averting death, one plug kit at a time

[indywar360]

  Got to work today and had a cig outside, happened to see a little stick or something stuck to my back tire. Had seen it before. Got up close and pulled--it was a piece of metal like a cotter pin, 4" long, 2.5" of which was penetrating my back tire! Thank God I made it to work on the freeway without that tire going.

I pulled it out and air immediately started hissing so I put it back in. 

During a lull at work I ran to the store and got a plug kit and some Slime. Shanked the hole a few times and jabbed a plug in, which stopped the leak, then after work, I rolled to a Shell station and poured in 8 oz of Slime for safety. Reinflated to 35 lbs, rode the fwy home, noticed the plug was bulging a little more than it was before, but otherwise ok. Feel like it was a close call.

Do I really need to replace that back tire "immediately", or am I practically good for the time being? The hole was in the thick part of the tread, which has probably .85/8 inch left to go.

Oh, and any tips on new tire suppliers or replacement methods would be appreciated. i.e. dealer, pull tire/take to dealer, pull tire/do myself.

[annguyen1981]

In a car, I usually plug it if possible.  But on a bike, replace the tire IMO.  There are four tires on a car...  so if one needs a plug, three others are still reliable.  It doesn't put too much pressure on ONE tire.

On a bike, We've only got two tires to rely on.  Plus, bike tires not only had pressure pushing UP on them, but when you corner, the sides of the tire are being pushed upon as well.

Replace the tire.

[cuda_06]

You will find plenty of differing views on this subject but overall it just comes down to how much you value your own safety and the precautions that you are willing to take.  I have ridden on a plugged rear tire for over 1000 miles before and had no troubles.  However, I am not so sure that I would do it again.  Your choice...

[indywar360]

I think I will start looking for tires tomorrow. But if I can't fix it before work, I think surface streets are ok.

about the freeway, however, I will think twice.

So, I think Pablo recommended BT45s in 140/70 most recently. It seems like radial tires would make a lot more sense though, especially since they have a freaking STEEL BELT in them. Jesus. Any recommendations on rear (or front) radials for the GS?

[annguyen1981]

...I think surface streets are ok.

+1

The faster you go, the less reliable the tires will be.  Stick to streets, not highways.

[Jarrett]

If I were you I'd stick with the BT 45's.  I just order a new 150 rear for my 4.5 rim.  There are many things I like about the 45's.  They are plenty sticky enough for the street and twisties.  I got about 8k out of the rear before it hit tread indicator.  Front will probably make it to twice that. I've ridden them through rain, cold, cold rain, and have yet to have traction issues.

Pull the wheel off and take it in to get the new tire mounted and balanced.  It will save you some cash.  Do it in the parking lot if you're like me and the GS is all you got.

[indywar360]

Okay. What interests me in radials besides traction is the steel belt. A flat is a major inconvenience and safety issue, so steel belt would put me at ease. If it cost $30 more for steel belt with no traction improvement, I'd take it.

On the other hand, speedy installation is a priority, so I would go with a BT45 again if it was at the shop tomorrow.

re traction:

I have a Bridgestone on the back now, probably BT45, and it's skidded on me more than once (panic braking in traffic). After each incident I was surprised at how rigid and skiddy/scuffy that back tire was. Well now I use relatively more front brake, but when I read all the grippy radial talk, it sounds like it could be an improvement.

And yes Jared, like you, the GS is all I got (orphan face)...

[MarkusN]

I have a Bridgestone on the back now, probably BT45, and it's skidded on me more than once (panic braking in traffic). After each incident I was surprised at how rigid and skiddy/scuffy that back tire was. Well now I use relatively more front brake, but when I read all the grippy radial talk, it sounds like it could be an improvement.

that's probably an Exedra (OE on the GS up to past 2000 IIRC). Everybody agrees that they are crappy tires. The BT45 OTOH can keep up with the best, especially if you also have to ride in the cold and wet.

[sanjay]

Check here for some more possibilities:

http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Tires

When I was faced with the same situation, I replaced my (rear) tire instead of patching/plugging.

[Jarrett]

I am no GSJack when it comes to tires, but from my research I've concluded that bias and radial have pros and cons that make them both worth consideration for the GS.  For the type of riding I do, commuting and twisties, I've found that the BT-45s are my best match.  Your choice depends on your type of riding.  If my bike was dedicated track or weekend twisties, I'd go with Pilot Powers. 

Some folks are quick to trash the BT-45's because the rear is way too thin aesthetically.  Not to mention it is stock, and the GS is lacking in so many areas stock that one might feel that the choice of tire/wheel by the manufacturer must be a mistake.  Stock 45's are one thing they got right.

[Alphamazing]

I rode on a plugged Pilot Power for weeks with no discernible side affects. I say keep the plug.

[OctaneMotorsports]

Think of it this way.

Cost of a new tire < Cost of a totalled bike, totalled gear, and a totalled you.

Better safe than sorry, it will need to be replaced eventually, why not do it now and avoid the risk all together?

[sanjay]

I rode on a plugged Pilot Power for weeks with no discernible side affects. I say keep the plug.

There's a decent chance that plugging will not be a problem.  But the integrity of the tire is compromised by plugging. 

Like Octane said, it's really a matter of personal choice about risk vs. cost. 

[Alphamazing]

The ideal thing to do (and much safer than just a plug) would be to remove the tire and patch it from the inside. If done properly, you should have no problems for the life of the tire.

[FearedGS500]

yea patch is petter if you just want to patch it .. i dont many dealers here in texas ( really i dont know any ) that will plug a motorcycle tire . they have signs up that say  "We will not patch/plug tires "  and they give the reasons and i read this ... and i was like wow .. that makes since .... if it where me i'd get a new tire .. i like my Bridgestone BT-45's i have no problem with them and i ride the hell out of my bike ..but i'm going to try the pilot actives this next time ( next pay period after xmas) i have almost 15k on my bike and i'v gone threw one rear tire and now i'm on the wear bars on front and back .. so i'm gonna see what these pilots do   my stealer told me 85 for the front and 108 for the rear and 35 per tire to mount and blance .. i was like ...hrm ... not bad so thats what i'm gonna do .. if it was me also ... if you can get the money you might as well put the bridgestones all around its be said that its not good to mix tire brands ... just my .02 cents


heres a link  http://two-wheels.michelin.com/2w/front/TyreSelector?lang=EN&cd_pays=2e28&cd_marque=494d4b4e&cd_modele=4d434a4f4e&cd_cylindree=4d424e4d4c&cd_annee=4c484d4a4b

[indywar360]

Well, it sketched me out, I could envision having the plug go at fwy speeds, so I managed to get it done today. Took the wheel off at the curb and only had to wait an hour or so. BT45, change/balance = $119 at FastBikes here in Portland.

Only thing is, rear brake pressure is now very weak, even after pumping it repeatedly. It seems to be reinstalled properly, I can't figure it out. Any advice?

[MarkusN]

Bleed the brake and check if the problem remains.

[dgyver]

Is Slime water soluble or clean up easily?

Just curious since I have been cleaning a wheel that had Fix-a-flat used on it and it is a pain to get off.

[indywar360]

Is Slime water soluble or clean up easily?

Just curious since I have been cleaning a wheel that had Fix-a-flat used on it and it is a pain to get off.

It says it "cleans up with water". This may be good for cleanup but maybe fix a flat is a pain to get off for a reason.
The guy at the store said Slime wasn't so good at doing what it's supposed to. Not sure what that meant, but I would not expect a few oz of water based neon green sludge with little Oreo bits in it to truly stuff a 2mm hole.

[indywar360]

I bled both the brake lines. God damn what a mess. My plastic tube didn't fit the nozzle really and brake fluid leaked EVERYWHERE, from both brakes. Bled/splattered on the calipers, wheels, tires, master cylinder, other cylinder, and everything else.

I don't understand why the fluid is so corrosive (seemed rather thick and oily) or what in it eats up paint, but @*#$)* I am missing several patches of paint now off my back tire. Could have been from something else.  Thinking about what the fluid was doing to my bike and having it all over the place was a nightmare. I don't understand what the chemical reaction is. Is this stuff going to eat the skin on my hands too? No warning stating this.

Ah well, now I know what not to do next time I change the brake fluid. Mechanically, it's not that hard at all.

My back brake is still as weak as it was before. What gives?