I go through 2-3 tires a year on the rear and about 1 in the front. I have gone almost the entire life of a tire on a plug (got a nail maybe a week or 2 after I put the new tire on) and never had a problem, including rough roads and long road trips in the mountains. Then again, I've also had issues with plugs, but I keep a set in my little trunk along with a small air compressor that runs off the battery. If a plug were to fall out, it's easily replaced.
Last year I rode down to Bishop Castle (Rye, Colorado) and on the way home I suddenly lost ALL pressure on my front tire, right after I rolled into Colorado Springs after a leg of 65 mph state highway. I was coming to a traffic light and pffft!!!
I pulled it onto the curb, and pulled out my trusty repair kit. Alas! It was the rubber gasket at the base of the valve stem. I had often wondered when that odd 90 degree angle thing was going to buy the farm. I ride a lot of dirt roads with washboards in them, and the sideways torque on those things must be murderous.
Anyway, it cracked, and even though I carry ample tools around with me, this was something I could not repair on the road.
Fortunately, I had the foresight to upgrade my AAA membership to PlusRV, it covers flatbed towing up to 100 miles at no charge. I highly recommend getting this, it has saved my tookus more than once. I made the call, and 10 minutes later, my scooter was on the truck and I was on my way home.
I also recommend, which I promptly did afterwards, to have those funky sideways valves replaced with the best, shortest straight valves you can find.
By the way I don't burn out my tires, I just ride a lot. I used to swear by Michelins, now I ride Shinko (Chinese, but it's a Good Chinese) and they don't disappoint.
