Tires!

[emptysea]

The hole looks like it was caused by a something hard and flat. Think the tip of a small flat-head screwdriver. I think it could be patched. However, I do not have the equipment to do the patch myself and since my dealer won't do it, I will need to find someone who will. Once I find that someone, I will have to figure out how to get my bike to their shop. I do not trust plugging tires from the outside except as a temporary fix. I'm not sure what the "wick" method you describe is, but I'm not opposed to looking at other options than I've listed. I'm leaning toward replacing the tire one way or another simply because it's a lot easier to have Honda pick up my bike, fix it, and return it to me ready to ride. My guy is looking up some prices for a "temporary" (8,000 mile) replacement. Might wind up with the OEM tire from now until oh, say, July.

Keep those opinions coming!!