Tires question

[Larkinn]

Firstly I want to admit that I am a newbie to motorcycles, so excuse my lack of knowledge.

I recently got, what I think is, a leak in my tire on my Ninja 250R. On a 70 mile highway trip my front tire PSI went from 28 to around 15. About two months ago I noticed that my bike seemed to be leaking, but was unsure about it so I asked the local mechanic to look it over and see if there was a leak. He left it in the garage overnight and said there did not seem to be any leaking from the day before.

Now, I am sure there is a leak in the tire. I have several possibilities. I can try and fix it, or I can buy new tires. My questions are:

1) Is there an easy way to fix it ?

2) If I need to buy new tires, any suggestions ? If I buy new ones I will want ones better than stock tires. I was thinking I would eventually buy new tires anyway, but if I need to get new ones, I might as well upgrade them now.

3) Should I stick with stock size tires ?

4) How much normal leakage from a tire should I expect ?

Thanks in advance for answers.

~Larkinn

[Crue]

First of all welcome to the forum. And to answer some of your questions.

Originally Posted by Larkinn

1) Is there an easy way to fix it ?

Yes. If it is just a slow leak you can try useing a sealent. I carry a small can of puncture seal with me on long rides just incase I pick up a puncture so I won't be stranded. Cost around $5.

Originally Posted by Larkinn

2) If I need to buy new tires, any suggestions ? If I buy new ones I will want ones better than stock tires. I was thinking I would eventually buy new tires anyway, but if I need to get new ones, I might as well upgrade them now.

Any name brand tire should do the trick. Michelin, Dunlop, Bridgestone.

Originally Posted by Larkinn

3) Should I stick with stock size tires ?

From my experience so far...YES. Kawi knows best and your bike will perform at it's peak on the stock tire size. Mess with the size and you are messing with the handeling.

Originally Posted by Larkinn

4) How much normal leakage from a tire should I expect ?

You may loss a couple of pounds of preasure a month but no more then that.

Hope this helps.

[hot_shoe_cv]

Originally Posted by Larkinn

Firstly I want to admit that I am a newbie to motorcycles, so excuse my lack of knowledge.

I recently got, what I think is, a leak in my tire on my Ninja 250R. On a 70 mile highway trip my front tire PSI went from 28 to around 15. About two months ago I noticed that my bike seemed to be leaking, but was unsure about it so I asked the local mechanic to look it over and see if there was a leak. He left it in the garage overnight and said there did not seem to be any leaking from the day before.

Now, I am sure there is a leak in the tire. I have several possibilities. I can try and fix it, or I can buy new tires. My questions are:

1) Is there an easy way to fix it ?

2) If I need to buy new tires, any suggestions ? If I buy new ones I will want ones better than stock tires. I was thinking I would eventually buy new tires anyway, but if I need to get new ones, I might as well upgrade them now.

3) Should I stick with stock size tires ?

4) How much normal leakage from a tire should I expect ?

Thanks in advance for answers.

~Larkinn

I would first check the valve to make sure that is not the problem. Inflate the tire to normal & squirt some soap suds around the entire valve and stem. If no leak there you'll need to pull the wheel off & submerge it in the bath tup of water to detect a possible slow leak. If a leak shows up at the rim or bead area, try deflating the tire as much as possible, then while pressing down on the bead as much as possible apply a line of brake fluid all around the bead. re-inflate the tire to your normal pressure.

[Xlr8n]

Originally Posted by hot_shoe_cv

I would first check the valve to make sure that is not the problem. Inflate the tire to normal & squirt some soap suds around the entire valve and stem. If no leak there you'll need to pull the wheel off & submerge it in the bath tup of water to detect a possible slow leak. If a leak shows up at the rim or bead area, try deflating the tire as much as possible, then while pressing down on the bead as much as possible apply a line of brake fluid all around the bead. re-inflate the tire to your normal pressure.

This is the first I've heard of using brake fluid for a bead sealant???? I'll just say that brake fluid will quickly ruin just about any clearcoat or painted finish, so I'd think twice before putting it on a rotating part. You'd likely end up with a nice spotted finish and discolored wheels. Not to mention possibly getting the residue on the contact patch of the tire as it revolves at high speeds. EEK! You can get a can of bead sealant for a couple bucks. Much safer.

[hot_shoe_cv]

Of course brake fluid should not be used on the surfaces you mention so if his wheels contain those products they shouldn't be used. We dirt riders have used this method for years on leaking bead seals, expecially on low pressure quad tires which are prone to leaking at the bead. It's not a new idea. Like many other chemicals such as anti freeze, one must be careful in handling it around painted surfaces.

[Larkinn]

Welp, I got the tire fixed with some Slime once I found the leak. Thanks again for everyones help.

[Norm]

Originally Posted by Larkinn

Welp, I got the tire fixed with some Slime once I found the leak. Thanks again for everyones help.

When you put a new tire on your bike you're going to wished you hadn't put that Slime in there. It really sucks and the tire changers hate it. Sorry, but thought you should know.

[Larkinn]

What should I have used instead ?

[TheJas]

Well...if you wanted a GOOD set of new tires...I'd say go with Dunlop 208's. I love them. Just don't know if they make them in the correct size for the 250R