Brand new rear Dunlop sportsmart 2, probably 500 miles on it. Noticed today there's a bloody screw right in the centre of the tyre, pulled it out and it's gone flat. I have spoken to my mech who supplied and fitted the tyre (he's an experienced blade racer) and he says to repair it. He's raced on plugged tyres with no issues he tells me. Is he nuts or is a plugged sportsmart 2 an okay tyre? Could really do without the expense of a new rear right now. I like to ride fast but no track god.
For the sake of £100 or so I wouldn't risk it, I would probably plug it and sell it which could get you some money toward a replacement tyre. This is just my opinion though. Andy B
Ive run lots of plugged tyres over my years. Never had a problem personally, if you can get a bargain fix i say go for a plug (but I am a peasant so Id plug the titanic and try again!)
It's nearer £165.00. I've already got a brand new Metzeler rennsport that I've had repaired in the garage so don't really want to start collecting plugged tyres. He's convinced it will be fine. Think I'm going to have it repaired and see how I feel. I guess if he's raced an 04RR with a plugged tyre it's got to be okay, right?
It's a personal thing but if I was at advanced speed it would niggle me. If I was short of cash I would put a new tyre on that would do more mileage than a Sportsmart .'. costing the same in the long run. ... MICHELIN , perhaps? Mike. PS, I think this racing 'it's got to be okay then' is a red herring. Going fast on a bumpy road for long periods is totally different to fast for short time on track.
Lol Zipster, thanks for the reassurance. It's going to cost me £30.00 to repair but for that he'll come to my house and repair it so pretty good value for money. p.s. If anybody wants a plugged Metzeler rennsport 190/50 zr 17 for a good price then let me know. It's got less than 500 miles on it.
I've seen tyres being plugged first hand a few times and understanding the process, would not have a problem with it me sen.
My last tyre a Michelin pilot pure I had plugged twice with no problems and had no problems at speed either
I cant remember the last time I had a "Non Plugged" tyre on the Blade. I tend to run Racetecs and change em every 5-600 miles and if I,ve run out of them I,ll shove a plugged tyre on till a racetec comes available. Never never had any issues with plugged tyres.
Plugged one myself middle of tyre with a kit bought from ebay.It has been reliable for 500+miles, the only snag I have is the VOSA man noticed it and asked what it was.I denied knowing what it was in case he deemed it too dangerous to ride.Not sure on MOT test though?
It seems a lot of people plug tyres and find no problem. Would you use DIY kits? Or just a tyre fitter?.... What do the tyre manufactures recommend, Is the advice different for different speed ratings?
I recently had my Metzeler Racetec plugged and it was fine for the life of the tyre. The repair kits off Ebay (Rema Tiptop etc.) are just for an emergency - not meant for a permanent repair. If you do decide to buy a new tyres, they are cheap here Tyre Dunlop Sportmax SportSmart 2 190/50 ZR17 73W TL - Tyre Leader
Done track days and toured on the same plugged tyre before.... No issues what so ever! Wouldn't even cross my mind to replace it if a tyre fitter was happy to plug.
If the tyre is coming off at the tyre fitters get em to patch the inside rather than plug it! By patching it you don't alter the tyre profile shape at all whereas the plugs normally alter the profile ever so slightly at the repair site. If the tyres not being removed from the wheel then as long as the hole is within the min-max size the plugs can fill then plug away my man! Oh and as long as there is no wire showing/protruding thru the tyre at the repair site or tyre deformation due to burst belts there is no worries as far as MOT is concerned. Ive ran plugged tyres for thousands on miles on the bike with no issues as long as the repair has been carried out properly in first place.
Thanks for the advice everybody, it appears that running a plugged tyre has caused no issues for anybody on here. I have however decided to buy a new tyre as the psychological effect of having a repaired tyre will hinder my enjoyment of the bike and that's not what I want. I'm going to get the tyre repaired though and keep it in the garage along with the Metzeler and add it to the collection of new repaired tyres until i sell them both on ebay and re-coup a bit of cash. Just bought a brand new Sportsmart 2 off ebay for £115.00 delivered. That's a bargain.
I plugged my rear Pirelli on my GSXR using a kit I bought from HG for £20. Worked a treat. So i'd get it plugged mate
Superbike Tyres FAQ - motorcycle tyre questions Motorcycle tyres have to be repaired within the limits of British Standard BS159F. Unfortunately, this does not allow repairs on tyres with a Z speed rating or above. Most of todays sportsbikes of 600cc upwards are all fitted with Z or W rated tyres, therefore, these cannot be repaired within the British Standards. A temporary repair can be carried out to get you home or to a local garage, but the tyre would have to be replaced, the use of sealants is not recommended by tyre manufacturers and their use voids any warranty on the tyre.
Have had tyres fixed before and never given it a second thought. As long as you have it done by a reliable professional source,ie not just a rubber plug but sealed inside too,it will be fine.
