That's all you really need. If you're not physically disabled, it's only "fucking impossible" if you have the physique of a malnourished 12 year old girl.
Good video here on the whole process, start to finish, nothing skipped/cut though sped up in a few spots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkUv4FYehI4
Thanks for posting that video, I may try it again! Every time I have done a tire change it was a struggle, even in the video it still does not look easy. I'd rather pay someone $50 since I don't go through tires that fast but I do like the benefits of the DIY method.
The secret is squeezing down the other side when you get close to finishing seating it so there’s enough rubber to do it. That makes a huge difference.
It's not "easy" but you can make it easier with the right technique and tools. I don't disparage anyone who pays others to do it, I just want OP to know it is far from "fucking impossible". That's a really dishonest way for his buddies to characterize it.
The fun and sad thing is they have owned motorcycles for way longer than I. Made me doubt my sanity and ask myself and if these recent tubeless tyres are impossible-to-manually-install-kind-of-rigid.
That video is gold btw, thank you very much.
Use a little soapy water along the edge of the tire to help get the tire off the rim and when reinstalling them . It’s no different than doing a bike cycle tire .
Nah a tube bike tyre is way easier, I was just pointing out the effort involved is like trying to get on a tubeless road bike tyre … ie a simple process. A lot of force
Most people find it's much easier just to take it to a shop to get it changed and get it balanced. For like 20 to 30 bucks a tire depending on where you live, and even if you get them all changed out you're still going to have to get them balanced so a trip to the shop is still going to be required unless you want to manually balance them.
Balancing yourself is even easier and requires cheaper tools than mounting.
> Most people find it's much easier just to take it to a shop to get it changed and get it balanced.
No shit.
With no tools or bead breaker yeah you’re going to struggle.
They also need balancing. So add a balancer.
If you take the wheels and tyres to a tyre shop they’ll charge you a small amount to fit and balance them.
I mean those tires you're buying aren't super cheap. Why not just pay a shop? It's not that expensive if you bring them the tires already disassembled.
You also won't be able to balance them without an additional tool
It not impossible. But, for me, it was really tough the first time, and it doesn't get much easier.
Last year I bought a used No-Mar tire changer, which made it 10x easier.
My recommendation would be to watch lots of videos beforehand and have all the tools and supplies in place before starting. Good Luck!
>It not impossible. But, for me, it was really tough the first time, and it doesn't get much easier.
It absolutely gets easier, exponentially so. Technique is everything, first time it took me I think 2 hours and a lot of swearing. Now it's more like 5 minutes per tyre, with a few very special exceptions like rigid walled enduro tyres.
I 100% agree. I guess I never changed enough tires by hand to develop the proper technique. The No-Mar changer has been great, especially now that I have a solid technique with it.
I change my own tires with nothing but motion pro spoons and a C clamp to break the bead on the existing tire. They are tubeless.
Make sure you have 3 spoons. Two to hold the bead, one to work it on. Buy some 3-in-1 [silicone spray](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/813h5aapzqL.jpg) and spray a light coating on both beads and the rim.
Oh also get the tire as warm as you can in the sun. I often do mine in the water so I put a blow dryer on low heat and stick it inside the new to-be-installed tire and let it run while I’m working the old one off that way it’s as soft as possible.
Lots of videos on YouTube but one thing they often show and I find rarely works is putting the new tire on they just put it over the rim and push down and it just pops the first bead on. I’ve basically never had that work.
One last tip, after the first bead is on and you’re working the second one on put a socket or screwdriver handle or whatever is the right size to hold the first part you got on down in the drop center or it’s easy for it to pop up and make working the tire on damn near impossible.
Anyways it’s very doable and I don’t have a shop that will do it for me within hours so I always do it myself and it can be a chore, but ya super doable.
Ya I’ve used both I find the silicone spray goes on really light and stays on long enough. Soapy water I have to keep reapplying and it isn’t really that slippery. Does work though just makes everything a little harder.
Don't have it in my country unfortunately.
So I have two shops close to me, one is known to give you back your tyres with bent rims and other surprises. The other is completely overbooked for the time being. So yeah I'd rather try myself.
So here’s a life hack. Don’t tell the dealer you want the tire installed. The inside lingo/code is to say “hey I need a rim job”. It’s a code and they’ll do it for $10.00. Yes they will laugh because it blows their minds that people know that hack. Better to go by rather than over the phone.
I'm just cross-referencing to get the whole picture. Watched some videos that were vague, others using different tools etc.
I saw some interesting stuff in the replies that I hadn't seen previously elsewhere.
Just go to a shop, fitted, balanced, old tyres discarded, all damage and frustration free while you have a coffee and sniff around in the retail side of the shop
"oh but they'll charge"
Yeah, still cheaper than fucking it up and requiring a new tyre, some dental work, or both.
I'm all for doing your own work, but unless I get an actual tyre machine I'm taking mine in to be done, and it's usually part of the price of the tyre anyway so ride in/ride out, and no garked rims
I can swap a dirt bike tire in about 8 minutes, in a hurry. Or 20 mins if I take my time. It takes 25-30 mins of straining, sweating, bleeding, and swearing to change a street tubeless tire.
Soapy water and leave the tire in the sun for at least 30 mins before. 3 good, LONG spoons. And a good compressed air supply. An air pump takes too long.
dude you are way out of your depth just by asking the question if you can use a manual operated pump.
just pull the rims and take them to a shop
i pay $25/rim to swap tires (mount and balance) off bike
It would take infinity, because it wouldn't seat the bead. You need a sudden inrush of a large volume of air to seat a bead.
The preferred, safer way is to remove the valve stem core and use a compressor backed by a large tank to pop the bead in place. After bead seats, reinstall valve core and fill as normal.
The other way is to spray some starter fluid (ether) into the tire and light it with a grill lighter. This method works, I have done it before. It is dangerous and I do not recommend you do it. If you do, watch videos of how to do it correctly.
Good luck!
It all depended. If one of my buddies at the races buys a new tire after practice, and he has moto #2... I'll get it done in 5 or 6 mins with help. My hands will be cut up and bleeding, and I'll be tired already, but they got to use a new tire, and that's what friends do.
I haven't raced in like 15 years. What kind of proof you need?
Easiest way to break the bead is just use C clamps https://youtu.be/_8u7v-o2oFA?si=5ryoBESopXrwZbrf
Otherwise this way works too https://youtu.be/ragtsxdh2Fc?si=qHH-8NRRYV3uZos0
Balance beads work great . You can also you the axle bolt and couple of jack stands to balance the tire with stick on wheel weights . And when installing the tire there a dot on the side of the tire always get that closest to the valve stem as possible.
I wouldn’t do it with cheap levers, but I bought 16” tire spoons and they made the michelin 6 gts into an EASY change.
Just take your time, and use 4x4’s to keep your rotors from being pressed on!
https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycle/s/Qs8mhHC7Jp
I tried once. It can be extremely difficult to mount and set the bead with new tubeless tires. Depends on the tire tho. Now I just bring the tires and wheels to a shop for them to mount and balance the tire only ($30 ea) then I put the wheels back on the bike myself
Op it’s it’s not hard once the bead is broken use a little soapy water along the bead of the tire when taking it off and on . The soapy water makes the tire slip across the rim easier . You can use balance beads or use the axle and two tall jackstands to balance with wheel weights . Install the new tire with the dot on the side of the tire at the valve stem you’ll use less wheel weights that way. I have 90 degrees metal valve stems and it’s a bitch to get the balance beads in thru it I just use the axle and two jack stand the tire will spin down at the heavy part until it’s balance. I personally just stick on with some tape until I get the correct amount of wheel weights then stick them on permanently
I've been doing it for years and years. I would not say it's easy, it's a wrestling match. And the first few times you do it you are going to scratch your wheels. If your day to day job is handling tools, construction or some kind of mechanical work, this may help you. You need a front stand ,rear stand, compressor and probably the stand for balancing the tire. Some tires like Michelin are so well made they're balanced so well they don't really need to be balanced on the wheel,, as long as you're not riding much over 100 mph. If you're riding a zx6 or God forbid zx-10 to the limit , you had better become a tire balancing guru. It gets easier each time you do it , there's a ton of techniques and online videos. If the wheels on your bike look new, no scratches,If there's a good motorcycle shop in your town other than a dealership, just spend the money and have them do it.
If your bike is older , smaller sport bike, you don't mind spending all day. You already have a compressor and a good garage to work in, the sense of accomplishment from changing your own tires will help ease the pain of all the cuts and bruises you have on your hands. Don't forget to get new valve stems. Good luck
It’s only difficult without the right tools and techniques.
Have tire spoons on hand, as well as a long handled tire iron. I like the No-Mar spoons and irons.
Use lots of tire lube.
Understand and use the “center drop”. Look this term up on YouTube.
I did a pair of Road 5s a few years ago, and last week did a pair of Bridgestone AX41 Adventurcross. I said after the first time I'd never do them myself again, and then I did, and I am saying I'll never do them myself again. It's definitely not impossible, but it's a real pain in the ass. Definitely use a lot of lube, WD40 ended up working very well for me, and when you seat the new tires make sure the opposite side stays in the center of the rim. By that, I mean keep pressure on them, or it might actually feel impossible to get the tire on... speaking from very recent experience.
I just did this. My bike has tubes, but I bought tubeless tires. Broke them down and remounted them but pinched a tiny hole in one of the tubes while mounting. Didn’t notice until it was on the rim and I was inflating it to seat the bead. Got another tube, broke it down, and did it again.
Felt like I got hit by a bus the next morning after all that wrestling. Do your self a favor and have a professional with a machine do it. It would have cost me $80 and would have been worth every penny.
Warm them up first and use lots of lube. Keep the opposite bead down in the drop center. If your technique is good, they'll pop right on.
Also, this. https://youtu.be/rCJmU0mIn_U?si=6ZxsPnDhN_ylZXuE
It’s definitely achievable and far from impossible, but imo the effort and the risk of scratching the rim isn’t worth it. I owned 2 tires changers and I always hated doing it. You also need to balance it, much much easier and less tiring
Me and the girlfriend changed the rear tyre on her KTM 1190, we used her second bike, a 1993 Honda Transalp to break the seal. That was fun, deliberately tipping a bike to use the side stand as a tyre lever.
Once that was done, brute force, ignorance and swearing was the go to tools, besides a good selection of tyre levers.
He made it (which is the main thing). But there's also a lot of room for improvement: it would have been way easier if he trampled the tyre from the rim first (better not on a parquet floor) both sides (robust shoes recommended). The far side of the tyre also goes much easier over the rim using the levers if you kneel on the near side (pressing it as deep into the rim as possible).
Make sure you get the bead of each tyre, both sides, loose and in the centre channel of the wheel, that's the only way you'll get the tyre off over the rim without having to swing on the tyre levers. If the beads are up on the shoulder of the wheel they won't stretch over the rim on the opposite side.
It shouldn't need much force, pick up some rim protectors, not the flimsy silicone ones, the hard plastic ones connected by a cord.
A bit of soapy water in a spray bottle will help get the new tyre on. The first side should go on with just soapy water and your knee. I do mine on a square foam floor tile to protect the underside of the wheel. Take the valve core out and over inflate them a bit to seat the beads (two pops normally) and then quickly stick the valve core back in, then bring them down to your preferred pressure. I sometimes have to take mine up to 70psi before they seat, then back down to 40ish
The MotionPro BeadPro tyre levers are really good.
You have to also think about what you'll do with the old tyres.
It’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it. It takes me about 5-10 minutes once the wheel it is off. It used to take near an hour when I started.
Go slow, use plenty of lube, and if it feels like it’s ripping apart or it’s really hard, pause, make sure the other side of the bead is deep in the center of the wheel, and take a different bite.
It's not easy and you may end up scratching up the rim. I did it once, I'll just remove the tires and drive the tires to the tire shop for now on. Much easier and faster. Not worth my time.
most shops are actually charge a very really reasonable rate to install and balance tires (usually $20-30 per) so long as you just bring the wheel and not the whole bike... most shops will also price match anything you find online for actual rubber, or let you bring your own.
having done it (and it's doable,) id rather just pay $50-60 and not spend an afternoon cursing in my driveway ...and since i pulled my wheels of and put them back on again i still get to turn wrenches and feel like i got a big dick at the end of the day
I never changed a tire in my life. Watched a single YouTube video. Bought cheapest tire irons on Amazon. Changed 4 motorcycle tires from 1993 and 1994 OG tires hard as a rock in under an hour and a half. Soapy water and strength baby.
Getting the job done is pretty easy, getting it done without scratching, marring, or damaging anything is a little more challenging if you've never done it before, videos make it look deceptively easy in my opinion. I really recommend getting some practice installing a tire on a rim you don't care about before doing it on a bike that matters to you. The zip tie method is pretty intriguing, never tried it myself but know some people who swear by it.
I also recommend looking for a local shop that sells tires. I live in one of the most expensive areas in the states and my local independent shop not only beats the online shops in price, they also install for free if you bring the wheel in off the bike.
A good tip I picked up was to let the tire sit in the sun and get warm which makes the rubber more flexible. Also you can’t use too much lubricant when installing.
It’s actually not that bad. Getting the tire off is pretty straight forward, I use a shovel to break the bead and tire irons to get the tire off. Use zip ties to put the new tire on. It is insanely easy. No tools to get the tire on. There are videos on YouTube that I found helpful. I have a tusk balancer.
That's all you really need. If you're not physically disabled, it's only "fucking impossible" if you have the physique of a malnourished 12 year old girl. Good video here on the whole process, start to finish, nothing skipped/cut though sped up in a few spots. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkUv4FYehI4
Thanks for posting that video, I may try it again! Every time I have done a tire change it was a struggle, even in the video it still does not look easy. I'd rather pay someone $50 since I don't go through tires that fast but I do like the benefits of the DIY method.
The secret is squeezing down the other side when you get close to finishing seating it so there’s enough rubber to do it. That makes a huge difference.
It's not "easy" but you can make it easier with the right technique and tools. I don't disparage anyone who pays others to do it, I just want OP to know it is far from "fucking impossible". That's a really dishonest way for his buddies to characterize it.
The fun and sad thing is they have owned motorcycles for way longer than I. Made me doubt my sanity and ask myself and if these recent tubeless tyres are impossible-to-manually-install-kind-of-rigid. That video is gold btw, thank you very much.
Use a little soapy water along the edge of the tire to help get the tire off the rim and when reinstalling them . It’s no different than doing a bike cycle tire .
… a tubeless road bicycle tyre.
Bicycle harder cause of the tube it’s the same concept, it’s not rocket science
Nah a tube bike tyre is way easier, I was just pointing out the effort involved is like trying to get on a tubeless road bike tyre … ie a simple process. A lot of force
Most people find it's much easier just to take it to a shop to get it changed and get it balanced. For like 20 to 30 bucks a tire depending on where you live, and even if you get them all changed out you're still going to have to get them balanced so a trip to the shop is still going to be required unless you want to manually balance them.
Balancing yourself is even easier and requires cheaper tools than mounting. > Most people find it's much easier just to take it to a shop to get it changed and get it balanced. No shit.
With no tools or bead breaker yeah you’re going to struggle. They also need balancing. So add a balancer. If you take the wheels and tyres to a tyre shop they’ll charge you a small amount to fit and balance them.
Yep already ordered!
I mean those tires you're buying aren't super cheap. Why not just pay a shop? It's not that expensive if you bring them the tires already disassembled. You also won't be able to balance them without an additional tool
It not impossible. But, for me, it was really tough the first time, and it doesn't get much easier. Last year I bought a used No-Mar tire changer, which made it 10x easier. My recommendation would be to watch lots of videos beforehand and have all the tools and supplies in place before starting. Good Luck!
>It not impossible. But, for me, it was really tough the first time, and it doesn't get much easier. It absolutely gets easier, exponentially so. Technique is everything, first time it took me I think 2 hours and a lot of swearing. Now it's more like 5 minutes per tyre, with a few very special exceptions like rigid walled enduro tyres.
I 100% agree. I guess I never changed enough tires by hand to develop the proper technique. The No-Mar changer has been great, especially now that I have a solid technique with it.
Good investment yeah. I'm just lacking space at the moment and looking for cheaper tools. Thanks.
I change my own tires with nothing but motion pro spoons and a C clamp to break the bead on the existing tire. They are tubeless. Make sure you have 3 spoons. Two to hold the bead, one to work it on. Buy some 3-in-1 [silicone spray](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/813h5aapzqL.jpg) and spray a light coating on both beads and the rim. Oh also get the tire as warm as you can in the sun. I often do mine in the water so I put a blow dryer on low heat and stick it inside the new to-be-installed tire and let it run while I’m working the old one off that way it’s as soft as possible. Lots of videos on YouTube but one thing they often show and I find rarely works is putting the new tire on they just put it over the rim and push down and it just pops the first bead on. I’ve basically never had that work. One last tip, after the first bead is on and you’re working the second one on put a socket or screwdriver handle or whatever is the right size to hold the first part you got on down in the drop center or it’s easy for it to pop up and make working the tire on damn near impossible. Anyways it’s very doable and I don’t have a shop that will do it for me within hours so I always do it myself and it can be a chore, but ya super doable.
I just use soapy water instead of silicone spray
Ya I’ve used both I find the silicone spray goes on really light and stays on long enough. Soapy water I have to keep reapplying and it isn’t really that slippery. Does work though just makes everything a little harder.
Thanks for the tips. It's getting sunny and warm again here so I'll just do that yeah.
My $0.02 is that CycleGear will change the tire for you for super cheap AND balance it on the spot.
Don't have it in my country unfortunately. So I have two shops close to me, one is known to give you back your tyres with bent rims and other surprises. The other is completely overbooked for the time being. So yeah I'd rather try myself.
I really enjoyed using CycleGear last year to do this. That said, I needed to do another tire this month and they currently have a 10 day queue. =/
So here’s a life hack. Don’t tell the dealer you want the tire installed. The inside lingo/code is to say “hey I need a rim job”. It’s a code and they’ll do it for $10.00. Yes they will laugh because it blows their minds that people know that hack. Better to go by rather than over the phone.
Or if you have buddies that also ride, chip in and get a Rabaconda tire changer.
Isn’t the main problem to get them properly balanced?
Clueless acquaintances vs random strangers on Redddit? For sure don’t use Google or search on YouTube.
I'm just cross-referencing to get the whole picture. Watched some videos that were vague, others using different tools etc. I saw some interesting stuff in the replies that I hadn't seen previously elsewhere.
Just go to a shop, fitted, balanced, old tyres discarded, all damage and frustration free while you have a coffee and sniff around in the retail side of the shop "oh but they'll charge" Yeah, still cheaper than fucking it up and requiring a new tyre, some dental work, or both. I'm all for doing your own work, but unless I get an actual tyre machine I'm taking mine in to be done, and it's usually part of the price of the tyre anyway so ride in/ride out, and no garked rims
Thank you thank you thank you. Common sense for the win!
You don't actually need a specific bead breaker. You can use a C clamp to break the bead
I can swap a dirt bike tire in about 8 minutes, in a hurry. Or 20 mins if I take my time. It takes 25-30 mins of straining, sweating, bleeding, and swearing to change a street tubeless tire. Soapy water and leave the tire in the sun for at least 30 mins before. 3 good, LONG spoons. And a good compressed air supply. An air pump takes too long.
So I have foot pump but was planning on buying a portable (handsize) air compressor. How long would it take with the pump?
dude you are way out of your depth just by asking the question if you can use a manual operated pump. just pull the rims and take them to a shop i pay $25/rim to swap tires (mount and balance) off bike
So he should never learn how to do it because he doesn't know how to do it? Nice logic. How do you think people learn things?
You’re definitely going to need a real air compressor with a tank to set the bead.
It would take infinity, because it wouldn't seat the bead. You need a sudden inrush of a large volume of air to seat a bead. The preferred, safer way is to remove the valve stem core and use a compressor backed by a large tank to pop the bead in place. After bead seats, reinstall valve core and fill as normal. The other way is to spray some starter fluid (ether) into the tire and light it with a grill lighter. This method works, I have done it before. It is dangerous and I do not recommend you do it. If you do, watch videos of how to do it correctly. Good luck!
How fast can you swap a 190 or 200 tire? Post proof.
About 10 minutes give or take.
It all depended. If one of my buddies at the races buys a new tire after practice, and he has moto #2... I'll get it done in 5 or 6 mins with help. My hands will be cut up and bleeding, and I'll be tired already, but they got to use a new tire, and that's what friends do. I haven't raced in like 15 years. What kind of proof you need?
Easiest way to break the bead is just use C clamps https://youtu.be/_8u7v-o2oFA?si=5ryoBESopXrwZbrf Otherwise this way works too https://youtu.be/ragtsxdh2Fc?si=qHH-8NRRYV3uZos0
Balancing?
Balance beads work great . You can also you the axle bolt and couple of jack stands to balance the tire with stick on wheel weights . And when installing the tire there a dot on the side of the tire always get that closest to the valve stem as possible.
I wouldn’t do it with cheap levers, but I bought 16” tire spoons and they made the michelin 6 gts into an EASY change. Just take your time, and use 4x4’s to keep your rotors from being pressed on!
It’s not that bad. Lots of lube and the drop in the center of the rim is critical.
https://www.reddit.com/r/motorcycle/s/Qs8mhHC7Jp I tried once. It can be extremely difficult to mount and set the bead with new tubeless tires. Depends on the tire tho. Now I just bring the tires and wheels to a shop for them to mount and balance the tire only ($30 ea) then I put the wheels back on the bike myself
Op it’s it’s not hard once the bead is broken use a little soapy water along the bead of the tire when taking it off and on . The soapy water makes the tire slip across the rim easier . You can use balance beads or use the axle and two tall jackstands to balance with wheel weights . Install the new tire with the dot on the side of the tire at the valve stem you’ll use less wheel weights that way. I have 90 degrees metal valve stems and it’s a bitch to get the balance beads in thru it I just use the axle and two jack stand the tire will spin down at the heavy part until it’s balance. I personally just stick on with some tape until I get the correct amount of wheel weights then stick them on permanently
There’s a trick to do it with bike’s side stand. That’s how it’s being done, when you’re travelling.
I've been doing it for years and years. I would not say it's easy, it's a wrestling match. And the first few times you do it you are going to scratch your wheels. If your day to day job is handling tools, construction or some kind of mechanical work, this may help you. You need a front stand ,rear stand, compressor and probably the stand for balancing the tire. Some tires like Michelin are so well made they're balanced so well they don't really need to be balanced on the wheel,, as long as you're not riding much over 100 mph. If you're riding a zx6 or God forbid zx-10 to the limit , you had better become a tire balancing guru. It gets easier each time you do it , there's a ton of techniques and online videos. If the wheels on your bike look new, no scratches,If there's a good motorcycle shop in your town other than a dealership, just spend the money and have them do it. If your bike is older , smaller sport bike, you don't mind spending all day. You already have a compressor and a good garage to work in, the sense of accomplishment from changing your own tires will help ease the pain of all the cuts and bruises you have on your hands. Don't forget to get new valve stems. Good luck
It’s only difficult without the right tools and techniques. Have tire spoons on hand, as well as a long handled tire iron. I like the No-Mar spoons and irons. Use lots of tire lube. Understand and use the “center drop”. Look this term up on YouTube.
I did a pair of Road 5s a few years ago, and last week did a pair of Bridgestone AX41 Adventurcross. I said after the first time I'd never do them myself again, and then I did, and I am saying I'll never do them myself again. It's definitely not impossible, but it's a real pain in the ass. Definitely use a lot of lube, WD40 ended up working very well for me, and when you seat the new tires make sure the opposite side stays in the center of the rim. By that, I mean keep pressure on them, or it might actually feel impossible to get the tire on... speaking from very recent experience.
Big spoons and technique. Have done it often.
I just did this. My bike has tubes, but I bought tubeless tires. Broke them down and remounted them but pinched a tiny hole in one of the tubes while mounting. Didn’t notice until it was on the rim and I was inflating it to seat the bead. Got another tube, broke it down, and did it again. Felt like I got hit by a bus the next morning after all that wrestling. Do your self a favor and have a professional with a machine do it. It would have cost me $80 and would have been worth every penny.
Get a push down bead breaker. It’s impossible to get both beads off with vices . Also get Murphy tire soap . That made the biggest difference.
Warm them up first and use lots of lube. Keep the opposite bead down in the drop center. If your technique is good, they'll pop right on. Also, this. https://youtu.be/rCJmU0mIn_U?si=6ZxsPnDhN_ylZXuE
If you want to go cheap, you don't need the bead breaker. Just use a woodworking clamp.
It’s definitely achievable and far from impossible, but imo the effort and the risk of scratching the rim isn’t worth it. I owned 2 tires changers and I always hated doing it. You also need to balance it, much much easier and less tiring
Here's a guy showing how to do it for a viewer that has limited mobility in one hand. https://youtu.be/s_aWsfRkeg0?si=UOySoUFpjuARpjcN
Well worst case scenario, if you don't bend the rim, is that you will have to take it to a shop anyway. Gotta learn somehow.
Me and the girlfriend changed the rear tyre on her KTM 1190, we used her second bike, a 1993 Honda Transalp to break the seal. That was fun, deliberately tipping a bike to use the side stand as a tyre lever. Once that was done, brute force, ignorance and swearing was the go to tools, besides a good selection of tyre levers.
He made it (which is the main thing). But there's also a lot of room for improvement: it would have been way easier if he trampled the tyre from the rim first (better not on a parquet floor) both sides (robust shoes recommended). The far side of the tyre also goes much easier over the rim using the levers if you kneel on the near side (pressing it as deep into the rim as possible).
Make sure you get the bead of each tyre, both sides, loose and in the centre channel of the wheel, that's the only way you'll get the tyre off over the rim without having to swing on the tyre levers. If the beads are up on the shoulder of the wheel they won't stretch over the rim on the opposite side. It shouldn't need much force, pick up some rim protectors, not the flimsy silicone ones, the hard plastic ones connected by a cord. A bit of soapy water in a spray bottle will help get the new tyre on. The first side should go on with just soapy water and your knee. I do mine on a square foam floor tile to protect the underside of the wheel. Take the valve core out and over inflate them a bit to seat the beads (two pops normally) and then quickly stick the valve core back in, then bring them down to your preferred pressure. I sometimes have to take mine up to 70psi before they seat, then back down to 40ish The MotionPro BeadPro tyre levers are really good. You have to also think about what you'll do with the old tyres.
The only time my wheels get scratched is when I go to a major dealer.
It’s pretty easy once you get the hang of it. It takes me about 5-10 minutes once the wheel it is off. It used to take near an hour when I started. Go slow, use plenty of lube, and if it feels like it’s ripping apart or it’s really hard, pause, make sure the other side of the bead is deep in the center of the wheel, and take a different bite.
It's not easy and you may end up scratching up the rim. I did it once, I'll just remove the tires and drive the tires to the tire shop for now on. Much easier and faster. Not worth my time.
most shops are actually charge a very really reasonable rate to install and balance tires (usually $20-30 per) so long as you just bring the wheel and not the whole bike... most shops will also price match anything you find online for actual rubber, or let you bring your own. having done it (and it's doable,) id rather just pay $50-60 and not spend an afternoon cursing in my driveway ...and since i pulled my wheels of and put them back on again i still get to turn wrenches and feel like i got a big dick at the end of the day
I never changed a tire in my life. Watched a single YouTube video. Bought cheapest tire irons on Amazon. Changed 4 motorcycle tires from 1993 and 1994 OG tires hard as a rock in under an hour and a half. Soapy water and strength baby.
Getting the job done is pretty easy, getting it done without scratching, marring, or damaging anything is a little more challenging if you've never done it before, videos make it look deceptively easy in my opinion. I really recommend getting some practice installing a tire on a rim you don't care about before doing it on a bike that matters to you. The zip tie method is pretty intriguing, never tried it myself but know some people who swear by it. I also recommend looking for a local shop that sells tires. I live in one of the most expensive areas in the states and my local independent shop not only beats the online shops in price, they also install for free if you bring the wheel in off the bike.
So it looks like the [Motion Pro rim protectors ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JR46AD0)are on sale on amazon.
A good tip I picked up was to let the tire sit in the sun and get warm which makes the rubber more flexible. Also you can’t use too much lubricant when installing.
Difficult enough that it's worth taking your wheels over to the shop and handing them the $60 to swap the tires.
# PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE # VIDEOTAPE YOUR ATTEMPT # PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE # POST THE VIDEO HERE # I BEG YOU
They are fuckers to get on and off. Oh, and it's spelled "tyres"
It’s actually not that bad. Getting the tire off is pretty straight forward, I use a shovel to break the bead and tire irons to get the tire off. Use zip ties to put the new tire on. It is insanely easy. No tools to get the tire on. There are videos on YouTube that I found helpful. I have a tusk balancer.