Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Riding the rim

Coming home from work Friday night I was slowing down to 55 when I felt the bike starting to feel sluggish, like it was working too hard for the speed I was going. Then the rear started to creep out from under me. I pulled into the right lane, slowed to 25 or so and noticed the ride suddenly felt really mushy. I figured it was a flat, but being out on the highway and only 6 or 7 miles from home I decided to get as far as possible before I had to walk her.

Going up the exit ramp was the most nervous I've ever felt on the Speedy as she tried to sneak out from under me. I made it a couple more miles on the main road, then walked beside my ride as I idled her the few city blocks home.

New tires, put on Sat AM, and no sign of damage to the rear rim.

For next time... how bad a decision was this... or not? How long a distance would be OK to ride on a flat tire that isn't coming apart?

I think the ultimate thing is to get the bike home, if thats practical. You did good, slow ride and careful. I'd ride that thing however long it took as long as you don't seem to be physically damaging the rim. Even if you did shuck a tire, thats better than leaving your bike on the side of the road. Just call me paranoid.

I have done it for quite a few miles as long as it isn't coming apart or off the bead and you are not in danger of getting run over you won't hurt anything but as you found out you are in danger of losing control. Never try to reuse a tire that you drove on flat. It causes the cords to seperate.

I remember my old 350 honda four having run out of petrol about 500yards from a petrol station on a slight rise so I thought I'd push it there. after 200 yards I had to sit and rest for ten minutes with my heart a pounding took about 1\2 hour to get her there and this is when I was a fit young man it also had a flat tire at the same time perhaps that had something to do with it.
Anyway reverand I gues we have similer occupations

Blessings
Nigel

Had a flat on my 84 Dodge Charger, that was one of the first cars with the low profile tires...
Had a flat.. a bus passed me and threw a rock at the tires..
found out that as long as the tires were still on the rim, then no problem, just keep going, as long as you don't do anything stupid, you pbly won't hurt the rim. I was told by several tow drivers just to make turns slowly so the tire wont' pop off. Much safer than standing by the side of the freeway.
Should be the same for bike rims. Much less weight on them.

Unless you're out on the middle of Nowhere Utah on I-15/I-70 and get a flat front tire...
then it was prudent to call for a tow truck! <BG>
Mary

These days if you have a puncture in a sidewall, they won't repair it. If it is a glass slit, they won't repair it. If you use a get-u-home sealer/inflator, they won't repair it.If it has been run flat (how do you stop the instant you get a puncture ?)they won't repair it. It's gonna mean a new Dunlop Do-nut.

So, if you ain't got recovery insurance or don't want to wait a couple of hours, then ride the tyre to destruction.

Mind you, some unkind folk reckon I look like the Michelin man and am hiding a new set under my Riding Robes !

I had it happen to my back tyre on my bandit... everything goes all mushy. I tried to push it in the heat of the day with full leathers on. Nearly killed me.

I idled it all the way home... no probs with the rim.

I NOW A MAN THAT CAN.Thats the the motto for one of our breakdown services . Havent had to use one for a long time. (that was for a van) but have seen a few bikes over the years going on the back of trailers. Over here we have manily 2 the AA and the RAC. glad you was close enough to get home under your own steam.But rember i Know a man who can . ( help that is ) ha ha

This past Friday night in DC?!!! I don't remember the weather being that nice for riding - you must be one tough son of a gun!
Glad you were OK.