Since '02 xBhp is different things to different people. From a close knit national community of bikers to India's only motorcycling lifestyle magazine and a place to make like-minded biker friends. Join us

Axor
Magazine
Castrol Power 1

Work on your panic braking skills.

Our Partner

Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Punctured tube. Had to replace it. Wondering if I got duped

Collapse
X
Collapse
 
  • Page of 1
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
Previous template Next
  • #1

    Punctured tube. Had to replace it. Wondering if I got duped

    The rear tube of my Avenger 150 got punctured by a nail. The road condition was horrible. At 8PM, I could not find any puncture repair shop who patched tubes. Two of them told me they do only tubeless tyres. Had to ride about 5km on the bad road looking for a tyre puncture shop.

    When I got there, he asked me when did it get punctured. Thinking he was just making small talk, I told him "maybe 20 mins ago". When he takes the tube out, he shows me the puncture caused by a nail AND a big tear at the base of the valve and tells me this happened because I rode the bike for a long time after it got punctured.

    The total cost was Rs.700 when I was hoping it would be 100-150 rupees. It is a big amount to me right now. I was shocked, but I had no options but to buy the new tube.

    Does this actually happen or did he ruin my good tube to get me to buy a new one? What is the general advice for this situation?
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Punctured tube. Had to replace it. Wondering if I got duped

    Usually when the tube is torn at the base of the valve, it is done for. A puncture can be fixed but tears are nasty and usually ask for a replacement of the tube.
    I am not sure about the price tag of the new tube though.

    Comment

    • #3
      Re: Punctured tube. Had to replace it. Wondering if I got duped

      Originally posted by xBhp View Post
      Usually when the tube is torn at the base of the valve, it is done for. A puncture can be fixed but tears are nasty and usually ask for a replacement of the tube.
      I am not sure about the price tag of the new tube though.
      That's exactly what the mechanic told me when I asked him to patch the tear. He charged 550 for the new tube plus 150 as labour charge. He said that the cost of the tube is higher because the tyre is wide.

      I was a little suspicious regarding the need for a replacement as I did not know about tears.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Punctured tube. Had to replace it. Wondering if I got duped

        Originally posted by dwightschrute View Post
        That's exactly what the mechanic told me when I asked him to patch the tear. He charged 550 for the new tube plus 150 as labour charge. He said that the cost of the tube is higher because the tyre is wide.

        I was a little suspicious regarding the need for a replacement as I did not know about tears.
        The mech was right. you see when the tire is inflated, the valve remains untouched on the inside of the tube. but when the tire is punctured the tube is flat and the valve is constantly rubbing and wearing and tearing on every rotation of the tire. The effect is magnified if the roads are bad, as the bumps and potholes give additional jerks and wear and tear is more. The tube is useless once the valve is gone.

        Regarding the cost of the tube, if the tube was of a good brand (MRF, TVS, RALCO etc) then the price is justified and it will last you long time(unless of course similar thing happens again). But if it was not branded then price is a bit higher. And yes, a wide tire will take a wide tube which is always costly.

        I would suggest not to fret too much about it. There is nothing you can do now and such things are a part and parcel of biking. One of my friends had to replace a whole rear tubeless tire costing more than 4 thousand rupees, because a glass piece cut clean through it and there was no other option but to replace it. Such things happen to each one of us brother, don't worry too much.
        Ride safe.
        I would like to thank my legs for supporting me, my arms for being always by my side and my fingers; I could always count on them.

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Punctured tube. Had to replace it. Wondering if I got duped

          I get that price scales are different between India and the US, but Rs700 (about USD$10) is less than half the cost of just a tube here in the US, never mind labor to install. It sounds to me like you got a good deal. My rear tire (tubeless) would likely cost almost Rs2000 just to plug, and around Rs14000 to replace, and you can add at least another Rs7000 for labor on the tire change. I'd be thrilled to get a flat fixed late at night for so little.

          And lesson learned for you: don't ride so far on a flat, or else expect to need another tube.
          Last edited by The Mountain; 11-23-2018, 09:45 PM.
          ATGATT: All The Gear, All The Time!

          Current bike: Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere

          Put the phone away, put your helmet on, and ride!

          Scooters are like fat girls: fun to ride, but embarrassing if your friends see you with one.

          Comment

          Previous template Next
          Working...
          X
          © xBhp.com 2026. All rights reserved.
          Designed by xBhp