Tires: Is anyone using run flats??

[JaysGone]

Happy T-Day all.

The question for today is about tires.
My trike came with Goodrich T/A 225-60-16s.
I have 20K miles on them and they are in good shape.
Hoping to get at least another year out of them.
But
Ive been wondering about run flats and would like to know if any of you have or are using them.
As I commute with my trike.
A flat tire has always been in the back of my mind.
So much so. Im also looking into the tire charging canisters new cars are being shipped with rather then a spare tire.

Hope you all had a good family day and Im looking forward to some opinions here please.

 

[Trikerbobbilly]

I don't use run flats but what I do carry is a small 12V compressor, a plug kit, and a can of fix a flat, over the years these items will usually get me going down the road providing its not a complete blow out, in that case I use my roadside service insurance.

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

I haven't tried it yet but alot of people seen real happy with "Ride-On" tire sealant.
It seals punctures and ballances tires.
http://www.ride-on.com/

 

[JaysGone]

I haven't tried it yet but alot of people seen real happy with "Ride-On" tire sealant.
It seals punctures and ballances tires.
http://www.ride-on.com/

Normally I have Ride-On in every tire I own.
But as I bought this bike used I haven't a clue what is in these tires.
As no weights are on the rear tires its beads or Ride-On Im guessing.
In my older age. I don't have the strength needed to use a plug kit on a highway.
I also have no faith in the Slime Away repair kit.

I have since joined the AMA and also hope I never need their services.

So run flats seem to be the best possible answer to what may or may not be a potential problem down the road.
Just looking for some practical experience with them on a trike guys.
Not really looking into other alternatives at the moment.

 

[DWATC]

Well I must be totally different from the rest of the world. I just ride my trike. In the 40 plus years that I actually worked (retired now) I think I had one flat on the way to work. Kind of like worrying about what to do when an airplane falls out of the sky on you. Might happen might not and no I never was a boy scout.

 

[Rowdy]

I know nothing about run flat tires so this is a wag. I would think they would be much stiffer than regular tires and have a harsh ride on a trike.

 

[Thomas L]

My wife has them on her Cooper. I can tell you
1. they create for a very hard, and stiff ride. (thats why you can continue to ride on them with, even tho the air is gone.) 2. No flex in the sidewall. Hence you would NOT want to put them on the front. (Worse than putting on a Radial.) 3. They are of a very low profile, (part of being able to ride -flat with them). Most trikes could not sit much lower as is. (hard enough to change the oil now).
So in answer to your question. I would not do it.

 

[JaysGone]

Twas just a random thought.
Thanks for the replies.
I guess Ill keep the kit in the trunk just in case anyway.
All the flats Ive ever had with 2 wheels just were at the most inopportune times.
The though of getting one on the trike would be a real PIA to deal with no matter where or if.

 

[mhgoldwing]

the odds of a rear flat on a trike are remote. since most rear flats are caused by the vehicle's front wheel throwing up a nail/screw/etc. trikes are less prone to flats as we have no front wheel directly in front of a rear tire. Not to say it can't happen but if you don't follow to close at speeds above 30 mph then chances are you may never have a flat.

Considering you can't plug a tire by yourself, your best bet is a good road side assistance program.

 

[Konrad]

I haven't tried it yet but alot of people seen real happy with "Ride-On" tire sealant.
It seals punctures and ballances tires.
http://www.ride-on.com/

I'm with JaysGone and M-Mike - I use Ride-On in all three tires and have been cross-country twice without problems. But being in my 85th year I don't relish the idea of a flat in the middle of the desert so I also have the roadside insurance/rescue provided by GWRRA which is an excellent service and is also available to the deaf via text messaging. I have only used it once but it was a life-saver! (Hit something that sliced my front tire on an X-way.)

 

[JaysGone]

the odds of a rear flat on a trike are remote. since most rear flats are caused by the vehicle's front wheel throwing up a nail/screw/etc. trikes are less prone to flats as we have no front wheel directly in front of a rear tire. Not to say it can't happen but if you don't follow to close at speeds above 30 mph then chances are you may never have a flat.

Considering you can't plug a tire by yourself, your best bet is a good road side assistance program.

I just joined the AMA once my warranties were up on the trike. For the roadside.
Since I have to some times park my trike in the rear of the shop.
Nails are an everyday occurrence back there.
We share the same area as a Home Depot shipping dock.
Tons of nails from pallets.
Ive had a flat or 3 in my car tires and both bikes more then once.
Our shop trucks have so many nails in them we don't pull and plug if it isn't flat.
Just drive them.

Unfortunately on the road itself due to too many surgeries and diabeties. I no longer have the upper body strength to even push in the plug tool loaded with a strip.
Those days are over.
That's also why Im riding a trike rather then a bike.
Just easier for me.

 

[Motorcycle Mike]

Sounds like Ride-on would be perfest for you.

 

[JaysGone]

Sounds like Ride-on would be perfest for you.

As I bought the bike used.
I have no idea what it is balanced with.
There are no wheel weights on the front or rear tires as is.
The run flats were just an idea not something I think Id do because of the harsh ride that would come with them.
I do use both beads and Ride -On in most of my tires.
Ride-On in rears and beads in fronts.
But this trike I have no clue what is in them.

 

[Texan]

Like a few others I've run Ride-On in my bikes forever and never had an issue. Use to use Slime 'til I forgot to tell my tire guy one time when he was mounting a new tire on my Ultra.......OMG!! That stuff is messy. Heard he had bounty out on me.... LoL!!!

8~\o