Wow, got new tires installed, and...Had to WALK HOME!!

Maybe I got some bad karma for being unkind to speedfreek for his semantic errors (for which I apologize if I offended), but within a few hours of mounting a new set of Avon Sport tires, I got a flat on the highway a few miles from my house! It happened as a flat tire usually does...wobbly feeling at speed, and while slowing down, a large amount of drag from more rubber then usual making contact. I pull over to the exit ramp, and limp it another 50 feet to relative safety by the shoulder of the ramp. Sure enough, it wasn't the grooves in the road, it was the rear tire! FLAT as if it never had air in it before. It was HOT too, which indicates that it might have been going flat for a while, but I didn't detect it. This tire has maybe 20 miles on it! Sonofabitch.

Oh, question...the damage (as the wet spot indicates in the pictures, because I used saliva to detect the leak) is right in the middle of the tread, and looks small but obviously very leaky. Since I don't have the bills to replace it, should I try some sort of sealer, or a quality flat repair job? I don't plan on doing over 100mph EVER on my bike, but I do want it to hold.

Anyway, here are the pics...damnit...

 

I've had great luck using plugs on car tires, but that's almost always just repairing a nail hole which is small and round. Not sure a plug would work on your tire, but its hard to see from the pic exactly how big the hole is....is it round or jagged/ragged?
One step better than a plug is a patch which requires you to take the tire off the rim and repair it from "the inside".
I've never used slime or other tire sealant, but I've heard bad things about them from my car suspension guy...says it could throw off the balance of the tire pretty badly...I suppose that could be corrected with wheel weights.
Anyway, if it was me, I would replace the tire....I can certainly understand not having the dough, but it would suck to get stranded or much much worse as a result of the repair failing. Plus, you don't know how much damage you may have done to the tire by running it flat like that. I've had to replace a car tire b/c it was going flat and I didnt realize it for 20 miles or so......sidewalls were toasted.
Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

 

yeah, from the car world, I've toasted sidewalls too. Basically, when the tire is pulled off the rim, if there are tiny pieces of the tire inside, its over. But a moto-tire has the advantage of being a round shape, so the sidewalls flex AFTER the tread does. The plugs I'd use would be from the inside, for sure. The hole is tiny, round, and simple in shape. I'll take a closer look at it when the bike is back at my house, but for now, I wait....1:35 AM right now, and this all started at 7:00PM...

 

I've limped home with a standard auto tire plug before in my front stock rubber, then replaced a tire. That was my first and last flat, and the way the front end got squirrly just after entering the highway, I don't want to experience it again. I understand that the mushroom headed, self vucanizing plugs that blossom out inside the tire carcas are pretty reliable. If it were me, I'd get manufacturer advice. It might not make great economic sense to replace, but knowing I have a patched tire would errode my confidence when heeling it over or hitting the highway. Maybe the shop will work with you, as it happened so soon after install?

If you or a shop patch it, I'm really curious what you'll use and how it works.

 

I worked at a couple tire shops before and I wouldn't recommend and plugs of any sort on a bike tire. They have a way of working there way out after a while. Actually my boss wouldn't let aus use plugs of any sort on auto or bike tire. Use a tire patch from the inside with the vulcanizing rubber cement and make sure you rough up the actual tire rubber from the inside first.

 

I'm not sure how wise this was of me, but years ago on one of my previous bikes I got by with a tube installed. Figured at the time it was okay since the dealer recommended it, but I've read some things otherwise since then. I'd probably just get a new tire though now if it happend to me again, yeah it sucks to spend the $$ but it's worth the peace of mind.

 

I rode my Hardley for a few months with a plugged hole in the rear tire. I used an emergency patch kit from a 7-11 or something. It worked fine, but I wouldn't have done it except I was tight on cash. I didn't notice any changes in the handling, but it wasn't a finally tuned sport bike. Personally I'd ride it patched until you can afford a new one. Also, there are tire shops in town that patch nail holes for free. Their patches will be better than a home job.

I'd say get it patched for free by professionals. But keep in mind you only got two wheels so if one fails you're more screwed than in your car.

 

If you're not going to ride again!

I recommend plugs in flats... If you never intend to ride that bike again!:tongue:

 

karma reversal...

Avon tires come standard with a road hazard warranty. One of the forum members at sport-touring.net reminded me of that, especially considering that was one of the reasons I decided to go with Avon in the first place! So, a new tire will be shipped directly to my tire shop, at no charge whatsoever, including shipping.

Go Avon!

BTW, this is the same Avon that sent another front tire after the first one (which was part of the "buy the rear, get the front free" promo) was lost by UPS. They are a stand up company, I'll say. I think I'll invest in them again and again, with that level of customer service.

So, the bike will be ready to go again in a couple of days!

 

Way cool, good save there my man, whew that was close thought I'd have to say something important haha.

 

Yup good for ya!:thumb:
I was reading on with the comments thinkin' I would not feel good about riding with a plugged tire. It would always be in the back of my mind...you only have two tires & 1 life.:closed_2: