Nail in Tire, Replace or Patch

[Fastsc92]

Ended my weekend in a shitty way....got a 3" nail in the center of my fairly new Dunlop 180 rear on the R6. The tire has about 2000 total miles on it, 1000 easy miles while I broke the bike in, and another 1k of decent riding and one track day. I'd say there is at least 85-90% tread left in it and it's a shame to toss it.

What is everyone's opinion on properly patching it from the inside? I will be hitting up the track hopefully two more days this year and I certainly don't want to chance safety (myself and anyone else) in any way.

What would you experienced guys recommend?

~Jay

[Degsy]

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I would just plug it.

[Awesome]

Plug it with one of the good kits. I used to get tires with holes in them for years from dealerships, plug 'em and run them down to the cords on the street, deals gap, and the track.

[xrocket21]

[Stoneman]

Yip, plug 'em. I've gotten some decent mileage outta plugged tires. Although it's always in the back of my mind, and I probably go a bit easier than normal on 'em. The rear on my TLR is currently plugged...

[RandyO]

don't waste yer time, use a radial tire plug (rope type) that you insert from the outside, trim the excess, check the air pressure for the next couple days, then ferget its there

[NobodySpecific]

don't waste yer time, use a radial tire plug (rope type) that you insert from the outside, trim the excess, check the air pressure for the next couple days, then ferget its there

I think I put about 4,000 miles on a tire that I plugged like this. It started needing air once a week as it got to the end of the tire life, but I was very pleased at how it performed. And I didn't baby the tire after the plug.

[butcher bergs]

Plug patch.

Have never tried a traditional plug myself but have used plug patches without issue.

[Kurlon]

I've got 9k miles on a plugged Michilin Pilot Road that's seen two track days, run it!

[imkindafkedup]

another vote for a plug patch. I used one on my zx12r, the tire wore a little faster in the center around the plug bud I'd say it lasted me a solid 1000 miles after i plugged it.

[Awesome]

Holy shit, there's actual decent information and agreement in a thread. Is this the twilight zone?

[DuncanMoto]

don't waste yer time, use a radial tire plug (rope type) that you insert from the outside, trim the excess, check the air pressure for the next couple days, then ferget its there

Please don't.

I've seen one fail 1st hand. Only do patch, or mushroom type plug.

[RandyO]

Please don't.

I've seen one fail 1st hand..

that you put in personally so that you know it was installed properly

what happened when it failed ? hamfisted panic ?

I'd put a plug/patch on a bias ply but never a radial

[Degsy]

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Never used a plug patch on a radial tire. Always the simple plugs. Never had an issue. They have to be installed correctly, doubled over and not over-trimmed.

[ZX-12R]

I've drag raced my 12R multiple times with a simple plug in the center of the rear tire and then put another 1700 miles on it before the tire was done.

I've never had an issue with them.

[G21forme]

Please don't.

I've seen one fail 1st hand. Only do patch, or mushroom type plug.

I had one fail on me as well, the outside plug kits are for getting you home so you can plug it properly.

[scubasteveRR]

my current front has been plugged since the first week and has around 5k miles on it with the normal plugs that I also covered it in rubber cement which came with the plug kit.

I haven't lost a pound of pressure yet

I've never seen the mushroom plugs but they seem like it would give you more peace of mind as I do think about the plug in my tire everyone in a while when I'm hooting down the highway.

[Fastsc92]

I'm just concerned about the durability of a mushroom type patch (or any method) if I'm really flexing the tire at the track. The last thing I want to happen is having this cause me to go down.

[lrrs313]

I have no experience with plugged/patched tires, but if you have doubts about it holding up on the track then replace the tire. From the responses here it sounds like many have done it with no problems. To paraphrase some of the advise I was given when I started racing: if you think your tires are done, replace them. Once you have a doubt in your mind about them, you will never trust that set again, you might as well put new ones on so your mind will trust them.

[Fastsc92]

Anyone have an idea where I can get the mushroom style plugs locally?

[NobodySpecific]

I have no experience with plugged/patched tires, but if you have doubts about it holding up on the track then replace the tire. From the responses here it sounds like many have done it with no problems. To paraphrase some of the advise I was given when I started racing: if you think your tires are done, replace them. Once you have a doubt in your mind about them, you will never trust that set again, you might as well put new ones on so your mind will trust them.

I've found this feeling to exist for me, even though I'm still just riding on the street. I recently have had doubts about my rear tire's wear, and since then I won't ride the bike because I just don't trust it. I suppose that says something about me riding with a plugged tire too though.

[Stoneman]

The two other times I've used the standard plugs, they outlasted the tire itself. I'm currently riding on the third time I've used one. Honestly though, I can't remember if I did a trackday on plugged tires. As others have said, go with YOUR peace of mind...

[Fastsc92]

The fiance' surprised me with a new Dunlop Q2 rear before I was able to patch the old tire. I'll get to patching it properly this weekend with a mushroom plug. Anyone interested in a 180/55/17 Qualifier, 2k on it, about 90+% tread life left, $75? Can take pics and deliver

[G21forme]

Bump, does anyone know a place in snh that plugs tires?

[number9]

Bump again, anyone know someone in Boston that does it? I would do it myself but I am, well, a pussy when it comes to this...