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06-11-2008, 11:37am
The tyre manufacturers etc err on the side of caution. Why risk plugging a tyre when they can sell you a new one?
Ive had five punctures in four years - three in the last year. All, except the first have been plugged with the standard spagetti (which "mushrooms" out on the inside of the tyre anyway) without any problem. I have not modified my riding because Ive got a "plugged" tyre.
Having a puncture, where the air escapes over a short period of time (several seconds or more) is usually not catastrophic whereas having a blowout probably is - but you cant plug a blowout. If a plug in a tyre fails it will probably act just like the original puncture.
I was terrified of getting a flat until I "survived" my first which wasn't nearly as dramatic as I'd feared.
Story 1.
I was on the track and being new to riding was keen to get to 160kph (I was on a harley after all). Anyway having reached my target speed I eased off on the throttle and noticed a little wobble (and I mean almost imperceptable wobble). I paid no attention thinking it was my nerves etc and continued riding for another 4-5km around a couple of bends (again a slight wobble). It was only until I slowed almost to 20-30kph that the front tyre collapsed.
I didn't have a puncture - something hit and broke the vlave stem so I had a "hole" in my tyre about 5mm so that air escaped quickly but i was still able to ride without any dramas for 4-5km.
Story 2.
Again at the track (one of my first rides on my Busa) I was riding with some friends and going around some long corners about 140 - 160 kph. I felt the bike was a bit unsettled but thought it was just me pushing it a little bit and not having settled with a new bike yet. Continued for another 10-15km when we stopped and it was noticed I had a flat rear tyre with probably only 10psi in it (or less). Plugged it on the spot and continued.
Moral of the stories;
1. A puncture is unlikely to cause a catastrophe so even if a plug fails its probably no drama so plug it.
2. The string rubber type plug that you get from any auto shop, Kmart etc works so do it yourself (and carry one on you. Im happy to help out but am getting pissed off with fixing other m/c punctures while I should be riding).
Cheers
Ive had five punctures in four years - three in the last year. All, except the first have been plugged with the standard spagetti (which "mushrooms" out on the inside of the tyre anyway) without any problem. I have not modified my riding because Ive got a "plugged" tyre.
Having a puncture, where the air escapes over a short period of time (several seconds or more) is usually not catastrophic whereas having a blowout probably is - but you cant plug a blowout. If a plug in a tyre fails it will probably act just like the original puncture.
I was terrified of getting a flat until I "survived" my first which wasn't nearly as dramatic as I'd feared.
Story 1.
I was on the track and being new to riding was keen to get to 160kph (I was on a harley after all). Anyway having reached my target speed I eased off on the throttle and noticed a little wobble (and I mean almost imperceptable wobble). I paid no attention thinking it was my nerves etc and continued riding for another 4-5km around a couple of bends (again a slight wobble). It was only until I slowed almost to 20-30kph that the front tyre collapsed.
I didn't have a puncture - something hit and broke the vlave stem so I had a "hole" in my tyre about 5mm so that air escaped quickly but i was still able to ride without any dramas for 4-5km.
Story 2.
Again at the track (one of my first rides on my Busa) I was riding with some friends and going around some long corners about 140 - 160 kph. I felt the bike was a bit unsettled but thought it was just me pushing it a little bit and not having settled with a new bike yet. Continued for another 10-15km when we stopped and it was noticed I had a flat rear tyre with probably only 10psi in it (or less). Plugged it on the spot and continued.
Moral of the stories;
1. A puncture is unlikely to cause a catastrophe so even if a plug fails its probably no drama so plug it.
2. The string rubber type plug that you get from any auto shop, Kmart etc works so do it yourself (and carry one on you. Im happy to help out but am getting pissed off with fixing other m/c punctures while I should be riding).
Cheers