Selfseal Tires

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I just read that Michelin has come out with a self-sealing tire. I comes standard on the Chevy Bolt as a way to save space by not having a spare tire.

The self-sealing technique appears very similar to the Ride-On system. The difference is that the Michelin tire comes with the sealant already built-in.

Since a flat tire on a motorcycle (I've had 2 so far on my ST1300) is much more inconvenient than a flat tire on a car, I'd be very interested in this technology. However, looking at Michelin's website, I can't even find a self-sealing car tire. I suspect they may be manufacturing them for installation on new vehicles only, but I'd be interested if there's any more information available.
 

v8-7

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I think there are products around that will self-seal for a small leak situation.

You pour it into the tire either at installation or through the "removed" valve stem.

I think Slime has some and probably others as well.
 

TPadden

Tom Padden
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I think Slime has some and probably others as well.
Don't expect a "slimed" tire to ever hold a plug, and it will be a mess at changing time.

Since a flat tire on a motorcycle is much more inconvenient than a flat tire on a car.......
A flat tire on a TPM'd motorcycle is easier than putting on rain gear. :)
 
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ddemair
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... A flat tire on a TPM'd motorcycle is easier than putting on rain gear. :)[/QUOTE said:
How so? I don't understand how a TPM system helps with flats.
 

TPadden

Tom Padden
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How so? I don't understand how a TPM system helps with flats.
Last 2 nails I picked up on trips remained in the tires until I got home. If you can monitor the leak no reason to do anything as long as it's a slow leak. In both cases I just re-filled the tire at gas stops, pulled nails and plugged tires days (and thousands of miles) later in my own garage, or at my son's on the other coast.

Tom
 
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ddemair
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Last 2 nails I picked up on trips remained in the tires until I got home. If you can monitor the leak no reason to do anything as long as it's a slow leak. In both cases I just re-filled the tire at gas stops, pulled nails and plugged tires days (and thousands of miles) later in my own garage, or at my son's on the other coast.

Tom
I see. The last flat I got was not so slow. I turned to head home as soon as I felt it getting low (even a small pressure drop is noticeable), but only made it another 3 miles before no go. I was still 15 miles from home and had to call for a "tow".
 

TPadden

Tom Padden
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I see. The last flat I got was not so slow. I turned to head home as soon as I felt it getting low (even a small pressure drop is noticeable), but only made it another 3 miles before no go. I was still 15 miles from home and had to call for a "tow".
If you can feel it, it's too late. If you could go 3 miles after feeling a "flat" my bet is pumping it up would have gotten you home, to a gas station, or to a lit Wal-Mart parking lot for a repair.

I really can't feel any difference on the road between 48 psi and 28 psi. A 20 psi drop in an hour would be a very significant leak. I've always carried a pump and plugs but don't worry about flats at all anymore with TPM.
 
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ddemair
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If you can feel it, it's too late. If you could go 3 miles after feeling a "flat" my bet is pumping it up would have gotten you home, to a gas station, or to a lit Wal-Mart parking lot for a repair.

I really can't feel any difference on the road between 48 psi and 28 psi. A 20 psi drop in an hour would be a very significant leak. I've always carried a pump and plugs but don't worry about flats at all anymore with TPM.
You may be right. I assumed that I could feel a rear tire getting low long before a 20 PSI drop, but my assumption was based on my experiences with the front tire. On a previous ride when I hadn't checked the pressure in a little while (I should do better) and within the first 1/2 mile, the bike felt "squirmy". I went back home and checked the pressure. The rear was fine, but the front was just a few pounds lows. I was surprised that it was so easy to detect. Maybe the rear is not so easy to detect when slightly low.

I also carry a pump and plugs, but I couldn't find the source of the leak.
 
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