puncture repair

[bigdom86]

hi all

last week i sat on my bike after work got going and thought hmmm the handling feels a bit weird, so pulled over to have a quick loook at the bike and found a screw in the back tyre, tyre was half inflated and was still ok for me to ride approx. 10 miles to my friends garage for him to fix the puncture so a small puncture.

is this any different to a car tyre, as i have had a similar puncture repaired on my car tyre and it has lasted me for over 3 years now, however on a motorbike would I be better just getting a new tyre now as I guess there is more pressure exerted on the one wheel vs a car (if that makes sense).

due for service in 200 miles so can switch it over then, has been ok since puncture repair

[Beehive Bedlam]

If it isn't losing air and there's plenty of meat left why bother wasting money?

[skatefreak]

As far as bikes go, have had a silly string in the back tire of my Track bike for a while now.
I was sceptical at first but its been a good 5-6 track days now and it's holding up just fine!
You'll struggle to abuse a tire more on the road

These ones.

Have done plenty of my own car tires and friends as well now.

I'm confident it will be fine till the tire wears out.[/url]

[tom_e]

If it's a proper vulcanised repair it's good for the life of the tyre.

Saying that I had a small puncture the other week and just slung some tyre slime in and it's not lost any pressure over 200 miles later.

[Hong Kong Phooey]

Tyre manufacturers would say you'll die but I've had 2 strings in a rear and tested at silly speeds.

Make your own mind up but don't start messaging me from beyond the grave if it goes horribly wrong
____________________
'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[bigdom86]

as above it is the string thing which he repaired it with, has held up on my car tyre for years just wondered if any difference with a motorbike tyre (noob question) - sounds like im good to go..... for now.....

[Rogerborg]

Puncture thread.

String is fine. Worse case, it leaks again and you're back where you started. I'd get your own kit though - basic strings and a stabber cost a few £££, although I prefer the "Stop 'N Go" mushrooms to strings.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Hong Kong Phooey]

String kit with co2 fits under the seat of most bikes and means you're less likely to be stranded. Unless you routinely carry a footpump.

Others can fit small electric pumps under their seats.
____________________
'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[M.C]

I'm a little skeptical, since plugging my rear tyre it loses air quicker than before (and quicker than the front). However I'm a cheap bastard so I'm not replacing it

[Hong Kong Phooey]

[groovylee]

I did a silly string repair, complete with extra glue to assist. Lasted over 2000 miles and two Santa pod trips. Was still holding when I changed the tyre through wear.
____________________
Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

[M.C]

[Hong Kong Phooey]

[M.C]

[Hong Kong Phooey]

[kramdra]

Strings are a very good temporary repair. They take a lot of abuse. However they can fail, particularly as the string gets old. Recommend to replace string repairs with a proper plug within a month.

[bamt]

[barrkel]

If a string repair goes bad, your tyre will go flat very quickly - the reamed out hole is usually substantially bigger than an original puncture, especially if it still has the foreign object stuck in.

It's no big deal if you're pottering around town, but if you're on a motorway, the tyre will heat up very quickly and lose what structure it had. You'll have a minute or so to figure out what's going on - it'll feel like the rear is sliding around, or like the bike has a joint in the middle. It happened to me.

Personally, if the tyre is worth saving, I'd get it properly plugged, and only use string to get to a repair guy. I'd trust a properly plugged tyre. However if the tread is any more than 40% worn, I'd get a new tyre.

I've ridden thousands of miles on tyres plugged with strings, and done a half-dozen repairs myself, but one repair that went bad convinced me that it's not worth the risk in the longer term. I'd still plug a commuting scooter, but I wouldn't live with anything I'd expect to do a long distance at high speed on.

One thing you don't want to do is repair the front. If the front goes flat quickly at speed, you'll probably crash.
____________________
Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[Pigeon]

[Matt B]