How to deal with flat tire

[jzb54]

About to head out on my first road trip (300+ miles). I have a 2016 RTL and will be pulling an RT 622 trailer. Whar do spyderlovers do if you get a flat tire with no Can Am dealers close? Probably my biggest concern is the back tire. Only have 1000 miles on my bike. Im taking my wife for our first road trip. Hate to ruin it by being stranded.

[Chupaca]

Most carry a plug kit and an air supply. This will allow you to plug the tire (unless to big a hole or on the sidewall) and air it up till you can get to a dealer. Also carry a credit card and the roadside assistant number. They can plug the tire for you as well.

[Peteoz]

Most carry a plug kit and an air supply. This will allow you to plug the tire (unless to big a hole or on the sidewall) and air it up till you can get to a dealer. Also carry a credit card and the roadside assistant number. They can plug the tire for you as well.

Gene, something has always bothered me about the “plug” option? I carry one, but........

How the heck do you find the hole when you are by yourself and you can only see a few inches of the tyre under the rear mud flap, and then only when you are lying on the ground?

Pete

[ARtraveler]

Gene, something has always bothered me about the “plug” option? I carry one, but........

How the heck do you find the hole when you are by yourself and you can only see a few inches of the tyre under the rear mud flap, and then only when you are lying on the ground?

Pete

Not Chupaca...but you have a good point. The thought of trying to fix something like that on the road, at night, in the rain, etc. scares me a lot. I would be glad for my cell phone and my credit card.

[JayBros]

...How the heck do you find the hole when you are by yourself and you can only see a few inches of the tyre under the rear mud flap, and then only when you are lying on the ground?

Pete

happens! What are the odds? Life's a gamble! Roll, pump, look, repeat.

[Peteoz]

happens! What are the odds? Life's a gamble! Roll, pump, look, repeat.

Thanks Jaybros.....I know and accept all that. I was just wondering if anyone had a good method of finding a leak. Looks like you don’t, eh

Pete

[asp125]

Most of the time, carrying a plug kit and compressor is an insurance policy. Kind of like carrying an umbrella and never having to get rained upon; a good luck charm. I carry the old fashioned "gummy worm" string type plugs, a friend of mine had those mushroom plugs blow out of his tire at 55mph TWICE!

[JayBros]

Thanks Jaybros.....I know and accept all that. I was just wondering if anyone had a good method of finding a leak. Looks like you don’t, eh

Pete

Pete, it's the only way my dumb old brain knows short of calling a rollback truck!

[manxman]

Thanks Jaybros.....I know and accept all that. I was just wondering if anyone had a good method of finding a leak. Looks like you don’t, eh

Pete

If you have a small compressor try filling the tire and listen for the air leak. If you do not have a compressor you do not need to look for the hole as patching it without air is futile.....

[wuzfuzz]

Thanks Jaybros.....I know and accept all that. I was just wondering if anyone had a good method of finding a leak. Looks like you don’t, eh

Pete

It's really difficult. Pull out the air compressor. Start airing up the tire and see where the air is coming out.

[Chupaca]

Gene, something has always bothered me about the “plug” option? I carry one, but........

How the heck do you find the hole when you are by yourself and you can only see a few inches of the tyre under the rear mud flap, and then only when you are lying on the ground?

Pete

Never had to but I also have an RS... lots of viewing area. But I have found most times what made the hole is in the hole and fairly easy to spot. If it's raining you'll see bubbles... but to make life easier carry a scissor jack.

[Igofshn]

Plug kit, slime with compressor $18 @ Wal-Mart

[SpyderAnn01]

As soon as Joe got off his bike the screw in the tire was quite obvious.

[UtahPete]

Never had to but I also have an RS... lots of viewing area. But I have found most times what made the hole is in the hole and fairly easy to spot. If it's raining you'll see bubbles... but to make life easier carry a scissor jack.

Do you carry a scissor jack? I hadn't considered that, but not a bad idea. That, or one of those small floor jacks HF sells.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Do you carry a scissor jack? I hadn't considered that, but not a bad idea. That, or one of those small floor jacks HF sells.

.... I have one from a small car .... it's even Alumin , folds down to about 2 3/4 in. .... if you have a junk yard you can visit check them out .... you can probably get a dozen or so for cheap ....... Mike

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Gene, something has always bothered me about the “plug” option? I carry one, but........

How the heck do you find the hole when you are by yourself and you can only see a few inches of the tyre under the rear mud flap, and then only when you are lying on the ground?

Pete

Just hope your mouth isn't dry so you can spit on the tire and look for bubbles! Actually you can probably feel with your hand the air blowing out. Hope you are stopped on the level so you can stop the bike with the parking brake off. The Spyder is easy to push even while you're on the ground.

[Peteoz]

Just hope your mouth isn't dry so you can spit on the tire and look for bubbles! Actually you can probably feel with your hand the air blowing out. Hope you are stopped on the level so you can stop the bike with the parking brake off. The Spyder is easy to push even while you're on the ground.

Hahaha......as if that is EVER going to happen, Idaho.....you can bet you’ll be on the side of a mountain somewhere

Pete

[JayBros]

Invest in a tire plugging kit https://www.stopngo.com/motorcycles/ and an emergency compressor or a Lamonster pump http://www.lamonstergarage.com/lamon...ir-pack-black/ and tire sealer http://www.lamonstergarage.com/lamon...-tire-sealant/.

[melodys39]

I use Stop n Go as well, in addition to am air compressor that plugs into your 12V outlet. In my old scooter club, we practiced on an old tire, and the difference between an old style plug and Stop n Go was night and day. And one in our group plugged his tire and finished the entire ride with no problems. But pulling a trailer, I would want to go to the dealer.

[DGoebel]

I filled all three tires with the Ameriseal tire sealant that Lamonster sells, but also purchased his Air Pack, along with a kit mentioned above. Covered all my bases along with an AMA membership with towing plan.

[ARtraveler]

The above posters have you well covered. Less than a thousand miles on your tires? You should not have to worry. Tires getting near the tread warning bars....time to change them out before any trip.

Just avoid road hazards if possible and make a daily check as you travel. Travel smart...but NOT afraid. Enjoy your trip.

[Buckeye Bleau]

I filled all three tires with the Ameriseal tire sealant that Lamonster sells, but also purchased his Air Pack, along with a kit mentioned above. Covered all my bases along with an AMA membership with towing plan.

My prescription as well, said nstalled on the front, rear and 622 tires, plus the battery powered Compressor. If you are going to do all those tires you will need to purchase two bottles of Amerseal.

During the recent Maggie Valley rally, I used the pump to inflate the air bags on two bykes, they did not even know were there. That is a great tool, just charge it up once in a while.

Joe

Permit me to add a short note. I too also dispose tire sealants until Amerseal. Even my tire guys had no problem changing a tire with it in there, it is water soluble and really just wipes off.

[Bfromla]

I filled all three tires with the Ameriseal tire sealant that Lamonster sells, but also purchased his Air Pack, along with a kit mentioned above. Covered all my bases along with an AMA membership with towing plan.

Also have the air pack & AMA specifically for the roadside that includes towing the trailer too. Thankfully have not had to test it.

[newbert]

Invest in a tire plugging kit https://www.stopngo.com/motorcycles/ and an emergency compressor or a Lamonster pump http://www.lamonstergarage.com/lamon...ir-pack-black/ and tire sealer http://www.lamonstergarage.com/lamon...-tire-sealant/.

Thanks for providing these links! This is a very useful thread.

[Idaspud]

Try a product called Ride On, it's a tire sealant you put in before you go, self seals if you get a nail or other hazard.