One of the most
common problems
you’ll
encounter on the trail is a
flat. Tires are one of the
most vulnerable parts of
your ATV because they’re
always in contact with the
ground, and take all the
abuse.
The low air pressure tires
are what really make an
ATV all terrain. They’re
great at folding over
obstacles to really grab
hold of the ground, keeping
you moving forward.
As much as the soft tire is
a benefit, it can also be
the “Achilles’ heel” of
the vehicle.
A tire like this can actually take a puncture from something as simple as a stick or thorn, but what’s most damaging to the carcass is a pinch-flat.
A pinch-flat happens when the tire’s sidewall gets folded over between a rock and the wheel’s bead. Careful attention to tire placement, and a little more air pressure can help avoid the dreaded pinch-flat, but let’s face it, at some point it’s going to happen, and you’ll need to deal with the problem when it does.
A small, simple hole will actually seal up pretty good with a single plug, but the resulting slash of the pinch-flat, has pretty much ruined the tire. The floppy sidewall of the ATV tire doesn’t usually hold tire plugs very well when multiple plugs are needed. It comes down to choosing between walking home, or at least trying to fix the problem. So what do you have to loose?
If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is start filling the hole with as many plugs as you can cram in. You’ll have to stack the plugs side by side in the slash, being careful not to push the ones you already have in the hole, inside the tire. You’ll know you have enough in the hole when you can’t get any more in.
Once you start to fill the tire with air again, the pressure will help hold these plugs in place, letting you push one or two more plugs in as needed. This may look ugly, but remember, you could be walking. You may be tempted to try and ride a flat out of the bush, but I don’t suggest doing so. The tire’s already a write-off and any further riding will only ruin the wheel, costing you even more money.
This type of fix may not hold air for long, so check on it often as you ride out. At the end of the day, you’ll still windup having to buy a new tire, but at least you might be able to finish your day’s ride.
So before your next ride, check to make sure you have a small 12 volt air compressor, a mitt-full of plugs, and the installation tools to fix your next flat, because it’s just a matter of time! Take care, and have fun this summer.
A tire like this can actually take a puncture from something as simple as a stick or thorn, but what’s most damaging to the carcass is a pinch-flat.
A pinch-flat happens when the tire’s sidewall gets folded over between a rock and the wheel’s bead. Careful attention to tire placement, and a little more air pressure can help avoid the dreaded pinch-flat, but let’s face it, at some point it’s going to happen, and you’ll need to deal with the problem when it does.
A small, simple hole will actually seal up pretty good with a single plug, but the resulting slash of the pinch-flat, has pretty much ruined the tire. The floppy sidewall of the ATV tire doesn’t usually hold tire plugs very well when multiple plugs are needed. It comes down to choosing between walking home, or at least trying to fix the problem. So what do you have to loose?
If you find yourself in this situation, the best thing to do is start filling the hole with as many plugs as you can cram in. You’ll have to stack the plugs side by side in the slash, being careful not to push the ones you already have in the hole, inside the tire. You’ll know you have enough in the hole when you can’t get any more in.
Once you start to fill the tire with air again, the pressure will help hold these plugs in place, letting you push one or two more plugs in as needed. This may look ugly, but remember, you could be walking. You may be tempted to try and ride a flat out of the bush, but I don’t suggest doing so. The tire’s already a write-off and any further riding will only ruin the wheel, costing you even more money.
This type of fix may not hold air for long, so check on it often as you ride out. At the end of the day, you’ll still windup having to buy a new tire, but at least you might be able to finish your day’s ride.
So before your next ride, check to make sure you have a small 12 volt air compressor, a mitt-full of plugs, and the installation tools to fix your next flat, because it’s just a matter of time! Take care, and have fun this summer.
