Anybody have to repair a flat tire on the road?

[snayl135]

Just wondering if anyone has needed to change a flat on their Ryker while on the road?

[glorybiz]

I had to plug the front tire on my 2016 RTL on the road. Luckily, I had some help from fellow riders. I had the co2 cartridges to inflate the tire but could not find the hole. My fellow rider had a 12v air pump which we used to help blow up the tire, find the hole and plug it. It's been fine ever since

[SpyderAnn01]

It is a good idea to carry a plug kit and a small compressor with you on any bike!

[a99miata]

or carry a can of fix a flat......

[Peter Aawen]

or carry a can of fix a flat......

There is that.... But during my time testing tires, I've found that using that stuff almost guarantees that you'll soon hafta buy a new tire!! Very few tire techs will bother even attempting to clean the goop out & repair the puncture after someone's used that stuff, no matter how tiny &/or easily repairable the puncture might be!!

These days, with radial tires & proper pressures so readily available, it seems punctures are a much rarer thing than they have been in the past, so I simply carry a small plug kit with a variety of different style plugs & patches, a couple of tire levers, and a small compressor. Not that I've needed to use it all that often, but when I have, it works every time!

[StanProff]

I always carry a plug kit on my bikes including the spider. I have plugged tires for my friends on trips. No big deal. Anyone can do it. Plug kit and small compressor and your back on the road.

[poli]

Agree with Peter, don't want to use fix a flat. I have a Kriega bag mounted onto the max mount of my Rally. Carry a plug kit, small compressor (bought a cheap one at Walmart and removed all the plastic housing to make it small), some extra fuses, an Anti-gravity power supply and a small assortment of tools. All I need.

[BajaRon]

Here is an interesting video. I personally like this guy. He does a lot of comparison testing. Not always informative. But always interesting. This one, I think, tells a lot. Hope you like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5DWhIF1c0M

[ARtraveler]

Very good video Ron. I learned a lot.

[RickWB]

Here is an interesting video. I personally like this guy. He does a lot of comparison testing. Not always informative. But always interesting. This one, I think, tells a lot. Hope you like it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5DWhIF1c0M

Thanks Ron

I have been using Slime in my mountain bike tires when riding in the desert in Arizona. It works well, but seems to need a ‘top-up’ every year. I had a flat this past winter, that Slime did not seal. I added more product and no more flats. I have tube type tires so no issue with sticking to rim, but lots of guys use it on tubeless tires.

[Cruzr Joe]

The first time you fix a flat on the road for a friend ................ They turn into a better friend

Cruzr Joe

[2dogs]

First time I used slime was on a punctured quad tire in the back country. I'd punched a hole in my tire near big enough to put your little finger through. My hunting partner had the slime and a small compressor. We used the entire bottle of slime and then filled the tire up with air. I could hear the slime sealing the hole as I took off and I could see drops of green slime passing me. Centrifugal force slung some of the leaking slime out until it compleately sealed the hole. Great stuff, don't leave home without it.

[chris56]

I had one .. my neighbor repaired it for me in 10 minutes ..still use the tire since some tausend of miles, no problem ..
(I don`t like to invest in Kendas and still could not find others..)

[Dudley]

Best way to fix a flat is with a round head Phillips screw (3/4 inch), Phillips screw driver, an air pump and a can of Fix-a-Flat. Pull out the piercing object, screw the screw in the hole, use one can of Fix-a-Flat, air up tire and continue your journey. I did that on a new tire years ago on my motorcycle. The fix held up until tire was worn and ready to change.

[johnc1921]

I have the plug kit and small compressor as well. But how to hook up the compressor? A couple of alligator clips would be OK, after all how often will I use it? But for my analytical brain I wanted a more elegant way to hook it up. I have a quick connect plug dangling in the frunk that I use for my battery tender. So I bought a cigarette lighter socket and crimped it on to another quick connect plug. Now I can connect the compressor or any other device I need to the spyder battery. Hopefully I never have to use the compressor. But I wonder if my little coca cola 'fridge will fit in the frunk? A cold coke on the road would be nice.

[SportsterDoc]

Check out Dynaplug, as cheap as $21.95, with free shipping direct from Dynaplug.

http://www.dynaplug.com/carbon.html

As for inflation, I have a super compact German made footpump, which will inflate a P/U tire in reasonable time. Carried it on last 4 M/C.

Not had a M/C puncture since 70s, but prefer to be prepared for solo rides in remote areas out of cell service.

Without a plug kit, I would be walking along the shoulder, looking for a screw to insert in a puncture to get me home.

Some riders are satisfied with a cell phone and credit card, but many of my rides have limited cell service.

[MNF3]

Are any of the plug kits better than others? Any specific recommendations?

[Northofthesix]

I have a 12v compressor out of my old Mercedes 230C that I scrapped a few years back (compressor is small and works well) along with plugs.... when we tour with friends we decide who is bringing what so we dont end up with 4 compressors and no plugs.

[Peteoz]

There’s some great advice here on the best way to plug a hole, but I haven’t seen an answer yet as to exactly how you find the puncture in the rear tyre of something like an RT or F3 Touring with all the surrounding plastic. You can only feel the tread on one very small piece of tyre unless you can lift the rear.......and I have been told (albeit jokingly) by my local tyre guy that if I turn up with Slime or similar in my rear tyre, our relationship may be strained ....and we have a great relationship currently.

Pete

[Peter Aawen]

Are any of the plug kits better than others? Any specific recommendations?

I've never found any major diferences in the plugs themselves.... But if you're going that way, just make sure your 'sticky dog-turd' plugs are fresh!! If they're more'n a year or so old, they probably won't work too well, and trust me, that's waaayy more frustrating than having a flat without any way of repairing it!

[canamryder]

There’s some great advice here on the best way to plug a hole, but I haven’t seen an answer yet as to exactly how you find the puncture in the rear tyre of something like an RT or F3 Touring with all the surrounding plastic. You can only feel the tread on one very small piece of tyre unless you can lift the rear.......and I have been told (albeit jokingly) by my local tyre guy that if I turn up with Slime or similar in my rear tyre, our relation may be strained ....and we have a great relationship currently.

Pete

The shop where I bought my Ryker told me 20$ extra to clean out the mess. I carry plugs, air cartridges and a 12v old Bell compressor.

[cptjam]

I have a massive magnetic pull. Screws and nails leap at the opportunity to imbed themselves in on both of my tires! Plug kit, Aerostich compressor, and problem solved. The nails and screws stay imbedded, making them easy to see. Or, soapy water, poured over a filled up tire. Typically, you are miles from anything, so, take your time! Once you find the puncture, fix it. I usually replace the tire when we get where we are going, or, if none are available, when we get home. The idea of fixing a tire with a Phillips head screw nearly had me, as I thought it was in jest. I hope it was. If not, very scary!

[pegasus1300]

Haven't had to fix a flat in years. I think I still had tubes the last time. Still carry plugs and compressor. Probably jinx me now.

[Bensonoid]

Check out Dynaplug, as cheap as $21.95, with free shipping direct from Dynaplug.

http://www.dynaplug.com/carbon.html

As for inflation, I have a super compact German made footpump, which will inflate a P/U tire in reasonable time. Carried it on last 4 M/C.

Not had a M/C puncture since 70s, but prefer to be prepared for solo rides in remote areas out of cell service.

Without a plug kit, I would be walking along the shoulder, looking for a screw to insert in a puncture to get me home.

Some riders are satisfied with a cell phone and credit card, but many of my rides have limited cell service.

I have the dynaplug. Haven't had to use it so I don't know if it will work as good as i think it will.

[Lehrman]

I have the stop n go mushroom plugs and compressor kit. Hope I never need it, but you have to be prepared. I also carry a lithium battery jumper which has an emergency light. Hope I never need that either. The folks on this forum helped me prepare.