Do you trust a tyre plug?

5425 Views 15 Replies 13 Participants Last post by Beena, May 18, 2011

samw55

Discussion Starter · May 12, 2011 (Edited)

Alright guys, would you trust a puncture plug?

I've got myself a slow puncture in my rear Pirelli SuperCorsa tyre. And am now contemplating whether i should keep them with a plug in it.
The SuperCoras were a nightmare over the winter and i was contemplating changing them, but lately with the warm weather they've been great! Now with the summer upon us, is this the time to change them or enjoy the warm weather grip with the track focused tyre (with the slight worry of the plug).

I've got a couple of questions:

1) Should i keep the tyres with a plug?
2) or should i bite the bullet and get a new set?

for the british guys
3) who do you recommend for bike plugs, best quality at a reasonable price?

Thanks guys

Sam

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

pretzel

· #2 · May 12, 2011

Depends on how many miles you have on them. If you do get repaired, make sure to use a plug patch applied from the inside of the tire.

Orangeman

· #3 · May 12, 2011

For me it depends on the hole that was plugged (size & location) and how you use the bike. On my Touring or cruiser bikes and just a smallish hole absolutely and wouldn't worry about it until the tire was worn out. On a bike that I run hard and fast, it would only be a temporary fix to get home and would baby it until I can get a tire.

.

Sp00ky

· #4 · May 12, 2011

My usual rule is a temporary plug to get you to the tire repair shop, then a proper inside mushroom type repair done.

I never ride a plugged /repaired front tire. Only a rear. I've worn many rear tires out with a proper inside plug in them with no worries.

If the rear goes sideways you have a good chance of saving it, if the front goes ..... well, goodbye.

S.

Wayne's Striple

· #5 · May 12, 2011

For 100% safety get a new tire. I know it sucks but this is a high powered sporting bike not a cruiser. The cost of getting the tire removed and a proper plug put in would be a third of the cost of getting a new tire anyway so you may as well go for it. I carry needle nose pliers and a plug kit under the seat in case the tire goes soft while riding so I can give it a quick plug and get to the nearest service station to pump it up again (and avoid tow truck costs). I am always wary of parking lots where nails seem to hide in the gravel. - Wayne

Northlandrider

· #6 · May 12, 2011

plugs belong in bathtubs

MacBandit

· #7 · May 13, 2011

If it's a patch/plug I'd trust it even racing. The patch/plug is a large patch that has a plug sticking out of the middle. The two combined ensure that it can't come out.

DeanRider

· #8 · May 13, 2011

I only trust mushroom plugs applied from the inside of the tyre. Most punctures take place on worn tyres anyway, hence it may be wiser to replace the tyre -- especially if the tyre is already 50% worn. Of course, your slow puncture could be a leaking valve insert or the valve itself!

williamr

· #9 · May 13, 2011

Patch plug applied from the inside after the tyre has been internally inspected I'm fine with - I'm running with one now on the rear.

A temporary plug applied from the outside is a 'get you home' temporary fix.

Plugs in the sidewall are a no-no, and I don't like anything too close to the edge of the tread.

Rob

marmiteturkey

· #10 · May 13, 2011

RAC guy tells me he's raced on tyres with multiple plugs in them. Dealers tell me running plugged tyres invalidates the warranty. The fact that it's not cut and dried makes me think that it's not worth the risk running plugs.

I had to replace a brand new (2-week old) rear Pilot Road 2 because of a nail, but it was worth it for the peace of mind on the bike. Otherwise I'd be nervous every time I got on it.

Pokeyjoe

· #11 · May 13, 2011

I have a little plug kit under the seat. Its my "spare tire" and is intended for that use only.

samw55

Discussion Starter · #12 · May 16, 2011

Thanks for the reply guys.

I think i've made my mind up to change the tyres. It came down to confidence level, although I'm content with the Supecorsa's I'm not a 100% confident with them, especially on a cold morning! And with the added niggling thought of a plug, i wont enjoy the bike to its full potential.

I've only done 1000 miles on the tyres, and the front looks great.

I'm torn between a new set of Michelin's Pilot Power 2ct or Dunlop's Sportmax Sportsmart. I know a fair bit about the PP2ct's and all i know is good stuff but a couple of reviews on the Sportsmart have been outstanding. A bit more pricey, but are they worth it?

Will

· #13 · May 16, 2011

My take on tires is going to be a bit different, perhaps, but here it goes. I will ride on plugged tires on the street without thinking about it much. One lasted almost 10K miles with a plug on my TT600. The track is another story altogether.

For street use, especially in colder weather, you don't want the "stickiest" tires. Really sticky tires are only sticky when they are at their proper operating temperature, and if you get them to those temperatures on the street, you are risking jail time. Thinking about how you want the bike to behave is probably the best way to approach tire selection. Dunlops are generally a little pointier than other tires, and they will make the bike drop into corners harder than some others. This is part of the reason they get rated high. People who ride on the track like to be able to flick a bike into a corner easily, and stability isn't so much of an issue. Rounder tires are much more forgiving, especially on the street. I'm not trying to talk you out of Dunlops - I like them - just making sure the marketing and rating hype makes sense.

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Wayne's Striple

· #14 · May 16, 2011

Since the Dunlop Q2 on front of my R is still in excellent condition at 4000kms and handles great I think I will try the Dunlop Sportmax Roadsmart on back cos it is the same brand and construction but has harder compounds in the middle and softer stickier rubber on the sides. A rear tire wearing out in 3 or 4 thousand kilometers is ridiculous (I don't ride on a race-track and I keep a small chicken-strip on the tire for safety's sake) and I would like to get a season's riding in without having to do a rear tire change more than once (expensive!). I will always use a strictly sport tire on front though cos the front does not wear in the middle like the back. If you are a maniac on the corners and/or visit race-tracks then stick to hardcore sport tires. - Wayne

pretzel

· #15 · May 16, 2011 (Edited)

samw55 said:
Thanks for the reply guys.

I think i've made my mind up to change the tyres. It came down to confidence level, although I'm content with the Supecorsa's I'm not a 100% confident with them, especially on a cold morning! And with the added niggling thought of a plug, i wont enjoy the bike to its full potential.

I've only done 1000 miles on the tyres, and the front looks great.

How much do you want for them?

Edit: Nevermind...I just saw that you are in the UK.

Beena

· #16 · May 18, 2011

I got a nail in my rear tire after only 300 miles on it from new and used a mushroom plug to seal it up. I was going to replace the whole tire but thought I'd risk it and have ridden on it ever since. I've done 1500 miles on it and it hasn't lost any air and looks solid. It's a risk but so is riding I guess.

In the UK I believe a Z rated motorcycle tire is not legally allowed to be repaired by a repair shop and the two I asked about doing it flat out refused.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

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