K11 Owners Group

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:42 am Post subject: Nail in my tire

I discovered a nail in my rear tire this morning. The good news is that the tire is not losing air. The nail's head is flush with the tire.

The tires only have about 3k on them. What should I do?

1 replace the rear tire only
2 keep riding on it and see what happens
3 pull the nail and plug the tire myself
4 have a tire shop pull the nail and install a permanent plug

If you think #4 is the best option, what kind of plug should I ask for?
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

owrstrich · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:00 am Post subject:

if it were me i would put a stop n go plug in it and seek out a replacement straightaway because we are 2 up on curvaceous mountain roads... lotts o tire stress and i gotts another life on my hands...

if i were flat landing 1 up i would put a stop n go plug in it and roll on just keeping an eye on it... low tire stress and just my life on my hands...

stop n go link... http://www.pashnit.com/product/stopngo.html

j o

[/code]
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

rydor · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:09 am Post subject:

I would replace it. I weigh the price of new tires vs. potential hospital bills, tires are always cheaper.

Mystic Red · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 11:17 am Post subject:

I'm on the replacement bandwagon.
_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 1:58 pm Post subject:

It's just that the tire is so new! I have 3250 miles on them. If I replace the rear, part of me will want to also replace the front.
I forget, which one lasts longer the front or rear?
If the rear last longer, I might as well get them both replaced.

Avon Storms.

I'll check with my mechanic tomorrow. He knows of some kind of special plug that a local tire place can install. It might be worth a shot.
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:13 pm Post subject:

If it's in the sidewall that flexes then you should replace it. If it's in the "flat" part of the tread then have it dismounted and patched from the inside as wel as plugged.

I'd vote with getting a whole new tire however.

BTW, this would be a good opportunity to go radial. You won't believe the handling difference it makes.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:44 pm Post subject:

Aren't my Avons radials? It think they are.

The nail is in the side of the tire about 20 degrees from the bottom. That means that it comes in contact with the ground during medium turns (leans). It will not come in contact with the ground during straight riding or during heavy leaning - just middle.

What is the consensus on tires these days? I remember reading that some of you guys like the Perellis.

Suggestions are welcome.
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Milton · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:36 pm Post subject:

Michelin Pilot Road 2's all the way. I'm on my second set of 2's and my 3rd set of Pilot Roads. Love em, great grip, track true and have good life.

Side wall is a bad place to get a puncture as the side wall flexes as it corners working a patch or plug which could cause it to loosen up enough to lose air. Catastrophic tire failures rarely if ever happen. The most that will happen is that the plug/patch will start to leak and you should notice that before you are scrapping your pegs Laughing

.

Milton S.
_________________
Jethro Tull: Thick as a Brick!

1992 K100RS 48K. Dead for now.
1998 Triumph Tiger 43K->56K. Doin it in the dirt.
1978 Honda CB400T 32.5K. For my boys.

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:50 pm Post subject:

I had Michelin macs. Didn't care for how they handled in the curves.

I assume that the pilots are a newer tire.
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Milton · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:03 pm Post subject:

HoosierStu · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:08 pm Post subject:

Next question is what size do I need for my LT?

http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index.cfm?event=pilotroad2

I currenlty have at 110 - 80 - R18 on the front and a 140 - 80-R17 on the rear. I see they have my front size but not the rear
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:06 pm Post subject:

And you won't find a PR'2 for the rear either. At least not the stock tire size.
I think that most that do the PR'2 on the front have put the Avon Storm on the rear. I did anyway and I love the ride.
_________________
Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

old guy old bike · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:22 pm Post subject:

I put the 110/80ZR-18 on the front and a 150/70ZR-17 on the rear. It is slightly shorter and slightly wider than the stock rear. It made about 2% difference in the speedo. I was reading about 8% off with a Z6 Metzler and 10% off with the Pilot Road 2.

As a side note I am currently running with 2 plugs in the rear tire. They are both in the center of the tread. I have about 750 miles on the plugs. I have about 5000 miles on the tires. Plan on ordering a new set pretty soon.
Jeff
_________________
1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:04 pm Post subject:

I ran a plug for a long time in a rear Dunlop Elite II. Several thousand miles. The "cap" type plug never lost air.

Sonu · Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:07 pm Post subject:

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:13 am Post subject:

Sonu,

Yes, you are correct, I have the Storm and Azaro tires. I like them very much but when new, felt like the front was not solid until I logged on about 500 miles at 38psi and wore the tire down a bit. This was what my mechanic suggested. It worked and for the past few thousand miles I have been running my tires at 41 psi. Tracks great now.

So, it looks like I will go with the Pilot Road on the front and perhaps the Azaro (again) on the back.
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT

Klinker · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:40 am Post subject:

Off the grid · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 9:41 am Post subject:

No PR2 for the rear on an LT.

We have the skinny wimp tire, remember?
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Klinker · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:14 am Post subject:

HoosierStu · Posted: Mon Jun 15, 2009 10:20 am Post subject:

My skinny back tire makes me sad.

I guess I could remedy the situation by spending $20,000 for a new fat tire (attached to a new bike).
_________________
"Still can't find 6th gear" 94 K1100LT