Tire changing advice

Tusk or similiar tire stand, 4 good tire levers, motion pro bead buddy and something slippery like armor all or something to lube the bead a little and some baby powder to put on the tube. 

Its 99% technique, it took me a few tires but once it clicked they are a non issue now takes me 5 minutes. Getting off the ground using a tire stand helps a ton. 

Along with the above, leave the new tire sitting out in the sun a bit before you even start taking off the old one. A warm tire is far easier to work with.

As with many things in life: lube and patience. 

Spray some Maxima SC1 around the bead of the tire.  Make sure it is warm as stated above.  Start at the rim lock and take SMALL bites with the tire irons.  Make sure the bead is depressed into the rim cavity on the opposing side of the tire you are working on and they are a breeze.

As stated above, technique is a huge factor....and technique only comes through practice.  

I also aspire to get to a point of financial freedom that allows me to use SC1 as tire lube! 

yeah it gets easier. The tools above are about all you need. a valve core remover but i'd think that's a given. 

Watch a few videos, there are a few tips. Also when I make concoction with a little dish soap & water in a mini water bottle & I poke a hole in the lid to squirt it. I squirt the tube before i put it in so it slides down easy. Then I squirt the tire so it slides on super easy. Little bits at a time. Do the rimlock first then one more tire spoon & insert bead buddy then go to the other side of the rim lock & work your way around. SMALL BITES. SMALLER. 

I started doing my own tires a few years ago & it is insane how much progress i've made. I no longer dread them. not a struggle or anything. 

Some good advice in here.  It just takes practice, it's really not that hard once you figure it out.

Jump on Instagram or YouTube and watch some Jay Clark videos as well, he's got lots of little tricks that can help.

This plus go to the local auto parts store and get a tub of tire mounting lube. It's cheap and will last you a lifetime and it's a big help especially when putting mouse's and inserts in 

This plus Windex and a valve stem snake gets it done. 

I feel a lot of people overlook making sure the bead is in the center of the rim on both sides of the tire. Once you get to the final 1/4 to 1/8 of the tire and it starts getting tight, flip the wheel over and make sure all of the tire is sitting in the drop center. 

I have a Rabaconda for mousse's, but it's nice for tubes as you can use the breaker bar to help keep the tire in the drop center, and the center post keeps it the wheel from moving around.  

5 gallon bucket works fine for a low budget tire stand.

Also, I feel Motion Pro irons are the least likely to pinch a tube, and easiest to get between the rim and tire when it's tight. The lips on the end are small compared to other brands IMO. 

Make sure you have the other side of the tire as far into the rim as possible. 

Be careful with Dish soap it will pit up the metal, my wife tore her ACL so her bike sat not long after a tire change and it actually put tons of deep pitting on the rim bed. 

I recommend these Motion Pro spoons. The end that is to the left in the picture is the best for minimal rim damage, least likely to pinch a tube, and easiest to get between the rim and tire when it's tight (such as the last couple bites). I also like how small/short they are, you shouldn't need much leverage with the right technique. If I have to put a lot of strength into it, I know my technique is off and usually I find a part of the tire slid out of the drop center. 

As others have already mentioned. If it’s super tight make sure the opposite side in pushed into the cavity of the rim.

Having a stand helps as you can lean into the opposite side to keep the bead in the drop center while you lever the opposite side. Failing that wear your knee pads & knee it while on the floor. 

Don’t give up 

Pro Bud's tire paste, baja no pinch tool, two spoons, and a tusk tire changing stand. Easy peasy. The MX14 is a stiff tire, I'll give it that. When it's hot out, I like to put it on the back of the truck bed or driveway to soften up some. 

It’s all about the drop center. Do this and all the other protocol is however you want to handle it. Both mousse and tube.

https://youtu.be/NJSih8KTD3g?si=oYPfjx0r_m0Tj3Hl

jay is the man … i’ve tried his methods multiple times and although i’ve gotten better it still a challenge! 

Newer tires sidewalls are Super stiff for 4_st & power.  I struggled 4 1/2 hrs in the heat on a tire recently.  90,s tires it took 5 min off & on I used wd40.   I learned that you hv to use a better lube like dawn dish wash soap   Not sure of ratio to delute , maybe 80% or higher .  Dr D makes a bead tool to pry tire out to get valve stem in.  There’s another thread under working on bikes stuff.  Finally after almost 10 weeks I got my epidural injections.  They should make 2-st tires since it’s the biggest class.  I hv some  90,s tires yet Super easy to change . I wrap the disk with a towel & change them on the ground. 

For 4-st wt & power

Unpopular opinion.... if you have the right tools its way easier to change a tire with a mousse than a tire with a tube.

I used to change tires between motos at places like Reddick that was soft in the morning and bluegroove in the afternoons and I am pretty good at it. One year my wife bought the Baja no pinch tool with out even knowing what it was, I didn't either and it was one of the best gifts ever. Made changing tires effortless. One of the greatest tools ever created imo. 

I would not use a petroleum based lube for the bead.  You want something that dissipates.  Mot real tire lubes are soap based and will break down allowing the tire to stick to the rim.  If you use a petroleum lubricant, it can allow the rim to slip in the rim lock and rip your stem out..  

That being said, the only other tool besides a tire stand, decent spoons, bead buddy and stem puller, I would recommend the K&L Tire Tamer.  It is a game changer for valve stems especially when you have large hands.

I've never seen that before.

Here it is in action: https://youtu.be/apI1hsyP5Zs?si=Sw10r34TpUCh-Hht

Yeah i second this, tried some on my last tires and it was the easiest fastest tire change ive done. Keep the bead down in the center of the rim on the opposite side your workin on and its a breeze

Baja no pinch type of tool and lots of lube!

You want the biggest straight screwdrivers you can find... maybe 4 of them.. and lots of muscle!!!!  Force that sukker on there!!!  Or some of these.  Just kidding.  As these guys said, it's all technique.   Get someone who knows what they are doing to show you and you'll be amazed how simple it really is.  If you're using muscle or forcing things, you're doing it wrong.  Back up and take a breath.

If you can change them in an air conditioned room makes life a lot better. I always sweat my ass off when changing tires

I agree.  

This is all awesome advice.  The one thing I will add: https://pro-buds.co/  This is the best tire paste/lube to change them with.  The hooked tire spoons also make a gigantic difference.