Avon Viper Tyres? Or.........???

[Atom]

I have just discovered a tiny piece of thin nail or wire right in the centre of my rear tyre on the Fireblade. Bummer !

There would appear to be no loss of air but am I correct in assuming that I need to buy a new tyre?

It's a shame as it has only done 1200 miles but I don't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere with a flat, or worse still, have a handling problem due to a sudden deflation.

Assuming that I do need to replace it, I have the chance to choose another brand. Should I just have another Honda OEM Dunlop Qualifier. I am not disappointed with them especially as I do not have enough experience to know the difference.

Quite a few people have raved about the Avon Vipers and suggested that I try them.

Any thoughts or recommendations?

I assume that there is nothing wrong with using brands other than the OEM Bridgestone Battlaxes or Dunlop Qualifiers?

[SplatSpeed]

running avon storms on my bike and they are lovley

[Aubrey]

You should be able to get it fixed if it's right in the middle of the tread. I had a similar thing, nail in the middle of a BT014 and my garage fixed it for me, about £10. Some people think you should replace them when they've had a puncture, but my Suzuki main dealer was happy to repair and I got another 2500 miles out of it.

HTH.

[Mr OCD]

Yup should be easily fixed... just had a BT010 done like this on the Wifes bike.

Another vote here for the Avon Vipers / Storms... currently on 6k miles with them now and the front still looks like brand new the rear is barely showing any sign of flat spotting. I reckon will get 10k from them...

[smack]

Aubrey said:

You should be able to get it fixed if it's right in the middle of the tread. I had a similar thing, nail in the middle of a BT014 and my garage fixed it for me, about £10. Some people think you should replace them when they've had a puncture, but my Suzuki main dealer was happy to repair and I got another 2500 miles out of it.

HTH.

Hi Aubrey,

Who plugged the tyre? When I last had a screw in my tyre, I had a problem finding anyone who fixed tyres any more.
In the end, I found Fins in Redhill (Surrey) to plug it. I couldn't find anyone in the Midlands who would (where I picked up the screw), and no one in West Surrey.

As long as the workshop uses a propper plug, then there is no problem - I have had 4 tyres plugged in the last 10 years. But in true rip off Britain style, dealers figure they will make more money saying you can't plug a tyre, and you must give them £120 for a new one.

Maybe we should make a sticky of places in the UK that will fix tyres as they are few and far between?

[xspencex]

Been running Avon Storms and after 6k miles I'm pretty impressed with them. But i would definatley look into plugging the tyre before forking out on a new set.

[Aubrey]

I had mine done at Haslemere Motorcycles in Wey Hill, Haslemere, Surrey. Nice friendly bunch of chaps. Give them a try, they should plug a tyre for most people. They know me so might have done it as a favour.

I agree with that you say about companies just wanting to sell more tyres so won't plug perfectly ok ones!

[Brummmie]

Aubrey said:

I had mine done at Haslemere Motorcycles in Wey Hill, Haslemere, Surrey. Nice friendly bunch of chaps. Give them a try, they should plug a tyre for most people. They know me so might have done it as a favour.

I agree with that you say about companies just wanting to sell more tyres so won't plug perfectly ok ones!

I've said this before and i will say it again..its the "wheres theres a blame" policy that people are too ready to adopt that is the reason for the anti puncture feeling amongst dealers, There is no telling how far that tyre has been ridden on while it was flat, short of X-raying the tyre to see if there is any carcass damage, you dont know. He only has your word how far you have ridden on it flat. Can you blame them?

[Atom]

I took the bike down to the Honda dealers. They said it could be repaired if necessary and could take it somewhere local to have it done for me.

They pulled the nail out and there was no air loss, so sent me on my way!

Have done 200 miles on it since and all seems OK.

[done by a diesel]

hi this is my second postfinns motorcycles have been around for 20 years that i know of yes they do plug tyres but they take off the tyre and inspect it. they also have a bike recovery truck so can pick up your bike (there n.o. is 01737-768129) and are based in redhill surrey. i ride an xjr so i get through a few tyres i used to have bridgestones 020 but have changed to conti attacks they are cheeper and i get the same milage out of them but as good as the 020s and in all weather. ive done 55000 miles for pleasure in 6 years the last 3 years on conti attacks. the problem with blame culture is it will win and companys wont repair tyres just offer you new 1s at 10 times the cost

[smack]

Brummmie said:

I've said this before and i will say it again..its the "wheres theres a blame" policy that people are too ready to adopt that is the reason for the anti puncture feeling amongst dealers, There is no telling how far that tyre has been ridden on while it was flat, short of X-raying the tyre to see if there is any carcass damage, you dont know. He only has your word how far you have ridden on it flat. Can you blame them?

Fair point you raise there. Riding the tyre when flat will screw it, and the damaged carcass means you are gambling with your life.
Every time I have had a nail / screw, I have left it in until I either get to a dealer, or home so it doesn't go flat. And then pull it out - if it has gone through the tyre, wheel gets pulled of the bike and into the car boot to get fixed.