BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

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 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?

P

Did a fix on a Metzler rear using the "worm" type of plugs. I know that it is meant to be temporary but still good 4,000 km and a year later.

Cheers

Though I carry a Stop 'n Go kit, I've been fortunate to not have had to use it since my tire mishaps have happened close to home. I have however repaired a punctured Metzler when my nearly new tire Z6 rear tire picked up sheet metal screw. In that case, I used a radial tire repair patch and put over 7k uneventful miles on the tire.

To use a patch (or for that matter, even a plug), the puncture must be clean through the rubber and carcass. And of course, the big drawback to patching is that you have to remove the tire, then remount and [possibly] rebalance. You will almost certainly have to do the work yourself - for liability reasons, there are very few shops that will do it for you ("the only truly safe way to fix a punctured tire is to replace it . . .").

That said, I'm convinced that it is a relatively safe way to repair a puncture and I frankly wouldn't hesitate to use a patch.

Charlie

I got a rear wheel puncture about 4 weeks ago while travelling on desolate stretch of unclassified road. On inspection I could not see what had caused the puncture but used my plug and go kit to make a repair that held air just long enough to get me home. As the tyre had done only 2000 miles I was determined I was going to make a proper repair.

When I removed the wheel it rattled when I rolled it across the garage floor. I removed the tyre and found a double-ended screwdriver similar to the one in the BMW toolkit inside. The screwdriver had penetrated the tyre at an angle and had gouged a large chunk from the interior of the sidewall and also torn a large proportion of the sidewall cords.

If the plug and go patch had held I was looking at probably experiencing catastrophic failure of the tyre at some point, and most likely at high speed. So, much as it pains me to have to buy another new tyre so soon, I think that replacement is a small price to pay considering what could have happened.

If you manage a successful repair with one of these kits get the tyre of the rim as soon as possible and make a careful inspection for unseen damage.

Hank.

Yes, and no... I've used Stop and Go tire plugs with mixed success in both Z4 and Z6 tires...they got me home, but that's about all (and that was good enough!) The first one I did lasted for 400 miles, the next two barely overnight in the garage. They do say in the instructions that they are for making a temporary repair only (and not to exceed 50 mph), and I believe them (well the temporary part anyway ). I think the steel belts cut the plugs after a while, so they won't last forever.

However, I have had three (3) self-vulcanizing mushroom plugs installed by a local independent motorcycle shop. The last one was installed only 700 miles after I had bought a brand new Z6 and it lasted over 7700 more miles, so I am a believer in them, although the insurance companies apparently are not since they have prohibited many shops from installing them. Even the big shop in town that used to install them (but now won't due to liability insurance premium costs) told me they never had any of the hundreds they installed return, even by crotch rockets racing across the bridges at insanely high rates of speed

So, if you can find a shop that will install a self-vulcanizing mushroom plug (note that the tire must be removed from the rim, turned inside out, and a hole cut in it to pass the 1/2" diameter stem of the plug), then it is the only acceptable repair method according to some tire manufacturer's websites (see: http://www.dunlopmotorcycle.com/infocen ... ?id=30#tip) which, as you know, are notoriously cautious (due to CYA syndrome, and they want to sell you another tire, don't they , and maybe they care about you? Naah! ).

BTW, here's what I do now to make temporary repairs...
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15339

Anybody want to buy a Stop & Go Tire Plugger (used only three (3) times? ).

Did your kit resemble this item?

It is Rema TipTop Rep&Air - a right bastard to use ... if you have not done it before.

In my short 9000 miles on the Rockster I had collected a grand total of 4 (or 5 ... memory seems to be fading) nails.
I wrote off a nearly new Pirelli Strada (close equivalent to Z6, and Pirelli and Metzeler are industrial bedfellows) due to subsequent holes being too close to each other.

The tyre needs serious workout with the metal tool ... to make the hole bigger (maybe my nails were too petit?).
Once I sussed what to do (and managed to break the tip of the tool, luckily I have more than one from old kits) - it was a breeze with the next nail.

One one occasion rode with a tempirary plug for approximately a month - clocking around 350 miles (recommendation is not to use it for more than 100).
At which point I had professional job done to replace the temp patch.

Of course it all depends what damage you get to the tire.

Duke

P.S. Try your kit at the nearest tire fitter on an old dead tire they can give you so you can practise to master it.
You really do not want to learn how to do this on the hard shoulder of the motorway with cold rain pissing down and no breakdown repair van in sight.

Has anybody had any luck plugging a Metzler tire?

No, but I was able to rub a goat's chin one time.

I patched a Z6 in the past (I had to look at my service log). I put on about 2000 miles after patching it so my plug worked. I have the standard gooey rope plugs with straightforward tools. I don't recall it being hard to ream and plug; I've plugged Dunlops too and my memory is the same for them all - either the plug works or the tire leaks air.

I guess one good thing about the rope plugs is if you have a really bad hole, you can use multiple plugs to get you to a safe place or service shop.

duke wrote:Did your kit resemble this item?

It is Rema TipTop Rep&Air - a right bastard to use ... if you have not done it before. . .

Duke

That kit looks almost exactly like the "stock" BMW tire repair kit. It completely sucks (or so I've heard). I've used the Stop n Go kit once - and the Metzler cut the mushroom plug inside the tire. Suspect we did not pull hard enough on the mushroom to secure it to the tire carcass.

The most recent repair was attempted using a "T" handled reamer set, and sticky string. BUT I may have ridden some distance on a low tire... That might have contributed to the difficulties. Motorcycling is always a learning experience.

P

On a related topic, does anyone have experience with the Stop N Go Engine Powered Air Pump for Motorcycles? Seems to take up less space than a compressor. The downside is that it may run down the battery to inflate a tyre?

http://www.stopngo.com/motorcycle.asp



This is the most efficient way to fully re-inflate a motorcycle tire when an air compressor is not available. It converts any 2 or 4 stroke engine into an air compressor. This pump uses the vacuum of your motor to suck clean outside air into the hose and the compression to force that air into the tire. A two-way check valve prevents any gas fumes from entering your tire.

I bought the Plug & Go kit last summer. Other than a test plug I did on an old tire I have not had to use it. I did however have a heated discussion with a guy at work who had actually used the kit for two roadside repairs. One of them failed in only about 40 miles, the other other one lasted longer but ultimately failed as well. He will now not even use the Stop & Go plugs for temporary repairs. He, and I think perhaps many others, believe the movement of the steel cords will cut the plug. Other riders who jumped into our conversation were of the opinion that for steel belted tires only the tough wire reinforced "worm" type repairs were any good. The Harley types were almost unanimous in replacing a punctured tire regardless of the mileage. I am almost convinced enough to go buy some quality repair tools and the best "wormy" repair strips available. Probably NAPA can find me what I need.

Plugged my metzler twice, once with only 200 miles on it and then again with 2000 miles. Rode on it for 6 months and acquired another 4000 miles. Only changed it out for the rally trip to Tennessee. I took the wheel off the bike and took the whole thing to a tire shop and they put a sticky string plug in it for $5.00 and said don't tell anyone that they did it. The five bucks more of a tip then for services rendered.

Hottech wrote:Plugged my metzler twice, once with only 200 miles on it and then again with 2000 miles. Rode on it for 6 months and acquired another 4000 miles. Only changed it out for the rally trip to Tennessee. I took the wheel off the bike and took the whole thing to a tire shop and they put a sticky string plug in it for $5.00 and said don't tell anyone that they did it. The five bucks more of a tip then for services rendered.

So is the tire still on the bike ? See, I find for every successful Stop & Go story there seems to be a failure story. I don't know if there's a problem with inccorrect installation or what. There's some stories over on ADVRider.