Opinions on tyre repair

[Bhud]

Hi, just wondering what you guys' thoughts are on this tyre repair:

https://i.ibb.co/mXTLtdJ/tiptop-tyre-repair.png

It's a Rema Tiptop tyre repair almost in the dead centre of the tyre tread. The puncture was caused by a pyramid-shaped (although with jagged edges) piece of flint, meaning that the damage to the tyre was greater on the external side than the internal. The tyre repair plug was done as per the manufacturer's instructions.

I don't know what to think, because the instructions say it's only good for 30 miles (although people say they get much more mileage out of them). Also, it was very easy to fit the figure-of-eight-shaped plug - very little reaming was required. I was expecting it to require more elbow grease. The tyre is a Michelin, it's a rear tyre, and the carcass is believed to be kevlar rather than steel. I wanted to go for a tyre repair rather than a new tyre, as this one is itself fairly new. I've reinflated the tyre and will check to see if it's lost any air over the next few days.

What do you think? Will it last? Is it dangerous?

[Tankie]

It's a get you home repair, which has done it's job .
Dismount the tyre from the rim check for damage from the inside and repair with a patch if it possible .
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Always learning, everyday is a school day

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

If you're asking us to comment on the quality of the repair that's hard to say. It looks like you used plenty of rubber glue, which is good. Rema Tiptops with the 'figure of 8' mushrooms are my favourites. In my experience once you've got the tool through the tyre the reaming (to clean/rough up the edges) isn't hard. Inside the tyre you'll have a mushroomed plug so it's not going to fall outwards. On the outside you'll have cut the other mushroom off, leaving a 'bum crack' as shown, but the two sides will be pressed and glued tight all round. I probably shouldn't say this but I treat them as fit-and-forget, however Tankie's advice about getting it patched internally if possible is good.

[steve the grease]

The problem with these types of repair is that even though there is a mushroom head on the plug the rubber inside the tyre has dirt and the remnants of a mould release agent on it - so nothing will stick to the surface properly. If the tyre is off the rim the rubber can be burred up so that a proper vulcanised repair can be done to raw rubber. This would be a 100% reliable repair - the patch is now part of the tyre- effectively welded.
Remember Murphys law-states that if anything goes wrong it will do so at the worst possible time - not what you want with a tyre.
it's a Michelin tyre , so worth the effort and right in the middle of the tread , should be straight forwards
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All the above is my personal opinion, you can see my lips move, but I'm talking out of my arse.
I've been riding, and fixing , bikes for 50 years, in that time the more I learn, the less I am absolutely sure of.....

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[oilyrag]

No one can say if that is a good repair or not. You are the one that did it and you are the one riding on it so it's up to you to make the call. I have always used string plugs and ridden on them for thousands of miles and never had one fail but that doesn't mean yours won't. You have to decide yourself if the risk is worth it or not.

[Wull]

I think the very fact that you are asking means either repair it correctly or replace the tyre.
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"Scooters are for men who want to ride motorcycles but prefer to feel the wind on their vaginas"

[Bhud]

[oilyrag]

[stinkwheel]

I've brerached 150mph on a tyre with THREE tip-top inserts in, then proceeded to run the main tread all the way down to canvas, the inserts were the last bit of rubber present.

In conclusion. it's up to you. Motorbikes are dangerous.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[jaffa90]

From memory, my tyres were removed and inspected from the inside for damage before mushroom plugs were vulcanised and fitted from the inside.
Also i passed Stinkwheel as well.

[MCN]

If you have any concern then read the BTMA advice on tyre repairs for road vehicles.
If you think it fails to meet safety margins then don't read the BTMA advice on tyre repairs for road vehicles.

There are a few rules and advice which can be followed.

Too many to spend time explaining here.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[stinkwheel]

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

[droog]

[doggone]

What looks a bit concerning is the missing rubber round the plug which might give coarse road surfaces something to grip and pull it completely out which would not be good.
A more typical nail/screw type hole would be fine with a DIY plug for the life of the tyre most likely, though they can go in at a tricky angle sometimes.
If running about fairly local for the next few weeks you have chance to keep an eye on it and at least get some more wear from the newish tyre.

[MCN]

If there is any cord/wire damage it shouldn't be plugged or patched.
The cords/wire can fret the repair and fail suddenly.
Pin holes are fixable, if the plug dreamer tool flies through the hole it's only a temporary patch and the tyre should be replaced ASAP.

Worn tyre puncture more than newer tyres as the thicker tread is more difficult to penetrate.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[stevo123]

Get that shit changed. It's bad enough on 2 wheels, don't add to it

[Islander]

[Bhud]

Cheers guys. I've bought a new tyre and will be fitting it some time over the next few days, so I don't have to think about it any more.