Tyre Patches and SAFETY.

[Logic]

What is everybody's opinion of patching tyres rather than replacing.
Personally, I think it's kinda stupid - I now have a patch in the rear of my ZX12R and the thought of it freeks me.
ARE THEY SAFE?

[Zed]

What is everybody's opinion of patching tyres rather than replacing.
Personally, I think it's kinda stupid - I now have a patch in the rear of my ZX12R and the thought of it freeks me.
ARE THEY SAFE?

I've had tyres patched from the inside and was able to continue using them without further problem, not sure if the bike shops are still patching them though? The plugs that are used in an emergency situation are supposed to be only a temporary measure until the tyre can be fixed properly or replaced, but many riders including myself have left them in there and continued to ride without further breakdowns...it's your call at the end of the day but if the hole in the tyre is quite wide it should probably be replaced, also depends on where the hole is located (near the centre or close to the tyre wall) as to whether it can be repaired or not?

[Biff]

What Zed said. I guess the general rule of thumb being consider it a temporary fix until you get it checked out by a bike/tyre shop.

[DEATH_INC.]

If you use the proper mushroom shaped patches they're fine.I've personally done well over 300kph(for a reasonable distance) on a tyre I patched when I had my 12....

[R1madness]

Na man if they are done properly, using a pulg patch, like a normal patch but with a rubber prong that goes from inside the tyre through the hole (you can get them from any tyre repair shop but a small independant one is most likely to be helpfull) they are fine. However it is recommended by the manufacturers that you do not exceed 100kph because of liability if they fail. I have used them from time to time and never had a problem , just keep an eye on your tyre pressures until you have convinced yourself all is good.

[NinjaBoy]

The mushroom plugs are permanent fixes but they need to be applied by someone who knows what they are doing. Had one done in a little farm bike shop in the middle of nowhere ( ok... Fielding) and it lasted the Trackday but started to leak on the way home to Auckers. Bit of a pain but had to keep topping up the tyre with air all the way home from Waioru ( 300+ Kms).

As Zed said.. the threads that you get out of puncture kits are only a temporary fix... I've seen them fail in spectacular fashion...

[Motu]

You'll fail a Wof with a string repair,they are to get you home only - Mr Skid can tell you of when we went to remove his string repair when I failed him on a WoF,the cords had been cut badly from the inside by the nail.That's why they fail a WoF.Mushroom repairs are as good as new,but a rebalance is in order.Although I think they are a no no on the German autobahns.

[inlinefour]

But I'd rather have a new tyre instead. I supposed that could get expensive should I get alot of flats, but the less hazzards on my bike the safer I am, or at least feel.

[Riff Raff]

I got a nail in the rear tyre on the SV and had it repaired by Kerry at Motohaus. That tyre has now done 8,000km on that patch (with White Trash riding it as well as me) and has been fine. Tyres need replacing now (12,000km is pretty bloody good for a set of tyres I think).

So in conclusion - get it done properly and you should be sweet.

[Oscar]

You'll fail a Wof with a string repair,they are to get you home only - Mr Skid can tell you of when we went to remove his string repair when I failed him on a WoF,the cords had been cut badly from the inside by the nail.That's why they fail a WoF.Mushroom repairs are as good as new,but a rebalance is in order.Although I think they are a no no on the German autobahns.

What about putting a tube in it?
Izzat legal? Safe?

[T.I.E]

I got a nail in the rear tyre on the SV and had it repaired by Kerry at Motohaus. That tyre has now done 8,000km on that patch (with White Trash riding it as well as me) and has been fine. Tyres need replacing now (12,000km is pretty bloody good for a set of tyres I think).

So in conclusion - get it done properly and you should be sweet.

12,000kms on a rear?
no way.
i have to get a replacement for my "whale" soon. metzlers again. i'm getting about 6000kms out of the sport touring versions. (rear)
usually its 2 rears to 1 front tyre for me.
the mushroom patches are fine with me. have used them a few times and have never had a problem with them
although its the bits i can't see that worry me. whats going on inside.
but if ya keep it to a reasonable speed they are fine.

[Riff Raff]

12,000kms on a rear?
no way.

Yep, seriously. These are the original tyres that came on the bike. The rear is a bit square now, which is why I'm not doing any rides until I get new tyres, but I've just sold my kayak on Trademe so will be getting new tyres as soon as I get my paws on the cash!

[Ixion]

What about putting a tube in it?
Izzat legal? Safe?

That is an interesting question. Tube in a tubeless tyre? Petal has spoked wheels (of course), with tubed tubeless tyres. They are unspeakably shit tyres (Chen Shits and something called a King Tyre), so I will replace them as soon as. But, extending the options to include tubeless offers more options.Be interested to hear comment on advisability (pretty sure it's legal, just not sure if it's a good idea), and why/why not.

[Oscar]

That is an interesting question. Tube in a tubeless tyre? Petal has spoked wheels (of course), with tubed tubeless tyres. They are unspeakably shit tyres (Chen Shits and something called a King Tyre), so I will replace them as soon as. But, extending the options to include tubeless offers more options.Be interested to hear comment on advisability (pretty sure it's legal, just not sure if it's a good idea), and why/why not.

I'm gonna ask Big Al at Road & Sport - I've never had a bike with tubless tyres 'til now but it makes sense that if you get a hole, stick a tube in it.

I've always carried a coupla tubes, tyre irons and a pump (lately those cool compressed air canisters). Compared to a knobblie, road bikes tyres are easy to take off.

[classic zed]

When you have new tyres fitted do you have new valves fitted too?

It surprises me the amount of garages that fit new tyres that just dont fit new valves. New tyre new valve in my opinion.

on the tube in tubeless tyre debate

For Continental motorcycle tyres
All TL/TT-sidewalled tyres can be used with a tube without decreasing the speed range.
No tube fitment on radial tyres!
The tyre manufacturer must agree to the use of an inner-tube in a tubeless tyre if the use of an inner-tube would increase the temperature of the tyre during riding.
On tube-type rims and wheels every CONTINENTAL tubeless tyre can be used with an inner-tube: If you use an inner-tube in a tubeless tyre you have to take a higher speed index than that you would normally use. Please note that the maximum speed for tubeless tyres fitted with an inner-tube is 210 km/h (approx. 130 mph).

taken from the Continental tyre site
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/contibike/tyreinfo.php