To Plug or not to Plug

[johnparjr]

Sooo new tire curse has struck again I have 900 miles on the new bike and what do I find in the rear tire but a small finishing nail dead center of the tread. Soooo Do I buy a new tire or do I just plug it which Ive done for now but have an appt Tuesday for the tire to be replaced had to call 5 diffrent places for a pilot road found some at my favorite tire store Santa clara cycles but where not going down there this weekend the dealer didnt have any and neither did cyclegear, cycleparts or roseville cycle. So low and behold folsom cycle calls after to ask If I like my bike still "Wife's 650r" I said not my bike but the wife's but while I got you on the phone do you have the Pilot road 180/55 ZR17 in stock they do but Cory from Folsom just says to patch it and youll be fine since it's dead center and not at any funky angle's sooooo long paragraph short

1. get a new tire and mount $200+ buck's

2. live with the plug $7.99 and holding air so far 2 hours

3. buy an extra tire whenever I buy a new bike

[RolnCode3]

Originally Posted by johnparjr

Sooo new tire curse has struck again I have 900 miles on the new bike and what do I find in the rear tire but a small finishing nail dead center of the tread.

Soooo Do I buy a new tire or do I just plug it which Ive done for now? But have an appt Tuesday for the tire to be replaced. Had to call 5 diffrent places for a pilot road, found some at my favorite tire store Santa clara cycles.

But where not going down there this weekend the dealer didnt have any and neither did cyclegear, cycleparts or roseville cycle.

So low and behold folsom cycle calls after to ask If I like my bike still "Wife's 650r" I said not my bike but the wife's but while I got you on the phone do you have the Pilot road 180/55 ZR17 in stock? They do but Cory from Folsom just says to patch it and youll be fine since it's dead center and not at any funky angle's sooooo long paragraph short

1. get a new tire and mount $200+ buck's

2. live with the plug $7.99 and holding air so far 2 hours

3. buy an extra tire whenever I buy a new bike

Very sorry to do this, but I just couldn't focus long enough to phrase an answer. Hopefully a little breaking up will get you some answers instead of headaches.

I say try some other places (if you decide to buy). Try Tred-Mill on Folsom Blvd. in Sacramento. (916) 669-9777. Might save you a few bucks on the tire itself, and mounting. http://www.tred-mill.com/

[BMWRockster]

I know plugs make good patches, but personally I would just put on a new tire. Then you will not have to worry if the plug is going to hold air for you on your ride. A new tire will give you a piece of mind.

This happen to me on a Pashnit Tour. I finished the remaining part of the tour (500 miles) but for the whole 500 miles, I worried about my rear tire holding air. I got home and replaced it.

[FishWitch]

I would only use a plug to get me to the new tire! And then I would tread vvery lightly. You don't have much between you & the pavement with a bad tire. I'd be a nervous wreck.

Getting an actual flat is NO fun. Maybe hang onto the plugged tire for an emergency spare?

[RollItAwnRob]

If it was a plug from these folks( www.safetyseal.com ) I'd run it and forget it. I've had a plug in the rear tire on my buell for over 7,000 miles now. It never leaks down and I never think about it.

Darn new tire curse.

[Invisigoth]

I thought plugs were only a temporary solution.

[MyLife on TwoWheels]

I mean...if you feel OK about it, just go ahead and patch it.

The odds of something going wrong with a properly patched tire are probably less than picking up another nail along the road anyway.

If you're that worried about it, spring another $7.99 for a bottle of Slime.

If you don't feel OK about it, just buy another tire...
...nothings worth your peace of mind.

[MegabyteBigE]

[quote=RollItAwnRob] I've had a plug in the rear tire on my buell for over 7,000 miles now. It never leaks down and I never think about it.

Darn new tire curse.

QUOTE]

7,000 miles WOW how i dont get more then 2500 on the Buell.

Sorry for the thread jack

One thing i have found with Plugs is they will fail sooner or later. buy a new tire.

[Scarman]

I guess it would depend on how you ride. If you putt around on a slow cruiser, then maybe ride with the patch if you feel comfortable with it. If you like overheating your tires in the twisties or ride hard in general, I wouldn't take the chance. $200.00 for a new tire is good insurance against a six figure hospital bill and/or funeral expenses.

Personally I would change the tire and be done with it. Riding is risky enough so why add to the risk factor if you don't have to.

[waterinthefuel]

Originally Posted by Scarman

I guess it would depend on how you ride. If you putt around on a slow cruiser, then maybe ride with the patch if you feel comfortable with it. If you like overheating your tires in the twisties or ride hard in general, I wouldn't take the chance.

As a scooter rider, I agree. I'd be happy with a patch, as I rarely break 45 in town and I'm never more than a few miles from home. If you ride hard I wouldn't chance it.