Is It Okay To Plug a Tubeless Motorcycle Tire? | The Shop Manual

Is It Okay To Plug a Tubeless Motorcycle Tire? | The Shop Manual

Motorcyclists fix flats in tubeless tires all the time, but not all punctures are good candidates for repair. In this episode of TSM, Ari goes over the criteria for plugging punctures in modern tubeless radial tires so you’ll know when it’s okay to fix a flat and when you’re better off getting new rubber.

Dynaplug Ultralite Tubeless Tire Repair Kit

Stop & Go Tubeless Tire Repair Kit

Bike Master Tire and Tube Flat Repair Kit (includes patches)

[mauserwinchester]

I have plugged a few tyres and never had an issue with them, many bike shops wont repair a puncture, and will only sell you a new tyre, not great when you only have a few hundred miles on a tyre. Fixing your own is a useful skill to learn.

[Loudpedal]

Finally common sense and real world experience prevail! Well done.

[Toasted_Stator]

Ari taught me how to plug my tire. Now I keep a repair kit with me at all times and this has saved me 3 times in the past year. THANK YOU!!!

[bsmukler]

Another tip: carry a pliers or multi tool with you to pull out the offending debris wedged in the tire.

[moushunter]

When I was a teenager I worked at a gas station. I remember patching tubes, doing rubber plugs in tubeless tires, and internal patches on tubeless tires with more than a round hole. I held my share of dirt bike tires together with patched tubes and internal patches over tears. One day a salesman stopped by with a new gizmo. It was the cord tire plug with the installation tool. The salesman had to demonstrate his product so he stabbed a hole in his sidewall with an awl. He them set up the plug in the tool and plugged the hole. He showed us his tires which all had at least a hundred brown cord plugs in them. Many of them were in the sidewall. They beat the glue and rubber plugs we had been using though the tool for those looked like a space gun. My boss bought 2 kits and I bought myself a kit with extra plugs. Tires in the 70s weren't as tough as they are now. Flats were much more common. I still have the original tool somewhere but I've also put the newer versions of the same thing in every car, truck, and motorcycle tool kit I've owned with tubeless tires since. I rode a truck tire 65K miles with 2 plugs in it. I have no concerns about using plugs anywhere on a tire. They aren't any good if you don't have something to inflate the tire with once the plug is in place however.

[kidlikerizzle]

Wow nice to see someone actually advocating personal responsibility.

Awesome videos as always

[Herzankerkreuz]

I plug my tires all the time.
Never ever had a problem.
However I do respect the 75 mph recommendation.
Money is scarce.
Safe rides 👍🏍🙏

[vsimileac]

Got two nails this season: first was on used set with 50% of life - changed the tire, second on a new set of beefy 50/50 tire at 2k miles - plugged, arrived to the shop plugged &patched properly - still riding it on and off road.

[ownyourworld]

I’ve had two plugs in my rear and went touring around Europe for 5000 miles they where fine.

[henrykrauss]

Have plugged several motorcycle tire in my last 25 yrs riding. Never had a problem with them leaking air. Had 1 tire I plugged 3 time still got the miles out of it with no problems. Always carry a tool kit and plugs. Ride on brothers.

[stk]

I travel with a "Stop n Go" mushroom style plug kit. And the compressor out of a portable car unit. I once plugged a tire for a fellow in Arkansas. He rode 2 days in AR on it, then rode home to Delaware on it. No problem.

[venomulimited]

Followed ari here from mc garage and hes right try being stuck 20 miles from the safest place for u oe ur motorcycle and catching a flat. Imma use all plugs needed. I have plugged a tire and rode the piss out of it for 6 months and it never went bad

[whiskeyshots]

Plugging a tire is a skill everyone should have. It can really save your bacon on a bike or in a car. Great video.

[BustahNutt]

I’ve had 2 of my tires plugged at a bike shop. One was like 5 years ago and the tire lasted me a good 8k miles after the plug was installed. The current tire I have (Pilot Road 5) also has a plug in it right now. I’ve put well over 10k miles on it without any issues at all. Also ride past 75 mph with ease.
I feel like manufacturers say to get a new tire so they can obviously make more money.

[zoomjoo]

got a flat on a new bike with new tires 2 weeks after i bought it.. plugged it and replaced with q3s.. got another flat 2 weeks after that. been running on a plug its been good for 1 year so far. Have done a track day on it.

[trwilliams]

Thank you for not defaulting to the overly conservative "never plug a tire or you will die" side. Yet another solid video. Thanks, Ari!

[Xandil]

Great video! I plugged many, many tires when I worked at a bike shop with zero issues. Told the customer to keep it off the track and lose a speed rating. I plug my own car tires too and it's saved a lot of money, did one last week. Great skill to have and highly recommended.

[jrnumex]

good deal. i just started carrying a plug kits after years of riding. i used to think use my free tow from insurance co. new plan, plug away no matter how big a hole (nothing to lose) and drive slow.

[adambennett]

Dude it's good to see you back. I didn't think you were doing any more videos after your accident. Good on you for staying strong and doing what you love. Keep up the great work!

[brhoffer]

Just got a flat on my brand new Michelin road 5 rear tire. Made it to a gas station where the air pump actually worked. I had a plug n go kit. Made it home 45 miles and it is still holding air. With only a 100 miles on it, there is all the tread left and the puncture was from an 8D nail. It's about 10 mm from center. I'm going to repair it with a plug patch myself. Yamapro certified in the early 90s, I'm capable of doing that, like we did in the 90s. Not the first time it's happened. Just glad it's in the center of the tire