Ride-On Tire Balancer and Sealant

Daboo said:
Well the wife's Prius got a flat yesterday. I found the hole and put some Slime in the tire. It's holding air now.

Toyota no longer puts a spare tire in the Prius, but uses their own version of Ride-On. If it didn't work, I doubt they would risk their reputation by using it.

Chris
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Don't fool yourself. Manufacturers are cutting costs wherever they can. Not including a spare tire saves them on design issues, weight issues and the cost of a wheel and tire.

But here's the kicker, which I quickly found on a Toyota forum. Seems their "solution" for your flat could end up costing you more anyway. It's all about them saving money and good luck to you!

"You either call the pre-paid towing service that Toyota supplies for couple of years, and be towed to the nearest Toyota dealer to get the tire repaired or replaced. Or you call your favorite auto club to get towed to your favorite tire dealer to fix or replace the tire. Toyota also provides an air pump that squirts sealing goop into the tire and ruins the pressure sensors ($$ to replace)."

 
Bush said:
Don't fool yourself. Manufacturers are cutting costs wherever they can. Not including a spare tire saves them on design issues, weight issues and the cost of a wheel and tire.

But here's the kicker, which I quickly found on a Toyota forum. Seems their "solution" for your flat could end up costing you more anyway. It's all about them saving money and good luck to you!

"You either call the pre-paid towing service that Toyota supplies for couple of years, and be towed to the nearest Toyota dealer to get the tire repaired or replaced. Or you call your favorite auto club to get towed to your favorite tire dealer to fix or replace the tire. Toyota also provides an air pump that squirts sealing goop into the tire and ruins the pressure sensors ($$ to replace)."
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A sign of the times.
One used to be able to rely on Toyota and Honda autos to offer the best.
No longer the case.
And Nissan is no longer the car that used to be Datsun.
 
Larry Fine said:
If it does work, why did you have to add more?
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Toyota puts a bottle of their Ride-On equivalent and a small air compressor...very much like the one in the Slime SPAIR kit into the trunk instead of a spare tire. I left that alone for future use and used a bottle of Slime that I had in the garage.

The Slime was in a SPAIR kit that I had. Since I put DynaBeads into the motorcycle tires when I changed them, I won't be using Slime/Ride-On in the near future. BTW, the DynaBeads seem to be working fine.

BTW, the Toyota air compressor is just like any other small air compressor in that all it squirts into your tire is air. Not goop. And the Slime I put in, is TPMS safe.

Chris
 
Toyota no longer puts a spare tire in the Prius, but uses their own version of Ride-On. If it didn't work, I doubt they would risk their reputation by using it.
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My suspicion would be that the biggest reason that Toyota does this is for the same reason that many cars switched to being equipped with compact spares in lieu of full size ones- it saves weight which helps them to further inflate their fuel efficiency claims.
 
I had no idea Ride-On was that expensive. I recently suffered a rear tire flat. It was only my second flat in almost 40 years of road riding. (Strangely enough my brother-in-law suffered a front tire flat the same day at a different time. It was his first flat in his riding career. I guess that our good luck is up.) It was a large puncture- see picture. I was quite impressed that a gummy worm was able to seal it up and that my $10.00 Slime mini air compressor re-inflated the tire. For the price of the gummy worms I will stick with them.

The first picture shows how big the puncture was- about 1/4" in diameter and on an angle.
The second picture shows what a gummy worm plug looks like on the inside after it has been ridden with and has been heated up. The internal air pressure causes it to mushroom and seal the hole.

241760

241761
 
The cost and difficulty in finding Ride-On conveniently was one of the reasons I used Slime.

The Toyota's rear tire is still holding air. BTW, I found out that Porsche also uses a sealant instead of a spare tire now.

Chris
 
beemerphile said:
^ True this ^

Slime is appropriately named. Well, Snot would have been a better name other than the adverse marketing implications.
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Come on, now. Do you really think Slime is a cool name for this product? Is there a good connotation for the word slime?
 
Several car manufacturers use run-flat tires now (which have their own specials et of drawbacks).
SMSW said:
Come on, now. Do you really think Slime is a cool name for this product? Is there a good connotation for the word slime?
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Only when compared to Snot or Owl Ssss...tuff.
 
I had an experience with Ride-On that may be of some interest. Apparently it doesn't seal well on a wet road. I experienced a rear flat not long after riding through a moderately heavy rain. I had Ride-on in the tire, and when I looked for the puncture, I found Ride-On plastered over the inside of my fender and dropping off in big globs back onto the tire. I plugged the hole, but the plug came out a couple days and about 150 miles later. Replugged it, and it came out about 60 miles later. Kept replugging and the tire kept spitting them out--with or without rubber cement, single or double plugs. Had to bite the bullet and get it towed for the first time.
 
docw1 said:
...I had Ride-on in the tire, and when I looked for the puncture, I found Ride-On plastered over the inside of my fender and dropping off in big globs back onto the tire...
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Your experience is similar to the one I had with Slime. I don't think I'd blame it totally on the Ride-On. Physics overrules wishful thinking. I had the Slime in the tire before the puncture. The roofing nail went in, and then out -- at 60 mph. The Slime never stood a chance with the tire rotating that fast.

My educated guess is that centrifugal force sends the solution through the puncture hole quicker than the solution can begin blocking the opening.

When I had Slime in the first tire, the punctures were caused by objects that stayed in the tire. I pulled them out in the garage. In one case, it was a large nail hole and the air started coming out quickly. I realized I wasn't helping the Slime with the puncture at 3 o'clock, so I rotated the tire till the puncture was at 6 o'clock. A couple tablespoons of liquid came out...and then nothing. The puncture was sealed.

I did like you did and tried using a plug on the tire. I think the Slime eventually sealed the leak, but by then I'd already ordered a new tire. Thinking back on what happened, if I'd had more Slime to replace that which flew out of the hole, it would've sealed the tire just fine.

While my experience was with Slime, I think it directly applies to Ride-On as well.

Chris
 
My guess would be if I have a tire problem it's likely going to be a puncture and maybe a slow leak, I know this ST 1300 has tubeless tires and was wondering what success [if any] anyone has had with installing a plug on the side of the road, just to get home, are guys doing that? If so just an ordinary tire plug kit? I always carry a plug kit in my MH and have used it a number of times on cars and trucks. A lot of you are taking some long distance rides and I'm wondering what kind of road side tools you could recommend, besides starting out with good tires and maintenance.
 
Other than this experience, I've been able to plug the tire and ride it until the tire wore out. Not sure why the plugs didn't stay in this time, unless it was due to lack of tread. I was into the wear bars on this tire.
 
Haven't used Ride-On yet, but will soon. Tire worms and cement did not stop the leak from a long nail.
How often do I get a flat on the bike?
Not often, but it always seems to happen on a brand new tire. I kid you not.
On the 1300, I had front and rear Michelin Pilot Road 5/GTs mounted, and the rear found that damned nail after less than 300 miles.
I plan to patch the tire from the inside, and then add the orange goop. The tire was nearly $200, so if I can save it with a twenty-dollar bottle of Ride-On, I'll consider it worth it.
 
Sadlsor said:
Not often, but it always seems to happen on a brand new tire. I kid you not.
On the 1300, I had front and rear Michelin Pilot Road 5/GTs mounted, and the rear found that damned nail after less than 300 miles.
I plan to patch the tire from the inside, and then add the orange goop. The tire was nearly $200, so if I can save it with a twenty-dollar bottle of Ride-On, I'll consider it worth it.
Click to expand...
it's not just you. the last two punctures I've had (rear is off the bike now for puncture #2) have been on almost brand new tires. why that is, I don't know...
 
docw1 said:
Other than this experience, I've been able to plug the tire and ride it until the tire wore out. Not sure why the plugs didn't stay in this time, unless it was due to lack of tread. I was into the wear bars on this tire.
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I've taken the approach for roadside repairs that probably the only thing I can "fix" on the side of the road, is a flat tire. My repair kit has evolved over time.

I started with a Slime SPAIR kit. It comes with a bottle of the Slime product and a pretty decent air compressor in a compact container. Cost was about $25.

1627060992750.png

I next added a Stop-N-Go plug kit. Cost for this kit was about $38.

1627061317978.png

Lastly, I added a Dyna Plug kit. I got one of the more expensive kits with the larger End Cap to push on. Cost was $70.

Dynaplug® Online Store | Motorcycle & ATV Tire Repair Tools

www.dynaplug.com www.dynaplug.com

1627061449701.png

Thoughts on each:
  • The Slime SPAIR is a pretty good deal. It's a no-brainer to use. If you get a leak, remove the valve stem. Squirt the Slime inside. Put the valve stem back in. Air the tire back up. Spin the tire. Remove the nail/screw or whatever. Rotate the tire to put the puncture site to the bottom of the tire, if possible. Check the pressure later. I used this on one tire once when over the 14,000 mile tire life, I got four punctures. It worked like a champ and made a believer of me.
    I did have a time when the Slime didn't work, and that was mentioned above. A large diameter roofing nail went in and out leaving a large hole. I was riding at 60 mph and the centrifugal force didn't give the Slime a chance to plug the hole before flinging it out.
    I've changed tires with Slime and Ride-On installed. Initially they are pretty gooey. But over time, they become pretty sticky on the inside of the tread. Both products work well. Slime can be found in most hardware stores and in the parts department at motorcycle dealerships. It's about half the price of Ride-On.
    The air compressor is worth getting. CO2 cartridges may not work for you on the side of the road. I've heard they lose pressure over time. The air compressor gives you a way to inflate the tire as long as you have a battery or a running bike.
  • The Stop-N-Go kit was purchased as a back up to the Slime. I liked the idea of the mushroom plug. The concept is good, but the plugs are huge. Chances are you'll never get a puncture that large. So if you get a puncture, you'll have to widen the puncture hole to get the Stop-N-Go plug in. I'd skip this one.
  • The Dyna Plug kit was purchased after the last puncture. The plugs are much smaller and more the size you'll have if you do get a puncture. I think it is a far better alternative than the Stop-N-Go kit.
Chris
 
Daboo said:
I've taken the approach for roadside repairs that probably the only thing I can "fix" on the side of the road, is a flat tire. My repair kit has evolved over time.

I started with a Slime SPAIR kit. It comes with a bottle of the Slime product and a pretty decent air compressor in a compact container. Cost was about $25.

1627060992750.png

I next added a Stop-N-Go plug kit. Cost for this kit was about $38.

1627061317978.png

Lastly, I added a Dyna Plug kit. I got one of the more expensive kits with the larger End Cap to push on. Cost was $70.

Dynaplug® Online Store | Motorcycle & ATV Tire Repair Tools

www.dynaplug.com www.dynaplug.com

1627061449701.png

Thoughts on each:
  • The Slime SPAIR is a pretty good deal. It's a no-brainer to use. If you get a leak, remove the valve stem. Squirt the Slime inside. Put the valve stem back in. Air the tire back up. Spin the tire. Remove the nail/screw or whatever. Rotate the tire to put the puncture site to the bottom of the tire, if possible. Check the pressure later. I used this on one tire once when over the 14,000 mile tire life, I got four punctures. It worked like a champ and made a believer of me.
    I did have a time when the Slime didn't work, and that was mentioned above. A large diameter roofing nail went in and out leaving a large hole. I was riding at 60 mph and the centrifugal force didn't give the Slime a chance to plug the hole before flinging it out.
    I've changed tires with Slime and Ride-On installed. Initially they are pretty gooey. But over time, they become pretty sticky on the inside of the tread. Both products work well. Slime can be found in most hardware stores and in the parts department at motorcycle dealerships. It's about half the price of Ride-On.
    The air compressor is worth getting. CO2 cartridges may not work for you on the side of the road. I've heard they lose pressure over time. The air compressor gives you a way to inflate the tire as long as you have a battery or a running bike.
  • The Stop-N-Go kit was purchased as a back up to the Slime. I liked the idea of the mushroom plug. The concept is good, but the plugs are huge. Chances are you'll never get a puncture that large. So if you get a puncture, you'll have to widen the puncture hole to get the Stop-N-Go plug in. I'd skip this one.
  • The Dyna Plug kit was purchased after the last puncture. The plugs are much smaller and more the size you'll have if you do get a puncture. I think it is a far better alternative than the Stop-N-Go kit.
Chris
Click to expand...

Good job having experience with different flat repair kits that you can decide which one you like the best. I like to be prepared also and I think having a flat repair kit is the most important thing to have.
Usually, the people who are the most prepared in my experience, don't need the things we carry. They are often used for others.
Either way, If carrying a flat repair kit and being prepared for lots of small breakdowns means we wont have to use them, I don't mind carrying them at all! :)
 
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