Skip to content
Motorbeast Logo
  • Home
  • Autos
  • Audio
  • Bikes
  • Batteries
  • Detailing
  • Oils
  • Parts
  • Questions
  • Roof Boxes
  • Scanners

Can You Patch a Motorcycle Tire?

Home / Bikes / Can You Patch a Motorcycle Tire?
Can-you-patch-a-motorcycle-tire

Is it possible to patch a motorcycle tire?

Patching motorcycle tires is a practice that happens more often than tire replacement does. It is a quick fix that most riders will use in cases of emergencies.

Table of Contents
  • Is it possible to patch a motorcycle tire?
    • Patching up a motorcycle tire
  • When shouldn't you patch up your motorcycle Tire?
  • Is it safe to ride on a patched motorcycle tire?
  • Cost of patching vs. replacing a motorcycle tire

Not just with motorcycles but with cars and bicycles too. The big question, however, is on whether it is a proper practice or whether should riders avoid it.

20/05/2025 3:37 am
  • AUTOWN Flat Tire Repair Kit with Plugs 31 Pcs for
    AUTOWN Flat Tire Repair Kit with Plugs 31 Pcs for Car, Motorcycle, ATV, Jeep, Truck, Tractor Flat Tire Puncture Repair
    • Professional Quality: The AUTOWN tire repair kits are made of refined high-quality steel and upgraded to comply with exacting standards of audit. This ensures that the kit is of professional quality and can repair even the toughest tires on the
    $ 16.99 -15%
  • AUTOWN Tire Repair Kit - 68pcs Heavy Duty Tire Plug
    AUTOWN Tire Repair Kit - 68pcs Heavy Duty Tire Plug Kit, Universal Tire Repair Tools to Fix Punctures and Plug Flats Patch Kit for car Motorcycle, Truck, ARB,ATV, Tractor, RV, SUV, Trailer
    • [PROFESSIONAL QUALITY ] - AUTOWN Tire Repair Kits are made of refined high-quality steel, AUTOWN upgraded tire patch kits comply with exacting standards of audit, can repair the toughest tires on the market.
    • [DURABLE & SAFE ] - The tire
    $ 19.99 -29%

Motorcycle tire bursts are inevitable. They are part and parcel of the riding experience, and it is almost certain that every rider will experience one when they least expect it. It is perfectly alright to patch the inner tube as a temporary measure as you to replace it at the first opportunity.

Your tire burst may happen while you are off-road and you will need time to get back on- road and find a dealer to replace the tube. Your only option will be to patch it up to get there.

Patching up a motorcycle tire

Patching up your tire is a pretty easy process that you can do on your own quickly. Most repair shops will not patch up your tubes as they do not want to bear any liability in case of an accident.

Whether riding as a hobby or racing commercially, you must have with you a puncture repair kit every time you ride. Racing with a repaired tube is not recommended at all and it is wiser to carry a replacement tube in your trail bag. Installation takes less time and costs even less than patching it up.

Once you realize that you have a leak, you have to dismount it so that you may locate the specific spot where it is deflating from. The leak may be due to perforation by a foreign object so you will begin by taking this out.

Buff out the area around the leak and clear it off any dirt or debris. Once it is clear, apply rubber cement, let it dry out then push the quill through the hole. Press on the patch and ensure that is airtight. Inflate your tire and test for leaks.

You may use soapy water on the area to test if the patched area is airtight. Ride out and recheck every few meters to ensure the patch is well held together.

When shouldn’t you patch up your motorcycle Tire?

Motorcycle dealers do not advise riders to patch their motorcycle tires and more so when they are damaged over and beyond the set thresholds.

Once a puncture has been identified, the wheel must be assessed to identify the damage is extant.

  • Punctures larger than 7mm or ¼ inch should not be repaired. These could cut or gash from sharp foreign objects. Once the tires’ steel belts have been cut through, the reliability of the tire is highly compromised, and it is best to replace the tire once it is damaged this way.
  • If the damage is recurring to a particular spot previously repaired or could compromise a previously repaired area. Instead of repeatedly overlapping repairs on the same spot, replace the tire or tube immediately.
  • If the damage to the tire extends to the sidewall or shoulder, then forget about patching it up.
  • The sidewall repair is dangerous because it flexes too much and will rip apart the patch quickly. There is no support for the patched area here.

If you must patch up the tire, ensure it is done well. Use a proper vulcanizing material filling with a solid rubber stem. A patch must then be fixed on to the inner liner as the final step of repairs.

Is it safe to ride on a patched motorcycle tire?

When it comes to safety and patching and plugging of motorcycles, the first rule should be, do not! As mentioned, no dealerships across the state will plug or patch motorcycle tires. Patching tires means increased risk whose liability no one is ready to bear.

No matter how well you feel you have patched your tire, you must take precautions when riding out on it. Most dirt and superbikes use the tubeless tire system. Plugging tubeless tires is a more secure solution. If done well, it is a permanent solution and will keep the tire going until its original expected lifespan or live out the rest of its remaining mileage.

For a regular motorcycle, with the tubed system, patching the tire could be a relatively easy affair or a messy risky affair with dangerous repercussions. Ensure you know well what you are doing when doing the patching work. Follow all precautions, do not ride at high speeds, extreme off-road terrains and replace the tire at the first opportunity.

Cost of patching vs. replacing a motorcycle tire

Patching a motorcycle will not cost you much more than $20 if you need someone to do it for you. Remember most dealerships will not repair tires, but your mechanic could do it for you at a minimum.

If you have perfected the art of doing your repairs, then there is no cost attached, just a few items out of your puncture repair kit.

A new tire costs anything between $200 and $250. If your tires have served you well and lived up to their expected lifetime and mileage, this is a reasonable cost. Peace of mind is an important ingredient in a rider’s journey and patched tires will have you constantly worrying about sudden blow-outs and botched repair works.

Plugging a tire cost more or less the same as patching the tubes. It will be worth it if done as a permanent repair job. Get a well-qualified and verified mechanic or dealer who is trained to do it professionally.

To patch or not to patch.

The jury is still out on this one in the riders’ community and even among motorcycle purists. There is a huge division where one side is perfectly okay with patching and plugging and the other is vehemently against repairs of damaged tubes and tires.

A breakaway group advises on repairing just the rear tires and not the front ones, citing less control over the front tire in case of an emergency. There is a high risk of been thrown off in case of an incident affecting the front tire.

In deciding whether or not to patch your motorcycle tire, you must remember;

  • Not all damages are reparable and you must familiarise yourself with the limits before trying to do any patching.
  • There are risks associated with riding around in patched tires and you need to know them well enough.
  • Patching is not and should not be considered a permanent fix. It should only be used as a temporary and stopgap measure.

Protective measures for your wheels are important to take as you ride out. Know your territory well enough to know what to expect. Areas that have been under constant constructions are risky to ride out on and you should avoid them. Have your wheels well checked during service to check for slow leaks and replace your tubes once they hit their set mileage.

Remember, your bike carries your life every time you get on it, make wise decisions as far as patching and taking care of your tires goes.

20/05/2025 3:37 am
  • Tire Repair Kit, 24 Pcs Professional Heavy Duty Universal Emergency
    Tire Repair Kit, 24 Pcs Professional Heavy Duty Universal Emergency Flat Tire Repair Kit to Fix Punctures, for car Motorcycle, Truck, Golf Cart, ATV, Tractor, ARB, RV, SUV, Trailer etc.
    • SIMPLE BUT COMPLETE--- Includes 1pc T-handle insert tool & 1pc T-handle spiral probe tool; 1pc 4-way valve stem tool; 2pcs Plastic Valve Caps; 15pcs self-vulcanization repair plugs; 1pc jar of lubricant; 1pc Instructions for use steps; 1pc “L” hex key;
    $ 13.99 -33%
  • ZERINT TP-M13W Combination Repair Unit Kit, Tire Repair Patch Plug
    ZERINT TP-M13W Combination Repair Unit Kit, Tire Repair Patch Plug Kit 1/6" x 1 3/8", 1/4" x 1 3/4" and 3/8" x 2 3/8" Wrapped stem 8 pcs Each
    • Wrapped stem 1/6", patch 1 3/8" ( 35 x 4 mm) 8 pcs, Wrapped stem 1/4", patch 1 3/4" (45 x 6mm) 8 pcs and Wrapped stem 3/8" , patch 2 3/8" (60 x 9mm) 8pcs
    • For use in radial
    $ 13.99
Post Tags: #Motorbike Tires
Steve Riley

Steven Reilly is a qualified mechanic and his passion for cars goes beyond just the technical aspects. He is also an amateur racer and all round car enthusiast. When he is not driving them, he can often be found in his garage under the hood of a rare model. Steven Reilly has lost track of the number of hours he has spent setting up his fine collection of rebuilt models. He believes that cars can provide a constructive and fun opportunity to teach the youth important life skills. In line with this, he is developing a community outreach program, potentially dubbed ‘Cars for change'.

Post navigation

Previous Previous
How close to a sidewall can a car tire be patched?
NextContinue
Can I use slime on a motorcycle inner tube flat?
Oil On Sparkplugs
Oils

Symptoms, Treatments, And Cures For Oil on Spark Plugs

Symptoms, treatments, and cures for oil on spark plugs Spark plugs and oil play important roles in a car’s engine’s...
Read More Symptoms, Treatments, And Cures For Oil on Spark Plugs
14/03/2020
Categories Oils
TagsOil, Oil Leaks
MASSIVE difference between summer and winter tires
Questions

What Is The Difference Between Summer And Winter Tires

You should really know the difference between summer and winter tires in bad conditions. It really is like night and...
Read More What Is The Difference Between Summer And Winter Tires
19/01/2023
Categories Questions
TagsTires
Unleash the Night: Discover the Exclusive Jeep Wrangler Nighthawk Edition!
Autos

Unleash the Night: Discover the Exclusive Jeep Wrangler Nighthawk Edition!

The Sleek Design of the Jeep Wrangler Nighthawk With its bold and rugged appearance, the Jeep Wrangler Nighthawk exudes a...
Read More Unleash the Night: Discover the Exclusive Jeep Wrangler Nighthawk Edition!
28/01/2024
Categories Autos
TagsJeeps
Aprilla-vs-Ducati
Bikes

Aprilia vs Ducati: Which is The Fastest Superbike

Aprilia vs Ducati If you are looking for something superfast to take to the racing track, then your best option...
Read More Aprilia vs Ducati: Which is The Fastest Superbike
19/09/2021
Categories Bikes
foxwell-nt644-pro-vs-nt-650-which-is-the-better-scanner-for-deep-electronic-system-coverage-for-your-vehicle
Scanners

Best scanner for deep electronic system coverage: Foxwell NT644 Pro vs NT 650

Best scanner for deep electronic system coverage If you are considering a friendly priced on board diagnostics tool for your...
Read More Best scanner for deep electronic system coverage: Foxwell NT644 Pro vs NT 650
18/07/2022
Categories Scanners
TagsFoxwell, OBD Scanners
Motorcycle battery issues
Batteries

Motorcycle Battery Dead After 2 Weeks – Causes and Fixes

5 Things That May Cause Your Battery To Die Quickly  It hasn’t been long since you last rode your motorcycle....
Read More Motorcycle Battery Dead After 2 Weeks – Causes and Fixes
05/05/2020
Categories Batteries
TagsBatteries, Deep Cycle Batteries

Affiliate Disclosure

We are an affiliate. We hope you like our recommendations! Just so you know, we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this website. Thank you for using our links, it helps to grow our website.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Statement

© 2025 MotorBeast Motorbeast.Org

Manage your privacy

To provide the best experiences, we and our partners use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us and our partners to process personal data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.

Click below to consent to the above or make granular choices. Your choices will be applied to this site only. You can change your settings at any time, including withdrawing your consent, by using the toggles on the Cookie Policy, or by clicking on the manage consent button at the bottom of the screen.

Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Statistics

Marketing

Features
Always active

Always active
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
Manage your privacy
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
Scroll to top
  • Home
  • Autos
  • Audio
  • Bikes
  • Batteries
  • Detailing
  • Oils
  • Parts
  • Questions
  • Roof Boxes
  • Scanners
Search