Tire Changing Tips from the Pros

[SpudRider]

I think the following tire changing videos are superb. I use a combination of the techniques shown in these videos when I change my tires. These videos have made tire changing a lot easier for me, so I wanted to share them with my fellow China Riders.





Spud

[Q]

One thing missing in both those videos is the mention of temperature. Working with a cold tire is much more difficult than a warm one. If you're changing tires in a cold garage during the winter, take the tire inside and warm it up before working on it. It makes it a lot easier.

Also if you don't have a rim lock it's easiest to start removing the tire from near the valve stem, and finish at the valve stem when putting it back on. That's because the stem prevents the bead from going all the way into the dish of the rim.

Q

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Q

One thing missing in both those videos is the mention of temperature. Working with a cold tire is much more difficult than a warm one. If you're changing tires in a cold garage during the winter, take the tire inside and warm it up before working on it. It makes it a lot easier…

Thank you for the additional tips, Q. Indeed, it is always easier to work with a warm tire. If possible, I lay my new tire on the driveway to soak up heat before I install it. I read that another fellow puts his new tire inside his car, and turns on the heater!

Originally Posted by Q

…Also if you don't have a rim lock it's easiest to start removing the tire from near the valve stem, and finish at the valve stem when putting it back on. That's because the stem prevents the bead from going all the way into the dish of the rim…

I also don’t use a rim lock. Therefore, as with you, I always begin my work at the valve stem.

After a summer of changing tires on my knees, I decided to invest in a Moose Racing tire changing stand. I am glad I made this investment; this tire changing stand makes the job much easier.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...e-Changer.aspx

I hope other forum members will also offer their tire changing tips!

Spud

[MICRider]

Wow! Those guys make it look so easy... Need me some irons and a dirtbike with a bald tire now!

[MICRider]

Hey guys, pulling up an old thread here . I ordered a set of new tires for my bike and was just wondering what kind of tire irons you guys like best? I've heard good things about the Motion Pro spoon type ones but they look a little unconventional to me. Also, are 3 irons a necessity or can you get by with 2? I vaguely remember long long waits at the bike places to get tires mounted so I might give em a shot myself.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

Hey guys, pulling up an old thread here . I ordered a set of new tires for my bike and was just wondering what kind of tire irons you guys like best? I've heard good things about the Motion Pro spoon type ones but they look a little unconventional to me. Also, are 3 irons a necessity or can you get by with 2? I vaguely remember long long waits at the bike places to get tires mounted so I might give em a shot myself.

We don't mind when someone revives an older thread, Stew. In fact, I enjoy it when someone reinvigorates a good thread.

I really like the Motion Pro type tire spoons. They do a very good job changing my dual sport tires. Three tire spoons are not necessary; however, the third spoon certainly makes the job easier. The third spoon is especially helpful when you are removing the old tire.

Spud

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

We don't mind when someone revives an older thread, Stew. In fact, I enjoy it when someone reinvigorates a good thread.

I really like the Motion Pro type tire spoons. They do a very good job changing my dual sport tires. Three tire spoons are not necessary; however, the third spoon certainly makes the job easier. The third spoon is especially helpful when you are removing the old tire.

Spud

Thank you Spud, I think I will go with the Motion Pro spoon type irons. About $15 US each so I am assuming they are good quality. You've changed quite a few tires so the advice is golden to me. I think I will order 3 as well, easier is better for me . Do you use the bead buddy like in the video as well?

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

Thank you Spud, I think I will go with the Motion Pro spoon type irons. About $15 US each so I am assuming they are good quality. You've changed quite a few tires so the advice is golden to me. I think I will order 3 as well, easier is better for me . Do you use the bead buddy like in the video as well?

You're welcome, Stew. If you shop around, you can probably find the BikeMaster tire spoons for less than $15 each. I bought the BikeMaster tire spoons, and they are virtually identical to the Motion Pro tire spoons.

I certainly do use a Bead Buddy; it makes the job much easier! The Tusk Tire Bead Tool from Rocky Mountain ATV is exactly the same as the Motion Pro Bead Buddy, but the Tusk tool costs much less.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pr...dFamilyId=3044

Spud

[MICRider]

Originally Posted by SpudRider

You're welcome, Stew. If you shop around, you can probably find the BikeMaster tire spoons for less than $15 each. I bought the BikeMaster tire spoons, and they are virtually identical to the Motion Pro tire spoons.

I certainly do use a Bead Buddy; it makes the job much easier! The Tusk Tire Bead Tool from Rocky Mountain ATV is exactly the same as the Motion Pro Bead Buddy, but the Tusk tool costs much less.

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pr...dFamilyId=3044

Spud

Cool, on order including the Tusk Tire Bead Tool . Thank you for the excellent advice Spud

[Wild_Alaskan]

i saw some massive tire irons at harbor freight when o was in clifornia for very cheap also

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by MICRider

Cool, on order including the Tusk Tire Bead Tool . Thank you for the excellent advice Spud

You're welcome, Stew.

Spud

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by Wild_Alaskan

i saw some massive tire irons at harbor freight when o was in clifornia for very cheap also

Thanks for the tip, WA. Indeed, I saw those tire irons during a recent visit to Harbor Freight; they are 24 inches long, and very heavy duty.

http://www.harborfreight.com/24-inch...ron-93230.html

You can't beat the current price of $5.99 for these tire irons. However, I think the Motion Pro tire spoons are much easier to use, and work very well for changing dual sport tires.

Spud

[Cal25]

I dont do tire changes very often but I have 2 spoons I have used for over 30 years. 1 is similar to the Harbor freight item in Spud's link only it's about 18 inches long. The other spoon is more flatter in shape and only 10 or12 inches long. I use the little one to hold the progress the big one makes.

[BamaRat]

I recently changed the tires out on my Zong. I was still unsure if I was going to do it myself so I just ordered 3 of these

http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/pr...dFamilyId=3153

I was amazed with them. For $3 bucks a piece. They worked great and although I had never done a tire change before I finished it with no problem.

[Jim]

Those look like a really good deal thanks for posting