My first flat

[hardiel]

All my life I've been riding sportbikes that are tubeless and never had this problem.

8 am.

Going to work. The streets are littered still with all sort of stuff from the hurricane including nails so I had a flat tire (rear). In the middle of a fast curve in the highway. I was around 70 mph. And a couple of slips sideways told me that something was wrong. One can be dirt, oil, gas or something but two in less that 2 minutes was suspicious.

And it's been a nightmare.

I have had AAA for a while, when I phoned them, they didin't cover bikes. So I included my new C50. Then I phone again and they tell me that coverage wil begin in 3 days.

After two hours I found a guy with a flatbed that will take it for $80. I go to a Honda dealer. They have so much work from being closed from the hurricane that won't do it at least for 3 or 4 days. I go to Kawasaki and they'd do it but I need the inner tube.

Go back to Honda and they have one original Honda= $32.

I go back and after waiting for 4 hours they have the bike ready again. The bill was $38 to fix the tire.

If was 5pm.

Now. Where I can get tubes on line cheaper? And they dont need to be Honda or other "designer" name.

Anything I can carry in the bike to help me out and reach to a garage?

[cloudcroft]

You should try using this stuff:

http://www.ride-on.com/index.html

-- John D.

[blackie1491]

Isn't that for tubeless tires.
If you do a search there was a link for a site who seals your spoke rims so they can be used with tubeless tires. I think it was $60 a rim.

[cloudcroft]

Yes, I believe so.

My bike has cast wheels so I have tubeless tires.

-- John D.

[AceBiker]

AAA told me I would not be covered and there is no coverage for flats.

[hardiel]

They have various coverages.

This is what I found about flat tires:

"Flat Tire Service

If your vehicle's spare is inflated and serviceable, it will be installed to replace a flat tire. If no inflated spare is available, the vehicle will be towed in accordance with the towing provision.

You must have your valid membership card and a picture ID available to present to the driver when he arrives. You have to be with the vehicle at the time of service."

http://www.aaasouth.com/auto_ers.asp

[gunslinger92557]

From what I understand AAA will cover the bike if you have the extended service, the service package that includeds towing a car for 100 miles. I have that package.

If you want to have your wire wheel sealed so that you can use tubeless tires here is a link for that:

Wheel Works

There is an additive for tubeless tires that will help keep the tire inflated if you pick up a nail. Here are some links:

Viking Seal

Longa-Tire

[cloudcroft]

Viking-Seal and Longa-Tire sound almost identical to Ride-On.

Here is what Ride-On says about tubless tires:


"Q: Can Ride-On (TPS) be used in a tube tire?
A: Yes. Ride-On (TPS) has been proven effective for sealing punctures from objects up to 1/8" diameter that penetrate the tubes. However, puncturing objects often tear the tube. It is impossible for a tire sealant to seal a tear. It is vital to remove the puncturing object immediately from a tire containing a tube to prevent further damage that can result in tearing the tube."

http://www.ride-on.com/performa.htm



-- John D.

[St0nkingByte]

I think someone else mentioned on here that AAA will cover motorcycles if you have their optional, and more expensive, recreational coverage. In my area its called AAA RV. Total smack in the face to those of us who commute on our bikes, basically you need 'toy' coverage for your bike. Bleah.

Whereas Basic AAA membershp includes towing five miles in any direction or back to the station, AAA Plus provides coverage up to 100 miles in any direction. AAA Plus RV provides up to 100 miles of towing as well as coverage for your recreational vehicle, which includes motorhomes, travel and boat trailers, cars, vans, pickups with campers, and motorcycles.

[Clint]

Sounds like a rough day.

Spokes? Bah! Get some real rims and carry a plug kit.

[v0lusia]

AAA Coverage varies from state to state. In MA (Southern New England AAA) will not cover motorcycles at all. I specifically asked AAA Plus RV .

[gunslinger92557]

I have given some thought to having the wire wheels treated so that a tubeless tire can be used. But I figured I would wait until the tubed tires needed replaced. You know you would think they would come that way, tubeless.

[gunslinger92557]

I was curious about a few things:

1) What happens if you need to true the wheel, adjust a spoke, will you lose the seal?

2) Can that rim actually handle a tubeless tire?

3) Will the OEM tire actually work without a tube, or only with a tube?



Here is a link to Wheel Works in Garden Grove California. Apparently $59 per rim for the treatment. The place is just down the street from where I work. I guess I should check them out.

Wheel Works in Garden Grove California

[DrBob]

Tubes pretty much are shot if you pick up something. Tire sealers (that prevent flats) designed for tires with tubes still only claim about a 50% success rate. Things like fix-a-flat (tire sealers for after the flat) will not work with tubes, nor will those inflator kits with the compressed nitrogen do any good once a tube goes flat.

As for tubes, you can get cheep rubber ones for about $5 each onling. This site was first on a google search: Tubes

Carrying a spare tube on your bike is a good idea, as often an independent shop will put a vulcanized patch on your tire to get you home if you have a tube. I find that finding a tire in just abot any size is not hard, but most shops will not have a tube, so I carry one on long trips. Throw it out about once a year and get another on if you don't use it, as the rubber will deteriorate if you keep it in the saddlebag too long.

If you REALLY get out on your own, like the guys who ride from Alaska to Key West, you carry tubes, inflators, tire patch kits, and tire irons. But I think that is a little excessive unless you spend a lot of time hundreds of miles from the nearest bike shop.

[tlwisner]

I pay my insurance company (Bike-line) $16 / year for roadside coverage, way cheaper than AAA RV Plus coverage. My car warranty already covers roadside car assistance so AAA would be a waste. Also check out the AMA's Mo-Tow service.

I have Ride-on in my tubed tires, they claim it will help with small punctures. My last flat was a large gash though...