Which is Better New Tire or A Patch?

[Dyno420]

Ok im going through a debate in my home i have a 07 Ninja ZX-6R i got last year during riding season i picked up a nail right in the middle of my tire now i didnt pull it and checked my tire pressure and lost no pressure last summer i winterized my bike spring is now here i checked my tire pressure still the same so i ride with it (i know i know not too safe) but now im not riding like i normally would being that in my mind death looms lol. So now thanks to this site and your people in it i know what tire i want and need to buy for the bike. But now the debate in my home is just patch it and save money. So the advice im asking is it better to just buy a new set of tires or just patch my old ones.

P.S. I like to ride hard and love leaning into turns hopefully that will help you help me

[KZBob]

Patching or plugging a tire on a streetbike is an emergency fix to get you to the shop to get a new tire.

Seriously, you couln't pay me enough to ride on a patched or plugged tire and I certainly wouldn't ride aggressivly with one.

Get a new tire.

[JasonFMHS]

I have had a patch and plug in mine for 500 miles and so far not problem, but i dont track mine.

[Dyno420]

Thank you Bob again this is why i am very happy i signed up to this forum cause Bob in under 9 minutes you solved my problem cause i knew this but my fiance heard from others that i am wasting money and that i should just patch the tire. Thank you in proving my point cause after reading your post she has no doubt in her mind i should buy a new tire

[jukief]

Well, there's saving money and there's saving your butt. I would never trust a patched tire. Sure, they could last for a long time. But with your life on the line, why take a chance? You're worth WAY more than that!

[messer00]

I got a nail in mine after only 500 miles. The first 2 shops I asked wouldn't touch it, so I replaced it. After further research, 99% of the people I asked said it's better to replace it than plug or patch it.

[jukief]

I got a nail in mine after only 500 miles. The first 2 shops I asked wouldn't touch it, so I replaced it. After further research, 99% of the people I asked said it's better to replace it than plug or patch it.

There you go!

[Dyno420]

damn messer same here after about 600 miles out of no where i spotted a nail and was ticked off bad luck for us

[zedx11]

it's better to buy a new tire

I have ran a plug patched tire for many miles though

[bennice]

Get a new tire. If you don't want to spend the extra coin check around to see if you can find some race take offs in your area. Basically, they're race tires (which grip like crazy when they're warm) that may have a few sprints on them. Still plenty of tread left for street riding, but they wear pretty quick. Usually you'll see them for $50-60 for a set. Just know that you'll be changing them again in about 1/3 of the tread life of a brand new set of street tires.

[Dyno420]

Get a new tire. If you don't want to spend the extra coin check around to see if you can find some race take offs in your area. Basically, they're race tires (which grip like crazy when they're warm) that may have a few sprints on them. Still plenty of tread left for street riding, but they wear pretty quick. Usually you'll see them for $50-60 for a set. Just know that you'll be changing them again in about 1/3 of the tread life of a brand new set of street tires.

No yeah im not too worried about the coin being that next to my helmet my tires are the most important part of my bike to me. I just wanted to show my girl i was not selling her a tire lol that i honestly needed it lol this is why im happy so many of you put an imput on this cuz i AM I NEWB street rider still (but i always knew how to ride bikes) need all info i can take

[cmptrmn.1]

I concur. New tire. MC tires are made differently than car tires. You can get away with it on a car tire because the flexing of tire is different on turns.

[messer00]

damn messer same here after about 600 miles out of no where i spotted a nail and was ticked off bad luck for us

Yeah, I was going about 90 into a turn... My knee was rubbing the centerline... I saw the nail in the road, tried to avoid it, but had to hold my line.... Bad luck, I guess

Seriously, I was SO ticked-off. I just bought the bike, all of the gear, tools. The last thing I needed to do was spend more $$$ on a replacement tire !!!

(Shhh... I didn't tell my wife about that one either).

[RichLockyer]

According to the manufacturers:

Plug-patch (tire needs to be removed to be properly patched, it's a patch with a nipple in the middle that fits through the puncture)

No more than one plug per quadrant

No more than 3 plugs per tire

Derate the tire's original speed rating by "one" for each plug installed.


If you're going to push it and track the bike, get a new tire. If you never see the high side of 80mph, don't get crazy in the canyons, and your tires are "Z" rated, you'll be fine with a plug.

[KZBob]

Another good one from Dunlop's site..

Before any repair should be attempted, however, a tire must be removed from the wheel and thoroughly inspected. The following are minimum guidelines for the repairer:

Tires should not be repaired if any of the following conditions exist:
A tire has been previously injected with a sealant/balancer.
The puncture is larger than 6mm (1/4") in diameter.
The puncture is not perpendicular to the carcass.
The puncture is in the tire sidewall.
Separation of plies, tread separation, separation of any other components.
Cut or broken ply cords.
Broken or damaged bead wires.
Cut or damaged chafers (bead area).
Deterioration of the carcass inside the tire due to "run flat" or underinflation.
Cracks or other damage to the integrity of the inner liner.
Excessive wear - tire should have at least 1/32 of an inch of tread depth, excluding tread wear indicators.
Cracks in sidewall or tread.
Impact breaks, cuts, snags or gouges that penetrate the surface.
NOTE:
There should be no more than one repair in any quarter of the tire and no more than two repairs per tire.
The wheel itself must be in good condition. Any cracked or bent wheel, however slightly, may allow the loss of air and cause subsequent deflation of the tire.
Following repair, the valve assembly should be replaced and the tire/wheel rebalanced.
Speed should not exceed 50 mph for the first 24 hours after tire repair and the repaired tire should never be used at speeds over 80 mph. The repairer is solely responsible for instructing the motorcyclist as to the restrictions to be placed on tire use following repair.
In summary, NO form of temporary repair should be attempted. Motorcycle tire repairs leave no room for error and any doubt as to inspection or adequacy of repair should be resolved by discarding the tire.


I've worked in the Motorcycle Industry for 19 years now, and our shop will not repair a tire period. I know alot of people say that we just want to sell the customer a tire, but in my years I've seen way too many "repaired" tires fail.
I'd rather see a fellow rider safe than try to save a few dollars.

[98ninja98]

I've got a similar scenario, I have a brand new tire sitting in my garage with a plug in it, but I just can't bring myself to trust it. I need a new rear tire so I'm gonna go ahead and buy one.

[ervins]

Patch is if you want to end a patch on the road one day...Get a new tire. Peace of mind.

[Michael600r]

it's better to buy a new tire

I have ran a plug patched tire for many miles though

+1

[fitbmxseries1]

plugs will usualy hold up for the length of the tire BUT... it is also a weak spot on your tire and if somthing is gunna go it will be the plug, unlike a car you only have 2 tires, you lose one of them you can be royally screwed. Losing a tire at highway speeds can be deadly. I carry a plug kit around with me on my bike just incase i get somthing in the tire, i can plug it and limp it home but after its time for a new tire.

[guitarstudd636]

On a vehicle I would trust a patch and plug but a bike no way. If you blow a tire on a car you get a flat. If you blow a tire on a bike, especially if your going fast, you pretty much just kissed your butt and bike good bye. Dont chance it.