Nail in tire-replace or fix?

[AFMO]

Hey all,

I'm a new rider with a 94 GS.  I bought it in the fall with new tires on it, and somehow picked up a nail in 150 miles of end-of-season riding.  Can I have it patched, or just buy a new one?  I know it's my life on 2 tires, not four, but wondered if it's possible to fix it.  I've heard mixed reviews so far.

[ohgood]

sharp bike ! the helmet is pretty kewl, with that chromie grill.

when I first bought my gs I rode it from just outside of Atlanta, GA to Meridian, MS which ended up around 300 miles at interstate speeds with a nail in the tire. it was dumb, but the tire survived another 300 miles of mixed riding on back roads after that. the PO said it was in there for about a year that he knew of. so there testimony to around 1,000 miles without incident. it didn't leak, but still, there was a piece of material (metal) in the tire that didn't give, heat and cool at the same rates as rubber.


the tire wasn't in that great of shape to begin with as you can see. i won't do that again, but i will plug a tire. i've read more than a few opinions online about mushroom plugs lasting thousands of miles, and since i'm not a squid, i think it's safe provided the location of the puncture is ok. i've picked up several small nails, tacks, even a staple, but they've been ok so far.

depends on where your nail is, how you ride, etc. - and you're right, it's your life on only two. post a picture of the nails' location. the gurus here will tell ya fer sur.

[ajaxgs]

only two wheels .........replace it!

[sledge]

Not worth the risk, it could go at anytime, I say change it. Plugs make them airtight again but the carcass will never be as strong as it was. Besides all that all that the tyre looks almost worn out as it is. That would be an instant MOT failure over here as well as invalidating your insurance.

[makenzie71]

I'd say go ahead and change it because the tire is almost slicked in the middle...if it were a new-ish-er tire I would say patch it.  NEVER plug a tire, especially a motorcycle tire.  You do more damage putting the plug in.  A patch is always best.  And I wouldn't worry about the structural integrity of a motorcycle tire with a straight puncture...road tires just aren't that delicate.

[beRto]

I'm a new rider with a 94 GS.  I bought it in the fall with new tires on it, and somehow picked up a nail in 150 miles of end-of-season riding. 

Why are nails always attracted to new tires?!    I put on a new set of tires over the winter and now I'm just waiting for that first nail. 

p.s. it might help if you posted a close-up pic of the puncture? (similar to ohgood's)

[makenzie71]

whoops...I thought ohgood's pic was the tire in question.  ohgood's is about time to replace...if the tire in question is in better shape I'd just patch it.

[ben2go]

When I was younger(late teens),I rode a whole season on a patch.I'm not sure if it was a standard patch or mushroom patch.When the dealer removed the tire, they showed me how the tire flex from riding was about to cause the patch to fail.So,IMO,I would replace the tire unless you're riding close to home at relatively low speeds.BTW That was on a GSXR750.

[Torsti]

As I've heard, the "camel shaZam!" works fine if you don't like to squeeze everything out of your motorcycle.

[ben2go]

Only zoos have camels in the US and some wierd people. 

[gsJack]

When I was younger (in my 60's) I put about 25k miles on a plugged tire.  Got a piece of steel thru it when it was almost new and plugged it and used it up.  I got 25-30k miles from the Dunlop touring tires I used on my old Hondas.  I plugged a few others and used them up also, all plugged w/o removing tires from bike.

They were all bias or bias belted tires except one Z2 radial I plugged on my 97 GS.  It was used up and a new one was on the way so I plugged it and rode it around locally a few days till I got the new one.  Never felt the same about plugging radial tires on a bike, they flex much more than bias.  I'd plug more bias tires if necessary and continue to use them up but I won't plug radials except for a short temporary fix.

[ohgood]

Not worth the risk, it could go at anytime, I say change it. Plugs make them airtight again but the carcass will never be as strong as it was. Besides all that all that the tyre looks almost worn out as it is. That would be an instant MOT failure over here as well as invalidating your insurance.

sorry, that's my tire from a couple years ago, long since replaced. i've really got to start communicating better 

[AFMO]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm planning on replacing it.  It's actually a new tire, with 150 or so miles on it, so it's no slick by any means, but it's not worth the risk. 

Now, would it be worth my $$$ to change both tires for radials? 

[The Buddha]

Tyooooo bbbb it ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[ohgood]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm planning on replacing it.  It's actually a new tire, with 150 or so miles on it, so it's no slick by any means, but it's not worth the risk. 

Now, would it be worth my $$$ to change both tires for radials? 

send the tire to heaven in a cloud of smoke, just make sure your cameraman is competent and you post it here

[duyster]

errr ya i plugged mine and it's running just fine.  I'd replace it though, but haven't got time