GS Tire Repair

[smcr12gs]

After several lucky trips over the years, I finally learned the hard way about being prepared for flat tires. Can anyone provide some insight into what the best tire repair kit that povides the most permanent fix is? I tried using regular radial tire plugs (the strips typically used in car tires) since that was all I could get my hands on in the middle of nowhere. However, after plugging the tire twice, both plugs didn't hold. Any info/advice would be most appreciated!

smc
2006 R12GS

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

Welcome to the forum!

The tire repair question should get you plenty of responses. I prefer the Stop & Go tire plugger kit that utilizes mushroom shaped plugs and no glue, although many prefer the "monkey snot" really sticky types that can be bunched together to successfully plug a larger hole according to other members in the past. Taster's choice really...good luck and you should have lots of opinions on this one.

[Boingo]

I have had great luck with the plug strips, but my tire foes tend to be the nail and his evil sidekick the screw.

The trick is to thoroughly abrade the hole, and insert the strip with plenty of cement, and let sit for 20-30 minutes. Inflate, trim excess, and off ya go. For the larger punctures, several strips may be required. The best and safest fix? No, but effective, 2k on my last tire with no loss of air.

[dixieoutlaw]

the key is to be prepared for several solutions since there is not a pat answer. The plug and go works fast for smaller holes, but experience says the wire belts tend to cut through the plugs after a while. Good to get you somewhere you can get a more permanent repair. Have had good luck with the twisted strips but sometimes they will not fill a larger hole. I carry a patch kit that I can use on the inside of the tire if one of the above fails including a rather large patch to use as a boot if I have to insert one of my tubes (which I also carry) in the tire. Carrying a tube is good insurance and can be used to reset the tire beads if you don't have enough pressure from the CO2 cartridges or what ever air pump you are using to seal a tubeless tire. Also do youself a favor and learn to break the bead with you sidestand with one of the wheels removed, then you can chuck your heavy bead breaker.
Hope this helps.
Gary

[dschulze]

I've tried a number of repair methods. The best one I've found is Safety Seal, hands down. the stop n go plugger is a great concept, but it just doesn't last. The Safety Seal plugs hold well, they are a red colored sticky rope that isn't difficult to insert at all using the supplied tools. The sticky stuff is some sort of vulcanizing glue that really holds and the glue stays on the rope not on your hands, kind of like M&M's, only different. The Safety Seal kits are available at better auto parts stores.

Try it you'll like it!

Dennis

[rgvilla]

has anyone ever used one of those cans of tire repair stuff that fills the tire with a sealer, do they work, does your dealer want to kill you when you bring the tire in for permanent repair or change? I carry a can but have never used it.

[manicmechanic]

I curse and carry on whenever I have to change a customer's tire after they've used the fix-a-flat, especially if they don't mention that it's there. Like any of the methods mentioned, though, it should only be a temporary, emergengy measure, enough to get you to someplace where proper repair/replacement can take place.

[smcr12gs]

Thanks to all for the info. The forum is great!

SMC
R12GS

[smcr12gs]

I've tried a number of repair methods. The best one I've found is Safety Seal, hands down. the stop n go plugger is a great concept, but it just doesn't last. The Safety Seal plugs hold well, they are a red colored sticky rope that isn't difficult to insert at all using the supplied tools. The sticky stuff is some sort of vulcanizing glue that really holds and the glue stays on the rope not on your hands, kind of like M&M's, only different. The Safety Seal kits are available at better auto parts stores.

Try it you'll like it!

Dennis

I checked out Safety Seal online and they have several kits. Which do you use? Car? ATV? Is there a difference in the repair strips that you know of?

SMC

[gfspencer]

I curse and carry on whenever I have to change a customer's tire after they've used the fix-a-flat, especially if they don't mention that it's there.

Has anyone tried Ride-On? It is supposed to work like fix-a-flat but without the mess . . . and it is supposed to be safe for rims. I've never tried the stuff. I'm just asking.

http://www.ride-on.com/index.asp

[rgvilla]

how about pumps, what kind of pump do you carry, I'm tempted to buy that 100 dollar gizmo that runs off the power outlet. does it work well? anyone have one?

[Boingo]

how about pumps, what kind of pump do you carry, I'm tempted to buy that 100 dollar gizmo that runs off the power outlet. does it work well? anyone have one?
I like the Airman Sparrow, $20-$24

http://www.adventurersworkshop.com/images/sparforside-optimized_small.jpg

Here (http://www.adventurersworkshop.com/sparrow.htm) or here (http://ascycles.com/detail.aspx?ID=1300)

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

how about pumps, what kind of pump do you carry, I'm tempted to buy that 100 dollar gizmo that runs off the power outlet. does it work well? anyone have one?


I have one of those cycle pumps and love it for it's simple features. The cheaper ones work well and are smaller and lighter and cycle the air about the same to inflate a car tire even, and you can buy several of those cheaper ones to a cycle pump. My opinion though is that I just don't want the cheap pump to go out when I am in the back lane with no cell signal on my Nextel...lol. It is just a matter of your riding style and real needs in my opinion.