Sooner or later you’re going to need to fix a motorcycle flat on the road, Assuming you have a puncture in the tread (not the sidewall) and the bead is still seated on the rim, temporary repair of a tubeless tire is easy. Simply plug the hole and then inflate the tire.
Regular automotive “gummy worm” tire inserts work fine on bike tires.
How to repair a motorcycle tire
- Visit your local auto parts store and select a package of worms, a reamer and inserter.
- Once you’ve removed the nail or wire, use the reamer to make the hole large enough to insert the worm. (The inserter has a hook/eye end into which you thread the worm, and then shove it into the puncture).
- Twist, remove the inserter (leaving the plug behind).
- Trim the plug’s rat tail flush with the tire.
- Inflate tire.
Practice this once on a trashed, unmounted tire.
Several online resources sell an inflator which uses cheap, hardware store-style cartridges. You can pay a lot more for the threaded-style cartridges, but it’s unnecessary. Count on using 3-5 cartridges for full inflation. This repair could last the life of the tire, but the experts advise buying a new tire ASAP.
Pete Tamblyn
I just got a nail in my tire last weekend, I was lucky that someone had a similar kit. The kit was a Stop and Go tire repair kit, it has little mushroom looking plug that work great. It repaired my tire so I could make it home, and finish the ride. I highly recommend carrying a repair kit, I now carry one on my bike.
@Evan
Glad you had a kit. It’s not too hard if the hole is in the tread. My first repair was in the comfort of my garage. I am always more confident after one success.
David