Hey guys.  I have been storing my bike in a friends barn during the off season.  I go and pick it up today, and the front tire is FLAT.   :guns: UGH.  So, it was a little before 5, so I call the local dealer, and ask him if he's got time to plug a slow leak.  He says he won't do it.  Says he'll only sell me a new tire.  What's the deal with that?  Anyway, I used an air compressor and the tire held enough air to make it 4 miles back to my place.  It's been about an hour and so far, I can't tell that it's losing any air.  What should I do?  Try and get it pluged at a tire store?  Use fix a flat?  Could it have leaked that much air out (it wasn't on the rim, but it was pretty flat) but still be ok?  Or buy a new tire (this one is only a year old)?  Thanks for your help guys.

What's up man, I live in Cullowhee... about 5 min from WCU... I just picked up a 500 yesterday, we should meet up sometime. PM me or something...

As for the tire, I don't know much... :dunno:so I really can't help ya, but that does suck..

Scott

Quote from: WCU_V_TwinHey guys.  I have been storing my bike in a friends barn during the off season.  I go and pick it up today, and the front tire is FLAT.   :guns: UGH.  So, it was a little before 5, so I call the local dealer, and ask him if he's got time to plug a slow leak.  He says he won't do it.  Says he'll only sell me a new tire.  What's the deal with that?  Anyway, I used an air compressor and the tire held enough air to make it 4 miles back to my place.  It's been about an hour and so far, I can't tell that it's losing any air.  What should I do?  Try and get it pluged at a tire store?  Use fix a flat?  Could it have leaked that much air out (it wasn't on the rim, but it was pretty flat) but still be ok?  Or buy a new tire (this one is only a year old)?  Thanks for your help guys.

All tires lose air over time - to determine if that is a problem you need to know how fast.  If it went "low" over a three month period I would just monitor the pressure religiously for a few weeks to see if there is a problem.  If it goes flat in a week then I would want to find out why and fix it - could just be a bad valve.  Since there are only two contact patches for a bike I am a bit paranoid about tires - I would replace rather than fix if there is a hole.

Yeah, it could be a slow leak. You're not going to get it plugged. Most places won't even look at it. There's so much more liability involved in patching a motorcycle tire than your ordinary car tire. If you are the least bit suspicious of dryrot or any other bad sign, change it. Think about it: Is you life worth saving $80 on a tire?

well dude i know tires lose more air in the winter i.e. snowy -0 type weather, not that southern "its only 30 outside" winter if there in no dryrot on the tire and it sat for 3 or 5 months i say try filling it with some tire sealer, they sell stuff thats thick and helps seal from the inside. just check out an autoparts store they will have a few types.fill the tire to proper pressure and wait a few days to see if it goes down, then drive it SLOW for a few days and use a pressure gauge to see if it lost any air.i would not drive it over 20 or so till you know its ok. if you have any doubt or lack of trust in it get a new one. its not even worth the worry let alone your health, besides it would always sit in the back of your mind when you are out driving and take some of the fun out of it.

Try this stuff.

http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle.htm

Stays liquid, does not freeze and does not throw your tire out of balance.
I picked up a screw and used this stuff.  I put on another 5,500 miles on he tire and never gave it a second thought.  A patch or plug can fail.  This stuff has to work since it is always liquid and in your tire.

Try this stuff.

http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle.htm

Stays liquid, does not freeze and does not throw your tire out of balance.
I picked up a screw and used this stuff.  I put on another 5,500 miles on he tire and never gave it a second thought.  A patch or plug can fail.  This stuff has to work since it is always liquid and in your tire.