Patch or Replace?

[hooptygoo]

Sorry, I know this gets asked often.

~100 mile old Diablo Rosso and I notice this while giving her a weekend cleaning and inspection



It's tiny and seems to be a clean puncture, but it did go all the way through. What would you do?

[Greg_S]

replace

[Shazaam]

Read here:

Motorcycle Tire Repair Guidelines


Speed Rating

One issue to consider is the effect of the repair on the speed rating of the tire. Any reduction in speed rating can’t be easily quantified given the variety of puncture types and locations. A Z-rated (149mph+) tire relies on on strong steel or synthetic fiber reinforcing belts and rubber compounds to withstand the combination of forces at high rotational speeds.

Plugging a tire can increase the damage to the tire’s cross-plys which is why most repair shops steer clear of the potential liability issues by refusing to repair a motorcycle tire.

Other countries take a different approach to the concern.

In the UK, motorcycle tires are repaired according to British Standard BS159F that specifically does not permit repairs to tires with a Z speed rating or above. Most modern sportsbikes are fitted with Z or W-rated (168mph+) tires, and consequently cannot be repaired if the shop stays within the British Standards. Only a “temporary repair” would be allowed.

Most of us ride well below the speed rating of our tires so this may not seem to be of major importance to you, but it definitely is an issue to be remembered when you ride on a repaired tire.

[Mistress2]

You only have 2 tires under you.Why take the risk. Even if you don't ride to the rating of the tire, (who really does) my opinion is install a new one. It is cheap insurance.

[Monstaman]

Repair!

I did 4000 more km no worries on a repair, maybe if you are racing MotoGp then fair to replace.

[MTScott2]

I had mine plugged and patched and ride it as usual no problems with it yet ...

I don't go much over 100 mph tho very often for very long ...

Worried ? Plug and patch then sell it, buy a new tire and in 2 weeks you will probable pick up another nail in the new tire...

I rode in a 1 ton welding rig loaded to the hilt up to 70 mph with a 3" X 12" long chunk of rubber gone and a chunk directly opposite not quite as big gone ..JUST THE CORD showing on the inside front tire... Angels were with me that day...

[hooptygoo]

This sucks! I mean, they're just barely getting scrubbed in with about a centimeter left on each side. I'm not going to the track on this set of tires. Most of my riding is on tight, low speed types of roads. Ahhhh it. I'm not that pressed for cash. I knew this wasn't going to be a cheap relationship going in.

[zvez]

Repair, for street purposes you'll never come close to the speed rating on a tire, otherwise the shop you take it to will dismount the tire, patch it and put it on one of their bikes, fitting a brand new tire on yours.

Chris

[Monstaman]

Seriously, if you are gonna throw it away, I will pay for shipping and you can send it on to me, happy to wear it out for the rest of its useful life.

[crashman]

With a brand new tire I would say repair. The worst thing that would happen is you will have a slow leak and that isnt very likely. If it worries you then replace but that tire has many more miles left in it.