I thought some of your might find it interesting concerning what happens when you DO have a flat on a motorcycle? My 'bike', I use the term loosely because it's actually the worlds largest 'Mega Scooter', 650cc with a 5 speed manual or automatic mode CVT trans and looks like a moped on steriods.
The 15" tires are low profile, WIDE and strong as all get out! I SUSPECT similiar to many modern day tires on 'sport bikes'?
I hit a DEEP pot hole entering the freeway at about 50+ mph, front and back wheel. Front wheel slight damage to the rim, tire OK. Rear rim cracked, air pressure lost, tire had a bad bruise as well (400+ dollars for the rear wheel). I pulled over to inspect for damage, didn't see anything initially, no flats etc. I needed to get OFF the darn freeway before I got run over, so quickly hopped back on and took off for the next exit. Handling just didn't 'feel right', not terrible, but 'not right', gotta be something wrong. Pulled over and again inspected more carefully. Saw the cracked rim, tire was FLAT, but it didn't LOOK flat unless you looked close and kicked it! It didn't FEEL like the flats I've had on other bikes. I rode that FLAT TIRE for about 4 miles at 20 to 25 mph to the next exit. I was amazed at how well the bike handled. I had the bike towed home and dismounted the tire. I was SURE it would be 'all tore up' inside, it WASN'T. Only visible damage was the bruise from hitting the pot hole! Later, I actually mounted that SAME TIRE on the new rim and rode the bike to see how it felt, in fact I put about a 100 miles on it! I couldn't believe it wasn't damaged in some way, but it rode and felt fine, no vibration, no problem. I then discarded the tire and mounted the new one.
Conclusion:
The design of the Suzuki Burgman tire makes it a virtual 'run flat' type of tire. Low profile, wide, strong side walls. The design keeps the tire from moving side to side on the rim as is TYPICAL with a standard motorcycle tire. Standard motorcycles are virtually impossible to ride with a flat. The tire will shift from one side of the rim to the other and even low speed makes it extremly difficult to maintain balance on the bike or drive in a straight line. In an emergency I would not hesitate to ride a Burgman for many miles on a flat tire! Indeed, it may take you a mile or two to figure out it IS flat!
I had a rear flat on a Yamaha 350cc twin two cycle around 1980 or so on a freeway. I was going about 75 to 80 mph when it all 'hit the fan'. I steadily slowed keeping control of the bike. 60mph, OK, 50 mph, OK, even 40. Somewhere around 25 to 30 it was HELL trying to keep the bike up and pointed straight! The tire was shifting from one side of the rim to the other, throwing the bike all over the road! Having survived from 80 mph I thought for sure I'm gonna dump it at 20 mph!
Got her stopped OK though...
Motorcycle RUN FLAT tires?
Linear Mode
