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
It is a good idea to carry a plug kit and a small compressor with you on any bike!
2017 F3T-SM6 Squared Away Mirror Wedgies & Alignment
2014 RTS-SM6 123,600 miles Sold 11/2017
2014 RTL-SE6 8,600 miles
2011 RTS-SM5 5,000 miles
2013 RTS-SM5 burned up with 13,200 miles in 13 weeks
2010 RTS-SM5 59,148 miles
2010 RT- 622
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!
Last edited by Peter Aawen; 04-16-2020 at 07:52 PM.
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.
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.
Spyder F3-S Special Series my traveling ride
Ryker Rally modified for dual sport duty
Honda Grom heavily modified for dual sport duty
Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark my other traveling ride
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.
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.
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.
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.
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..)
Outlander fairing - Fox-shock - BajaRon Swaybar - Hankook tire/ back - 165/50 Imperial tires front & longer front shocks - GIVI Topase - Shad sidecases -heated grips - new seats
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.
2008 GS SE5 in 2008
Traded at 43,000 miles for a left over
2010 RT SM5 in 2011
Traded at 57,000 for a left over
2014 RTS SE6 in 2015, which has 35,000 miles
Oct 19th, 2017, totaled 2014 RT while killing a Javaline
Dec 12th, 2017 drove a 2017 F3L home. What an awesome machine!
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.
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.
You can't get there from here....
Mods and Tweaks:
Showcrome Trunk Rack
Showcrome LED Trunk Light
Garmin 390LM
Spyderzone Floating Hiway Boards
Spyderzone Mount Dash Bracket
BajaRon Antisway Bar
Showcrome full-size brake pedal
Spyder-2-Go Driver Cup holder
Ram X phone mount
SpyderExtras 12 volt Docking Station
BRP Driver Backrest
Monster 4K Action Camera
Spyderzone LED Fender Mount Spotlights
CASA LED Headlights and Foglights
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.
HeliBars Handlebars
Brake rubber removed to lower pedal for easier long leg/Size 15 EEEEW boot access.
Ikon (Aussie) shocks all round.
Russell Daylong seat 2” taller than stock (in Sunbrella for Aussie heat & water resistance)
Goodyear Duragrip 165/60 fronts (18psi) - provides extra 1/2” ground clearance.
Kenda Kanine rear.
2021 RT Limited , Brake pedal rubber removed for ease of accessing pedal with size 15 boots. Red
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!
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.
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!
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.