Found a small nail in my front tire - buy a new tire?

[koolio]

Hey Everyone,

I thought I'd ask everyone for their opinion: I found a small nail (pretty much the size of a tack) towards the side of my front tire and was wondering what people think I should do.

Tire: Michelin Pilot Power
Miles on tire: ~1,300

The estimated cost to buy a new tire and have it mounted/balanced would be: $210.

Should I replace the tire or have it patched?

[ducati_atx]

oh this should be a good debate.

I personally wouldnt ride a high performance bike with a patch. To me, the 200 dollar tire (which seems high) isnt worth my life.

[EAGLEROCK749]

New One

[Manny]

Maybe it is one of the recalled fronts and you will get a new one free??

[koolio]

Originally Posted by Manny

Maybe it is one of the recalled fronts and you will get a new one free??

Recalled front tire?? I haven't heard about that...what's the recall?

[mad]

Michelin recalls 68,000 Pilot Power 2CTs!!

[998R_2002]

1. Check to see if it falls within the range of recalled tires and replace it free

or

2. Replace it...unless you are absolutely, positively, without-a-doubt sure that the nail did not penetrate through the sidewall.

Patching motorcycle tires can be debated endlessly. Bottom line...bikes have two tires, and if a patched tire fails, you will probably be in a world of hurt compared to a car that has three other tires to rely on to keep it fairly stable.

A new tire, no matter how expensive, is cheaper than the risk of crashing and damaging your bike, yourself, or perhaps someone else.

[j911brick]

I would patch it personally. My friend got a nail in his Corsa 3 the day before a track day and he had a plug put in it because he didn't want to take the tire off the rim. It worked and track day went fine. I have also patched racing slicks on my car and never had a problem.

[Manny]

Originally Posted by j911brick

I would patch it personally. My friend got a nail in his Corsa 3 the day before a track day and he had a plug put in it because he didn't want to take the tire off the rim. It worked and track day went fine. I have also patched racing slicks on my car and never had a problem.

I love the rationale behind the one subject study.

[MattK]

Originally Posted by j911brick

I have also patched racing slicks on my car and never had a problem.

Wow, that's a really bad idea, whether you've had a problem or not.