SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Fix-a-Flat?
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1345478471

Message started by Blinky on 08/20/12 at 09:01:11

Title: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Blinky on 08/20/12 at 09:01:11

I am gathering some spares for an upcoming road trip. I have seen mixed reviews on Fix-a-Flat on the forum. Their web site specifically states the product is not intended for use on tube type tires. Has anyone ever used it? Any other suggestions? I am just looking for a way to limp into the next town as I can't see me trying to do a proper tube repair or replacement on the side of a road.

Thanks

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by youzguyz on 08/20/12 at 09:08:44

Any hole that makes you tire go flat "quickly" will not be fixable with fix-a-flat. It will just blow out through the hole in the tube, and might even make the tube hole bigger.

I have heard mixed things about this stuff, and can't recall ever hearing about true success on a tube puncture... but I haven't looked hard either.

http://www.ride-on.com/motorcycle-formula-mot.html

If you use that stuff, it might seal up enough to get you to the next town.
A 12volt compressor might be a good idea too.

And, a good Auto Club card is priceless!!

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Blinky on 08/20/12 at 09:14:06

youzguys,
I never thought about AAA. Never have been a member. You use them? I will give them a call and see what they offer for motorcycles.

thanks

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by youzguyz on 08/20/12 at 09:35:54

I have the auto club through my insurance (All State). Sometimes it's a deal, sometimes it's better to call some one else.
The most fun with All State was getting through to the agent that you have a motorcycle and do NOT have a spare tire. I think it was some guy reading from a script. I think his name was Peggy. :P
Then you need to make sure they send a flat bed, not a tow truck.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by tizzyfit on 08/20/12 at 09:36:32

393E2831315D0 wrote:

youzguys,
I never thought about AAA. Never have been a member. You use them? I will give them a call and see what they offer for motorcycles.

thanks

You may want to check with your auto/motorcycle insurance company. It could be, you already have coverage for roadside "issues" included on your policy.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by rfw2003 on 08/20/12 at 09:36:34

My insurance company has a Road Side service that I added on to mine. Was only like $10 for the year. So you might check with your insurance company to see if they offer it as well.

R.F.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Charon on 08/20/12 at 09:43:53

You will also want to make sure the towing part includes towing to a "qualified repair facility" instead of just the nearest town. Lots of those policies are only good for maybe 25 miles. Especially in rural areas it might be a long way to a motorcycle repair shop.

Some time back I got a membership solicitation from the American Motorcycle Association (AMA). It offered a basic membership rate, and added a Free Roadside Assistance and Towing if I paid electronically and authorized automatic annual renewal. The literature didn't mention a maximum tow distance, and it took considerable poking around their website to find the 25-mile maximum.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Serowbot on 08/20/12 at 10:47:38

Fix-a Flat is total crap for tube tires... Slime is no good either..
Other than a pinhole, slow leak... tubes tend to blow out, and tear...

PS,.. if you ever have any in your tire,.. warn the bike shop at tire time...
They will hate you,.. that stuff is a godawful mess for them...
... but they will appreciate the warning....

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by ToesNose on 08/20/12 at 12:39:00

Yea forget the fix-a-flat. Get yourself roadside assistance, on a decent roadtrip there are so many things that could go wrong it's well worth the piece of mind.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/20/12 at 13:09:55

I know AAA Plus will cover motorcycles. There are also AMA memberships that offer roadside assistance services which include your autos too.

If you will have the tools and don't want to use a roadside assistance service, you might just consider taking one spare tube for each tire instead of patches or Fix-A-Flat..

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by WD on 08/20/12 at 14:31:41

Fix-a-flat? In a Savage tire? Does riding from Mobile Alabama to Long Beach Mississippi (60 miles) count? Ran over a broken beer bottle, added 2 cans of gunk and rode it home. That's what the guys from the B.A.M. brought (breakdown assistance for motorcyclists, used to be called Bikers Against Manslaughter) when I called the number on the membership card (free membership).

Two days later rode it from Long Beach to Biloxi, had a new tube put in. Tire carcass got a real liner type patch. Can't remember the distance, but if you check your atlas, the bike shop was just south of Pass Road outside the west gate of Keesler AFB.

Probably close to 75 miles on fix-a-flat. Part of it 2-up, Lisa's 450 Rebel developed terminal carb/fuel system issues on the same ride. left it at a riding friend's house partway home.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by clearush on 08/20/12 at 15:57:26

I just purchased the Progressive insurance trip interruption add on
Per Progressive -

Quote:

This coverage pays for your transportation, food, and lodging if you get stranded on a road trip—and it costs as little as $5 a year with Roadside Assistance.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by martinfilms34 on 08/20/12 at 16:58:37

We used it at the motorcycle school I work at for our golf cart. Wouldn't trust it on a tubed tire though.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by ToesNose on 08/20/12 at 17:04:37

Wow good deal clearush!

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Digger on 08/20/12 at 19:38:16

182A3D2A2C2E141924294B0 wrote:

...you might just consider taking one spare tube for each tire instead of patches or Fix-A-Flat..

And, if you DO use the Fix-A-Flat, forget being able to successfully patch the tube if you end up getting a flat....the goop will not let the patch seal - EVER!

DAMIIK! (Long, sordid tale....)

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 08/20/12 at 20:42:38

1407430 wrote:

IIRC thats gate 7,,I lived about 8 blocks down the road for 9 months in 73 & into 74..Google Earth shows a Whole new world out there. I think the trailer park is gone,,

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Boofer on 08/20/12 at 21:24:03

I have some stuff in a narrow yellow can that can be used in tubes, but best for tubeless. It's outside and I'm inside so I'll try to remember to get the name when I think of it. It is about $10. I cannot recommend it, but If it can get me 20 miles or so into a safer, more comfortable place I'll try it. With my health I can't push my bike very far and with most flats a little extra air can even get you closer to help, so that's my plan. Last flat I had I was at home, aired it up without any additives and rode very slowly to shop. With arthritis in my hands changing tires myself is not something I want to do, either. :)

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Routy on 08/20/12 at 23:45:30

I know for a fact that slime works good in tubless and tube tires alike, but only for puncture vine and small nail type punctures.
I could go into details of the proof, but who cares !

I also agree that once you put slime in a tire or tube, you'll never patch that tire or tube ! It makes a tire/tube dispoesable.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/21/12 at 09:32:26

Here's a link for thye AMA Roadside Assistance Program (http://www.americanmotorcyclist.com/membership/amaroadsideassistance).

I'm pretty sure AAA varies by state but here are some comparisons for Texas (http://www.texas.aaa.com/en-tx/become-member/Pages/benefit-comparison.aspx). If you just go to www.aaa.com, you can give them your zipcode and get the right info for your area.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by bill67 on 08/21/12 at 10:22:07

3C3329322E283B39313F285A0 wrote:

+1 I know it works too.

Title: Re: Fix-a-Flat?
Post by Blinky on 08/21/12 at 13:30:24

Thanks to all for your input and sage advice. I only had liability on the bike through GEICO and had to add comp and collision in order to buy roadside assistance and towing. All three only added another $76 a year to the premium. The towing provisions are 24/7 and a maximum 75 miles to the closest "certified repair facility for your vehicle." I'm comfortable with that.

With this coverage, I will pass on the Fix-a-Flat.

Thanks again