Tire Plug

[CMDRDAVE]

I am looking a buying a bike that has a plugged rear tire (from nail hole).  The tire only has about 500 miles on it.  Replacing the tire will be the first thing on my list, but how much of a priority should it really be?  Ride only to the shop for replacement?  Just take it easy until replaced?  Don't worry about it?
What do you think?

[Hedgehog]

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=5817.0

[duckwrench13]

Without a doubt, replace it. 500 miles or not, it's just not worth the risk.

Having said that, depending on where the puncture is, you may be able to run on it , cautiously, for a short while. If it's in the contact patch portion of the tire, replace it immediately!! The last thing you want is a tire to go while you're leaned over. Doesn't matter if you're just riding to the office, or out carving canyons...turns and blow outs don't mix!

A patch/plug is good for getting you back on the road, and into a shop. Use them for what they are designed for...to get you out of a bind... not as a substitute for a solid reliable tire.

In the case of a front tire, without a doubt, replace it. You can ride out a rear flat, but a front is nothing worth screwing with.

It's ultimately up to you. Do you think your personal safety is worth the cost of a tire? 

[Popeye the Sailor]

It's ultimately up to you. Do you think your personal safety is worth the cost of a tire? 

Depends on the tire and the person. 

[NAKID]

If it's in the contact patch portion of the tire, replace it immediately!! The last thing you want is a tire to go while you're leaned over. Doesn't matter if you're just riding to the office, or out carving canyons...turns and blow outs don't mix!

Unless it's the sidewall, isn't the whole tire the contact patch?

[DoubleEagle]

I had a small shard of metal in my back tire which caused me to loose about 10 psi of air over night . I called the Service Dept. at the Dealership and they said that I should in no way plug the tire and ride it that way rather than replace it. I had 2900 miles on a Pilot Power on my S4Rs and I filled it and road it to the Dealership and had it replaced. It is amazing how thin the tread is on a motorcycle tire . So I would say don't even consider it vs a replacement.

[CMDRDAVE]

Thanks for all of the responses.  Not an issue anymore, I ended up buying a different bike.  But this is all good information.  I'm sure at some point this will come back up again.

[SP3]

Depends on the tire and the person. 

+1

I have plugged two bike tires and two car tires in my lifetime. Both car tires were worn out without problem. One bike tire leaked from the start and was then patched (and worn out). The other bike tire now has a further 2500 miles on it. Having said that, I wouldn't trust anyone's work in this area but my own. I will plug tires in the future (general statement).