6 - Tire Safety
Sometimes you can't win. We just had to replace a virtually new
Metzler rear tire on our motorcycle because it had picked up a
couple of small nails.
I know, all we really had to do was plug the tire. Right? Wrong!
Here are a few things you might consider about tire plugs:
• Almost any single puncture (thru the tread) can be repaired by the use of a tire plug.
(I would be willing to ride with a properly plugged tire anytime.)
• You cannot put more than one plug within the same
quadrant of a tire - safely.
• You cannot put more than two plugs into a tire - period.
The manufacturers of tire plugs specifically deny the safety of doing either of the last two items listed above. They also void their speed warranties as a result of any tire plugging. Your tire is probably marked with an 'H' speed designation, meaning it is rated for safety up to 130 MPH. If you have even one tire plug in it you should not drive faster than about 80 MPH using that tire.
We had picked up two small nails in or tire. Both leaked air when I removed them. It cost me $300 for another new Metzler. (Life is too important to be left in the hands of two plugs when the manufacturers
refuse to stand up for their safety.) Even dealers refuse to plug tires because of the liability.
Most references to 'tire plugs' are recommended from the inside out, NOT the emergency roadside repair kits which install from the outside of your tire.
You can use a roadside repair plug to get you to a dealer for a new tire.
Ride Safe … and remember never mind who’s right, ride so you will be left
