Your favorite tire patch for roadside repair

[cheez]

This.

I have had several rope type plugs last the life of the tire, but have have them come out too. The stop-n-go plugs stay put. My kit doesn’t have the gun, but a screw type tool. It’s a little more effort to use, but very compact. I also carry a small air compressor.

Yeah, I keep the screwdriver-type kit on the Burgman as it takes up less space, and the Slime 12v compressor is nicely compact.

 

[ST Guy]

I have Dynaplugs but have never used one. Likely it's only good for very small diameter punctures.

I also have Stop and Go kits, with the gun and the smaller motorcycle oriented system. Once you get the hang of it, they work pretty well unless the hole is really big or ragged.

I also carry some sticky worms. The very best are made by Safety Seal. They come in a box with the tools and some lube and they really do work well. I've never patched a motorcycle tire with one but I've done car tires. Dump the box and just carry the worms, the lube, the instructions, a razor blade, and the two well built tools.

Here's a version that comes in a small bag:

https://www.amazon.com/Light-Deluxe...&s=gateway&sprefix=safety+seal,aps,198&sr=8-9

https://www.safetyseal.com/whysafetyseal.php

And a pump, of course.

 

[Roadstergal]

Came here to post this.

Ditto. Those mushroom-style plugs are the best we've found. We've used them on a few car punctures where they've lasted the life of the tire. We carry one of those mushroom plug kits under the seat with a CO2 inflation setup.

 

[tzrider]

The worm type plugs that failed for me were installed on two different tires that each had holes a little less than halfway from the centerline to the outer edge. This part of the tire is on the ground during the drive out of a corner and is subject to flex from acceleration and cornering.

After one failed, I replaced the plug and watched the progress of the new plug at intervals on the next ride. I had cut the plug flush with the tire surface but after a few hard corner exits, it was starting to protrude. With about a quarter inch of plug sticking out of the tire, I deliberately spun the rear coming out of a corner and the tire started to go soft shortly after. I suspect the yarn and sticky rubber stuck to the asphalt a little better than the tire itself did and ripped the plug out during the wheel spin.

By then, I was already carrying the stop-n-go kit and installed one of its mushroom plugs in the same hole. It’s mechanical seal held up to the same abuse for the rest of the life of that tire.

I too have had good luck with the yarn plugs on car tires, but car tires don’t flex and deform the way a motorcycle tire contact patch does. Some yarn plugs are no doubt better than others, but I don’t trust them any more.

 

[ST Guy]

Ditto. Those mushroom-style plugs are the best we've found. We've used them on a few car punctures where they've lasted the life of the tire. We carry one of those mushroom plug kits under the seat with a CO2 inflation setup.

I'd dump the CO2 cartridges and get a real pump. What happens if the first plug doesn't seal and you find yourself without any more cartridges? And unless you carry one heck of a lot of cartridges, usually you won't get proper pressure in the tire. The pumps that Aerostich sells, for instance, take up no more room than a bunch of cartridges, likely weighs less, and as long as you've got 12 volts somewhere, you're good to go.

CO2 cartridges are a cruel joke foisted on the motorcycling public. Yes, some have used them successfully. Many have found the limitations I've described above.

 

[tzrider]

The pumps that Aerostich sells, for instance, take up no more room than a bunch of cartridges, likely weighs less, and as long as you've got 12 volts somewhere, you're good to go.

CO2 cartridges are a cruel joke foisted on the motorcycling public. Yes, some have used them successfully. Many have found the limitations I've described above.

Totally agree.

 

[redtail]

First off, whatever you decide, try it before you find yourself out in the middle of bumfuck no where and find out then it it doesn't work out for you. I personally take a worn tire prior to getting a new tire spooned on and purposely puncture it and fix it with only what I carry on the bike.

Secondly, I treat any flat fix as an emergency fix, so for me, ease and dependability are the goal, not longevity. It it gets me home, I'm golden.

Also, I don't support the no CO2 BS, they work for me, but the reason is, I also carry a hand pump. Hand pump because there is little to no reason it won't (with effort) fill your tire. Most anything else can and will fail at the most inopportune moment.

Your mileage may vary, good luck!

 

[ST Guy]

First off, whatever you decide, try it before you find yourself out in the middle of bumfuck no where and find out then it it doesn't work out for you. I personally take a worn tire prior to getting a new tire spooned on and purposely puncture it and fix it with only what I carry on the bike.

Secondly, I treat any flat fix as an emergency fix, so for me, ease and dependability are the goal, not longevity. It it gets me home, I'm golden.

Also, I don't support the no CO2 BS, they work for me, but the reason is, I also carry a hand pump. Hand pump because there is little to no reason it won't (with effort) fill your tire. Most anything else can and will fail at the most inopportune moment.

Your mileage may vary, good luck!

Ha! If the CO2 cartridges are so good, why the hand pump?

 

[ST Guy]

Of course, if you're talking about a dirt bike or some small bike that doesn't have much battery capacity (you can always run the engine), then a hand pump is a good option. Just be prepared to work up a sweat.

 

[norcalkid]

I have the Slime setup. Haven't ever used it but getting close to a new rear. Guna drill a hole in it before I replace it and try the Slime kit just so I kinda know what I'm doing if I ever really need it.

 

[redtail]

Ha! If the CO2 cartridges are so good, why the hand pump?

I don't think they're an infallible option for inflating your tires. But truth be told, I've never had to use my hand pump since the (large) CO2 cartridges have been fine. It's just a backup.

Only time I've ever used the hand pump was in my garage to see how it is to fill a completely flat tire. After that episode, I'll plan to keep the cartridges handy...

 

[redtail]

Guna drill a hole in it before I replace it and try the Slime kit just so I kinda know what I'm doing if I ever really need it.

Yeah, someone suggested that to me and I quickly found out, theory and practice don't always agree.

 

[FreeRyde]

I have always used those stanky ropes and never had one leak or come out. They always last the life of the tire and are super easy to use.

Stanky ropes are the best!

 

[dittoalex]

The Tire Plugger pouch is large enough that I also fit the large rubber worms and small Dynamax, so I have three methods to try to patch. So far I've used the large rubber worms and small Dynamax and both have failed during use.

 

[davidji]

I don't think they're an infallible option for inflating your tires. But truth be told, I've never had to use my hand pump since the (large) CO2 cartridges have been fine. It's just a backup.

Only time I've ever used the hand pump was in my garage to see how it is to fill a completely flat tire. After that episode, I'll plan to keep the cartridges handy...

Using a hand pump for flat repair was enough to get me to buy small compressors. Ever have to install two plugs on a trip? If those CO2 cartridges would have even filled a rear tire to operating pressure once, they aren't gonna get it there twice. Unless you're carrying a lot.

I may also have had to inflate a flat motorcycle tire to find the leak before repairing it. That's another case where CO2 isn't ideal.

 

[ST Guy]

Yeah, someone suggested that to me and I quickly found out, theory and practice don't always agree.

Don't drill the tire. It's not like real world punctures and is far harder to repair. Drive a nail into it or screw a sheet metal screw into it.

 

[norcalkid]

Yeah, someone suggested that to me and I quickly found out, theory and practice don't always agree.

Could air down before drilling

 

[redtail]

Using a hand pump for flat repair was enough to get me to buy small compressors. Ever have to install two plugs on a trip?

Yeah, the hand pump will get you out of a jam, but it is NOT the preferred method, I get that.

And no, I never had a flat twice while on a trip, but I suspect I will now, thank you very much for the jinx!

You make a good argument for a compressor, I resisted the idea since years ago I had one that was practically worthless, it got hot, was slow and above about ~25psi labored to get anymore pressure. I'm sure they're better now.

Having discussed all this, I had an alternator go out while I was on a trip. At the time I was fortunate to be within the AAA 200 mile limit, so the AAA card is a pretty much fail safe backup to at least get you somewhere you're not.

 

[dravnx]

AAA works great as long as your not in BFE. A couple of different types of tire plugs and a compressor will get you out of jam. I had 2, yes 2 punctures last month on the same tire on the same trip. The first one was was pointed out to me in my garage the evening before the trip by my SO. Plugged it, aired it up. Checked it in the morning and all was good. The second flat was 15 miles outside of Paso on Indian Valley later that afternoon. Another hole in the same tire. Plugged it, aired it up and made it to the nearest gas station before it went flat again. The MoFo pump at the gas station didn't work. I had to use my compressor. I actually had a choice of 3 compressors as each one of us carried one. I was able to keep air in it long enough to get to shop to buy a tire. Browns Cycles in Paso saved the day. BTW, that was an Angel GT A Spec with less then 500 miles on it. It was also my first flat in 150,000 miles. The mechanic aired up my tire and said both plugs were holding air. For some reason the valve core was leaking and he said it was screwed in tight. I'm at a loss on that one.

 

[redtail]

I'm at a loss on that one.

Yeah, sometimes there are eventualities that are unpredictable and we can't prepare for everything. This is motorcycle riding, sometimes shit happens that you just can't fix and trying to carry for every possible break down is impractical. Never stopped us from venturing out anyway, eh?