Need a new rear tire (180-55-17)

[Tunertype]

Walked out to my bike today and found it had a flat. Couldn't find any punctures on the tread and the bottom where all the weight was on the tire for who knows how long is all caved in. I'd just assume get a new tire than trying to reinflate it and have it happen again. What do you guys think? should I try to put some fix-a-flat and replace the valve or just get a new tire mounted?



I'm pretty sure I want a new tire.. so I was wondering if anyone knew of a good place to buy a tire for cheap either a real store or online. Currently there is a pirelli Diablo corsa III 180-55-17 on the back, but I could go for something alittle cheaper. There is the same tire on the front.

Have any of you tried this tire?
http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...Rear-Tire.aspx The description seems to give it alot of credit for wet riding and I do alot of that since I ride to commute nomatter the weather.

[RandyO]

don't use fix a flat, inflate the tire, use (spray bottle) soapy water to find the leak, if its in the tread, just plug it

unless yer trying to find an excuse to buy a new tire

[Ray-Ray]

www.bostonmoto.com

[I8A4RE]

i personally still wont plug one of mine. im on 2 wheels not 4 and open to the road. 180 bucks is worth the chance of my life.. specially how i ride.

Knee on pavement

[RandyO]

specially how i ride.

how is that, hamfisted ?

how is getting a flat tire on a tire with a plug in it any different than getting a flat tire on a tire that doesn't have a plug

plugs are not made out of explosive, either they hold air or they leak, check the pressure a day or so and y'll know

[Eric Baker]

Yeah plugs are fine. Nothing to be afraid of. So long as the tread still has life, I'd inflate it, find the leak, and fix it. If you really want to get a new tire, you should match the front. Mismatched tires will give you handling issues.

[RandyO]

Mismatched tires will give you handling issues.

who told you that, someone that wanted to sell you 2 tires instead of the one you needed

[ZX11D]

Plug it if its a tire worth saving. I have ridden 5000 miles or so on a tire plugged from the inside. Tricky Mike is the man on this one. Send him a PM.

[Karaya One]

Mismatched tires will give you handling issues.

What tire engineer told you that? Because the ones we talk to at Michelin have no problem with it. Radial to radial is fine.

[RandyO]

What tire engineer told you that? Because the ones we talk to at Michelin have no problem with it. Radial to radial is fine.

fwiw, I haven't had problems mixing radial & bias, lotta peeps run bias knobbies in front and radial rear on adventure bikes

[Karaya One]

The Michelin Anakee is the only application for them (Michelin) to mix it (radial rear/bias front) with the 21" front and 17" rear, but it is based upon the S and H ratings and the speeds those bikes will never hit unless they are tossed out the back of a plane.

[jwm2k3]

Yeah plugs are fine. Nothing to be afraid of.

A small nail puncture? Yes. Plug it or patch it. A 1/4 or 1/2 inch bolt thru the tread...I wouldnt patch that if you were gonna do it for free and give me $50 to keep using it. So, it all really depends on the size of the puncture.

[jwm2k3]

OH, Turnrtype....


I think you should use one of the MANY people who are sponsors here on this board, who offer their help and advice when we need it. If we purchase parts or services from them, their business will stick around and continue to offer us help and advice. Its good karma...

It loads better than some 'online' place just filling orders.. Id rather pay a couple of dollars more to a local guy I know will give a shit about what I actually want..besides tire prices are so close, whats $5 or $10 to help them, help us?

[Eric Baker]

who told you that, someone that wanted to sell you 2 tires instead of the one you needed

What tire engineer told you that? Because the ones we talk to at Michelin have no problem with it. Radial to radial is fine.

It's not that you can't, it's that with different brand and models of tire, the shape and compound will be different, which will cause different turn-in front and rear, and possibly different grip, hence handling issues. The bike won't feel right.

A small nail puncture? Yes. Plug it or patch it. A 1/4 or 1/2 inch bolt thru the tread...I wouldnt patch that if you were gonna do it for free and give me $50 to keep using it. So, it all really depends on the size of the puncture.

Yeah I wouldn't plug a big puncture either. If it's able to be plugged though, there's no problem in doing so.

[Tunertype]

So decided to get a professional opinion. So I popped the wheel off and brought it down to the local dealership.(all power in granby). They checked it out, found a small puncture and plugged it for 12$. They said that all a plug will do is reduce the speed rating one step so now on that tire instead of cruising at 186mph I will have to keep it to 168mph. Thats fine since I think the top speed on my bike is only 150 something.

[RandyO]

So decided to get a professional opinion. So I popped the wheel off and brought it down to the local dealership.(all power in granby). They checked it out, found a small puncture and plugged it for 12$. They said that all a plug will do is reduce the speed rating one step so now on that tire instead of cruising at 186mph I will have to keep it to 168mph. Thats fine since I think the top speed on my bike is only 150 something.

sounds like you have an honest professional, many of them would behave like fear mongers to try selling you a new tire

[Karaya One]

I would just do shorter burnouts.

[Mr. Kurtz]

who told you that, someone that wanted to sell you 2 tires instead of the one you needed

Different tires will absolutely alter the handling. Every motorcycle tire is designed with a specific profile, and the front and rear are made so that they turn in at complimentary rates. Whether you'd notice an issue with normal street riding or commuting is up to speculation, but it is a fact that the motorcycle's handling will change.

[jwm2k3]

found a small puncture and plugged it for 12$.

Awesome!