What did I do wrong?

[sudani]

Ok, I'm very new at this riding thing. Wez and I took yesterday off work to get a final ride in (for me, anyway) before I put the bike in storage so they can make it all shiney and new for Spring.

We're heading out with no problems...when, I'm thinking to myself, the wind is really beating me up. I slowed on curves, was cautious on corners...never thinking there was anything wrong with the bike, that it must be me getting tired. Ok, we're out and about with about 60+mi to get home when some kind soul points out that my tire is going flat. Crapola! Ok...now what! We make it to a gas station and fill the tire...seems to be holding air and Wez is like...let's get the heck home (not exactly in thoes words). I cautiously ride until I can tell things are getting sloppy so I slow down considerably. I make it to about 5 mi from a BMW dealer...and we head directly there, wobbling all the way. I know, T-clocs...didn't do it. Bad on me. That won't ever happen again. But I'm thinking that I should have stopped right then and there and never ridden the bike for as long as I did. I'm thinking that someone was watching over me.

My question to the experienced riders is this...

What would you have done?

I picked up a nail in the rear tire and obviously had a slow leak. Thank goodness it didn't burst while riding or I'd be much flatter today.

[belquar]

I have had the unfortunate experience of three rear flats. All slow. Two on nails and one on valve stem failure. I didn't know until the sloppiness began.

Two times were on a ME880 which is a really sturdy tire. I rode a mile on the flat and aired up at a gas station. Rode another mile and plugged the tire. That was the first time.

Next time was similar. Only I plugged right away.

Last time was just a few months ago on my GS. Valve stem failed. I made to fairly agressive turns and noticed an uncomfortable looseness. Pulled over. Flat. Tourances on the GS.

Figured out what it was and got back on the road.

I guess a lot of it depends on the tire's age and type.

I think I had someone watching out for me too. Get em fixed as quick as possible. Temporary fixes are called temporary for a reason. Glad you made it out ok.

[GeoffMiller]

Better to ride it than push it I would have done the same thing under the circumstanses. Total safe it will be argued, would have been to leave the bike and have it towed. Seems like a good way to lose a motorcycle! Time to invest in a plug kit and learn how to use it.

[sudani]

Better to ride it than push it I would have done the same thing under the circumstanses. Total safe it will be argued, would have been to leave the bike and have it towed. Seems like a good way to lose a motorcycle! Time to invest in a plug kit and learn how to use it.

My thoughts exactly...just ordered a Dynaplug kit and a Cyclepump. Next I have to figure out where to store these things on a 03 F650CS!

I know......I got lucky.

Henzilla:

"...take Weez's bike away from him next time!! Helen would if I was on one of the R's!"

He offered to let me ride the F800.....I declined.

Bobh41:

"If I recall, they were Dunlop tires. "

The tires were the original and were needing replacement. I knew this when I bought the bike. But, I'll tell you....under the circumstance...that little bike and Dunlop tires did the job of getting me to my destination safely...and me with a grand total of about 200 mi of riding under my belt.

If it happens again....first step is to plug the tire (now that I will have the equipment) and fill it. I don't think I'll be taking that chance again. I have AAA so I'll have to check into the motorcycle coverage. (Just upgraded AAA to include the bike...a pittance to have 2 yrs of coverage.)
Of course, these are all thoughts after the fact....was a good experience for a newbie. Now I know what it feels like....and I'll be prepared.

[dbOnIce]

Better to ride it than push it I would have done the same thing under the circumstanses. Total safe it will be argued, would have been to leave the bike and have it towed. Seems like a good way to lose a motorcycle! Time to invest in a plug kit and learn how to use it.

That's good advice from a master spike collector!

[GeoffMiller]

Ya, and my plug kit saved the day Reminds me that I forgot to get my new front tire this week. That's OK though, gotta go slow so you can keep up.

[rkasal]

Without a doubt with rare unspecified exceptions; I would have called a towing service that could transport the bike to get the tire repaired. Just my personal opinion but I wouldn't risk death or worse, paralysis over anything like that. At worst, transport if a long distance and a new tire/tube if the old can't be repaired would be $300. Your deductible for insurance and then require being towed anyway after an accident even if you and your gear weren't hurt would exceed $300.

So, from a saftey or financial aspect, always play safe.

Regards,


Randy Kasal

PS check your tire pressure at least once a week if not more often!

[Rob Nye]

Ok, I'm very new at this riding thing. Wez and I took yesterday off work to get a final ride in (for me, anyway) before I put the bike in storage so they can make it all shiney and new for Spring.

We're heading out with no problems...when, I'm thinking to myself, the wind is really beating me up. I slowed on curves, was cautious on corners...never thinking there was anything wrong with the bike, that it must be me getting tired. Ok, we're out and about with about 60+mi to get home when some kind soul points out that my tire is going flat. Crapola! Ok...now what! We make it to a gas station and fill the tire...seems to be holding air and Wez is like...let's get the heck home (not exactly in thoes words). I cautiously ride until I can tell things are getting sloppy so I slow down considerably. I make it to about 5 mi from a BMW dealer...and we head directly there, wobbling all the way. I know, T-clog...didn't do it. Bad on me. That won't ever happen again. But I'm thinking that I should have stopped right then and there and never ridden the bike for as long as I did. I'm thinking that someone was watching over me.

My question to the experienced riders is this...

What would you have done?

I picked up a nail in the rear tire and obviously had a slow leak. Thank goodness it didn't burst while riding or I'd be much flatter today.

Hey now,

Welcome to riding, we were all very new to it once.

Let's go to the begining where you mention getting "beat up" by the wind. Something was "different". Next time you get that feeling pull over and take a walk around the bike. More often than not there will be nothing to find and as you gain experience you will learn which feelings you need to pay attention to right away and others you can ignore for until the next stop.

If you have a leak in your tire and you know it is slow you can ride a short distance, however it is much better to stop the leak, then ride home or to the dealer.

To answer your question I would have plugged the tire or called for assistance. If I could not control the leak I probably would not ride it unless it was a slow leak, I was not going far and I had a compressor with me. You can easily learn to plug a tire. I would ask your dealer to sell you a tire repair kit and ask if you can practice on a tire they are about to take off.

[henzilla]

being on a F650 with a inner tube type tire limits putting a plug in it...a can of flat fix is the band aid in a side case for that bike.
I would have ridden it , but that's me...roadside assistance if out in the boonies, but sometimes they take a while to appear. A blowout would not be a concern with a slow leak and lower speed...but that's me....don't let that discourage you...take Weez's bike away from him next time!! Helen would if I was on one of the R's!

Flats happen to EVERYONE!!

[SNC1923]

As it turns out, nothing. But it sure could have gone the other way.

I carry I tire plugging kit from Aerostitch and a micro tire pump from Adventure Designs. I've never plugged a tire and haven't had a flat in 20 years. But I would try that first.

If that failed (I'm thinking 50/50 odds given my mechanical apptitude) I would call BMW's roadside assistance number which is programmed into my cell.

One should visually inspect his tires before every ride. Truth be told, I never do.

One should check his tire pressure before every ride. I do before every major ride (not zipping around town).

Glad it turned out OK and sorry you had to end your season on a flat.

[testinglogin]

I'll admit doing a stupider thing. My R80 was my first motorcycle. I never checked the tire pressure when I got it home (trailered). I rode up and down my driveway and through the neighborhood for a week, and then took it on a 15 mile ride to my parents house. My dad mentioned the tire looked "a bit low" when I sat on the bike. Turns out I was WAAAAAY down on air that whole time. Mind you it wasn't a flat, but still pretty dumb.

Since that time I changed my own tires/tubes once, and carry the equipment ("bread brakr"/tire irons, spare tube, tire lube, tube patches) on longer rides... although your issue is a reminder that I should probably always carry that stuff. I should order a plugging kit for my tubeless GS wheels (and maybe a spare valve stem or two)... today.

As for your incident, I probably would have ridden it down the road to the BMW shop, as well. Nobody said I was the sharpest tool in the shed, though. Maybe you could have called them to come get you? Probably would have been pricey... and I know I'm too cheap for that... and generally don't like waiting around.

[bobh41]

Way out in the boonies of Louisana, heading home late at night on a lonely two-lane I decided to stop for a little chickory coffee pickmeup. As I started to slow for the cafe stop around 30mph the front began to get really sloppy. I rolled into the parking lot on a flat front tire. I was the only customer. No services anywhere. I drank the java while I thought it over and figured since it didn't appear to handle badly at speed I would just give it a careful trial. Yes, it was sloppy handling until I reached 40mph - then it smoothed out very well. I would not have left that bike alone on the road for anything, but I was risking being AWOL, otherwise I might have just parked it and me at the cafe. I rode it without incident for abut 50 miles at about 60 mph. If I recall, they were Dunlop tires.

With the faculties and resources I presently have I wouldn't try that, but that was at a do-or-die age, and my knowledge base was about 1% of what it is now. I'm quite sure if I had had to perform any kind of stress-inducing maneuver that tire would have rolled right off the rim, then whoopee!

[Rapid_Roy]

At first I was going to say "riding with Wezul" but seeing as how we drank Tequila together.....

It sounds like you did what you felt was safe (including riding with Wezul).
Thats all anybody can really do. I am glad nothing worse happened.

[sudani]

At first I was going to say "riding with Wezul" but seeing as how we drank Tequila together.....

This weekend you can experience drinking Tequila with me and Wezul!