A flat tyre on the road
Stopping safely, what to look at and how to reach a puncture shop — without riding on the flat.
This guidance is general — not checked for any one model. Your bike's exact figures and procedures are in its owner's manual or at an authorised service centre.
When to do it
- The steering goes heavy, the rear weaves, or the tyre looks squashed
What you need
- A phone
- A tubeless puncture kit — only if you know how to use it
Step by step
- 1
Do not brake hard or swerve. Hold the bars firmly, ease off the throttle and slow gently with light braking.
Hard braking on a deflating tyre can make it slide.
- 2
Stop at the roadside, away from traffic, and switch off. At night use the parking or hazard lights, if fitted.
- 3
Look for a nail or anything stuck in the tyre — leave it in; pulling it out lets the air out faster.
Good tread: the grooves are clear and deep. Once they fade, or the wear bars are level, replace the tyre.Photo: meriden.triumph, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons - 4
A cut or bulge in the sidewall cannot be repaired — the tyre needs replacing.
- 5
Do not ride on the flat: push the bike or take it by van to the nearest puncture shop, or call a mechanic.
- 6
With a tubeless tyre and a plug kit you know how to use, follow the kit's instructions for a temporary repair; then ride gently and get a permanent repair as soon as you can.
- 7
A tubed tyre needs the wheel out to patch or replace the tube — a job for a puncture shop or mechanic.
Warnings
- Even a short ride on a flat can ruin the tyre and rim, and risks losing control.
- A flat front tyre makes control harder still — take extra care.
Stop and see a mechanic if
- The sidewall is cut, bulging or shows cords
- The rim looks bent or cracked
Sources
- The owner's manual and service booklet: the only reliable source for your bike's figures and procedures.
- Tyre makers' general puncture-safety advice.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-25