August 27th, 2011, 07:09 PM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sica
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 24
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Is this safe? (nail damage in tire)
Hey guys, new rider here. Had my 250r for a few months now and I noticed a huge nail in my rear tire. After riding for a few days, I noticed that the nail was gone, and the hole is filled up with something. Is it possible to fix the tire or should I replace it? Also, is it safe to keep riding with the tire in this condition? Thanks.
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August 27th, 2011, 07:25 PM | #2 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ninja
Location: CA
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja! Posts: 77
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I wouldn't recommend riding it as is since you don't know what this is and when it will let go. My general rule is I will plug and ride with a tire if the hole is towards the middle and replace the tire if the hole is on the sides.
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August 27th, 2011, 07:28 PM | #3 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sica
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 24
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Thanks for the response, where can I get these plugs?
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August 27th, 2011, 07:32 PM | #4 |
User Title Free Since '12
Name: Floyd
Location: Barbados
Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): '10 Ninja 250R Special Edition Green Posts: A lot.
Blog Entries: 13
MOTM - Feb '12
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Not safe. You can ride with a plug if it is in the right place towards the center, but even that creates some debate. People don't like to mess around with repaired tires on motorcycles when the stakes are so high. Magical self-healing nail hole isn't a close call at all though - change the tire right away. You are asking for a very fast loss of air pressure at speed. I've had a blowout on a motorcycle, and let me tell you that it is NOT fun. Not something you want to mess around with when your life is at stake.
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"Improvement makes straight roads, but the crooked roads without improvement, are roads of genius." — William Blake |
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August 27th, 2011, 07:39 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ninja
Location: CA
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja! Posts: 77
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Kragen, Pep Boys, etc. Any car store and even some hardware stores. Hard to tell how big it is but would recommend replacing the tire if the hole is very big. I only plug small holes. If you decide to put a plug in it, keep an eye on your pressure for a few days and see if it is still consistent. I also check a plugged tire more regularly, though tire pressures are set nearly before every ride. Yes, tires are THAT important.
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August 27th, 2011, 07:44 PM | #6 |
Cranky Old Fart
Name: TXJ
Location: TX
Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 DRZ400SM Posts: 189
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I'd replace it. Consider the cost of a new tire vs the road grime in it now (probably w/ the nail still in there) popping out and creating a dangerous situation, and the peace of mind knowing your tire is safe.
It's probably losing pressure, have you been monitoring it daily? You can get tire plug kits pretty much anywhere. Amazon has them for $8 or so. Any auto parts store, walmart etc would stock slime plug kits as well. But my vote is still to just replace the tire. I have plugged tires before, it's a safe repair. But it makes me extremely paranoid. I only ride on a plugged tire if I don't have a extra one while waiting until a new one arrives. |
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August 27th, 2011, 07:49 PM | #7 |
IC2(SW)
Name: Kerry
Location: Pensacola
Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): . Posts: A lot.
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Nail's gone and something is in the hole...... Whats in the hole??
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August 27th, 2011, 07:50 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sica
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 24
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I'm thinking of playing it safe and just replacing the tires. I don't know how the nail came out though, it was nailed in there pretty hard lol. How much would a new set of tires cost? And how much would it cost to have a mechanic put them on? Thanks again everyone
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August 27th, 2011, 07:50 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sica
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 24
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August 27th, 2011, 07:59 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ninja
Location: CA
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja! Posts: 77
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August 27th, 2011, 08:05 PM | #11 | |
New 2-Wheel Addict
Name: Reece
Location: Bardstown
Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): Blue 2009 250r Kawasaki Ninja Posts: 129
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Quote:
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August 28th, 2011, 06:39 PM | #12 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Sica
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250r Posts: 24
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Hey guys, after taking a closer inspection i've realized that the hole is actually filled in with a plug. I'm not sure how that happened though, must've been one of the guys at my university o:
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