Noticed a nail sticking out of my rear tyre this morning.

Went and bought a plug kit as a temp fix to get me through a couple of days till I could get a new one (read set).

When pulling the nail out, it had not gone very deep (like tangential to the tyre), and appears to have not actually punctured the tyre.

It had about 15mm of penetration, and appears to have gone a little bit deeper than the tread groove (was near the groove, but under it).

The tyre hasn't lost any pressure since taking the nail out an hour ago.

Its got 4500k on it now, with probably another 2-3 left in it.

I am in 2 minds, but I am leaning toward that it is actually ok, which would keep the Minister of Finance & Entertainment happy.

Mind 1

Just replace it (especially seeing as I am not a big fan of the OEM tyres)

Mind 2

I likely picked it up in the estate where my new house is being built, and as my house is only 2-3 weeks into the build, I would be dirty to actually replace it, only to have a new PP totally f'd up.


This is where your opinions are wanted, is it likely undamaged, what would you do?

Since im pretty sure they come with shitty Dunlops

There is one option here: SMOKE SHOW! with vid

+1 for smoke show but prob better to wait until house is built and less chance of nail then smoke it and replace

I'd plug a tyre if it was relatively new, but with 4500klms on board i'd be looking 4 new one...Although I do know a person who doesn't believe in plugging tyres, who recently just picked up a nail in a pp with less than 1000klms on board...almost became a convert to plugs...almost.
Si.

I'd probably be leaning towards replacing it. Even though it hasn't punctured the tyre, it would have definitely weakened it in the area. Might last forever, might blow out going over a bump at high speed. If you've gotten a reasonable life out of it, and it's not going to send you broke to replace it, then I'd be on the safe side. So much else to worry about, don't need that in the back of your head.

Yes, it does come with shitty Dunlops, so shitty that the only way to buy them in Aus, is on a New R1 - yes, they don't sell them - f'n D210's

I have a service due in a few hundred k's, I think I will replace it then.

I was having a look yesterday, and all teammoto stores are doing a set of Pilot Powers for 399 fitted.

Only problem is I have to get 2CT's, as they dont do the 190/55 rear in the regular PP which I find strange.

They are doing the 2CT's for 499, which is still 60-80 bucks cheaper than the last set of regular PP's I bought more locally.

There will be a smoke show......

You could run a 180/55, plenty of people on thou's do, and if you're getting them a lot cheaper it could be an option...

Either way, whether its 300 or 600 for new tires, its cheap insurance on a 20k bike either way!

It's interesting to note some bike shops simply wont plug a tyre at all. They can sprout about on safety grounds etc - but truth is they are getting more out of the sale / fitting of tyre - so its simple business.
When i had my shop - i was only more than happy to plug them, but if the tyre looked a bit shagged it was always recc'd to look at a newby. I Spoke to some Michelin / Dunlop reps and obviously they stated they did not condone plugging a tyre, but one rep confided in me, that he thought they were safe to a degree - but i also spoke to a lot of racers, drag racers, Ulysses members etc etc and not one person that i had spoken too said they'd ever had nor heard of a plug failing at speed or otherwise.
It's a really interesting dilemma for the sports bike rider, especially seeings as though the prices for a rear are getting up towards $350....(ps - 90% of punctures, are in the rear tyre....bit of useless trivia for ya's)

Back to subject - I ran a 180 section on my 1000's a couple diff times, (the 190 was not in stock etc) - you really can notice the turn in difference, much much quicker. However, it was the mind games that got to me when i was on the edge of the tyre...i'm sure you guys know what i'm talking about...

Si.

Old owner of my zed did a road trip to coffs one weekend and had a nail in the tyre, he got it plugged and prob did another 200km on it, id rather plug it then have it bust on ya on the highway because i would say its weak at the moment

Id plug it, if the tyre is still holding pressure there musnt be any damage to the structural part of the tyre - the canvas body.

If you believe there is another 2-3km out of it, the tyre cant be in too bad of condition. Be a shame to waste the tread. But if you can get a set when the bikes in for a service and it isnt going to blow the budget, do that.

I have nothing against plugging a tyre. The plug isnt going to 'tear' itself out, the tyre wont just explode. Tyres are farking strong, it takes alot of mistreatment to have one explode.

I have had numerous tyres plugged.
3 on my cbr600rr
2 on my 1000rr

I have never had a problem with plugs giving out.
Although im no GP rider i like to think I ride reasonably hard.

MY opinion, and it is only my opinion, plug it and ride hard.

I picked up a nail after only 1000kms, I plugged it and it was still good as gold(the plug) 6000 later.