V2K & a Flat Tire

[LordGT]

I get my new pipes on the V2K, but Murphy gives me a flat tire at the end of said day.

Ok, ok, pump it up, hear air hissing out slowly, haul butt to the dealer.

Oh, hey, Murphy is here also. Why you say?

Well their Tire Machine is BROKE!!! Freaking Murphy.
Oh and he left me another present.

I found out they Will NOT fix my tire, NOPE, they will REPLACE it. Too many lawsuits. I checked with another dealer, same thing. A non Kawasaki dealer that is.

Murphy, gotta luv'em. Creep, sheister, Low life no good for nuttin pain in the Butt!!!

So I have maybe 3,000 more miles left on my Rear tire, it has 5,200 now. But I have to throw 3,000 away. And I get to wait until their machine is fixed.
I'm not happy.

I've only returned to riding in the last few months. So, is this normal?

You get a flat, it's a new tire each time??

[Lobocop]

You can thank all the ambulance chasing attorneys for that.

Years ago we wouldn't have a problem patching a tube or using a plug, but now ... the attorney's of the world have everyone scared. It is getting tougher to get a repair made on a car tire too!

[rabbit]

That stinks GT. I never thought about it but with everyone lawsuit happy these days i guess i understand about liability in repair to a bike tire. Hope your up and runnin soon Has the weather gottin any better out there????

Originally Posted by LordGT

I get my new pipes on the V2K, but Murphy gives me a flat tire at the end of said day.

Ok, ok, pump it up, hear air hissing out slowly, haul butt to the dealer.

Oh, hey, Murphy is here also. Why you say?

Well their Tire Machine is BROKE!!! Freaking Murphy.
Oh and he left me another present.

I found out they Will NOT fix my tire, NOPE, they will REPLACE it. Too many lawsuits. I checked with another dealer, same thing. A non Kawasaki dealer that is.

Murphy, gotta luv'em. Creep, sheister, Low life no good for nuttin pain in the Butt!!!

So I have maybe 3,000 more miles left on my Rear tire, it has 5,200 now. But I have to throw 3,000 away. And I get to wait until their machine is fixed.
I'm not happy.

I've only returned to riding in the last few months. So, is this normal?

You get a flat, it's a new tire each time??

[sherm]

Mike, I had a flat on my V2K - wood screw all the way in. I fixed it with the the same tubeless patch used for cars, those gooey strings that you shove into the hole. From what I've read in motorcycle mags these things do a good job (better than fancier motorcycle specific patches). I've used them before without trouble.

I would not use the strings if I was planning to criuse frequently over 100 mph, or take my hypothetical ZX14 up to 170.

Sherm

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by rabbit

That stinks GT. I never thought about it but with everyone lawsuit happy these days i guess i understand about liability in repair to a bike tire. Hope your up and runnin soon Has the weather gottin any better out there????

Weather out here is quite good compared to the West coast guys up in the PNW.

Yeah, we'll get up and running soon. It's just a pain in the arse when you get something new done on your bike, and you can't enjoy it because Murphy has other plans.

But if that's the worse thing that happens to me, I really don't have much to complain about...

But hey, I can vent can't I???

[V2KCruiser]

Sorry to hear about the flat - that sucks. But you could look at it as an opportunity to upgrade to a fat 240 tire. Might look with the new pipes you put on.

[jimkelley21]

Lord GT
At least you will be riding soon. It is snowing here so we may not be able to
get out for a couple of months. But while you are out riding keep up the news on your travels. It cheers me up to know at least somebody is able to enjoy their V2K.

[EdAZ]

Had a sheet metal screw in my front tire, just 350 miles on the tire.
Went to Auto Zone and bought a plug kit.
Plugged the hole, works fine......
I am kinda of paranoid about the plug, check pressure before every ride but it is holding OK....

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by V2KCruiser

Sorry to hear about the flat - that sucks. But you could look at it as an opportunity to upgrade to a fat 240 tire. Might look with the new pipes you put on.

That is a thought. Hmmmmmmmmmm......

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by EdAZ

Had a sheet metal screw in my front tire, just 350 miles on the tire.
Went to Auto Zone and bought a plug kit.
Plugged the hole, works fine......
I am kinda of paranoid about the plug, check pressure before every ride but it is holding OK....

I've heard stories of people having good luck with some of the plugs.

I've also heard a story or two where it went bad and someone crashed, metal and pins and such in his limbs.

They said the new tire price was much cheaper and less painful.

I heard this all yesterday as I was searching for a tire.

I am not easy on my bike, I mean I take care of it, and I ride 5-10mph over the speed limit mostly. But there are MANY occasions where I'm by myself, clear safe road, no cross streets, no lights, no cars around and I run her up to 100mph for a few seconds.

At those speeds I really want to make sure I don't have a tire failure.
So for all my complaining about having a flat, that dealers won't fix, and having to buy a new tire, and while not happy about it, I'm am ready to spend the few extra bucks on a new tire, instead of plugging it and taking the chance.

I was given a class of sorts, showing how a tire flexs when you accelerate, turn, stop, and what happens to that hole or plug. Made me nervous

Now if I always, rode at very moderate speeds, speed limit or less, I'd be more inclined to find a way to to patch it and go. I think.

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by jimkelley21

Lord GT
At least you will be riding soon. It is snowing here so we may not be able to
get out for a couple of months. But while you are out riding keep up the news on your travels. It cheers me up to know at least somebody is able to enjoy their V2K.

Hey, maybe you could put a round of dollars in a dollar machine for me.
Pull the handle and see if I win enough to buy a new tire?...

Yes, you have to tell me if you win, can't keep it now...I'll share...

[EdAZ]

Originally Posted by LordGT

I've heard stories of people having good luck with some of the plugs.

I've also heard a story or two where it went bad and someone crashed, metal and pins and such in his limbs.

They said the new tire price was much cheaper and less painful.

I heard this all yesterday as I was searching for a tire.

I am not easy on my bike, I mean I take care of it, and I ride 5-10mph over the speed limit mostly. But there are MANY occasions where I'm by myself, clear safe road, no cross streets, no lights, no cars around and I run her up to 100mph for a few seconds.

At those speeds I really want to make sure I don't have a tire failure.
So for all my complaining about having a flat, that dealers won't fix, and having to buy a new tire, and while not happy about it, I'm am ready to spend the few extra bucks on a new tire, instead of plugging it and taking the chance.

I was given a class of sorts, showing how a tire flexs when you accelerate, turn, stop, and what happens to that hole or plug. Made me nervous

Now if I always, rode at very moderate speeds, speed limit or less, I'd be more inclined to find a way to to patch it and go. I think.

I have also heard "stories" about plugged tires.
I have plugged many auto tires without a failure.
I do agree with you that you cannot go wrong with a new tire.....

[texrider]

I once plugged the rear tire on my Honda V-65. It still had good tread, and I told myself I'd replace it as soon as possible.... Forgot about the plug after awhile, it was working so well.

Or course, the plug came out one day on the freeway at 70 mph. Can't tell you all how exciting that one was!

Moral of the story; Don't delay replacing your tire or tube if you're forced to make a temporary repair.

[art708]

I'd plug it and at least ride until they got the tire machine fixed. Don't ride too agressively, but at least you'll ride.

[N3FOLN3FOL]

I don't have a lot of experience to know all about motorcycle tires. But in my opinion, for a peace of mind, I would recommend to just replace the tire. This way, you are assured that the tire is better and most importantly safer to ride. After all, the tire can be replaced...but you are irreplaceable. Ride safe.

[zedx11]

I pluged the rear tire on my 11 and ran the hell out of it, no problems. just make sure that you ream the hell out of it if you are only using the string type.

I plug/patched several for a guy at the shop I was working at. just made sure I reamed and scuffed good and then cleaned with contact cleaner then plenty of glue. this guy took it fairly easy on the first one then let her rip on all the rest. he never rides slow so I know that they will work and be safe. I didn't have any problems with balancing the tire either.

[Plato]

I'm seriously considering purchasing the tools to do my own tire changes, for just this kind of scenario. Getting a motorcycle tire changed ain't like getting a car tire changed -for cars there are a dozen places open all the time that can get you going the same day.

And with the way these cruisers chew up a rear tire the tools can pay for themselves in 2-3 years...

[zedx11]

I have heard of guys using this
with this

this would be handy

[Aquaman95]

Just get a patch kit and some spoons or the Harbor Freight changer. Static balance the tire and you're good. Add some Ride On (www.rideon.com) for further piece of mind.

[LordGT]

Originally Posted by zedx11

I have heard of guys using this
with this

this would be handy

If you have the room, this would probably save you money over time.
Guess you still have to take it somewhere to get it balanced though, huh?