Plugged rear tire - how safe is that?

tanker · 06-06-2010, 10:07 PM

Gents,

I picked up a nice fat screw with my rear tire when I had about 2500 miles on the rear Bridgestone. I have 6000 on it now and never had any problem with the tire, slow leak or anything. My dealership did the work and as far as I can tell the plug is mushroom type. Today I read that a plugged motorcycle tire has to be replaced ASAP. What is your opinion about this? Is it safe to ride or needs to be thrown away? As of now I think I could get 10K out of the tire - I usually ride pretty fast (80-90) on the HOV lane when commuting... Thanks

**Top Cat** · 06-06-2010, 10:14 PM

If it is a mushroom type you should be good. Just keep an eye on the tread depth and replace when it gets close to the wear bars.
I ran a pluged tire once when i was young and bullet proof till it didn't have enough tread to hold anymore and it went flat on me 50 miles from home.
This is just my opinion and you will get opposite opinions I'm sure. Just go with what you are comfortable with.

trosco · 06-06-2010, 10:23 PM

If it was done right, then the repaired tire is just as safe as one that never had to be repaired. But, I don't know if it was done right???? Sounds like it was but I would have had to be there and watch them do it to know it was.

AlabamaNomadRider · 06-06-2010, 11:02 PM

I am with Trosco and TC in that it should be safe. I don't see a problem just keep and eye on your tread. I would occassionally roll the bike until I could eyeball the spot where the plug is located and see what it looks like.

**Cajunrider** · 06-07-2010, 04:07 AM

I think it is more than likely OK although it would always be on my mind that I'm riding on a plugged tire. It would bother me more on a MC tire than the CT. Just my opinion

Yellow Jacket · 06-07-2010, 05:12 AM

There are those who absolutely will not use a plugged tire. The bottom line is if you feel safe or not. If you don't, then replace the tire. It's pretty much personal preference.

**ringadingh** · 06-07-2010, 07:54 AM

Id use the tire until I was ready to replace it with a new one. If it holds air, what more can you ask for.

tanker · 06-07-2010, 10:06 AM

Thanks Guys,

Appreciate your help. Since none of you said to replace the tire ASAP I think I`ll keep checking it weekly and try to get a couple more thousand miles out of it.

cactusjack · 06-07-2010, 11:32 AM

I picked up a nail last year in my rear Avon Cobra. I plugged it, but had this uneasy feeling every time I rode it after that. Since it was pretty much worn out anyway and at best I could only squeeze a thousand miles out of it, I used that as an excuse to replace the tire. That's when I installed a car tire.

You are on the opposite end of things, with a basically new tire. I'd probably look at it differently if I had just bought an expensive tire and would ride it while plugged to try and get my money's worth out of it.

macmac · 06-07-2010, 06:37 PM

If you can't locate the plug it's good.. If you find a lump fore and aft of the plig it is ver bad, and you would want to replace the tire. MC tires are built in a tendion line mannor, and if the tendons slip in the carcass you will soon be a carcass yer ol self.

It depends on if a tendon was cut in two.

tanker · 06-07-2010, 08:28 PM

The plug is actually in one of the grooves, in the center-left area, therefore I can easily locate the plug but it seems that it sits well in the bottom of the groove, which is deep enough. I`ll wear out the center groove up to the wear bar before the plug would be exposed to any wear.

**Cajunrider** · 06-07-2010, 08:34 PM

Sounds like it's in a good location on the tire. Keep an eye on your pressure and I think you'll be OK.

chuckster131 · 06-08-2010, 04:52 AM

I plugged a rear tire once and ran it till it had no more tread left. Would do it again if I had too, small hole like that wouldn't be a problem in my mind.

macmac · 06-08-2010, 08:46 AM

Never the less inspect for lumps as if a tendon snapped and with drew to become lumps... No lumps and no cut cords yer set.. find lumps fore and aft, and your doomed to a new tire. Simple as that. It's your life... I have run on patched tires too... I have plugged them and found lumps as well...

It usually takes a larger item like re-bar (road mesh) to tear cords. The re-bar is larger in diamiter of course, and tends to stay in the road bed, so there is tearing going in on some angle, and more tearing coming out since the rod stays put.

burly · 06-08-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster131

I plugged a rear tire once and ran it till it had no more tread left. Would do it again if I had too, small hole like that wouldn't be a problem in my mind.

+1.

Put about 3000 miles on mine after plugging before the tread wore out...

06-06-2010, 10:07 PM	#1
tanker Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Budapest, Hungary Posts: 27	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? Gents, I picked up a nice fat screw with my rear tire when I had about 2500 miles on the rear Bridgestone. I have 6000 on it now and never had any problem with the tire, slow leak or anything. My dealership did the work and as far as I can tell the plug is mushroom type. Today I read that a plugged motorcycle tire has to be replaced ASAP. What is your opinion about this? Is it safe to ride or needs to be thrown away? As of now I think I could get 10K out of the tire - I usually ride pretty fast (80-90) on the HOV lane when commuting... Thanks Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-06-2010, 10:14 PM	#2
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? If it is a mushroom type you should be good. Just keep an eye on the tread depth and replace when it gets close to the wear bars. I ran a pluged tire once when i was young and bullet proof till it didn't have enough tread to hold anymore and it went flat on me 50 miles from home. This is just my opinion and you will get opposite opinions I'm sure. Just go with what you are comfortable with. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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06-06-2010, 10:23 PM	#3
trosco Sr. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,464	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? If it was done right, then the repaired tire is just as safe as one that never had to be repaired. But, I don't know if it was done right???? Sounds like it was but I would have had to be there and watch them do it to know it was. __________________ trosco: just call me Ross 2007 Black & Titanium Nomad (Nomad made 65K but got replaced 2014) 2010 Titanium Goldwing 2014 KLR 650 New Edition
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06-06-2010, 11:02 PM	#4
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? I am with Trosco and TC in that it should be safe. I don't see a problem just keep and eye on your tread. I would occassionally roll the bike until I could eyeball the spot where the plug is located and see what it looks like. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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06-07-2010, 04:07 AM	#5
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? I think it is more than likely OK although it would always be on my mind that I'm riding on a plugged tire. It would bother me more on a MC tire than the CT. Just my opinion __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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06-07-2010, 05:12 AM	#6
Yellow Jacket Top Contributor Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Fayetteville, Georgia Posts: 5,792	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? There are those who absolutely will not use a plugged tire. The bottom line is if you feel safe or not. If you don't, then replace the tire. It's pretty much personal preference. __________________ Bob KawaNOW/VBA 210 Green/Silver 2006 Patriot Guard Riders 2009
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06-07-2010, 07:54 AM	#7
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? Id use the tire until I was ready to replace it with a new one. If it holds air, what more can you ask for. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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06-07-2010, 10:06 AM	#8
tanker Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Budapest, Hungary Posts: 27	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? Thanks Guys, Appreciate your help. Since none of you said to replace the tire ASAP I think I`ll keep checking it weekly and try to get a couple more thousand miles out of it.
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06-07-2010, 11:32 AM	#9
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? I picked up a nail last year in my rear Avon Cobra. I plugged it, but had this uneasy feeling every time I rode it after that. Since it was pretty much worn out anyway and at best I could only squeeze a thousand miles out of it, I used that as an excuse to replace the tire. That's when I installed a car tire. You are on the opposite end of things, with a basically new tire. I'd probably look at it differently if I had just bought an expensive tire and would ride it while plugged to try and get my money's worth out of it. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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06-07-2010, 06:37 PM	#10
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? If you can't locate the plug it's good.. If you find a lump fore and aft of the plig it is ver bad, and you would want to replace the tire. MC tires are built in a tendion line mannor, and if the tendons slip in the carcass you will soon be a carcass yer ol self. It depends on if a tendon was cut in two. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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06-07-2010, 08:28 PM	#11
tanker Jr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Budapest, Hungary Posts: 27	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? The plug is actually in one of the grooves, in the center-left area, therefore I can easily locate the plug but it seems that it sits well in the bottom of the groove, which is deep enough. I`ll wear out the center groove up to the wear bar before the plug would be exposed to any wear.
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06-07-2010, 08:34 PM	#12
Cajunrider Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: (SE Louisiana) Posts: 8,340	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? Sounds like it's in a good location on the tire. Keep an eye on your pressure and I think you'll be OK. __________________ 2016 Electra Glide Ultra Limited CVO Palladium Silver / Phantom Blue 110 cu in SE 2012 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (Traded 6/22/16) Tequila Sunrise / HD Orange Vance & Hines true dual headers Rinehart 4" slip ons Screamin Eagle Super Tuner Screamin Eagle Stage 1 intake Dyno tuned H.O.G.# 4514015 2007 Nomad 1600 (Traded 6/23/12) VBA #482
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06-08-2010, 04:52 AM	#13
chuckster131 Sr. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jackson, Michigan Posts: 1,367	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? I plugged a rear tire once and ran it till it had no more tread left. Would do it again if I had too, small hole like that wouldn't be a problem in my mind. __________________ Joe (Chuckster) Norris Jackson, Michigan 2007 Goldwing 2010 Voyager (Blue/Silver)sold 2001 Nomad (gone, but not forgotten) www.chucksterscustoms.com
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06-08-2010, 08:46 AM	#14
macmac Sr. Contributor Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Tamworth New Hampster 06 1600 Posts: 12,484	Plugged rear tire - how safe is that? Never the less inspect for lumps as if a tendon snapped and with drew to become lumps... No lumps and no cut cords yer set.. find lumps fore and aft, and your doomed to a new tire. Simple as that. It's your life... I have run on patched tires too... I have plugged them and found lumps as well... It usually takes a larger item like re-bar (road mesh) to tear cords. The re-bar is larger in diamiter of course, and tends to stay in the road bed, so there is tearing going in on some angle, and more tearing coming out since the rod stays put. __________________ 06 1600 Nomad Just call me Mac molon labe come and get it
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