Would you ride on a plugged tyre?

[Dom]

Just got my first rear tyre puncture (16,000 miles into my trip). I've plugged it but the tyre is quite new and I'm a long way from finding a new one. So, for now I have to ride on the plug but how safe is it?

Would you get a new tyre ASAP or ride on a plugged one (obviously keeping an eye on it) until the tread goes down?

[Schtum]

I don't know what the norm is in California, which seems to be where you're located, but here in Scotland, I'd take it to a motorcycle shop and have it plugged and vulcanised. I've even done this with Z-rated tyres on my old VFR800 and subsequently ridden on them at speeds of 100 mph+.

[kurt1305]

My rule is I'll plug a rear tire until it can be patched if it isn't in the sidewall. I replace the front because of handling issues upon deflation. I have to patch the rears myself, no shop locally will repair a motorcycle tire. I have ridden many plugged rear tires for thousands of miles without a single failure.

[marc]

Depends. Mostly yes, but I have been known to change a plugged tire with lots of tread left because I was going on a trip through the desert where speed and temperatures would both be elevated.

[Dom]

Thanks guys.

I'm actually in Baja California and heading to Mexico City next. I think I'll leave it plugged until I can get to a new tyre in Mexico city.

Thanks for your thoughts its always good to hear what other people would do.

[gibbsb]

I would, but only if it was plugged with a combination plug/patch available from Tech Tire. I have a German car repair shop in Dallas and we have successfully repaired hundreds of tires with punctures in the shoulder area where no one else would attempt to repair. You do have to break the tire down and install the repair from the inside of the tire.

http://www.techtirerepairs.com/catal...alesGroup=MR05

[Spikidave]

Replacing the air with nitrogen would help to reduce tyre pressure changes due to temperature, especially in hot places

[marc]

I use a special mix that's about 78% Nitrogen.

[HondoTX]

I had a used R1100GS for a few months. About 1,000 miles into a 3,000 mile trip I discoverd the rear tire had been plugged. I woke up to find a flat.

Plug it on the road, then have it patched when you can.