How to repair a punctured motorcycle tyre

Frustration can often lead to inventiveness which is exactly what happened in relation to dealing with motorcycle punctures. For years, motorcyclists who had the misfortune to puncture a tyre were left with very few options for repairing them.

Repairing motorcycle tyres

Prior to the development of products specifically designed to deal with punctured motorcycle tyres riders who needed to repair a puncture were often handed kits for repairing pushbike tyres or automotive patches. These options just weren't suitable for the job which led to the development of kits specifically designed for motorcycle tyres. The following are the most common motorcycle repair kits:

• Tube tyre repair kits
• Tubeless tyre repair kits
• Internal plug repair kits

There is also a multi-purpose tyre product called True Blue Goo, an Australian owned product that was created in Gunnedah 28 years ago to lessen the immediate impact of a punctured tyre. It does not prevent punctures from occurring but is designed to provide a safe solution until the puncture can be repaired.

The most secure repair though is the internal plug. All the others are sufficient to get you to your next destination but once there, you will need to do a more permanent repair with an internal plug repair kit. Note that the maximum hole size for this type of repair is 5mm.

Motorcycle puncture repair kits

Motorcycle puncture repair kits are designed to be tough, lightweight and very compact for ease of portability on your motorbike. The kits come with everything you'll need to do a fast, easy repair to get you back on the road again. They consist of a bead breaker, leavers and a comprehensive puncture repair kit.

Another option is the Cargol Turn and Go kit. The cargols screw into the tyre very easily and takes less than 30 seconds to install the plug. There is no glue required and the Cargol Turn and Go is so compact it will fit snugly under your seat.

Motorcycle puncture: Final preparation

It's a good idea to be prepared for any emergency when travelling by motorcycle so it's a smart idea to carry a good puncture repair kit with you when riding. For some good information on repairing a puncture, you should visit Motorcycle Council of NSW . This site gives step-by-step instructions, with pictures, on how to repair a puncture. It also has a print version of the page which would be very handy to carry with your kit.