Tire sealants: do you use them?

Pablo brought up the subject of tire sealants in another thread. I was wondering who uses then and what kinds.

I used to use them in my bicycles as I was always getting thorns in the tires. Some years ago, I got a very small nail in the rear tire of my KZ900, and I decided to try some sealant. I was happy that it worked, and it also said that it "balanced the tires as you ride" so I decided to leave it in.

Unfortunately what worked fine in a tiny hole turned bad when I got a glass cut one day.

I didn't know I'd cut the tire, because it didn't go flat right away. Anyhow, I was stopped at a traffic light, and evidently the cut was pointed down, because the tire expelled quite a quantity of sealant right there on the pavement.

It was enough that when the light changed and I dropped the clutch the rear wheel spun up like I was on grease, and I crossed the intersection sideways, and totally freaked out both myself and the oncoming traffic. I did make it two more blocks to work before the tire went completely flat, but it was like riding on grease the whole way.

Since that day, I've never put tire sealant in anything except my garden tractor (which is in absolutely no risk of lighting up the rear tires.)

But what do guys you do?

[pirate]

I have never used sealant in any motorcycle tires, but like you, I did put it in bicycle tires when I was a kid. I grew up on a farm, and riding in pastures usually ended in me running over something sharp such as old barbed wire.
I'm interested in hearing what others say.

[jussmatt]

I have a can of goop "fix a flat" in my bag for emergencies...but thankfully so far I haven't had to use it. Once I get the power plug installed on the Nomad then I'll switch it out for a small compressor since I already have tire plugs. I'm not a fan of it.... but it beats being stuck somewhere!!

[Top Cat]

No sealant. Got a Cycle-Pump and Stop-N-Go plug kit.

[blowndodge]

GOSH Cadd. You have some unique "principle changing" mishaps dontcha?

If I got a flat and really needed a can of fix a flat I don't think your "brodie in the intersection" because of a glass cut would be the reason I wouldn't use it.

[pablo]

I started using Ride-On tire sealant after a blow-out on I-45 in heavy traffic. On the touring forums most of the bikers use Ride-On tire sealant or another kind (that I can't think of right now) and have had good success with them. I still have this in my front MC tire, but have not put any in the rear car tire. I have not had any punctures to see if it works as intended, but feel that I have some additional prevention against the kind of blow-out I experienced.

GOSH Cadd. You have some unique "principle changing" mishaps dontcha?

Did I post about some other one? don't recall...


If I got a flat and really needed a can of fix a flat I don't think your "brodie in the intersection" because of a glass cut would be the reason I wouldn't use it.

I wasn't totally clear when I wrote the original post. I have used sealants like Fix-A-Flat in an emergency, but I haven't used the type like "Slime" or "Camel" which you put in then and leave in forever.

[refugio]

Yes...For Four wheelers-bicycles-riding mowers-go carts -ect.-ect.
No...Not on Motorcycles..Use Mini compressor and tire plugs

I guess if I was stuck out in the middle of nowhere and it was all I had...then I would..Just to get me in.

[ringadingh]

No I don't use it, I did once a long time ago in a car tire, It is very messy to work with when you take the tire off the rim. I would use plugs and a compressor.

[cactusjack]

That stuff doesn't work in my kids' bike tires, I'm not going to use it in my motorcycle tires.

[justbrian]

I carry a stop and go tire kit and an electric compressor (used 4 times and works awsome). Tire sealant would not be my first choice but if i was in a jam id give it a shot

[ells]

Used a can once (forget brand) to "fix" a roadside flat, simple nail in tread but tire had enough air to affect handling before I got stopped. Was the only repair ability I had at the time and was out in the boonies with no cell phone contact. Did not inflate completely and sidewall blew out before I went a mile. Now have a compressor and Stop and Go plug kit.

[blowndodge]

[quote=Blowndodge "Darksider"]GOSH Cadd. You have some unique "principle changing" mishaps dontcha?

Did I post about some other one? don't recall...


If I got a flat and really needed a can of fix a flat I don't think your "brodie in the intersection" because of a glass cut would be the reason I wouldn't use it.

I wasn't totally clear when I wrote the original post. I have used sealants like Fix-A-Flat in an emergency, but I haven't used the type like "Slime" or "Camel" which you put in then and leave in forever.[/quote:x4zcw3j5]

Ill throw you another bone cadd. You had a trying experience with a disc brake lock and why you will never use one again! It was on the post I put that I found a real inexpensive one at wallyworld.

Ring a bell? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif you had a story to it..

I'm sure there are other experiences!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Out of high School I worked at a tire shop. I don't know how many times someone would come in to have their flat fixed and their tire was full of that crap. So it never really left me with a good impression. One day someone came in and complained they were getting a bad vibration around 65. I took it for a test drive got on the freeway and the steering wheel started shaking like crazy. Pulled the tires off and both front tires were full of fix a flat!

I think the compressor and plug would work good I just haven't bought one yet.

[flavor]

I carry a can of fix a flat when I'm on the road for emergencies only until I can get a new tire.

When riding a number a years ago I took a piece of flat bar in my rear tire that was about 3/4 of an inch wide when riding the Kangamangus highway in NH and used two plus, my can of fix a flat as well as someone elses. It got me to a service station where I was lucky that they had a plug and a motorcycle tire machine. I rode another 300 miles that day, got back to the campsite when the next morning awoke to a flat.

I obviously went to get a tire that morning.

Ill throw you another bone cadd. You had a trying experience with a disc brake lock and why you will never use one again! It was on the post I put that I found a real inexpensive one at wallyworld.

Ring a bell? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif you had a story to it..

I'm sure there are other experiences!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

Yup. I do remember that one, now that you mention it. I don't recall saying I'd never use one again. BTW, it was a cable lock in my case, and I actually do have one I carry with me & use on occassion. I will most likely use it in Mesquite.

But it's hard to remember all this stuff, because I've done so many things in my life where (generally after a brief recovery) I said, "Well, I'll never do that again!"

[blowndodge]

Haven't we all Cadd!!!! I just refuse to learn and continue to abuse myself by repeating my mistakes!! http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[macmac]

Never have and only use fix a flat when I have no choice. Never have use it on a bike either.

That stuff makes a wicked mess on car wheels, and will cause rust if left for long enough, in steel wheels.

I have seen some green slime stuff in tire stores where they drilled screws into the display, but I have my doubts about that stuff on a bike too.

If you guys would just quit dropin nails and bustin glass in the road we wouldn't get flats!

[Top Cat]

Heres a thought ;) If you have dynabeads in your tire and get a flat, then put fix-a-flat in it, will the goop make the beads bunch together and cause real bad vibration. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

[pablo]

Ya'll might want to check out the site http://www.ride-on.com/ . Go to the motorcycle formula and read the testimonials. The touring forum riders swear by this stuff. It is not meant to fix a flat, but to prevent one and help keep tires balanced. The mechanic at American Iron Horse in Huntsville does not mind changing a tire with this in it as long as you let him know before hand. On my last Metzeler he took off, it had made a nice even coating inside the outer part of the tire. I let it air dry and peeled it right out. No mess no problem. Also, this is formulated to not be corrosive to aluminum rims like Slime and some other sealants. I'm not trying to get anyone to use this stuff. I just want to clear up misconceptions.

[dogdoc]

all the tire sealant cans I have read say NOT in motorcycles.

[refugio]

Heres a thought ;) If you have dynabeads in your tire and get a flat, then put fix-a-flat in it, will the goop make the beads bunch together and cause real bad vibration. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

Yes .... I think it would...I use the dynabeads..

I forget the name of the sealant I used (Maybe it was Camel, I dunno, this was about 1981) but it said "balances your tires while you drive." Basicaly the same thing dynabeads claim to do. Now this is one of my real reservations about the dynabeads: in doing that, they move all the time, inside the tire and wheel. Don't they eventually abrade things?

I dunno. Maybe they are so smooth and slippery that it'd take a hundred years to sand things down in there, but the thought of that potential just kinda bugs me.

Heres a thought ;) If you have dynabeads in your tire and get a flat, then put fix-a-flat in it, will the goop make the beads bunch together and cause real bad vibration. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

Yes .... I think it would...I use the dynabeads..


I think the beads would glue themselves pretty uniformly all over the inside of the tire, if you follow the Fix-A-Flat directions that say to pump it in and then drive immediately. Glass beads covered in Fix-A-Flat would probably seal a pretty substantial nail hole too.

Just speculation BTW. Not a recommendation.