[dmdan]

Ok,
So whether you approve or not, I pluged my Mezler M1 Rear tire after I found a shard of metal in it. I was directly in the center of the tread on the raised portion. I had about 3 weeks (been on it a 6 so far) left on the tire, and its got some meat left. I had to take it to work because of the commute and was going to get it fixed at a shop this afternoon. Long story even longer, the shop wasn't open.
I pluged the tire, using the cement, after rasping a bigger hole in it. The general monkey brand plug from kragen. I left about a half inch of two sides of the plug out of the tire, and rolled it so it was face down. I filled it and let it sit over night. The morning commute was 60 miles. It was uneventful, the tire wasn't unbalanced at all, and had to get it up to 83 to make it out of the way of a dirt truck. There is a couple rules I followed, absolutely no accelaration more than what a ford focus could do, and no accelation on turns what so ever. After 60 miles the plug was unchanged and balled up against the tire rubber, the pressure held at 44 (was 42 cold).
The evening commute was a bit distressing. The asphalt was hot, and so was the air. After a 70 mile commute, the air is holding, but there is little left of the plug on the outside of the tire. I will be taking my car tomrrow (to let the plug sit a day to check the air), and take my bike on the same ride wednesday to get the new tire. I was travelling mostly at 70 with few worries, still controlling the acceleration, which is extremely modest for me.
Just wanted to share my plug story, I will tell you how it looks after another 100 miles on wednesday. I feel as though acceleration and acceleration on turns will stress the structure of the tire, but the rotation is generally ok. I will remember my remark when I fly off of it after it explodes on me. But lets all cross the fingers.

 

[Louis]

You only have two wheels, if you loose one it ain't good. Running on a plugged tire is NOT a good thing. Be safe, buy a new tire.

 

[Memphis]

did u use a razorbalde to cut off the excess sticking out of the tire to make it smooth with the tire. From how I read it, it seems that you left the excess sticking out about 1/2 inch and then it got smushed to the tire.
Did I read this right?

If so, what did you think it was going to wear off when riding and then the tire would be smooth? It is ment to plug a rubber tire to with stand the tire pressure and the wear from the road. If you didn't trim the excess off on the outside of the tire. You may want to do that.

 

[98G]

You only have two wheels, if you loose one it ain't good. Running on a plugged tire is NOT a good thing. Be safe, buy a new tire.

//A flat in a car is an inconvenience. A blowout on a motorcycle can be a life-ending event. You couldn't pay me enough to ride on a plugged tire.

98G

 

[Dwayne Hicks]

Sort of related to this thread - I used to ride a bicycle before someone told me about the advent of the internal combustion engine. I rode a mountain bike, and was forever getting punctures from hard thorns and small shards of glass that are difficult to see when riding. I went to my local bike dealer to buy my third new innertube for the month when the guy suggested an air hardening compound glue that would solidify as soon as a minor puncture formed. I agreed to try the stuff out - he dismantled the valves on both front and back tubes, poured half the glue into the front and the rest went into the back. Pumped the tires and off I went.

The following day while riding to work, I hit something with my back tire, and the back end of the bicycle started bouncing up and down, as the valve was hitting the road from the inside of the flat tire. I stopped to investigate to find a four inch rusty nail embedded in the tire, with the glue slowly running down it. After much cursing, I proceeded to walk the next three miles to work.

I guess the point of my story is this. Although the plug may be a temporary fix to your tire, as Louis said, its not worth risking your life over - get a new tire as soon as possible

Cheers
Dwayne

 

[smith_scotr]

unbelievable

I was reading this thread at work during lunch today because I thought it was interesting...I took my bike out tonight for a ride and when I stopped for a break and went to get back on I noticed a nail in my rear tire. This totally sux and is a huge inconvenience...I'm going to check it in the morning so I can HOPEFULLY ride it to work and (not too far away and all backroads) and take it to the dealer to have them fix it during my lunch hour. I was wondering, from reading this thread the plug seems like a bad idea. However I've been hearing that they can plug it so it will last the life of the tire with no ill effects...should I not even bother with the plug and just tell them I want to order a new tire?

 

[Gixxerdale]

My 2 cents...Buy a tire. what's your life worth. Most shops here refuse to repair a tire on a sportbike because of the liability. Tire warranty at Cycle Gear is 10% of the tire price. Well worth it. I got 800 miles on a new rear once when I picked up a nail. Went in with my receipt, got a new tire. Sure feels better to spend a few bucks on a warranty as opposed to a few bucks on a plug kit.

 

[dmdan]

just to add for today,

I agree with everyone who said get a new tire, its not worth killing yourself. I do and plan to get one made an appointment tommorrow. Today I drove my cage while the bike sat in the garage. The tire is still holding great air, the plug (which wore down yesterday afternoon) is almost flush with the tire. Its a mixture of rubber and fibreglass from what I can determine, its sticky as fudge and pretty flush.

Here is the other plug (ha ha). They can plug your tire from the inside, its called a mushroom plug or something. Its a flat plug they bond onto the inside of the tire when its off, by qualified technicians. If its not near the sidewall and its the only one of its kind in the quarter of the tire. Oh, they said you can't go over 80 mph on it. Since its quite difficult for me to go UNDER 80, I want a new sneaker, which I will get tommorrow, unfortunally for work, its going to be 100 miles, no accelleration, no leaning turns under accelleration, more until it gets mounted.

My greatest fear is it tottally exploding on the hot pavement in the afternoon. I will be staying around 65 mph. Let ya know how it goes, after I burn off the rest of it at the stop light before the bike shop.

 

[smith_scotr]

well

Ok, I'm convinced...anyone have an idea of what a new rear tire would cost for an '03 GSXR600?

 

[Louis]

Depends on what kind of tire you want...

 

[Gixxerdale]

Re: well

Ok, I'm convinced...anyone have an idea of what a new rear tire would cost for an '03 GSXR600?

http://cyclegear.com/dept.cfm?L1=129

 

[smith_scotr]

same thing

Same exact thing that's on there now (stock)...only with out that [email protected] nail in it!!!

 

[smith_scotr]

good advice...

Ok, so I went to the dealer and there was no option. They will not repair/plug bike tires. There aren't any plugs that are rated above 50mph so it's just not worth the risk. So 2hrs and $200+ later I've got a new tire on it. I had a 207 on there originally, but the new one they put on is a 208 (supposedly it is a better tire and not different in size). So, now it's time to break in a new rear tire again...thanks for your input I feel better with a new tire on there than I would have if I went to some random shop and had it plugged...

 

[Gixxerdale]

Re: good advice...

Ok, so I went to the dealer and there was no option. They will not repair/plug bike tires. There aren't any plugs that are rated above 50mph so it's just not worth the risk. So 2hrs and $200+ later I've got a new tire on it. I had a 207 on there originally, but the new one they put on is a 208 (supposedly it is a better tire and not different in size). So, now it's time to break in a new rear tire again...thanks for your input I feel better with a new tire on there than I would have if I went to some random shop and had it plugged...

Good choice! But shop now for some better deals on tires before you need the next one. Got a Cycle Gear near by?
http://cyclegear.com/

 

[dmdan]

Ok, heres the end of my saga.
I drove 100 more miles today, today I was misbehaving, got it up to 90 pretty frequently on the hot tar, was trying to get it to the shop in time for it to be put on. The plug held, I was going batty thinking my bike was getting sluggish and not cornering well, but it was full of air when I hit the shop. A total of 250 miles on the plug and still strong. They took off the old one and I got to see the plug from the inside, still holding strong, the outside had worn down to the tire.
Here is my dumb luck for today! On my way to the shop, I got a 2 inch nail in my tread (didn't puncture). But it was some serious wear from where it jammed in and tore the rubber. They thought that was the problem when they changed the tire, I informed them of the plug. The tire had 1800 miles on it, still had another 1800 left. So half half for me. If I had got it changed on monday, I would have a nail in my new tire!
My Metzler M1 Sportec (180/55r) cost 189 dollars total. That includes the install and balance (40) had them take it off the bike, and misc, also got a 10 dollar discount for frequent customer, the tire cost 145.
Thanx to everyone who crossed thier fingers, or laughed at me when I asked.