Bike reluctant to turn

[SilentBob]

My VTR250 was fine riding to work this morning.
On the way home, I noticed that it was getting really unstable and wobbly when I hit a bump. Anytime I tried to lean the bike, the bike was fighting it and trying to get upright again. It is worse turning right than left.
The tires don't look flat... If anyone with some know how is in the Canning Vale area and can come by for a quick look, please let me know. Could it be the tires need replacing? They seem to have plenty of tread left but I'm not sure.
All else failing I'll try and ride it into KTEC tomorrow.

[Dark Shadow]

the tyres don't necessarily have to "look" flat to be flat, get down to 20 and you'll struggle to tip in

[V4moose]

just a heads up mate if you were planning to 'drop in' on kamahl - I was there today and he was talking about how he'll be on the road most of the day tomorrow. your best bet would be to go there after 2:30 - 3 o'clock

[D.J]

measure the tyre pressure first up.

[SilentBob]

Flat as a 4 year old. Nice 1 inch nail in the rear tire.
I do have a tire pump at home but no tire puncture kit.
Tires for bikes is a good 15km away. I suppose I could drive to work and sneak out early and pick up a puncture kit from Tires for Bikes. Then get the tire replaced on Saturday.

[darkfibre]

If you have the tools and ability, take the wheel off and take it in to tyres for bikes. Tis cheaper too.

[SilentBob]

I have neither.
I'm very new to this whole handy tool bike thing.

[Dark Shadow]

Flat as a 4 year old. Nice 1 inch nail in the rear tire.
...... I suppose I could drive to work and sneak out early and pick up a puncture kit from Tires for Bikes. Then get the tire replaced on Saturday.

^^^ do this
I picked up a nail on my rear, right in the middle of the tyre track (which is the best place to get one) plugged it with my repair kit and got another 8000k out of it

p.s. if/when you get a repair kit, make sure you get one with the little air bottle, it will pump it up enough to get you to a servo after plugging your tyre on the side of the road

[SilentBob]

I got mine right near the middle of the tire. Where the rubber meets the road. I'm assuming I can pick up a kit from Tires for Bikes? Annoying as hell that I have to drive into work.

[agrid]

I've had a couple, someone told me its the front wheel flicking them up before the rear wheel runs over them.

[filbert]

if your tyre has plenty of tread take it in to the shop and get a patch fitted on the inside, plugs are good but the professional patch for $30 or so will outlast your tyre.

for a rear tyre and commuting on a 250 i wouldn't bother replacing it.

[Stoneville]

So how did you go?? I think you would have been better off asking a really nice person to come take the back wheel off for you so you could take the back wheel with you and have it done properly. If you stuff around with it yourself you might be up for a new tyre rather than just the cost of a plug repair

[SilentBob]

Bought a plug kit today. Plugged it when I got home. Waiting for it to dry then I'm gonna try pump it up.
I was quoted $70 to get it patched. And $170 for a new tyre fitted. I'm rather tempted to just get the new tyre since I'll be commuting every day til September on it.

[Desmo]

^^^ do this
I picked up a nail on my rear, right in the middle of the tyre track (which is the best place to get one) plugged it with my repair kit and got another 8000k out of it

p.s. if/when you get a repair kit, make sure you get one with the little air bottle, it will pump it up enough to get you to a servo after plugging your tyre on the side of the road

Do NOT use a tyre repair kit to "permanently" fix a tyre. They are a stopgap solution designed just to get you home.
You need a proper mushroom plug fitted by a reputable tyre shop. Nothing less will suffice.

[SilentBob]

Well, took the bike down to Tyres for Bikes this morning..
The nail went in at an angle that made it unsafe to use the mushroom plug according to the staff. Got a new tyre fitted in 30 mins for $165.