So, I put on a brand new set of Michelin Pilot Road 2s on Sunday, went for a ride on Sunday and Monday then on Monday night I discovered a roofing nail in my >200km old rear tire...

I'm seriously considering just patching the tire for at least the rest of the riding season as the tire is literally brand new and I have a hard time throwing $300 out the window. So for those who have used plugs and patches, what would you recommend?

Having once ruined the bead mounting a 1 hour old Bridgestone I feel your pain. If its not close to the sidewall I would unmount it and use a pull thru patch from the inside. Most tire repair shops probably wont touch it so you'll have to do it yourself.

For a nail puncture, I'd just plug it. I've used plugs many times and never had a properly installed one come out or leak.

This be my go-to kit I use. I carry it in my vehicle with a cig lighter type air pump. 100-plus runs on the bike, hard turns with the vehicle loading that tire plug. I'm sold. About 3 minutes worth of work prepping and plugging; it takes more time to fill the tire back up.

Thanks for the feedback guys, one of the shops in town actually patches tires so I'm going to drop it off for them to install an inside patch.

From what I've read this morning the plugs that Hub is showing are very common and are great to use if you run a flat out in the middle of nowhere.

I've also seen the mushroom style and the screw in/snap off type, I would expect the mushroom style plugs to be very good as well but I've never personally met anyone who has used them.

I think it all comes down to how fast you ride.

If you are cruising or running at medium speeds, maybe the professionally installed plug will be cool.
But if you are riding on the track or on quieter deserted regional roads where you open the bike right up, bite the bullet and change the tyre.

Temporary plugs such as Hub's pic can only be relied to get you out of trouble and no more.

Ultimately you will decide but do you really want to be second guessing any aspect of whats keeping you safe at 180mph?

* Last updated by: yannih on 7/25/2017 @ 3:13 PM *

Not suggesting anyone else do it but if teh puncture is NOT on the sidewall I have no problem running "Worms" If Iuse Lots of glue and tehn a little bit more, I have had no problems..I have ran the tires for several thousand miles and more than a few trips down the drag strip.
Here are a couple of pics of the first one I ever did.. It was actually sliced by a triagular piece of metal about 3/4 of an inch long ..It was in the tire when I stopped due to handling. Got enough emergency air to make it into Hay Fork, Calif., where lucky for me , a tire dealer was open on Sunday. I was about 125 miles from home so plug it we did :)

This was several years ago on my ZRX1200

* Last updated by: chrly on 7/26/2017 @ 9:03 PM *

Plugs have always worked fine for me.If it's gonna give,it won't be all at once.You'd feel it before ya had any problem.Don't know where people got this idea that a motorcycle tire can't be plugged.I plugged one of my 14's rear tire.Held for 5K miles...the life of the tire.
I also have a kit tucked under the seat.Has a small CO2 tank with it.Just in case.I wouldn't hesitate to use it.It's like 40 lbs of pressure in that tire...same basically as a cage.Plugged several car tires over time.Never had one fail.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 7/26/2017 @ 10:58 PM *

yannih, I completely agree and so does the shop, according to the shop (and some other articles that I was reading) patching the tire reduces the speed rating to 80mph (sustained speed), since most of my riding is commuting for work, some cruising through the mountains and I'm not planning on any racing this should last me at least the season.

Wow chrly, I've seen a bunch of those "rope" style plugs glad to hear they held up for you!

Grn14, that's what I was figuring as well, if the patch isn't going to hold the tire isn't going to blow up but it'll leak air. I figure checking the tire pressure often (aren't we supposed to do that EVERY time we ride anyways..?) should let me know if there's an issue and if there is, replace the tire. Good idea to carry a CO2 cartridge, if the patch is leaking could give me enough air to ride it back home.

I think 'patching' it from the inside is probably the most 'secure' way to go.Not a plug(inside).I'm surprised a bit with that repair on CHRLY's.But it worked,hey,all good.I could see a slice in the tire that big creating an unsafe structural deal.Maybe not.???

I installed a plug similar to what Hub showed. It's the only time I've plugged a tire. I put about 11,000 on the tire (Road Pilot 2) with no sign of leaking or the plug backing out. Miles include three, 800 mile round trips. Tire is about to be replaced due to wear.

I've NO idea how anyone rides this bike and gets 11K out of a rear tire.I've tried.Honestly tried(on one set that were supposed to be high mileage).5K something is all I could get.

11k miles is definitely on the high side
... but guess it also depends on the tire brand & type

my stock Bridgestone was history in less than 4k kilometers...
the Metzeler RoadTec01 now is doing much better on the hot & abrasive asphalt we have here

The tires were Angel GT's.Dunlops were better mileage wise...but the rubber got hard.Not so good.

Our roads are 'covered' over with chip seal.Nice for grip,but hell on tires.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 7/29/2017 @ 11:16 PM *

500km and so far no issues, just finished a trip through the mountains yesterday which definitely would have given the tire a workout, checked the pressure this morning before my commute to work and its right where I left it. :)

The Michelin Pilot Road 2 are a hard(er) compound in the center, softer on the shoulder, the last 2 sets I was getting between 20,000-25,000km (12,000-15,000mi) before I hit the wear bars and replaced both front and rear. While I have had the bike leaned over to the point where I was scraping the pegs and the tires performed flawlessly if I was going to be a track day enthusiast I would definitely go with another tire. I've been more than happy with the PR2s for touring and commuting.

Grn14. "I've NO idea how anyone rides this bike and gets 11K out of a rear tire.I've tried.Honestly tried(on one set that were supposed to be high mileage).5K something is all I could get."

Actually, I was a little off. The rear Road Pilot 2 has 12,000+ and the wear bars are still just a tad under the tread. I rarely accelerate hard, especially from a stop so that's why the tire lasts.
The stock Bridgestone lasted 7,000+. Again, must be because I assume I don't accelerate as hard and as often as other 14 owners.

* Last updated by: KAK on 7/31/2017 @ 7:37 PM *

for Dunlop tires, but i guess this could be extended to other brands:
http://www.motorcycle.com/ask-mo-anything/my-brand-new-tire-has-a-nail-in-it.html?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Motorcycle.com_weekly&utm_source=Motorcycle.com20170801