It may not be the sexiest how-to topic but, of all things us riders have to repair, tires are unequivocally the most common. And we all know how it goes: the flats always come at the worst time-whether you're 15 miles from the truck, when you're entering a sharp corner or just when you're exhausted after a long day's ride or project.
Its not's so bad, though. Depending on the type of puncture, getting your damaged tire up and running again can be a 5 minute job, in some cases. And forget chemical quick "fixes" like Fix-A-Flat, which is corrosive, messy and not very effective for ATV applications. Lets focus on easy repairs that work on the trail, when to bring a damaged tire to a professional and when it's just time to toss what you've got and buy a new set.
"Good heavens," you say as you sense a flat. "It appears that my tire has gone flat," you gently exclaim into the uninhabited forest. Don't fret, good sir, you carry a repair kit, so this will be over before you know it.
Carrying a tire plug kit is essential. A basic plug kit can cost as little as $5, while more convenient CO2-powered kit run about $20--well worth the investment when you truly need it. Pull safely off the trail and locate the puncture. If it's an everyday, small puncture on the tread surface, you're good to go as the wound is small enough to be filled with a plug.
Fix the Tire
For the most part, sidewall or pinch-flats are the death knell for you tire. The sidewalls are the softest parts of the tire, and the part that has to flex the most as you motor down the trail. If it's a matter of making it home or not, you can attempt a plug, but if you at home, consider shopping for a new tire.
As long as it's a small puncture, and not a tear, fixing tires with a plug kit is simple. We recommend the fancy CO2 kit that includes cartridges for inflation. After all what good is a tire with no air? Since ATV tires, are large you'll want several cartridges. All kits include a reamer, a T-handled, screwdriver like contraption that has ragged sides.
Jam this right into the wound, and use it to clean out any debris, leaving fresh rubber for the plug to bond with.Then load up a plug on your installation tool, which will resemble your favorite latch-hook you keep inside you home arts-and-crafts kit.
With equal lengths of the plug extending from the install tool, force that into the wound and carefully pull it out, using your hand if necessary to keep the plug partially inside the hole. Now comes your first option--what to do with the remaining plug that will be sticking out of the hole.
While most people either cut off the excess plug or just leave it. The majority of the dealerships and ATV technicians recommends cutting off what you can and using a lighter to burn the remainder for a better seal.It makes a flatter area and, ideally, burning the plug material fills in any of the cracks.
If you trim it up real close, there's not as much material hanging out for the ground to catch, and burning it down eliminates cutting it and the material melts down. Since you want the plug to stay in its place and forms tight a seal as possible. If you sprung for a nice CO2 kit grab a cartridge and fill'er up--your on way!
If you're in the comfort of your own garage, patching your flat is also an option, but a more difficult operation. Because the inside of an ATV tire is ribbed, forming a long-lasting seal can be very difficult with a patch. Professionals recommends avoiding patches for ATV's but said it can work if you completely remove the tire and use a hand held sander to lightly buff the inside of the tire to create a smooth surface to bond the patch to the inside. This might be best left to the experts, or the adventurous. Beads, or the meeting point of the tire and rim, are another tricky tire trouble spot. If a tire bead becomes unseated from the rim and is undamaged,you should be able to manhandle it partially back into position,and use air pressure to fully seat it back on. With a slightly damaged bead, a can of tire bead sealant will help form a better seal.
Whether you do it yourself or pay a professional, tire repair is an affordable enterprise. And again we don't recommend the propellant-based systems like Fix-A-Flat. It's corrosive and can chew through aluminum rim in no time. Also, it can affect your machine's handling if you do it wrong, and our experience has shown it's just not very effective. Experts recommend using Slime, if your set on such methods, but he added it's usually not effective on sidewall wounds. Also, remember that plugs are not permanent. Sure, a real fighter of a plug might last a surprisingly long time, but you shouldn't count on it. Patches are much the same, if not worse.
It may not be the sexiest how-to topic but, of all things us riders have to repair, tires are unequivocally the most common. And we all know how it goes: the flats always come at the worst time-whether you're 15 miles from the truck, when you're entering a sharp corner or just when you're exhausted after a long day's ride or project. 
