How many of you change your own tires?

mx 219
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mx 219 5/9/2018 11:33am
5/9/2018 11:33am
You think full size wheels are bad, try a 12" rear on a KLX 110.
Bultaco
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Bultaco 5/9/2018 12:01pm
5/9/2018 12:01pm Edited Date/Time 5/9/2018 12:06pm
Yes. All of the tires I have. MC, bicycles, lawnmower, snowblower, autos, trailers. Except tires less than 55 series. I even bought a $40 manual tire machine (Harbor freight) to make it easy.

Having said that, I've never changed a tire with a bib-mouse in it.

I also used to work in a tire store in one of my previous lives, which helps understanding the process.
LoudLove
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LoudLove 5/9/2018 12:05pm
5/9/2018 12:05pm
Moto_Geek wrote:
I've been doing my own since the beginning. 3 things that make it easier. 1) Prepare the tire before removal, get the entire tire bead loose...
I've been doing my own since the beginning.

3 things that make it easier.

1) Prepare the tire before removal, get the entire tire bead loose on both sides of the room, remove the valve stem complete to let all the air out before you start.

2) Make sure your tire is warm, don't install a cold tire. The rubber is much harder and not as stretchy. Set it in the sun or store it overnight in the house.

3) A mixture of dish soap and water. Get the tire bead covered in watery soap. Slides on much easier. Bonus, the tire bead will bounce on easier too.

I just discovered Tubliss.. What an awesome product. This actually made installing tires even easier and no chance of pinching a tube anymore! I don't usually pitch products, but this was one of the best products I've used for my dirtbike in a long while.

Check out how easy a Tubliss is.. You basically put the entire rim inside the tire and then the beads. Makes it so much easier.

https://youtu.be/qjBhkdPsNIA








Going Tubliss you gotta install tires yourself. It's a different process than standard tires and requires frequent testing of the seal. Not sure the local shop will put in the time to learn the process or ensure the smaller tube is properly seated.

Bonus tip: warm the tires on dark/black pavement for max flexibility. Road temp can be 30+ degrees over ambient air, so even on a relatively cool day the tires will become very pliable. Drink a beer or two while they warm, but don't leave them out there indefinitely, especially if the temp is >80 degrees lest ye retrieve a disfigured Dunlop.
mx_563
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mx_563 5/9/2018 12:22pm
5/9/2018 12:22pm
I can't believe this is even a question.

Yes, I change my own. I would feel emasculated if another man changed my tires.

The Shop

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neverwas 5/9/2018 2:24pm
5/9/2018 2:24pm
I can change them faster than having to drive to a shop to do it for me, I guess that's why my buddies show up with a new tire and a a wheel with a worn out tire and of course the beer.
Practice and some know how, easy stuff.
sandman768
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sandman768 5/9/2018 2:36pm
5/9/2018 2:36pm
After doing ice tires with liners, regular tires are nothing....I have done my own tires for years, but cold tires suck....
Jrewing
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Jrewing 5/9/2018 3:12pm
5/9/2018 3:12pm
Yep in winter heating is the trick. Beer helps and pirelli and Michelin fall on. Unless it's 12 inch and under where your fingers are in for a flogging
stone881
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stone881 5/9/2018 3:18pm
5/9/2018 3:18pm
I have to get a stand, any recommendations on the best one?
cody41
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cody41 5/9/2018 4:07pm
5/9/2018 4:07pm
It’s simple and effortless if you have the correct technique.
Richard Tease II 5/9/2018 4:10pm
5/9/2018 4:10pm
You haven’t lived till you’ve changed 10” KTM50 tires.
Been running the same tire levers (irons) since the early 80”s handed down from my dad. I’m sure newer style of levers might make it easier.
In general I don’t mind changing tires but it shits me pumping them up with a foot pump.
sumdood
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sumdood 5/9/2018 6:02pm
5/9/2018 6:02pm
jbrown15
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jbrown15 5/9/2018 10:12pm
5/9/2018 10:12pm
mx 219 wrote:
You think full size wheels are bad, try a 12" rear on a KLX 110.
Toughest tire I ever had to mount was a Bridgestone Battlecross on a TTR110. But it was the front, tire had hardly any sidewall and the carcass was really stiff. 10" front on CRF50's aren't the funnest tire to mount either.....lol

It's good and bad being pretty good at mounting tires, good because I don't have to pay someone to do it for me. Bad because all of my buddies get me to do there's.....lol
And since they're good buddies I usually feel bad taking any money for doing it, on the plus side I usually don't have to buy beer that often....lol
captmoto
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captmoto 5/9/2018 10:27pm
5/9/2018 10:27pm
I can but haven't lately. For 10 bucks I don't year up my black or new rims.
aees
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aees 5/10/2018 12:49am
5/10/2018 12:49am
If you cant change tires, you should not be riding. Mousse or tube, both goes as quick. I change tires several times a week between times to alternate mousse tubes.

It like playing soccer without being able to tie your own shoe laces...
1
fox1nz
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fox1nz 5/10/2018 2:23am
5/10/2018 2:23am
10 Min Job at a cruise.
Stuntman949
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Stuntman949 5/10/2018 7:12am
5/10/2018 7:12am
sandman768 wrote:
After doing ice tires with liners, regular tires are nothing....I have done my own tires for years, but cold tires suck....
You have any knuckles left or nah?
Tracktor
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Tracktor 5/10/2018 9:16am
5/10/2018 9:16am
mx 219 wrote:
You think full size wheels are bad, try a 12" rear on a KLX 110.
jbrown15 wrote:
Toughest tire I ever had to mount was a Bridgestone Battlecross on a TTR110. But it was the front, tire had hardly any sidewall and the...
Toughest tire I ever had to mount was a Bridgestone Battlecross on a TTR110. But it was the front, tire had hardly any sidewall and the carcass was really stiff. 10" front on CRF50's aren't the funnest tire to mount either.....lol

It's good and bad being pretty good at mounting tires, good because I don't have to pay someone to do it for me. Bad because all of my buddies get me to do there's.....lol
And since they're good buddies I usually feel bad taking any money for doing it, on the plus side I usually don't have to buy beer that often....lol
Har, trying doing a skidder tire. After doing something that needs a crane to move it around MC tires are cake.

Bead buddy
Learn what a "drop center" is
Leave tube in tire when dismounting & installing.

If you are fighting the bead the opposite side isn't in the drop center.

I don't mind doing tires at all not a big fan of taking the wheels on and off though.............

Pit Row

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FreshTopEnd
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FreshTopEnd 5/10/2018 9:28am
5/10/2018 9:28am
Always have, always will.
Spydee
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Spydee 5/10/2018 9:34am
5/10/2018 9:34am
Top tip - practice on your mates clapped out powder coated rims before attacking your brand new D.I.Ds. Got one of those tyre changing stands and a couple of YouTube videos and it really isn't that difficult after changing the first set. Never liked the thought of paying someone to do them for me, and I'm glad I learned how to do them myself.
mikec265
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mikec265 5/10/2018 7:57pm
5/10/2018 7:57pm
I never realized how easy changing big bike tires was, until I had kids. 10 inch tires suck to change.
Taylor415
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Taylor415 5/11/2018 5:33am
5/11/2018 5:33am
TheGetFresh wrote:
I’ve changed all mine just because my tire purchases are anticipatory. I’ll buy tires to have around when I need them, then through them on when...
I’ve changed all mine just because my tire purchases are anticipatory. I’ll buy tires to have around when I need them, then through them on when I feel like wrenching and don’t have anything else to do. Plus I’m particular about the rim strip.

Take off old tire. Check rim and strip. Mount one lip of new tire. Cover tube in baby powder and inflate to shape. Tuck into tire. Install rim lock. Drink beer. Mix up steps. Spray windex on outside bead. Chase bead around rim 5 times. Drink another beer and look for the extra tire spoon you thought you bought. Find package and wonder why they only come in pairs. Google tire spoons and determine nobody has figured out how to make one correctly. Carry on with two spoons. Call a friend. Forget why you called. Get impatient and force it on. Show up tomorrow to ride and tell everyone about how that particular model of tire is the hardest to change. Wait until you forgot how much changing tires sucks, and do it all again.
Pretty damn close to my method
revitout
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revitout 5/13/2018 1:37am
5/13/2018 1:37am
mikec265 wrote:
I never realized how easy changing big bike tires was, until I had kids. 10 inch tires suck to change.
snap on that one! I been changing them since I was 10, other wise I would have wait a week before the old man went to town! Lots of flats back then.
bents
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bents 5/13/2018 8:04pm
5/13/2018 8:04pm
Yup, I was taught well.
coastlinecascot 5/13/2018 9:08pm
5/13/2018 9:08pm
stone881 wrote:
I have to get a stand, any recommendations on the best one?
casper wrote:
I got this one. I used to do it with the tire on a crate or a storage bin. The stand helps allot. https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1511/45411/Tusk-Adjustable-Height-Motorcycle-Tire-Changing-Stand [img]https://images.rockymountainatvmc.com/images/prod/400/t/tus_14_adj_hei_mot_tir_cha_sta-147552.jpg[/img]
I got this one. I used to do it with the tire on a crate or a storage bin. The stand helps allot.

https://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/1511/45411/Tusk-Adjustable-Height-…



Love mine
TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 5/13/2018 10:10pm
5/13/2018 10:10pm
I'll have pics of a tire swap in the morn.

I'm sure more than a few of you will be giving me shit about how I do it.
Solidkm
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Solidkm 5/14/2018 8:05am
5/14/2018 8:05am
Flip109 wrote:
Oh I’ve thrown some extreme grown man temper tantrums changing tires :blink: :laugh: Then I got a tire changing stand and some decent tire tools and...
Oh I’ve thrown some extreme grown man temper tantrums changing tires Blink Laughing

Then I got a tire changing stand and some decent tire tools and all was well lol
Haha yes. Tools thrown across the room type of tantrums.
imoto34
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imoto34 5/14/2018 9:06am
5/14/2018 9:06am
stone881 wrote:
I have to get a stand, any recommendations on the best one?
I have purchased a few and always go back to a milk crate. Save your money imo but some swear on certain stands. Most important thing is your spoons and a soap bottle. And if it's warm and you can let them get warm or hot in the sun, butter.

Plus the extra tubes are stored in the milk crate, win win.

Then minis are a pain, keep some spare rear tubes for 65s and 85s.
Falcon
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Falcon 5/14/2018 5:31pm
5/14/2018 5:31pm
Do I change my own tires? Yeah, I play the pinched tube lottery all the time. Every now and again, I win. Grinning
Doddy
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Doddy 5/14/2018 5:52pm
5/14/2018 5:52pm
The local shops around here charge 40 bucks a tire change, so I definitely do it myself. Tire changes are the only time loud music is allowed to be played at any time of day. 3 year old isn't allowed to help either. Something to do with flying tire spoons and cuss words I'm sure. After many pinches, goofy tricks, videos, attempts, and made up cuss words...I finally can change a tire in 5-10 minutes with only a few cuss words and minimal drops of spoons on my toes. I should probably stop changing tires in sandals...

Note: A little squirt bottle with a lil dish soap/water, 3 spoons(2 works, but 3 is money), small thing of baby powder, a few bandaids, and a beer(1 or 2 works, but why stop there. It's a celebration..) are all that is required.

P.S. The beer if for you, not for the tire/tube. If you try to drink the dish soap, It would be safe to assume you started celebrating too early. Try to avoid this.

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