Modern Vespa

Hi all!
And after a mere 1400km on my new 300 as well! :-/

I hear that tyres can be plugged from the inside and that this is considered quite safe. Does anyone have any experience on whether such plugs last for the life of the tyre and are safe?

Thanks all!
Matt

Your tire can be patched from the inside. If done right i would trust it.
I would only plug a tire if I need to travel a short distance to get home.

a couple pics would help make a determination. proper repaired tires can last for many many miles. some like to patch from the inside and some like the stringy plugs from the outside while others like a mushroom plug from the outside. any and all can and do work if you know what your doing and the repair is in a decent spot on the tire.

I use the mushroom style plugs, and they work about half the time. It's tough when you have a tire with a lot of life in it go flat. The plugs that are for cars don't work very well because of the way a motorcycle tire moves compared to a car tire. If worse comes to worse, you can throw a tube in there, but if it goes flat again, it's going to be a sudden experience, not gradual like a tubeless tire usually goes flat.

I'd try a sticky string plug first, every time. Apply from the outside (no need to remove wheel or tyre from wheel) and they work very well for nail/screw type holes. Not so good on splits, but then almost nothing works with a split tyre anyway. Then ride it until you're near the wear bars. It goes without saying that you should monitor such a repair frequently, but no need to make it more frequent than the recommended 'check tyres' interval. Once a week, and certainly before any 'big' (distance or speed) ride.

Many riders swear by the mushroom plugs

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TIRE-REPAIR-KIT-Set-Kit-Flat-Motorcycle-Car-Wheel-Plug-Tool-Small-Pocket-Plugger-/231115257247?_trksid=p2054897.l4276

My advise is if the hole is in the tread area a plug would be fine. If by chance the hole is in/near the side wall or in the groove of the tread then replace the tire. The actual tire is very thin on the side wall and groove area's (less than .125") In these areas I have had a plug pop out because there isnt enough meat for the plug to grab on.

Not sure about patching the inside.

Below is a link to where i buy my tires. Found them to be the cheapest and most of the time its free delivery

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/5/dvg/scooter.aspx

Thanks for all the replies!

I managed to find a cheap call-out repair service (on a motorbike) that took off the wheel, plugged it from the inside and an hour later, I am back on the road

I think for £45, it was great service. If anyone in London wants to keep his number handy in case you pick up a flat, let me know. I'll happily give him a plug (pun intended)

Y'all spell "tire" funny. Learn english, why don't 'ya!