I was sitting at my desk, minding my own business when one of my co-workers comes over and lets me know I have a nail in my back tire - So I go outside hoping its just someone being dumb only to find this:




They're the stock '05 Bridgestones with only about 5k on them. I'm surprised to see the nail is flush with the tire as though its been in there for a bit and worn down as I've driven. I'm not nervous about driving with it there until I can get it fixed as it seems to be holding pressure and not causing a huge issue, but I would like to get it taken care of. Is green slime acceptable after removing the offender? or should I be uber-safe and just replace the darn thing...or both front and rear while I'm at it?

I've been trying to search and research tire info, but there's so much to weed through - I primarily commute with occaisionally more aggressive riding and don't think I want to go above 140/80-17. Bias ply is the stock tire, is radial that much different/desirable under these conditions? And is replacing a tire a DIY type job?

That sucks. Is it wise to get a plug in a motorcycle tire or do you have to get another.

You can, but I suggest a patch.  An arguement can be made for both, but a nail isn't going to deform the carcass of the tire much, and a patch would be sufficient, as a plug may come out.

Roger that.

It's an excuse to get you some Sport Demons!

Pirelli sport demons for front and rear for about $80 each from  motorcycle-superstore.com
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/DepartmentC.aspx?Department=647&Division=6&WT.mc_ID=10001&WT.srch=1 

And as far as mounting goes....who should do it and what should I expect to pay if I don't do it?

Mount and balance should be between $20 and $35. Get a local motorcycle shop to do it for you. You might need to take your wheels off to get that price, but that is an easy task.

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on May 18, 2006, 04:05:34 PM
It's an excuse to get you some Sport Demons!

What size do you suggest? I'd like to go bigger than stock....

Quote from: joedude on May 18, 2006, 05:22:25 PM

Quote from: AlphaFire X5 on May 18, 2006, 04:05:34 PM
It's an excuse to get you some Sport Demons!

What size do you suggest? I'd like to go bigger than stock....

I'm using stock sizes right now, but if you want to go bigger, go no larger than 140/80 in the rear.

so are these the best cheap alternative to radial tires?

"Radial like handling from bias ply tires"

Quote from: joedude on May 18, 2006, 05:31:10 PM
so are these the best cheap alternative to radial tires?

"Radial like handling from bias ply tires"

From all the reviews I've read, that's about right. I've never had radial tires before, so all I know is that these were better than my stock BT45s.