Questionon a new tire would it be safe to plug the hole? how would you recommend doing it?
AnswerI would only use a plug to get me to the new tire! And then I would do it - the ride to the new tire - very, very carefully.
The various cords within your tires do more than simply hold the air inside. Aside from the structural integrity of the tire, they have a great deal to do with traction, since it is the flexing of those cords that generates the heat within the tire which makes it adhere to the road surface better (cold tires are very slippery).
Breaking those cords (which installing the plug will surely do, if the cause of the flat didn't already, will effect the heat generated and the overall strength of the tire.
In a car you have four tires, You still have the risk of an accident from a flat, but compared to a motorcycle that risk is very low.
A flat tire (especially a blow-out) on a bike, most of us (including the Rossi's, Hayden's and Bayliss') are going down! Not fun at anytime, let alone with big cars and trucks dodging you at highway speeds.
You don't have much between you & the pavement with a bad or repaired tire. I'd replace it...quick.
Cheers and ride safe
