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This morning I got a screw in my front tire. It definitely leaks because when I pulled it out it there were some bubbles forming around it. It was raining. If it would have happened on the way home I would just replace it, but I just got to work though. I'm considering patching/plugging it just to limp it home where i will definitely replace the tire. My question, given where the puncture is will it be safe to ride it with a plugged tire? I'm getting conflicting information about plugging a motorcycle tire from a quick internet search.
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I plugged a sidewall leak once but for a short term fix, the location of yours looks like it will be a challenge.
Me, I'd try it just to get home IF my commute didn't involve highways or long distance.
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You are going to get one of 2 views on this.
Its fine to plug it and ride.
You are a moron if you plug it.
Some of us have plugged tires and ridden on them for multiple thousand miles. I rode my rear with a plug in about the same spot as your screw for 3000 miles. YMMV
So, I was fine, but maybe a moron
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I need to go about 15 miles of highway or a couple miles less on back roads, but with more than a few twisty bits. Either way it's not that far. Popgun, your experience gives me hope that a plug can get me home.
Next I have to choose what tire or tires I'm going with. I've read good things about the pilot road 3's on this forum, but if I put a different tire on the front I probably should get the matching tire for the back as well. I guess I'll be searching the forum at lunch for info on that matter.
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Sometimes plugs hold, sometimes they don't. I have had them fail, so they do, as claimed by some. No way to patch it unless you remove the tire. There is a plug repair kit which can be used to temporarily stop the leak from the outside. That could get you home, then replace the tire.
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You asked for opinions here is mine. I will plug a rear and ride it til it needs replacing. I will plug a front only to get me home to order a new tire.
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I have the same opinion as popgun and Ole. If it were me I'd ream it, plug it and ride it home. It's actually in a good spot for a plug..in the thickest part of the tire. If it were in the sidewall or in one of the deep sipes where the tire is thinnest, then it would be iffy. If it held air for a few days I might ride it until I'm due for a new tire. Yep another moron here lol.
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If it were me I'd ream it, plug it and ride it home. <-- and there it is. Ferret's Rule #851.
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I checked the tire pressure and it seems to be holding air. I'm going to try getting home on it as is. After doing some searching on the forum and having only more questions after doing so, I think I'm just going to replace it with the OEM tire.
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(06-15-2016, 12:13 AM)The ferret_imp Wrote: I have the same opinion as popgun and Ole. If it were me I'd ream it, plug it and ride it home. It's actually in a good spot for a plug..in the thickest part of the tire. If it were in the sidewall or in one of the deep sipes where the tire is thinnest, then it would be iffy. If it held air for a few days I might ride it until I'm due for a new tire. Yep another moron here lol.
moron #2 seconds this motion!