I popped the bike off the center stand this morning and something sounded different. I found a flat rear tire with a small screw stuck in it. It's not down in the tread groove. In all my years of riding this is my first flat bike tire. So the ??? is can you plug a bike tire or is it junk?
are you just trying to save money by plugging it? If so, I wouldn't. Tires are SO important on a bike, that is not an area where I would be trying to save money. Is the screw on the side of the wheel or closer to the center?
I don't think plugging is a good long term solution for a motorcycle tire considering the possible consequences if the plug fails while driving. I think the owners manual usually says plugging should be done only in an emergency to get to a shop where it can be replaced.
Of course the best is always to replace the tire, but sometimes that is hard with our budget(s) and all. It depends where there screw was, how much thread is left on the tire, and what kind of riding that to do to me. I plugged a tire (brand new just about) for about 1500 miles last year. It held and never gave me an issue. Yes, it was my risk, I took it, and I would probably take it again depending on certain circumstances. I have plugged tires in the past, and never had a problem. IMO, if it was a tear, or large hole, no question, I would replace it...small screw hole, that depends. Most bike shops will not do this for you for fear of liability.
I wouldn't ride on a plugged tire any further than the next tire store. If I couldn't pitch my VFR into a corner with full confidence that all the important parts (tires, brakes) were top notch, riding would be much less fun. Put on a new set of tires and smile.
My local shop sells at half MSRP - I got a set of Pilot Road 2's for 262. As far as online - Shadetreepowersports.com has good prices along with Southwestmoto. Action
If you do a search, I think you will find other threads that discuss where to get tires and get best prices.
