Puncture repair kit and travel insurance

[willis1337]

Am going away next weekend to France and am yet to get a pucture repair kit and travel insurance, so what do you recommend?

Puncture repair kit - I am v limited for space so the smaller the better (sportsbike tyres).

Travel insurance - I already have european breakdown cover included with my Carol Nash fully comp bike policy (also a member of the AA in the UK for the car) so just something to cover me if I have a major smash while away.

[stinkwheel]

Heine gericke do a stab-through bung kit that I've used several times before to good effect. It fits under the saddle on my VFR. Just be aware that the cannisters will put just enough air in a sportsbike tyre to allow you to limp to an airline.

I've seen other brands which are pretty much the same thing. Check it has the figure of 8 style bungs.
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[Marmalade]

Thats probably the tip-top brand kits, they are good.

If you are using avon tyres i wouldn't bother with a kit, never been able to plug one successfully as yet.

Bridgestones almost every time
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[Peirre oBollox]

Puncture outfits are down to the indivdual persons choice.
Take a look at:
Ultraseal I wouldn`t normally use it if I was riding my bike soley in the UK, however I have used it on 4-5 tyres for several trips into europe, and wouldn`t hesitate to use it again.
I have just swopped the front tyre out recently, and the old tyre did have ultraseal in. (just make sure the tyre fitter is aware you have it in your tyres BEFORE he takes the old tyre off to fit the next one. or you`ll be the most hated person in the workshop if you don`t mention it.

Stop & go https://www.stopngo.com/products/Pocket-Tire-Plugger-%252d-For-All-Tubeless-Tires.html
kit is the best, bar none. Kits available for tubed or tubless tyres.

"Monster air chuck" sold by genuine innovations.
https://www.genuineinnovations.com/monster-air-chuck.html (1 x 45g canister will fill an ATV or car tyre to a working pressure)

Moto pump https://www.motopumps.com 12v compressor (Basic kit - is a stripped down, caseless version of the £10 - £15 compressor you can buy in Wilkos or argos etc) But if you buy a cheap mini compressor just strip the case off

As previously stated, the tyre worms.
I have, or have used all of the above items

As for insurance, Carol Nash bike insurance/breakdown/recovery is reputed to be good. I also use CN travel insurance, this covers the stuff that isn`t covered by your bike insurance, costs around £70-£75 PA. Remember that most travel insurance policys won`t cover you for riding bikes over 125cc
I`ve had CN travel insurance for the last few years, mainly to cover the aditional ancillery kit I carry, panniers, clothing, camping kit etc. Though I`ve never needed to test the detail by using the cover.
I`ve recently chatted to the customer services dept of CN about the detail of the travel insurance, and they told me I`d be covered in case of accident, even if I was riding any sized bike up to & inc a rocket 3
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[willis1337]

Cheers for the advice. I have a fully comp policy with Carole Nash so breakdown cover is sorted. I got AA travel insurance (which does cover motorcycling) for £15 as I am also an AA member.

The "tip top" pucture repair kit is done by Amazon (https://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTORCYCLE-PUNCTURE-REPAIR-TUBELESS-SELLER/dp/B001AXK9QQ) may not be as good as some others but they are twice the price and then some (and I have Bridgestone tyres so should be okay), so I'll get this for peace of mind / emergencies.

dished, thanks all.

[Phoenix]

I have breakdown with NCI (rescuemycar) and travel insurance with the same as they cover riding bikes over 50cc unlikely normal travel policies (if I you have a big smash you don't want to risk them not paying out).

For punctures I have those gummy strips you push and then pull back through the hole and a 12v pump to reinflate. Not had to use it yet but it should work as a temporary repair until a car garage can be located to bung it properly.

[c-m]

What do you need travel insurance for really? Riding abroad is no different that the UK. If you crash, they won't leave you to die on the side of the road, and your breakdown cover should include repatriation anyway.

I'm with ADAC and they cover all sorts for breakdown. Including air ambulance costs.

BTW - your fully comp policy is useless in Europe. You'll only be covered 3rd party.
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[Phoenix]

[c-m]

[willis1337]

Travel insurance = peace of mind (not just for me but my mrs and kids too). £15 is not a big expense for this IMO.

Although if I were single, with no dependents, I may not bother.

Insurance is always a bit of an area where you can make savings, but it is a gamble. I often think I would be well ahead of the game if I had only taken out TPO policies throughout my life as I have been lucky enough not to have to make a claim. But that's what you are paying for - peace of mind.

(Also that's why I do the lottery, only a couple of quid a week - obviously it'd be nice winning - but you can't dream / hope of winning if you don't buy a ticket and that's what I am buying I suppose.)

[c-m]

Aye good post.

In terms of puncture repair, I have once used some stuff i bought from Hein Gerick.

It's a canister of C02 and foam in one. Once you've got a flat you screw the clear tube it comes with to the valve and just press the button. You can see air and foam going into the tyre.

It'll inflate the tyre to around 13psi and plug the hole pretty much right away.

https://www.hein-gericke.co.uk/motul-tyre-repair.html
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[Peirre oBollox]

[John933]

[Peirre oBollox]

It may well get you home. But as previously stated tyre foam doesn't inflate the tyre enough to get it to a decent working pressure. It also states that it shouldn't be used and the bike ridden at above a certain speed. Also once the stuff has been used it will vertually render the tyre useless. A tyre that may well have been possibly repaired later on. So IMO it isn't the best cost effective method when compare with plugs & tyre worms etc
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[John933]