tire plugs

[flavor]

I received my two new tires (Avon cobra's, 180/70 and 160/80's) the other day. But I noticed a nail in my rear tire when comparing the 180 with the stock stones. So, I plugged it and rode about 200 miles today. I figure I have a couple of thousand miles wear left on the rear tire and knowing I'm going out west to Utah, CO, and MT, to mention only a few from RI, I didn't want to have to worry about replacing it on the road. If I replace it now that may be the situation I'm forced with. So. I decided to ride with the plug for awhile.

[namvet]

I am not clear on what you want to replace, the plug or the old tire with the new one....As for me I would replace the old tires with the new ones, even if I thought I could get a couple of thousand extra miles on the old rear. I would rather spend money on tires then hospital bills because of a blow out at 70 mph or wrecker service in the middle of no where for a defective plug, granted you can air it back up, if you carry a pump and if the tire is in any shape to hold air once you got to the side of the road.

[nomad]

man, i've rode with plugs a long time. i wouldn't hesitate to do it today....if you put them in correctly.

[oldbikers]

I have plugged many a car tire since I have owned 2 service stations but I only have 2 tires on my bike and I am not going to take chance for a few 1000 miles I love living to much

[bebop]

I've never seen any data on the failure rate of plugged tires either on a bike or car. Does anyone know?

Cheers!

[VulcanE]

On my second rear Metzeler, after only 1100 miles, It was punctured with a screw. I had it patched from the inside, and only rode it until I got a new tire (I ordered the new tire the day I had the other plugged). Like Oldbikers said, "you only got 2 tires, and one life". It's not worth taking the chance?????????????

Tires are one thing I never get full use out of.I always put new ones on even though the old ones have some miles left. Even if they have a couple of thousand miles of tread I would not want to get caught in rain on tires that were worn that far.

[ringadingh]

If the plug is installed properly I'd ride it until the tire is worn out. If its a larger puncture I would use a mushroom plug from the inside.

[chuckster131]

I had to plug one tire on the old Yamaha (rear tire) and I rode on that till the tire was wore right down to nothing and was fine. If it was the front tire may have replaced it.

[samkjr]

Severley different views here. Interesting. I think it all comes down the persoanl experiences people have had with plugs to make their own benefits and cost:safety analysis. I just buy new tires. I'm not rich but I got enough money for a tire that it's worth it to get a new one and be on the safe side.

[watchman]

I use tappered rubber plugs that you have to glue in. Short story: Several years ago we had just replaced the tires on the wife's 1500A and was going to Boscobel. The day before leaving I was checking the bikes over and found a 3 inch deck screw in the rear tire of her bike. I jacked the bike up, installed the plug but let is set until morning without any air pressure. The next morning we aired up the tire and made the trip. She continued to ride the tire until it was worn out with over 12,000 miles on it. Her decision not mine. I would do this again using the tappered plugs or the mushroom plugs.

[ells]

All the literature I've seen for plugs in bike tires call them temporary. I suspect that more often than not they will last the life of the tire tread if; it is a small hole, not too much cord damage, the tire is not stressed too much, and if... There was a time when plugs were the standard permanent repair for car tires. Now days, a regular tire shop will not even touch a bike tire, wonder why that is???

[ringadingh]

Originally Posted by Ells

All the literature I've seen for plugs in bike tires call them temporary. I suspect that more often than not they will last the life of the tire tread if; it is a small hole, not too much cord damage, the tire is not stressed too much, and if... There was a time when plugs were the standard permanent repair for car tires. Now days, a regular tire shop will not even touch a bike tire, wonder why that is???

I remember working at a gas station when I was a kid and and we patched all kinds of tires with plugs for small holes and patches for larger holes, or put a tube in them. I think now everyone is more interested in selling you a new tire in the name of safety rather than giving you some value for the product you originally purchased. Im sure the only reason plugs are called temporary is for liability issues, but how long is temporary? The salesman for the tire plugs used to drive around in a station wagon with about 100 plugs in a tire, many installed even in the sidewall advertising his brand of plug.

[davidjones1]

I just had a young rider call and ask this very question, I told him he should be fine if he is riding just to work and back but if a road trip is on his mind to have a patch put inside, this tire only has 1500 miles on it. if a plug is installed the right way it should last the life of the tire, but like many have said you only have two tires and one life.
ride safe.

[ells]

When a manufacturer or service provider worries about their liability its only his assets at risk, but its your ass you're are risking. Yeah, I know we all take risks but minimizing them helps keep us on the road.