Thought on patching tires?

[vve are the end]

I've always just replaced tires in the past when they've been punctured but I'm getting sick of how often its happening. I've got a 04 xb12 with Pirelli Corsa III's and found a small alen wrench sticking out of the center of the tread today (rear tire). Still got about 75% life left on the tire. I commute on this bike 5 days a week. Anybody think its ok to patch or is it too risky?

If not, any recommendations on good tires with a slightly better price?

 

[84yotaguy]

i work at an auto shop and have patched thousands of tires. i dont see the difference in a motorcycle tire, they still have the inner liner. people dont recommend it because you only have 2 tires holding you to the road so if something happens it would be a lot bigger deal then in a car. saying that, i have patched a tire for a coworkers bike and it is holding up fine. i would do the same if it were mine, BUT i trust my skills and the products i use to patch with.

 

[anrkizm95]

http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/info-center/care-and-maintenance/


12 - Tire Repair

Some punctures in motorcycle tires may be repaired.

Dunlop recommends only permanent plug-patch repairs of small (maximum 1/4-inch diameter) tread-area punctures from within the dismounted tire by a qualified tire repair shop or motorcycle dealer. Never perform an exterior repair and never use an inner tube as a substitute for a proper repair. Speed should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after repair, and the repaired tire should never be used over 75 mph. Advise your customer to check inflation pressure after tire cools for at least three (3) hours following run-in, or sooner if air loss is suspected. See the Dunlop Service Advisory for additional motorcycle tubeless-tire repair information. Follow the same repair procedures for tires on rims requiring tube replacement. The repairer is solely responsible for the repair and any instructions to the repaired-tire user.

Advise your customers that no form of temporary repair should be attempted because secondary damage caused by a penetrating object may not be detected and tire or tube deflation may occur at a later date.

Dunlop does not recommend the use of liquid sealants. These are a form of temporary repair, and they may adversely affect ply material and mask secondary damage caused by a penetrating object. Advise your customers that reliance upon sealants can result in sudden tire failure and accident.

 

[wd40oz]

yep, plug/patch from the inside. I've never had a single one fail...[up]

 

[GAXB9R]

Just kidding. Im split between though. It's basically a newer tire, but is your life support on the road. Tough call to make.

 

[Mark XB12r]

Are you sure its leaking? if so patch it, steel belts hold the casing together. should be fine. ive run plugged tires to the end of tred life before with no problems

 

[Shatrat]

A 'worm' plug from the outside can pop back out, a flat patch on the inside will still let water and dirt get in and rust any belts exposed in the hole.

If it's a brand new tire you can't bear replacing, you can do a plug-patch like a few have mentioned.
I've done it but getting a real one installed is going to cost you $20 to $30 so unless it's fresh meat you might as well just get a new tire.

This thread has a pic of the type of patch you need.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2610022

 

[Junkbone]

First, I have never tried patching or plugging a motorcycle tire, but have plugged lots of car tires with no failures. That being said, like someone else mentioned, you've only got two tires to the road. I'd spring for a new tire and then patch that one just to have some fun bleach burnouts![mad]

 

[Ferris Buellster]

quote,
"I've always just replaced tires in the past when they've been punctured but I'm getting sick of how often its happening. I've got a 04 xb12 with Pirelli Corsa III's and found a small alen wrench sticking out of the center of the tread today (rear tire). Still got about 75% life left on the tire. I commute on this bike 5 days a week. Anybody think its ok to patch or is it too risky?"

Personally I say find another way to save a buck! REPLACE! I know it sucks because tires are expensive but what is your peace of mind worth?

 

[CrazyTexan]

I went with a inner patch, then the second time I used a plug/patch cuz it was a big hole, and THEN.....I bought a new tire due to normal wear and tear. But I never rode over 85-90 with the patches. Had it in my mind and couldn't get over it...

 

[wifarmboy]

Iv seen it done, even used a rope plug on my dirt bike but you live or die by a blow out at 70. Over dramatic I know but I'd swallow the bill on new tread..

 

[anrkizm95]

imo tires are cheap compared to the price of a bike and hospital bills.

 

[wally]

Do it - it lasts.

Had my Ulys rear tire plugged last year - tire virtually brand new, also on my SRAD and Bandit a few years ago.

 

[jasonxb9]

Being in the auto industry as well, I've seen and had a lot of tires repaired and again there is no difference between car tires and bike tires, I would for sure patch it and run it till it needs to be replaced!!

 

[user_deleted]

never patch a sidewall but other than that it's done all the time. picture a tractor-trailer front radial michelin tire at $650 each. it is carrying on average about 4000 lbs. of weight. do you really think owners and trucking companies discard them over a center tread puncture? hell no. they are patched on the inside all the time. a patch applied properly lasts the life of the tire. notice i said "properly".

 

[Mark XB12r]

imo tires are cheap compared to the price of a bike and hospital bills.

Iv seen it done, even used a rope plug on my dirt bike but you live or die by a blow out at 70. Over dramatic I know but I'd swallow the bill on new tread..

Personally I say find another way to save a buck! REPLACE! I know it sucks because tires are expensive but what is your peace of mind worth?

Sigh... God I wish I had a shop full of customers like you guys. First i would need a shop, but that's besides the point...

Do you guys even understand how tires are made?

 

[vve are the end]

Thanks for all the input everybody. I went ahead and just bought anew tire. Went with the Pirelli Diablo 190/50 instead of the Corsa III I had. Same tread pattern and saved $100. Better safe than sorry.

 

[GAXB9R]

Better safe than sorry.

[up]

Do you guys even understand how tires are made?

They do have similar builds, but isn't the geometry on a bike tire different from a tractor tire. You have more surface coverage on the tractor tire down the center. The motorcycle has 2" give or take. Also the G's are different when the bike turns and leans causing different stress on the motorcycle tire than the tractor tire. I understand if it's a pin hole it will probably be fine, but if it's an Allen wrench or 16b nail or a large screw some of the integrity of the tire is compromised.. This is just the way I see it, but I could be way wrong. Not arguing just explaining my view on it. Ride safe.[cool]

 

[anrkizm95]

Do you guys even understand how tires are made?

yes but i see you dont.the problem with plugs and patch plugs is the hole needs reamed out and the reamer can damage a steel belt more than it already has been and even sever it.since you know so much about tires im sure you know what happens when a belt snaps.
i'll take the manufactures advice if repaired dont ride over 75 mph.a buell that cant safely be ridden over 75 mph is just an over powered over priced moped imo.so since i like to ride the hell out of my bike and tires are cheap i replace them.
if you would like i can start sending you any damaged tires i get just pay shipping.

 

[anrkizm95]

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/tire-tyre-guide/Tire-TyreTech.htm



Tire Repairs

Riding on an improperly repaired tire is dangerous. An improper repair can cause further damage to the tire. It may suddenly fail, causing serious personal injury or death. To be safe, go to your local dealer for proper tire repairs.

Before having a tire repaired, tell your local dealer if you have used an aerosol fixer to inflate/ seal the tire. Aerosol fixers could contain a highly volatile gas. Always remove the valve core outdoors, away from sources of excessive heat, flame, or sparks and completely deflate the tire before removing it from the rim for repair.

-Never repair a tire with less than 1/32nd inch (0.8 millimeters) tread remaining. At this tread depth, the tire is worn out and must be replaced.
-Never repair a tire with a puncture larger than 1/4 inch (6.4 millimeters) in diameter. Such tires cannot be properly repaired and must be replaced.
-Repairs of all tires (radial and non-radial) must be of the plug and inside patch type. Using plugs alone on any type of tire is not a safe repair.
-Never repair a tire with a puncture or other damage outside the tread area. Such tires cannot be properly repaired and must be replaced.
-Any tire repair done without removing the tire from the rim is improper.
-Tubes, like tires, should be repaired only by a qualified tire service person.
-Never use a tube as a substitute for a proper repair.

A tire's speed rating is void if the tire is repaired, retreaded, damaged or abused, or otherwise altered from its original condition. Thereafter, it should be treated as a non-speed-rated tire.

Speed should not exceed 50 mph (80kph) in the first 24 hours after a repair is made and the repaired tire should never be used at speeds above 80 mph (128 kph).


-Never repair a tire with a puncture larger than 1/4 inch (6.4 millimeters) in diameter. Such tires cannot be properly repaired and must be replaced.

sure looks like just the act of of reaming it out for the plug patch makes it unrepairable.if you have ever watched a tire guy ream out a tire then you know your lucky if he dosnt open the hole up to 3/8