Can a motorcycle tire be repaired?

[michaelluscher]

Can/should I use a rope plug to repair a nail on tubeless motorcycle tires?
On this 2019 Rebel 300, about 900 miles on it, with the factory Dunlop D404 tires

Is this a repair or replace?
Am I correct in my assumption that motorcycle tires follow mostly the same rules as car tires?
No repairs outside the repairable area, 6 year age limit, etc?

 

[hank2]

I'm not the authority on the issue, but I would consider that in a repairable area ( barely) if it's done well. If it were me, I'd consider a replacement much sooner than normal.

 

[Rob C]

Roll the dice...I’d replace it.

 

[Rygrego]

I would not use a plug but would dismount and patch without hesitation.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I've plugged motorcycle tires, and never had a problem. The nails have always been between the tire center and left or right 1/2 way to the tire edge.

 

[fantastic]

Patch properly or replace..not worth any issues.

 

[BigJohn]

I patch dirt bike tubes with confidence, but I only plug a tubeless street bike tire..... only to get home.

I know it is a painful thought to replace a fairly new motorcycle tire, which was probably very expensive to begin with, but it just isn't worth the risk to me.

I ride a motorcycle for fun and stress relief. I hate to ride a bike that is a safety concern. .... Ruins the experience for me.

Drop the dough and mount a new sneaker.


...........

 

[mrsilv04]

Can a motorcycle tire be repaired? Yes.

Should a motorcycle tire be repaired? Probably not.

 

[barryh]

Plug to get home - obviously, that's the major benefit of tubless tyres. Then patch properly and ride until it's worn out.

 

[hrv]

Since you are riding on only two tires.............replace it....

 

[Trav]

I wouldn't do it, I had to change a rear tire when it picked up a small nail after 50km on a brand new tire. In some countries it is illegal to repair a MC tire.

 

[repairman54]

Plugs are a roadside repair to get you to a shop to replace it. You only have 2 tires and failure is not an option.
I would not even patch one on a bike, car yes, not on a bike.

 

[BigCahuna]

The only people that will tell you to replace a fairly new tire when it has a nail in it is, people that sell motorcycle tires and the people that they have convinced that they need a new motorcycle tires. The only plug I've ever heard failing, is one that wasn't installed correctly. Guys that ride seriously, plug them all the time. They would never have their bike towed because they picked up a nail, unless it was a tubed tire.,,

 

[SeaJay]

Have had many plugs on my cars over the decades when the hole is small and well within the tread. Never a problem.

 

[kevperro]

If you are comfortable patching a condom, then you have the right risk profile for patching motorcycle tires.

 

[k1xv]

Replace the tire.

First, it contains relatively little air inside. So if it suddenly starts to leak, it goes down fast.

Two, the tires have a much higher adhesion role than on a car, and three

There are only two, not four.

 

[DriveHard]

I have plugged many motorcycle tires over the years...never had one fail.

 

[BusyLittleShop]

THE CHOICE
The choice is yours but I'd start plugging because there is mounting
evidence that plugged tires work and are safe... I have yet to note
anyone armed with first hand knowledge to the contrary...

REPAIRS
Minor tire repair is limited to an area of three quarters of the
normal section width. The maximum diameter of penetration damage
and/or cracking at the base of the injury should be no greater than
3mm. The repair patches must not overlap.

For permanent repair,it is only recommended that small punctures
restricted to the tread area be repaired, using a rope type plug. The
current condition of a tire is important in determining whether a tire
is suitable for repair. Some damage limits include: if the tire has
reached its minimum tread depth as indicated by the TWI (tire wear
indicator); ply separation, separation of inner liner and or cutting
of ply cords by penetrating object; brittle or cracked rubber caused
by exhaust heat; broken or bent bead wire, damaged bead zone; damage
caused by under-inflation; softening or swelling of rubber due to oil
or chemical attack; punctures too close together; damage or previous
repair of a puncture outside of area specified for suitable repair.

MY EXPERIENCES
My screwed Rennsport... boo hoo...

My plugged Rennsport that covered 2K miles and not in moderation
either... it's seen over a 140 mph more than once...

Inside the Rennsport for proof that the rope type plugs stay intact
whereas my mushroom type plug started to come unstuck...

You can see by the diagram that Safety Seal plugs that are installed
properly establish an mushroom shape inside the carcass that holds
fast under pressure... you'd have more luck pushing the plug inside
carcass than you'll ever have it pop out under pressure...

Self Vulcanizing Ropes are convenient to buy and convenient to install
for the Do-It-Yourself owner unable to locate a shop to assume the liability
of a inside Combi Plug for such little profit...

3 Steps on the rode again Self Vulcanizing Ropes...

Rope1) Ream hole with tool provided in the kit found at any parts store
Rope2) Insert rope with tool provided in the kit and trim excess
Rope3) Inflate tire to proper PSI

I don't recommend the inside Combi / mushroom type plugs because
I discovered that the inside patch is solely dependent on a bond
between a plug company's material and the tire manufacture's rubber
compound... that's a crap shoot the two chemical compounds are
compatible enough to hold a bond when the rubber is stationary and at
room temperature... but tires are elastic bodies designed to flex from
completely round to completely flat at every rotation... every
rotation builds heat that works against that bond... every rotation
flexes that mushroom patch from round to flat that works against that
bond.... so we have heat coupled with flex working against the two
competing chemical bonds from being as consistence as a self
vulcanizing rope plug installed from the outside..

7 difficult steps for a due-it-yourself or for a shop to install an inside Combi
Plug whereas the Self Vulcanizing Ropes are convenient to buy and
convenient to install for the Do-It-Yourself owner unable to locate a shop to
assume the liability of a inside Combi Plug for such little profit...

3 Steps on the rode again Self Vulcanizing Ropes...

Rope1) Ream hole with tool provided in the kit found at any parts store
Rope2) Insert rope with tool provided in the kit and trim excess
Rope3) Inflate tire to proper PSI

7 Steps in the shop for a inside Combi Plug...

Combi1) remove wheel from bike
Combi2) remove tire from wheel
Combi3) prepare carcass in accordance to instructions and flush with special cleaner.
Combi4) Insert combi and employ pliers to pull it through, employ pizza roller to press patch flat, trim excess
Combi5) Install tire on wheel
Combi6) Install wheel on bike
Combi7) Inflate tire to proper PSI

Inside Combi Plug...

 

[ZeeOSix]

This is the plug kit I've used, and it worked well. The included rubber cement makes it easier to install the plug, and helps seal and secure the plug. I put the blue tape on the tools to act as a depth gauge. I installed the plug deep enough to ensure a good mushroom on the inside, but not excessive plug to effect wheel balance. Last photo is after some miles were put on the plug. With more miles, it basically blended right into the rest of the tire.

 

[Warlord]

I’d replace it cause if I didn’t I’d be worried about it constantly.