Disclosed is a combination flat-proof tire and low friction insert having particular application for use on a motorcycle. The insert is preferably manufactured from a resilient (e.g., closed cell foam) material. The insert fills the tire and is movable relative thereto. A low friction sleeve surrounds the insert so as to reduce both friction and heat at the interface of the insert and the tire to minimize the degradation and replacement of the insert. By way of example, the low friction sleeve is manufactured from a smooth textile material having a thickness of about 0.005 inches. In one embodiment, the insert is separated into a plurality of compressible segments aligned side-by-side one another around the tire. Relatively hard spacers are located between adjacent pairs of the insert segments to apply compressive forces to the insert segments in response to road conditions.

A method of selectively controlling the self-sealing ability of a tire obtained by application of a sealing assembly on a drum and subsequent formation thereon of a precursor of a green tire inclusive of liner and carcass, followed by shaping, curing and molding. The sealing assembly includes: a self-supporting thermoplastic film of polyamide or polyester and a layer of sealing material possessing viscoelasticity and stickiness features, which is associated with and supported by the self-supporting thermoplastic film. The sealing assembly is easily puncturable by a sharp-pointed element while it maintains such a deformability and stickiness that it helps in the transfer of the sealing material during ejection of the sharp-pointed element and limits the transferred material amount to such an extent that holes bigger than a predetermined value are not sealed.

A method of selectively controlling the self-sealing ability of a tire obtained by application of a sealing assembly on a drum and subsequent formation thereon of a precursor of a green tire inclusive of liner and carcass, followed by shaping, curing and molding. The sealing assembly includes: a self-supporting thermoplastic film of polyamide or polyester and a layer of sealing material possessing viscoelasticity and stickiness features, which is associated with and supported by the self-supporting thermoplastic film. The sealing assembly is easily puncturable by a sharp-pointed element while it maintains such a deformability and stickiness that it helps in the transfer of the sealing material during ejection of the sharp-pointed element and limits the transferred material amount to such an extent that holes bigger than a predetermined value are not sealed.

A run-flat tire insert, according to particular embodiments, that is configured to be received inside a cavity of a tire. The run-flat tire insert comprising a monolithic, generally toroid shaped insert that includes (a) a first and a second sidewall, (ii) an outer surface that couples the first sidewall to the second sidewall, and (iii) an inner surface that couples the first sidewall to the second sidewall. Additionally, the monolithic, generally toroid shaped insert has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to an outer diameter of a tire in which the monolithic, generally toroid shaped insert will be installed into when the tire is not inflated with air.

A method of selectively controlling the self-sealing ability of a tyre obtained by application of a sealing assembly on a drum and subsequent formation thereon of a precursor of a green tyre inclusive of liner and carcass, followed by shaping, curing and molding. The sealing assembly includes: a self-supporting thermoplastic film of polyamide or polyester and a layer of sealing material possessing viscoelasticity and stickiness features, which is associated with and supported by the self-supporting thermoplastic film. The sealing assembly is easily puncturable by a sharp-pointed element while it maintains such a deformability and stickiness that it helps in the transfer of the sealing material during ejection of the sharp-pointed element and limits the transferred material amount to such an extent that holes bigger than a predetermined value are not sealed.

A method of selectively controlling the self-sealing ability of a tyre obtained by application of a sealing assembly on a drum and subsequent formation thereon of a precursor of a green tyre inclusive of liner and carcass, followed by shaping, curing and molding. The sealing assembly includes: a self-supporting thermoplastic film of polyamide or polyester and a layer of sealing material possessing viscoelasticity and stickiness features, which is associated with and supported by the self-supporting thermoplastic film. The sealing assembly is easily puncturable by a sharp-pointed element while it maintains such a deformability and stickiness that it helps in the transfer of the sealing material during ejection of the sharp-pointed element and limits the transferred material amount to such an extent that holes bigger than a predetermined value are not sealed.