plug in the groove- would you replace?

shift_enter

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so I had my first flat today, i’m really glad I had a plug kit with the compressor in my bag. it is the mushroom type plug and it enabled me to get home just fine.

im curious if you guys would replace the tire- the entry site was in one of the grooves for water runoff on my metzler tourance that I just bought this spring
2A0FA524-F874-4254-AE4E-11D4CABCB4E8.jpeg

is there a difference between the stability of plugs in the cutouts and in the solid parts of the tire?
 
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SkunkWorks

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If it was me............................(and I'm only speaking from my personal thoughts and experience on the issue)
I would ride it until the tire wears out!

I have used rope-type plugs on various vehicles over the years (Cars, Jeep, Motorcycles, ATV's, etc.....) and they have NEVER came out, or caused any kind of issue.
Hell, I even did burnouts in my Firehawk with rope plugs in the rear tire and they didn't come out! I ran them until they were bald!

If you've ever seen a tire-carcass cut apart to show the construction of the insides, you would see that a tiny hole with a rubber plug in it would not affect the strength of the tire whatsoever.

Others will probably chime-in with different opinions, but that's just mine.
I wouldn't stress over it. They are a non-issue.
 

Kurgan

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I'm of the same mindset and experience as SkunkWorks. I've repaired tubeless motorcycle tires with rope plugs and sometimes a vulcanized internal patch and ridden on them until there was no tread left with zero air leakage or other issues. Now, if it was a BIG hole, like you ran over a 3/8" lag bolt, I'd replace it. But for a normal small nail/screw puncture, I'm repairing it and not giving it a second thought.
 

Sierra1

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1630373847553.jpeg Don't know if you can get the current plug out. If so, use these. I've had one in my front tire for all but the first 50 miles; no issues. I'm somewhere around 8k miles on the tires, and they're about done; new Roadsmart IIIs on order.
 

Thrasherg

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If you used a mushroom plug, I would ride it u til the tyre wore out. I have plugged several tyres in my 40+ years of motorcycling and never had an issue with a plug, so I consider it a fairly safe option.. A new tyre would be best, but I personally have no issues running on a plugged tyre, as long as a mushroom plug was used.. ripe plugs are great to get you home or to a garage, but then fit a mushroom plug and ride until the tyre needs replacing..
 

Cycledude

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I’ve completely worn out a few motorcycle tires after plugging them with rope or string plugs without worry. But last year I got a flat the hole was pretty obvious but I really don’t know what actually made the hole but it must have also broke a belt or wire in the tire because after plugging it I could feel every revolution the tire made, it was a 30 mile ride home and I never went over 30 mph because I was afraid the tire might come apart.
 

tntmo

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It's great that you were prepared with the plug kit and compressor. It's good to ask questions like this as well, we all have our own limits to what we feel comfortable doing. As you can see, some people have no issues with it and other people wouldn't do it.

So now you have to make up your mind...you asked so obviously it wasn't something that you were initially comfortable with or weren't familiar with. Do you listen to the smart and cautious ones, or the wild and crazy ones? :D

PS: I would run that tire until it was about to show cords.
 

SparrowHawkxx

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I got a mushroom plug kit years ago, used it once, got rid of it.
I don't think I would keep riding it with that plug. I'd probably just push it through and insert a rope plug.

The internal patch mentioned by Sierra1 would be a good option also but if the wheel has to come off I'm replacing the tire unless its very low mileage on it, too much effort involved for me.:)

I use the rope plugs but also got a variation of the standard rope plug. The Nealey Kit.
The rope diameter is smaller but you end up with 4 strands in the hole instead of the 2 with a standard rope plug.
I like them both so I carry both:eek:
 
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Sierra1

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. . . . The internal patch mentioned by Sierra1 would be a good option also but if the wheel has to come off I'm replacing the tire unless its very low mileage on it, too much effort involved for me. . . .
You guessed it. Mine was a brand new tire. Used the sticky ropes to get home, and my dealer techs then replaced them with the plug/patches.
 

shift_enter

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after watching the fail strength on the mushroom plugs I am definitely going for a rope plug on this tire, as long as it doesn’t leak im gonna suck the miles out of this tire with the rope plug in it
After talking to some guys in a local motorcycle club I ordered a new tire. I don’t want the risk on a repaired tire on a long trip or around town on the freeway, some of the steel in the tire was broken and thinking about it more, the peace of mind is worth the $200 for a new rear tire. thanks for the feplies everyone. I still have the rope plugs on order and will be replacing the mushroom plugs in my travel kit with them.
 
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