Newby - Tire Question

MI_Mike · Aug 13, 2008

Hello!

I am a new FJR owner, 1100 miles and already I have picked up a flat tire on the rear of the bike. A sheet metal screw dead center in the middle of the tread. I am being told by one dealer that a tire replacement is required $$$ and the other that a plug will work $. Both are saying the rim needs to come off the bike. Now it has beens a few years since I rode and fortunately had never had a flat so I am a bit unsure on this one; seems like they could just plug it from the outside like a car tire. Am I being "taken for a ride" on this one? By the way; I am not an overly agressive rider (53 yr old male with kids)!!

Thanks!

Mike from MI

Silent · Aug 13, 2008

You can use a string plug from the outside like a car, but it's much better to put a patch on the inside. If the sidewall isn't dammaged, and the screw went in where the meaty part of the tire is, I'd let the 2nd dealer patch it on the inside and ride it to the belts.

HaulinAshe · Aug 13, 2008

A good hot-patch job on the inside (not along the sidewalls) works extremely well. Realize that before you condemn a dealer for being unwilling to patch the tire, that some state laws prohibit the patching of tubeless motorcycle tires. The dealer may just be covering his arse.

RiderCoach Lar · Aug 13, 2008

First of all, welcome to the forum.

If you use the search feature, I think you'll find two schools of thought around here and they mirror your dealers' thoughts. Some will say plug it and ride, others (like myself) will say replace the tire. It all comes down to whatever you're comfortable with.

MI_Mike · Aug 21, 2008

Silent said:
You can use a string plug from the outside like a car, but it's much better to put a patch on the inside. If the sidewall isn't dammaged, and the screw went in where the meaty part of the tire is, I'd let the 2nd dealer patch it on the inside and ride it to the belts.

This is exactly what I did and it ended up working just fine. They drilled out the hole to an exact size and installed a patch that had an integral plug the size of the drilled hole. Thanks....

Mike