Anybody have success plugging a METZLER tire?

[Lion_Lady]

I've attempted to plug Metzler tires twice now. Both times the damage was from a common nail, both times the damage was centered or nearly so, in the rear tire. "Perfect" location for a plug repair. Same tire: nearly new Metzler Z6 (though the second Z6 was an Interact model).

The first repair we did in the garage at home. Used "mushroom plugs" from the Stop-n-Go kit. The Stop n Go tools were barely up to the task of reaming out the hole, but we thought we were successful. Unfortunately upon arrival at our destination (65 mile ride to a BMW dealership for a club meeting), the tire had lost considerable air and we opted to just replace the tire.

The second time, I picked up a nail in my tire in the parking garage under the condo we were staying at for the AMA Women's Conference outside Denver. I limped over to the Michelin "demo" trailer and was told that they didn't have an air compressor, let alone any tires for sale... the Ducati trailer had what I needed.

Long story short, two burly guys (being a woman has its perks) had a devil of a time reaming out the hole, and putting a string plug in the tire. Metzlers just seem to have gawdawful tough steel belting. The plug "worked" - the tire held air, but it didn't look good for long. I decided to opt for a "professional" repair, but I wanted to find a shop that also had the right size Z6 just in case. With help from a local, I found a shop willing to attempt a repair, but once the tire was off the wheel it was obvious that the belts would destroy any interior repair as well. Ended up replacing the tire. (KUDOS to TFOG racing of Denver!! http://www.tfogracing.com they worked me in upon arrival - thanks to follow leading me there - and had me on the road in an hour.)

I wrote to Metzler asking for any recommendations or ideas and this is what I got:

Hello

As you know Metzeler does not suggest nor allow any type of tire patching or plugging of it's products. But your statement about leaking plugs does seem a bit strange. Based on your description we think it is more related to the type of damage the tires have incurred or tire repair tools used and not the actual steel belted tire. The reason we say that is because automotive tires have had steel belts for many, many years and we do not hear these types of leaking tire plug comments about them.

We do understand your concerns and the idea of having options make sense to us too. The best option we would suggest is to get a road side assistance insurance policy. AAA and many others offer road side assistance insurance for around $100.00 a year. And to transport your vehicle up 100 miles and to the dealer of your choice for this price is very good. For us this is the safe way not to ride on a damaged and possible leaking/failing tire. Take care and thanks for the e-mail.

NA Metzeler Consumer Affairs
877 202-4993

Not very helpful. But I suppose in the end, I was able to attempt "temporary" repairs sufficient to get to a shop. Has anyone had success plugging a Metzler for "long term" use? I'm looking for suggestions to improve my success rate.

P

[storysunfolding]

I wince when I see someone riding long term on a plugged tire. They say the leading cause of tire failure is low pressure, but the only times I've seen a tire let go have been on plugged tires. I've heard too many horror stories to make it seem worth it.

I've put a plug in a metzler tire to get home from W.Va on a Sunday (no dealers open). It was a tourance and it lasted the whole 300+ mile trip with no air loss or problems. However, it was the longest and worst ride of my life. I just don't have the confidence on a plugged tire.

To me the new tire is worth the peace of mind.... and as an instructor you should be able to get tires just as cheap as I can Pam

[Lion_Lady]

Thanks for the advice. I understand the risks. Not my question.

P

[Wrider]

TFOG is a good shop, but you're lucky you ever found a shop to plug a tire. Most shops don't even sell plug kits because it's not what you're supposed to do.
Never ever ever plug an M/C tire unless absolutely necessary.

In the case you do need to plug a tire, I've had the best luck with using inner tube patches on the inside of the tire. Use one patch on the tire, then coat it over with the glue again just as a sealant.

As for the mushroom patches, they rarely work, especially for heavier bikes, longer trips, or higher speeds.

[Grey Thumper]

What a coincidence, I just tried to plug a Metz a coupla weekends ago, with pretty much the same variables; Z6, rear tire, nail puncture was the cause, and we've even got the same bike, ha ha.

I tried both slime and plugs to no avail; the slime worked, but I heard a leak again after I tried a quick ride around the block to check. Then I tried a plug, which held but would start leaking if I inflated the tire above, say, 30 psi.

Eventually I just gave up, detached the rear wheel and brought it to a shop, which did an internal repair.

So bottom line, you were much more successful than I was.

[storysunfolding]

The internal repair is a great idea. Now that I think about it a plug in a motorcycle tire can't be as viable as a car due to the amount of flex it encounters throughout the carcass.

[William]

I always carry a plug kit with me. I use the soft self-vulcanizing plugs, and have done so with great success overall. Never had a tire come apart on a bike as a result. Car tires are different because they have separate plies for the sidewall and tread. They tend to come apart where the tread and sidewall join. But unless the bike tire looks distorted, it's probably okay to plug it. Especially if it means the difference between being stranded and making it home.

I have had plugs that didn't work well because they had been in a fairing pocket on my ST1300 too long, and I think engine heat combined with the heat in Florida had got to them. They just wouldn't seal. Never had a plug come out, but with those plugs I could pull them out with needle nose pliers the next day. Good, non-heat damaged self-vulcanizing plugs don't do that.

I've also had a hole with a small split to one side. The plug sealed the hole, but not the split, so it still leaked. I had to replace the tire. That sounds very much like what happened in your situation.

Other than those 2 unusual circumstances, the only other time I ever felt the need to replace a tire just because it was punctured, it was 3 holes caused by one universal joint circlip. One end of the circlip went in the tire, while the other end danced around and made other 2 holes side by side. So then I have 3 holes within an inch of each other, with 2 of them being a couple of millimeters apart. I replaced THAT tire, and it only had about 500 miles on it.

Other than those 3 circumstances, I've had good luck plugging tires, and felt confident riding on them. But I did make sure I kept checking tire pressure for the next several days after, just to make sure it stayed sealed, and I would also closely inspect the plugged area for several days after.

For some reason, I've yet to have a tube type tire with a puncture. And ALL of my punctures have been on the rear. For some reason, the front always seems to be okay. I guess the front kicks up the nail while the rear picks up the nail.

[Lion_Lady]

Bill. Did you read the initial post?

Have you plugged/patched a METZLER tire? I carry a plug kit. I know how to use it. I have had NO SUCCESS both times I tried to plug simple punctures in Metzler tires. Both times the holes were in the rear tire. I've even used two different types of plug kits. The Stop n GO kit (with its "mushroom" plugs and the "sticky string" kind.) Neither was successful.

P

[HYPERR]

I plugged the rear Metzler of my 1995 BMW K75. I don't recall having any problem with it. I rode for a while(a few thousand miles?), then I got another nail in it. I replaced the tire at that time.

[William]

Bill. Did you read the initial post?

Okay, I'm assuming you are talking to me, even though my name is not Bill...

Although I did fail to mention it, I have had to plug holes in Metzler tires, as well as other brands. I was no less successful with plugging Metzler when compared with any other brand. And that's on both my old ST1300 and my current FJR1300, the only 2 bikes I've had with tubeless tires.

And did you read where I said "I've also had a hole with a small split to one side. The plug sealed the hole, but not the split, so it still leaked. I had to replace the tire. That sounds very much like what happened in your situation."? Regardless of tire brand, that IS relevant.

Although I don't remember if that was a Metzler or not, a hole like that could conceivably happen to any brand.

Plus, not every hole is round, so some holes will just not seal right (such as a split or cut). This is even more likely with any rubber plug, since they are round, and no amount of reaming will make some holes round. That's why I use ONLY the self-vulcanizing plugs. I learned that lesson with trying to plug a truck tire with rubber plugs.

I'm assuming the "mushroom plugs" you mentioned are the round rubber plugs I've seen with a head on them that keeps them from coming out? If so, even with the head, the part of the plug that is in the hole is still round, and the hole may not be. So I don't use them.

I can't think of what would be so different with a Metzler that makes it any harder to seal with a plug than other brands.