. Advise your customers that reliance upon sealants can result in sudden tire failure and accident.
 
#30 ·
I understand the patch or replace approach, whatever floats your boat but I don't understand why anyone would want to save it for a spare. I mean it's not like you can carry it with you. If you trust a patch enough to ride on it, ride on it, if not replace it but patching it and saving it for later doesn't make sense to me.:confused:....

Just my 2 cents
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top