Sucks....

[VFR Rider]

So I am packing tonight to leave in the morning on a trip around Lake Michigan. Checking the rear tire, I notice that the tire pressure is low. So I go looking and what do I find? A nice screw stuck in the tire. So not only do I have to go tire shopping in the morning (replacing a pretty much new tire), but I have to find a shop that will make a quick change so we can get on the road.

:angry2:

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Consider what your rant would have been like if you didn't discover the screw in the tire until you were on the other side of the lake!

Have a nice ride!

 

[Ignacio]

As long as the the sidewall isn't damaged and it's a simple screwhole roughly in the center of the treadline it's easily fixable with a trip to Wal-Mart after searching the MANY threads discussing this.

Should have that tire repair kit and method of inflation with you when you ride anyway.

I've repaired three tires early in their lives on the FJR, ran them all at FJR nominal speeds and even at FJR Max for sustained periods, and nary a single plug failure, plust watched many LD riders that do the time. This whole replace-a-tire if it has a screw in it is overblown.

Only other reason I wouldn't plug a tire is if I live in some place like LA where I'm commuting in 8 lanes of traffic all the time where one can't let off the gas and get to the shoulder in the 30 seconds or so it takes a tire to potentially lose a plug and air.

 

[huk finn]

So I am packing tonight to leave in the morning on a trip around Lake Michigan.
:angry2:

I'd hate to start the trip with a plug, wouldn't mind so-much finishing it tho

off topic

I wonder if that ferry going across (think its by green bay) can keep a motorcycle on its kick stand or center stand, Or will it rock it off?

 

[mcatrophy]

Found this in my rear tyre, guess I've been lucky:

Not as bad as it looks, about 3/4 inches long, the righthand end was into the tyre, the lefthand end bent over the tread and worn to a chamfer. The point on the right was shiny, I guess it was stopped from going in further by the metal cord in the tyre.

off topicI wonder if that ferry going across (think its by green bay) can keep a motorcycle on its kick stand or center stand, Or will it rock it off?

Done to death before, go here Clicky

 

[Clark Kent]

Had a nice screw in the center of a good tire. (rear tire) The tire shop recomended that I leave it there and just keep the air up. I rode that tire another 5000 miles. as long as I watched the air pressure I was fine. They said as long as it was a screw it wouldn't come out, as soon as the tire got warm it would seal any leak.

When it was cold it just went down to 25 lbs. pressure and stayed there.

I was happy.

CK

 

[slapnpop]

Had a nice screw in the center of a good tire. (rear tire) The tire shop recomended that I leave it there and just keep the air up. I rode that tire another 5000 miles. as long as I watched the air pressure I was fine. They said as long as it was a screw it wouldn't come out, as soon as the tire got warm it would seal any leak.
When it was cold it just went down to 25 lbs. pressure and stayed there.

I was happy.

CK

Wow!

That's about the WORST piece of advice I've ever heard!

#1. You have no idea what length of the screw is left inside the tire

#2. The rotation of the tire is constantly trying to force the screw out, and the ground is constantly trying to force the screw in.

#3. The air pressure is always trying to force the screw out

#4. While the tire does become stickier when warm, it also becomes much more pliable, and easier for the screw to work out.

#5. All of that being said, and that particle of screw could move as little as 1/4" in either direction, and you'd then be left with not a slow leak, but a quickly deflating tire!

You're the guy who just posted gruesome photos of a supposed crash scene to persuade people not to ride like a squid, and then advocate risking that same life for the cost of a $200 tire worst case scenario?

What kind of crack are you smoking?

 

[Clark Kent]

Had a nice screw in the center of a good tire. (rear tire) The tire shop recomended that I leave it there and just keep the air up. I rode that tire another 5000 miles. as long as I watched the air pressure I was fine. They said as long as it was a screw it wouldn't come out, as soon as the tire got warm it would seal any leak.
When it was cold it just went down to 25 lbs. pressure and stayed there.

I was happy.

CK

Wow!

That's about the WORST piece of advice I've ever heard!

#1. You have no idea what length of the screw is left inside the tire

#2. The rotation of the tire is constantly trying to force the screw out, and the ground is constantly trying to force the screw in.

#3. The air pressure is always trying to force the screw out

#4. While the tire does become stickier when warm, it also becomes much more pliable, and easier for the screw to work out.

#5. All of that being said, and that particle of screw could move as little as 1/4" in either direction, and you'd then be left with not a slow leak, but a quickly deflating tire!

You're the guy who just posted gruesome photos of a supposed crash scene to persuade people not to ride like a squid, and then advocate risking that same life for the cost of a $200 tire worst case scenario?

What kind of crack are you smoking?

OK, I was wrong. I won't do it again.

CK

 

[slapnpop]

OK, I was wrong. I won't do it again.
CK

Kudos, well taken.

 

[jdog109socal]

So I am packing tonight to leave in the morning on a trip around Lake Michigan. Checking the rear tire, I notice that the tire pressure is low. So I go looking and what do I find? A nice screw stuck in the tire. So not only do I have to go tire shopping in the morning (replacing a pretty much new tire), but I have to find a shop that will make a quick change so we can get on the road.
:angry2:

Now if you had Avon Storms you get could them warranty... Avons Storm come from factory a road hazzard warranty..

Happin to me after 2 week on new tires, Got new one for free.

 

[Orient_Express]

As long as the the sidewall isn't damaged and it's a simple screwhole roughly in the center of the treadline it's easily fixable with a trip to Wal-Mart after searching the MANY threads discussing this.
Should have that tire repair kit and method of inflation with you when you ride anyway.

I've repaired three tires early in their lives on the FJR, ran them all at FJR nominal speeds and even at FJR Max for sustained periods, and nary a single plug failure, plust watched many LD riders that do the time. This whole replace-a-tire if it has a screw in it is overblown.

Only other reason I wouldn't plug a tire is if I live in some place like LA where I'm commuting in 8 lanes of traffic all the time where one can't let off the gas and get to the shoulder in the 30 seconds or so it takes a tire to potentially lose a plug and air.

+1

I've done the tire repair thingy while "on the road'. Never had one single problem, which is unusual for my kinda luck... :huh:

 

[Duezzer]

I have ran one plugged tire without any issues for the tire my brain on the otherhand did not do so well for the first while.

After the 250 miles the brain settled down after 1000 I almost forgot it had a plug in it

I now carry a plug kit with me at all times and will not hesitate to use it again

 

[GPRIDER]

I've run plugs in several tires and am currently running one in my Diablo Stradas. I personally can't afford to replace tires every time I get a flat. So, it's either run with the plug or let the bike sit until I have the money for a new tire. Sometimes the plug leaks a little, but I've gotten in the habit of checking air pressure every week now anyway. Never had a failure. In the end, I suppose it is up to the person riding his or her bike.

GP

 

[Groo]

Coming home from WFO last year, I picked up a screw in my rear tire, and was alerted to the decreasing pressure by my Smartire monitor, although I didn't know what was causing it at the time. When I stopped for gas in Winnemucca, I discovered the screw in the center of the tire. Pulled it out and plugged the tire there. Since I had just started a BBG on the way to Kansas City, I was somewhat apprehensive about trying to make the rest of the ride with a plugged tire (not having much experience with them). I decided then to turn around and go back to Reno to try and find a replacement. When I got to Reno, it dawned on my that it was Sunday, and my chances of finding a tire were slim. MadMike offered me a can of fix-a-flat he had, and Warchild asked me if the plug had been holding pressure back from Winnemucca. I said "Yes", and he sagely told me he'd run many a plugged tire for many a mile, and if it had held till now it was probably good to go.

I decided to restart the BBG attempt on the plugged tire, and off I went. Other than the 6-7 hours of driving time I had wasted, and road that I had to travel for the third frickin time... it wasn't too bad. The plug held all the way to KC, and then the 800 miles to Houston. It did develop a very slow leak after getting home, and I replaced it with a tire I had on hand shortly thereafter, since it was getting close to the end of life anyway.

Bottom line, like Iggy said, if it's in the center of the tread, and you get a good plug into it, there's a good chance it's driveable for quite some time after you plug it.

 

[VFR Rider]

Well, it all worked out. The screw was enough to hold the air until I got to the dealer where I got the bike and they were able to get me in an out by 10am. There is definitely good advice here about carrying a plug kit on the long rides and knowing how to use it (something to add to my tool kit). However, after reading more on them I don't think it is something I would want to trust for long distances - particularly starting a trip.

Needless to say, the Lake Michigan trip was awesome and thanks to RiderCoachLar for the company along the way. What a blast.

 

[Big Sky]

I carry a plug kit but have never had to use it. When my tires next need replacing (2000 miles or so) I plan to puncture with screws, nails, awls, etc., then practice plugging them. I will gladly waste a kit or two to make sure I know what the hell I'm doing when the time comes that it really matters.

 

[Groo]

Winnemucca was the first time I had read the instructions, or tried to plug a tire on the bike....

Luckily, it's not too complicated a process....

 

[vectervp1]

Winnemucca was the first time I had read the instructions, or tried to plug a tire on the bike....
Luckily, it's not too complicated a process....

Its even better when you get to practice on someone else's tire. First time I ever plugged a tire was during a rally. Skooter ran over some glass at a checkpoint, so while he got his paperwork signed off, I pulled out my tire repair kit and 'practiced' on his tire.