Question for Motorcycle enthusiast, Best options for puncture in center tread on tire....Repair or replace?

[TraskiTideFan]

So I was adjusting the tension on my bike and noticed the tire flexed when I pressed against it. Screw in the center tread much to my chagrin. I don't have 2000 miles on this particular "shoe" yet. I did a rope plug for a temp fix and ordered a new replacement. Question is, what is the best internal patch to use on the old tire? I am planning on keeping it for a spare. I live in Small Town, West TN so there are not a lot of local tire shop options that do motorcycle tires within 100 miles. So its DIY for a lot of maintenance around these parts. LOL

 

[Bazza]

So I was adjusting the tension on my bike and noticed the tire flexed when I pressed against it. Screw in the center tread much to my chagrin. I don't have 2000 miles on this particular "shoe" yet. I did a rope plug for a temp fix and ordered a new replacement. Question is, what is the best internal patch to use on the old tire? I am planning on keeping it for a spare. I live in Small Town, West TN so there are not a lot of local tire shop options that do motorcycle tires within 100 miles. So its DIY for a lot of maintenance around these parts. LOL

Have you looked on You Tube? I have not but that's where I would look.

Sorry I have no personal knowledge to pass along.

But what you already know - tires are probably the most crucial component to safety on any vehicle - especially motorcycles. So glad to hear you have a replacement coming. Well done!

Also, please update the thread later as appropriate - I'm always interested in learning something new.

Good luck!

 

[crimsonaudio]

I used to ride all the time (for a few years, my motorcycle was my only transportation) - my rule of thumb is that tires are the most part of the bike, and I wouldn't compromise. I'd recycle that tire.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I used to ride all the time (for a few years, my motorcycle was my only transportation) - my rule of thumb is that tires are the most part of the bike, and I wouldn't compromise. I'd recycle that tire.

I road street and dirt bikes for a number of years.
Get a new tire. It wont let you down, God knows where. I once pushed a Honda 500 close to two miles to get off of a mountain, to my truck.
You don't want to leave one in the woods, or in a bad part of town. There are some things you don't take chances with...

 

[crimsonaudio]

I road street and dirt bikes for a number of years.
Get a new tire. It wont let you down, God knows where. I once pushed a Honda 500 close to two miles to get off of a mountain, to my truck.
You don't want to leave one in the woods, or in a bad part of town. There are some things you don't take chances with...

And Lord knows you don't want a blowout on the interstate. Or in a turn. Or...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

And Lord knows you don't want a blowout on the interstate. Or in a turn. Or...

That is what would worry me, TBF. I've only had dirt bikes but I've street-ridden them to the trailhead. I always retired a tire I had the slightest doubt about. Funny, but I always felt safer on a bicycle than on a motorbike. Illogical, I know...

 

[TraskiTideFan]

Here is the update. Ordered the new tire Friday afternoon and it delivered Monday morning. Did my due diligence and made sure I had zip ties, both 12" and 18", and 3 12" quick grip clamps. Broke the bead on the old tire with the clamps to start which worked very well. Then used 8 pair of the 12" zips to cinch the old tire together around the rim. Used my pry bar, taped with painters tape to start the seam off the rim and it popped right off after it was started. Used 6 of 18" heavy zips and cinched the new tire together as tight as I could and sprayed the inner lip with soapy water and worked it on by hand about halfway around the rim. Then pulled the trusty rubber mallet for a secondary motivator and got it another 1/3rd of the way. Applied body mass and a little heave ho and son of gun popped right over. Clipped the zips off, inserted the stem, aired it up, checked for leaks, and balanced. ZipTies and quick grips are officially on the must have list in the tool collection. Think I will add one of the Stop and Go mushroom plug kits to the bike and recycle the older tire even though its about 3 to 4000 miles early.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

That is what would worry me, TBF. I've only had dirt bikes but I've street-ridden them to the trailhead. I always retired a tire I had the slightest doubt about. Funny, but I always felt safer on a bicycle than on a motorbike. Illogical, I know...

Maybe not too Illogical. You will likely be going a good bit faster on a dirt bike, than you would on a mountain bike.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Maybe not too Illogical. You will likely be going a good bit faster on a dirt bike, than you would on a mountain bike.

True, but you can't really go all that fast on knobby tires on pavement, anyway. I guess that was the reason for the edge of anxiety. Those tires aren't really safe on asphalt. I had a Kawasaki with a dual range gear box...

 

[crimsonaudio]

True, but you can't really go all that fast on knobby tires on pavement, anyway. I guess that was the reason for the edge of anxiety. Those tires aren't really safe on asphalt. I had a Kawasaki with a dual range gear box...

They're AWFUL on asphalt. I would ride friends bikes off-road some, and we'd have to cross paved roads or sometimes ride a short stretch - it always felt like I was riding on marbles or something. No thanks.

 

[92tide]

That is what would worry me, TBF. I've only had dirt bikes but I've street-ridden them to the trailhead. I always retired a tire I had the slightest doubt about. Funny, but I always felt safer on a bicycle than on a motorbike. Illogical, I know...

climbers are that way with ropes and hardware. any question at all, replace it.