I've developed a slice in the rear tire (Maxxis Bighorn) of my quad. It is about 1.5" long and right on the outside of edge of the tread, right before it goes into the sidewall. Obviously this is too much to ask of a tire plug. I'm not sure if an internal patch would be able to hold...and a tube would surely find its way through a hole this size. Should I thank the tire for its service and just buy another, or is there a decently reliable way to repair this?
I think if you stopped the leak you still wouldn't feel confident in it's integrity. Always checking it and thinking about it would drive me nuts.
I have a similar gash in the tire of my Kubota UTV. The patch held for about 2 years. About 2 years ago a tube had to be added, with the patch still in place. I would say it depends on your usage of the machine. If it is on your property where a failure won't leave you or the machine stranded, be cheap. If you are going to count on it away from other machines and tools, spend money.
If you need reliability, replace it. It'll only go flat when you need it. ... LOL Tip...the bead on atv tires are hard to break, take it to a tire shop.
I think I'm going to try to do an internal patch plus a tube. These tires are stiff enough you can literally drive on them when they're flat...especially the rears...I've done it several times before. I don't want to throw a Benjamin at a new tire when a Jackson might work. If I had a long trail ride in front of me that's different....but this thing rarely gets 1/4 mile from home.
Not sure if it would work for an ATV tire but I have seen Jeep tires get stitches on the side of a trail before. Sometimes with wire or zip ties...or whatever else is available to hold the cut together. It’s actually pretty impressive, I think it’s worth looking into. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I made some steel rings about 4" deep that are 1/8" bigger diameter than my rims and break the beads on a press, or just put the end of a board on the tire right next to the rim and drive over the board with the tractor.