Can I Patch or Plug a Motorcycle Tire?

Unlike trucks and cars, motorcycles move at varying angles. They lean, corner, slide, and more. So this leads us to ask; is it safe to plug or patch a motorcycle tire?

Debate varies in the motorcycle community when it comes to repairing damaged tires. While some riders have no problem fixing a puncture, others argue that it can compromise safety.

It may be possible to repair a motorcycle tire safely, but only if certain conditions exist.

Is It Safe to Repair a Motorcycle Tire?

The rules regarding patching motorcycle tires relate to safety. Ultimately, some riders are not comfortable making a repair and going back out on the road.

While you can’t prepare for every eventuality, getting a puncture at some point is a given. Whether or not a tire repair is an option depends on the nature of the damage, its location, and the potential damage to the remainder of the tire. These benchmarks particularly relate to the front tire as it affects the ability to steer. While still important for the rear tire, deflation here is easier to control.

With this in mind, knowing what a roadside tire repair involves and the appropriate tool kit, will allow you to make an informed decision. To this end, YouTube tutorials are a valuable source of information.  

Tire repair kits generally include four essential parts: a hole reamer, a string plug insertion tool; string plugs; and some form of compressed air to reinflate the tire.

A first-time roadside tire repair can be daunting but armed with the correct information and kit, you can get back on the road by following basic safety rules. 

The best chance of a successful repair is if the puncture occurs in the tread and the resulting hole is smaller than ¼”. If the damage is to the sidewall, though, it’s game over. It is impossible to repair this sidewall area and maintain its structural integrity.

Patch vs. Plug

Lastly, the tire type can determine whether you need a plug or a patch. A patch is a  flat rubber section used to cover the puncture. They can conform to a lot of shapes. A plug is an external gummy cylinder inserted into the puncture to seal the tire.

Most vintage and dirt bikes will have an inner tube fitted inside the tire. In this scenario, you must remove the tire and patch the inner tube.

If your motorcycle runs tubeless tires, it’s possible to plug the tire while still mounted.

While a tubed tire is more labor-intensive to repair, it does allow you to make a thorough inspection of the damage.

A tubeless tire may be easier to repair, but there is no way of knowing the level of damage to the tire’s interior or sidewall.

Whether you have plugged or patched your tire, it is vital to remember it’s a temporary fix intended to get you off the side of the road. So ride as slowly as is safe and visit an authorized tire specialist at the first opportunity.

A tire specialist will remove the tire from the rim and carry out a thorough inspection of the outside and inside of the tire.

Then, they will determine whether they need to further repair or replace the tire. 

The Best Way to Keep Your Motorcycle Tires Damage Free

Whether you ride around the world or the block, it’s a fact that at some point, you’re going to get a puncture.

The good news is there are basic maintenance routines that you can follow to keep your tires as puncture-free as possible.

One of the best ways to prevent tire damage is to keep your tires correctly inflated to the manufacturer’s pressure recommendations. An under-inflated tire has less puncture resistance. On top of sidewall damage, the tire is softer and places a wider footprint on the road giving sharp objects a larger target. 

Meanwhile, an overinflated tire will reduce the profile. The increased tire pressure will accelerate tread wear. Over-inflation also makes the tire stiffer and more susceptible to blowing when coming into contact with a sharp object. 

Regular inspections can even show you punctures you didn’t know about.

Do your tires require professional inspection, repair, or replacement? If so, locate your nearest Dunlop Motorcycle Tire center here.