Replace or Repair

[goldilocks919]

Last fall I managed to suck a drywall screw into my rear tire while putting the bike away for the year. Being the broke a$$ college student that I am, I'm not about to replace my stock tire with 4000 mi on it with another Bridgestone. So is it safer to replace the tire with something cheap like a Shinko advance for about $150 or to plug the stock tire?

[The Shadow]

I think it should go without saying, it would be safer to replace it.

I also think you'd probably be ok just patching it. Your call...

[ideajones]

Don't spent that much for a low quality tire when top notch is $200.

[frankly]

Is that $150 including an install? I just paid $146 for a Pilot Road 2 at a local dealer.

[voodooridr]

Wait a minute, at 4000 miles you still have enough tread on your stock tire to even debate patching it? at 4k mine were down to the wear bars in the back and cupped horribly up front.
Check out Competition accessories, it's blow out season and they have several tires priced really low.
oh, I vote for replacement

[rmb]

Replace it. You can find a good tire for $150 with a few bucks to install it.

[rona]

Replace it, this aint no car. You only have 2 under you!!!

[ST-DocLizard1]

Originally Posted by rona

Replace it, this aint no car. You only have 2 under you!!!

+1. It's the only thing between you and the road. Don't skimp; it's your life and your limb.

Doc

[mntnceguy]

Just about any tire ya want for less than $150 here, with free shipping and install referal service too, search around...

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...res-Tires.aspx

I just put on a new set of Dunlop Sportmax Q2, it's new this year, love them so far...

[Basspiece919]

I caught a screw in my back tire behind the shop at work. Paid $128 for a new pilot power 2ct

[dream]

Given your faulty logic...
Liberal Arts Major?

[goldilocks919]

I haven't been home to see exactly how worn the tires are but last time I looked(which was a few months ago) I didn't think the tread was horribly worn, and I'm sure I'm a few miles off on my guess of how many miles are on the tires, I can't remember what the odometer read way back in October. I haven't looked around at prices too much, all I know is the dealers I've talked to wanted to bend me over for $200 on an oem replacement Bridgestone.

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by ST-DocLizard1

+1. It's the only thing between you and the road. Don't skimp; it's your life and your limb.

Doc

Let me but it a little differently Those two pieces of rubber are the only thing between you and the pearly gates.

Originally Posted by goldilocks919

I haven't been home to see exactly how worn the tires are but last time I looked(which was a few months ago) I didn't think the tread was horribly worn, and I'm sure I'm a few miles off on my guess of how many miles are on the tires, I can't remember what the odometer read way back in October. I haven't looked around at prices too much, all I know is the dealers I've talked to wanted to bend me over for $200 on an oem replacement Bridgestone.

That is being bent over. Don't go with stock tires go with some thing alot better so far the pilot road 2 cts have done me very well with quite a many miles racked up. I havn't had guages since an incident with and astro van so I can't give exact numbers but as long as it's above freezing and ain't raining the 9er is my daily transport so she's got some miles in the last year.

[goldilocks919]

Originally Posted by mntnceguy

Just about any tire ya want for less than $150 here, with free shipping and install referal service too, search around...

Street Bike Sportbike Tires Tires - Motorcycle Superstore

I just put on a new set of Dunlop Sportmax Q2, it's new this year, love them so far...

Thanks for the link, I'm gonna check the tread when I get home sometime tomorrow, if they're close to needing to be replaced I'll pry just bite the bullet and do it with my first paycheck this summer. And from what I've seen on that site, it's the place to get them.

[brian]

+1 on replacing it. I had a repaired tire fail on me, saved it barley if i was going faster it would have been nasty. Doesnt happen often but with something like that it only takes one good time. Accually one bad time, real bad time.

[HondaJim]

I got a screw in a brand new tire out of town on a trip. Put a mushroom plug in it and rode it for an additional 6,000 miles or so. I'd do a mushroom plug in a rear and ride it, but that's just me. Front, no way. I'd change it as soon as possible.

[goldilocks919]

Turns out I'm at over 4,600 miles on that set of tires. I plugged it yesterday afternoon and it seems like it should hold 'til I can get back to school. Tread depth says that I'm definitely due for a new set. I'll probably order a set on Monday. Thanks for all the info guys.

[dream]

Originally Posted by goldilocks919

Turns out I'm at over 4,600 miles on that set of tires. I plugged it yesterday afternoon and it seems like it should hold 'til I can get back to school. Tread depth says that I'm definitely due for a new set. I'll probably order a set on Monday. Thanks for all the info guys.

Definitely not a Liberal Arts Major.

[hooligan919]

I spent less than $160 for my last set of front and rear Michelin Pilot Powers at Motorcycle Parts, Discount Motorcycle Tires, Motorcycle Gear, & Motorcycle Accessories | Jake Wilson That included shipping. Shop around online, you can find some deals. Find a small time motorcycle repair guy to put them on. I pay $10 each balanced. The local stealership wants $40 each. That's with me taking them only the wheels.

[UJM]

I've never had a failure with a properly installed plug, you just have to use common sense.

Heck, on my old GS1100E, I'd have multiple plugs and cords showing, yet still whip it up to a ton or more.....

919, yes, on occassion is wore plugs. Whoopie, never ever a failure.

Hey, proper primpy preppy politically correct thing to do is replace the tire.

I'll keep plugging them, you do so at your own risk.

I think plugs are kind of like running a car tire on a Gold Wing - you'll hear a lot of loud mouths bashing it, yet they've never personally done it.

Whatever......

[dream]

When returning from Alaska on my thinning second set of tires I suffered a rear blowout in a tight turn. It forced me to crossup the two lane highway. Very lucky no one was coming the other way or wouldn't be here. I plugged it and limped (no speed, no corner leans) home (non-stop total 780ml) over night, since during the day the heat would have worn the tire out sooner. I debated buying a new tire but was sure it would be overpriced and not what I wanted. I diced it up with the 18-wheelers on the I5 during the graveyard shift! It was one of the dummest things I've ever done. That was the last tire I plugged, although I always carry plugs for roadside repairs.

[zookmor]

can get a pilot power rear for $111 at motorcyclesuperstore.com Which is a really good deal, and just install yourself or pay a shop to install and you will still have saved money.

[FloridaMountaintop]

I would swap them as a set, I was just at the honday Shop and buying 1 tire was just a c note cheaprt than a pair, so I went with the set and got it, a oil filter and out the door for under 300 bucks.

Michlein(spelling) tires...........

[goldilocks919]

Well the plug held for the 180 mile trip to Ames, called one of the local shops today that was on the motorcycle superstore's preferred installers list and they said they'd just match the price on the website along with $38 to mount and balance both. So now I guess I'll see if these Pilot Power 2CT's are as good as you guys say.

p.s. I'm a Mechanical Engineering major, not Liberal Arts

[dream]

Glad you found a great deal on new tires. That's good insurance.

That's a tough program. Good luck!

[scrat]

you'll smile with a new pair of shoes on there

as mentioned, plugs are mostly for a temporary repair. yes, many of us have used them, and delayed replacing the tire, but when you replace them it is a good insurance plan.

good work on finding the preferred installer shop and having them match the price. that's a good deal!

[REDROKR]

pilot power road 2's are good also