Changing Your Own Motorcycle Tires | Five Tips
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- During the COVID19 lockdown we were a little bored and so we decided to change the tires on the Yamaha R6. In this video we present you with 5 tips we took from that experience.
/ lowfliers
#motorcycle #tires #maintenance - Auta a dopravní prostředky
I was quoted $700+ for two Sportster tires by both the dealer and local shop. I ordered the same tires today for $168 and spent less than $100 on tools. I will install and balance the tires myself over the next week or so.
Sounds like a plan. I had more or less the same idea when we did this and it can absolutely save you some money. :-) Good luck!
@@Lowfliers I struggled on the front tire, but had it not for my wife sticking her finger down the crack of my butt, I would have completed the rear tire in less than 30 minutes.
@@DaveBuildsIt 😂 😂 Pinned comment.
What specific tools did you buy?
I purchased the following:
1- Motion Pro 08-0536 BeadPro Forged Steel Tire Bead Breaker and Lever Tool Set (Amazon)
2- Neiko 20600A Tire Spoon Levers, Repair Tool Kit (Amazon)
3- Pittsburg Motorcycle Wheel Balancing Stand (from Harbor Freight)
It came out to be close to $120 but still a lot less than the stealership and the indy mechanic. The Neiko tire spoon levers made a huge difference.
Of course, you will need tubes, valve stems, valve stem cores, a remover tool, and wheel weights - all depending on your specifics. Windex or tire lubrication as well.
I change my own and have done some for others. Have done so for many years. Gold Wing tires are the most difficult. My tip is to get a tire stand that lets you work at just below waist level, NOT on the floor.
Man you ain't kidding, I tried to put a front tire on my goldwing and never cussed so much in my life!
some professionals scratch the rims, don’t put the red dot on the tire in line with the valve, have a huge tolerance in balancing and don’t clean the spot where the old weights have been. A „Professional“ is somebody who takes money for what he is doing, but that doesn’t mean he‘s good at it.
Sorry you had such bad experiences. I guess it is important to find a shop you can trust. Most shops we use are aware that motorcyclists are sticklers for details when it comes to their beloved bikes, so they make sure to do a proper job.
@@Lowfliers thanks for response
Totally agree. A pro didn’t change the valve. It leaked. He maintained he did change it. Another shop changed it, the tire didn’t leak anymore and the valve was obviously old
My local shop charges $125 per tire so I didn't want to pay $250 to have new tires put on my dual sport. I bought the Rabaconda tire changer and it wasn't too bad of a job(yes, I cursed a few times). I bought a tire balancer and chain alignment tool and changed my own tires. I've put approx. 500 miles on the new tires and things are looking good so far. I'm changing the tires out on my new adventure bike tomorrow and I think the job will go good. I agree heating up the tires, using soapy water or lube on the beads, and long tire irons gets the job done. I watched several videos first on how to do the job which helped too. Thanks for making this video.
Great that you're doing it yourself! Whether it makes economic sense to buy the tools, really depends on how much you ride and how often you need new tires. But besides the economic value, there's of course great value in leaning a new skill and getting to know your bike better. Thanks for your contribution!
That seems kind of excessive for installation only. My local shop charges me $10/tire if I bought the tires from them and $25 if I supply my own - that's if I bring them the wheels off the bike.
@@Angel-HC Wow, where??? I was quoted $80/tire off the bike and $130/tire on the bike.
@@scriptmaster3357 Evolution Motorcycles in Santa Clara, CA.
very good video. Well worth considering the job throughly before embarking on it.
Nice , i do mine all the time , always I pick summer on a hot days , no drama
Nice!
My tires are due a change. Last "professional" job at the BMW dealership cost me $135 to have them installed and leave scratch marks on my rims. I've been watching tutorials, have my Haynes handy and I think I can do the job. It means the difference between a few hundred bucks for me, and I know I can do a better job. I'll have to get on all fours as I cannot fork the money that a Rabaconda cost.
Thanks for all the encouragement and information.
You're right. With BMW prices, perhaps it's not a bad idea to start doing things for yourself. 😉 I don't doubt you can do it, but you're definitely going to break a sweat! Good luck!
I try to do this on a hot day and let the tires bake in the sun for awhile + use tons of lube. I think the last time I helped my buddy do the tires on his DRZ400SM, it took 1-1.5hrs from start to finish with help so it actually saved time and money
Thanks for the tips. Ditto: I did a lot of my own work /maintenance/polishing during the quarantine.
At least something good came out of a horrible year, right?
The last time I brought my bike in for both tires to be installed (bought the tires at the same place as well) it cost 200 cdn to instal. That is the first/last time ever doing that at a stealership. Getting my own tools and doing it from now on.
I recently did this upon getting a flat and not wanting to lose precious time to a garage schedule. This should be done by everyone who rides. It's so easy. A bit of labor saves $ and most importantly valuable down time the garage creates.
Well, it's not always that easy. A lot depends on the particular situation (tire size, tire condition, equipment, etc.). But sure, if you CAN do it yourself, why not? It also teaches you a lot about your bike. So, good job!
Easy it is not unless you have the best tools or machines that a pro garage or shop has then the job takes minutes and is struggle free.
I simply don’t trust anyone to work on my motorcycles. Many shops base their work on a time frame, which usually sacrifices quality for the speed of getting the job done…the shop is a business after all. When the shop scratches, dings, damages your bike’s components, you’re lucky if you get an apology, let alone replacement or repair of the part. Even worse, if they neglect something during a repair, you’re the one getting road rash, not them.
For the mechanically inclined, that's a valid standpoint. But we're still learning, and so for some jobs we are dependent on professional mechanics. We have had mixed experiences with them, but we think most shops know by now that they can't dupe motorcyclists like they can the average car owner. We are a critical bunch, after all ... 😉 Thanks for the comment!
Warm in sun or other uniform way. Blow dryer can melt PVC completely (as in frozen RV pipes). Don't weaken your cycle tire by resting blow-dryer in it. Thanks for the video.
Duly noted. Thanks for the tip!
Important video for anyone facing the challenge of tire replacement on a motorcycle. Facts about that tire age , mounting technique, proper rotation , the list goes on . Many Important facts pointed out here.
I replace my own tires on both KTM500EXCF AND KTM300XCW
dirt bikes only to realize the critical importance of riding on good tread meant for the riding conditions and terrain. I'm 66 and no one should own a bike period if they are not responsible enough to take on at least basic
Preride inspection as described in the owners manual and some basic mechanics. Take for instance just tire pressure , I always check prior to riding knobby tires on the highway and air up to 26-24 lbs , by not doing so will cause aggressive wear . Then I air down to 15- 12 lbs when I reach the mountain trails.
There is a huge choice in tread selection, and ROCKY MOUNTAIN ATV/MC their customers ratings are a great place to start along with CZcams videos like this one ! On some of the tires there is a yellow dot it is the lightest point on the tire and to be mounted near the valve stem and rim lock if close to gether as on a KTM . Some bikes the rim lock is 180 deg from the valve stem . My advice if you are attempting to first time change tires on any bike get someone that is experienced. Again MY advise is to go to Rock MOUNTAIN ATV/MC AND BUY THEIR VERY AFFORDABLE TUSK TIRE MOUNTING STAND , 3 TUSK OR MOTION PRO TIRE SPOONS , TUSK WHEEL ALIGNMENT/BALANCING STAND, TUSK SPOKE TORQUE WRENCH, RIM GUARDS TO KEEP FROM SCRATCHING THE RIM . VALVE STEM TOOL , ALL IMPORTANT YAMALUBE SPRAY TIRE LUBE , NO- MAR WHEEL WEIGHTS FOR BALANCING, GORILLA DUCT TAPE OR NEW SPOKE NUT STRAPS , BABY POWDER TO KEEP THE TUBE FROM CHAFFING AND A DIGITAL TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE. OH BUT DON'T FORGET YOUR AIR PUMP!
SO AS YOU CAN SEE MONEY CAN BE SPENT TO OWN A GREAT BIKE OF YOUR CHOICE BUT KNOW TO ACCEPT THE ADDITIONAL COSTS BY INVESTING IN THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB AND BE PATIENT YOU CAN DO THIS!
Thank you very much for your elaborate comment. You're right about the importance of maintenance and looking for someone with experience!
Just changed the front and rear tire on my 2018 ZX10R without using any "irons".....
.....didn't want to ding up my rims. Took some time and effort but, it's worth it to me
to learn and know more about how to take proper care of my own motorcycle.
I also balanced them both to perfection, well worth the time and effort. 😉👍❤️🏍
Be safe!
Randy
Great!
If you didn't use any irons, what did you use to break the bead?
Thanks for the comment.
@@Lowfliers I used C clamps to break the bead. Took a bit of time but worked pretty good. I "laced" it up tight with zip ties and used some soap and water mix to lube it. The front tire came off easy, the back took a bit more work. Reversed the process to mount the tires. Laced 'em up tight with zip ties, lubed the tire and rim with soapy water and "pushed" them back on by hand. First time doing it, with all I've learned with videos like yours it'll be easier next time for sure.
😎👊❤️🏍
@@NHlocal Wow! A lot of hard work, but also very rewarding, I'm sure. 👍👍
@@Lowfliers 😎👊❤️🏍
I replaced the front wheel innertube on my Royal Enfield 500 Classic, just to see if i could, (it needed pumping up from time to time), so now its fine with the new tube, i would not do it again !, it was a real struggle, pay a professional to do it. Thanks for sharing, Northwich UK.
We also struggled, spending the better part of a day to fit them. Others seem to have no trouble it all. Guess a lot depends on the age, size and shape of the tire ... Thanks for commenting!
I like your equipment used. For some reason I thought just buying the tires I'm ready to change them, lol
It's a little more involved, certainly.
Great video mates.
$100 per tire labor charge is the norm here at the low cost independent motorcycle shops! I bought a No-Mar from Facebook marketplace for a bargain price, complete with extra accessories. I have plenty of garage space, so a no brainer. I have a few bikes and friends with bikes, so a good investment considering I won't have to get on a list and pay a premium!
Yikes. That's about five times what it costs to get it done in Europe. At those rates, buying a machine indeed is a no brainer!
Why the "Just don't do it" title. I don't know where you are but shops charge over $100 per wheel in my neck of the woods. And shops are notorious for scratching wheel. I do it and know it's done right. Then again, I do almost all my work on my bikes, SUVs, trucks, etc. But I've been doing it since the 1960s. I'm amazed how so many bikers are so helpless these days. Some can't even change their oil!
Then they are charging too much. I have to pay $20 for both wheels when I take them off the bike myself, and I have to buy the tires from them at a slightly higher price than I can find them online. I tried changing a hardened 180 section rear tire with only tire irons and I found it a real P I T A. So for me, at least, it's not worth the hassle. But to each their own, I guess. Thanks for the comment!
I like the idea of doing jobs myself if possible, as it means I can learn something new and also put the money saved from a shop, towards collecting extra tools.
I haven't tried changing tyres yet, but with a few bikes (plus spare wheels) that need new tyres, I'm very tempted. As others have commented, I too have had wheels damaged by "professional" tyre fitters, which is frustrating.
I'd also be curious to know whether it's possible to add the balancing weights to the outer side of the rim *inside* of the tyre. I know it'd mean marking the position and removing/refitting the tyre, but the wheel would look so much cleaner. I also know centrifugal force might try to detach the weights, but if they really were to come unstuck, at least they'd still be within the tyre!
Thanks for your comment. Honestly, I think fitting the weights inside the wheel is a bad idea, for the reasons you mention yourself. There is a considerable chance they will detach and then they are flying around inside your tire. In that case you would have the remove and put the tire back on, just to attach the weights again. Depending on your tire and equipment, that's not something you want to do. Removing and fitting a 200 rear tire with just tire irons is a right pain in the *ss.
I just changed my first.
It was the rear tire of my V Star 1100.
Got er done but I’m not in a hurry to do it again.
Lots of sweat and cuss words.
I used a cut off wheel to finally get the old tire off after wrestling with it for too long.
The new one went on much easier.
I balanced it with Ride On sealant and all is good.
This is in line with our experience. There are a lot of people saying in the comments that it is an easy job. But I think they are dealing with narrow and flexible (offroad?) tires, because replacing a hardened 200 section rear tire using only tire irons is a pain in the ....
@@Lowfliers
Agreed.👍
I change my own tyres,repair punctures, it's not really a difficult job. I do everything myself , oil , filters , wheel bearings, head bearings, strip & clean brake calipers, chain & sprockets. Most maintenance is fairly easy. Once you've done it you'll wonder why you paid a professional to do it. Give it a go.
In Australia it costs a minimum $25 Australian to get a dealer to change a tyre.
Pay the professional a small amount??? Which state do professionals charge a small amount for motorcycle tires!!! Thanks for the video I agree with your observations, done a few myself for the motorcycle n the car too! I forgot to mention that bead breaking on old tires is a huge deal, that’s where the cursing starts!! Go get ‘em guys!!!
Thanks for your feedback! In our country, most shops charge a relatively small fee to put tires on rims, mainly because it's a 10 minute job for them. Of course, you would also have to buy the tires themselves, which are definitely NOT cheap.
I agrrr with u Kunal I change my own , not only is it cheaper but I don’t have to hear from some bike shop about what a pain it is and right now good luck finding someone to change bike tire
My local mech in Victoria,Australia charges me like 50 for front and rear fitting/balancing
I have 2 techniques for bead breaking. At my parents place there's an extremely heavy soldering table. I wedge a long wooden pole under the bottom beam, and place a small wooden piece between the tire and the pole. So while I push down on the pole, it pushes with much multiplied force down on the tire, and pushes up on the table. Which won't budge. I can't do that at my place, so I use 2 good c-clamps and protect the rim. It takes longer but gets the job done even with the toughest tires.
Spray off, Paste on 😁
I've been changing, mounting and balancing my own tires for the last 25 years. Started with simple tire irons and now have the No-Mar 'system'. It's ALL about TECHNIQUE which takes repetition and patience. After you do it 3 or four times, you won't EVER pay someone again to scratch/mar your rims. You order your tires ahead of time off MANY internet sources finding the EXACT tire you want at the best price. YOU decide when you want to change your tires- no waiting. You're not that busy where you can't dedicate a Saturday morning or a rainy evening once a year.
I don't think you can find the No Mar brand in Europe, but we have similar machines. I can certainly see the points you're making.
Do you need to lube the axle every time you change the tires?
Just tried changing my own tyres for the first time and due to the type of tyre and the small rim failed miserably. BUT, i had to try it at least once, learned a lot and I should have at least the experience an knowho on repairing the inner tube if no other option is available. Would I do it again? Probably not if I can help it. Been busy on them for 8 hours now, our motorcyle shop probably takes 10 minutes.
That's more or less in line with our experience. Just not worth the hassle. We live and learn, don't we?
Good advice and good tips, but these are doable skills that can be mastered especially with adv bikes. I watched Bret Tkacs remove a stiff walled mitas using short motion pro bead breaker levers in the field. If you get a flat in the middle of nowhere and don't know how to replace/repair your tube.. 😭
You're right, for adventure riders it's a must to develop this skill.
PS: We also love Bret's videos!
Great video!
What’s the steel X shaped tyre machine looking thing in the video? Trying to find one just like that!
It's a "tire changer" by MAX2H, a German company (max2h.com/en/). It works, but you'll either need to be very strong or you may have to fix the supporting feet of the apparatus, in order to exert enough force on the beam. Also be careful about your floor surface: I made some scratches in mine.
@@Lowfliers thanks for getting back to me mate! okay good to know will check it out. cheers
What stand was that you guys had to lay the wheel on and break the bead ?
It's a manual tire changer. I believe we ordered it from a Dutch company called Datona:
www.datona.be/motorbanden-demontage-apparaat.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw95yJBhAgEiwAmRrutLwIJFykZWgVoBEEmE9p5Eo4utdc8rypI9rqL41kCEpBF_TG4jVC9BoC8VAQAvD_BwE
When you remove disc they say you need to install news bolts when putting back on.
True, probably because it's a critical component. In fact, many manufacturers and manuals also state the caliper bolts are single use.
It can be very difficult with tough touring tires. Like Bridgestone bt30 in my experience. I did damage my rims mounting and removing those, especially the front one.
But today I installed a Dunlop something at the rear and it was a piece of cake.
Now I change the tires myself because I have the irons, but in hindsight, if I knew how much I'd be cussing and how much damage I would do, then I wouldn't have bought them
All in all, saving 30€/year isn't worth the pain
Your experience is more or less in line with ours. Thanks for commenting!
I always take the discs off. Takes five minutes and gives you way more leverage room.
True. Some people even remove the discs when they let a tire fitter do the job, because they have had bad experiences with warped discs. On the other hand: some say you need to keep the disc attached for optimal tire balancing, although I find that argument not very convincing.
@@Lowfliers disc bolts need to be changed every time disc is opened 😂
You never mentioned why we need to tighten the pinch bolts as a last step.
You're right. Sorry about that.
You want to tighten the pinch bolts last, because they 'pinch' the lower part of the fork together, thus 'clasping' the axle. You want to preserve the clasping for last, when all the other components - and especially the axle -, are seated in their place. This is why, before tightening the pinch bolts, it is a good idea to pump the brakes a couple of times, and also pump the fork up and down several times.
The pinch bolts provide some 'wiggle room' for things to fall in place, so to speak. You tighten them last, in order to avoid unwanted stresses throughout the front fork and wheel assembly. This is also why it's very important not to over-torque the pinch bolts!
Motion pro tires tool bead breaker is the best tool so far
Thanks for commenting!
Try using baby powder to reduce the friction between the tire and the rim. I found it works pretty good.
If the baby comes with the baby powder, I'll politely decline. 😉
@@Lowfliers Yeah haha baby's suck
Some mechanic like to take advantage to customer thinks that customer cannot do what mechanic can do.... So I have no other choice but to survive.....
Good on you!
It's not too bad but use good tools. I had a cheap kit off Amazon and the tire gaurds broke right away. I immediately ordered a good set of motion pro rim savers. I ended up cutting the back tire off. Good tools go a long way. Especially on this job
We had to resort to some extreme measure too. As long as it gets the job done, right? ;-)
@@Lowfliers right on. I wasn't going to beat my rims up. Sawzall and mini bolt cutters to the rescue. The zip tie trick looks promising. Take care
I always get my tyres changed professionally
Yes, we don't think it's worth the hassle either.
When you say "shop"
Do you mean a regular car tyre shop or motorcycle mechanics shop
Motorcycle mechanics shop. When they don't ride themselves, car mechanics often don't understand the subtleties of motorcycle maintenance. That's my experience, at least.
@@Lowfliers
Thankyou mate
I do not mind paying a professional to change and balance my tires. I do my own oil, filters, chain and brake maintenance.
Our stance exactly. Some jobs are worth doing yourself; some aren't.
$50 per tire to mount and you have to purchase the tires at an inflated price. No thanks. My No Mar tire changer pays for itself in 3-4 years,, about eight tire changes.
In our country they charge a little less for the work, but it's true that you have the pay non-discounted prices for the tires themselves. We didn't know of this No Mar brand, but it seems they have some very premium products at reasonable prices. Thanks for the tip!
Guys trust me:don't do it.
Take the wheel to a shop to do it.
Changing tyres is not an easy job for the diy biker despite what some people claim. if you spend hundreds of dollars on fancy equipment then maybe. With tyre irons/levers you risk damaging and knackering your bike's rims which will cost $$$$$$ to get repaired and repainted and you will then still pay some one to put your tyres on them as you don't want to damage them again.
if you used cable zip ties wait for very warm weather to make the tyres especially the rear more compliant. An old hardened tyre with stiff side walls still might not come off the wheel so you will be hot sweating and swearing like a trooper with sore and blistered hands trying to force the tyre off. You will give up and take it to the tyre garage. If you have the cash this is the best option. If money is tight then you might well be struggling and swearing.
Exactly our point, but you put it more eloquently. 😊
@@Lowfliers I just bought an Olmax tyre changer. Waiting for it to be delivered. Changes will now take minutes and my bikes rims will not be damaged.
Price rise ,have purchased equipment to do my own, save money in the long run, plus earn a little extra helping mates out .
That's the attitude!
Would i rather pay somone to do it? Absolutely not
lube the tire sides.....lube!!.....lube......
feedback: don't start a video with a hair dryer blasting full volume.
Understood. Our next video will start with fingernails scraping a chalkboard. Stay tuned!
@@Lowfliers might not blow eardrums of it isn't at 11 😅
@@gcm4312 Our volume button is stuck at 11. 😉
Yeah hire a "Professional" to gouge your wheels and do a lame balance. Nah I think not.
If you build a rapport with a good shop, one that takes pride in their work, it shouldn't be a problem?
@@Lowfliers So how many wheels do you need to be screwed up before you find a "good shop" ? I've been messing with bikes and cars for 50 years and I've learned any shop is only as good as their least employee. I've had a Porsche Fuchs wheel ruined, 356C cylinder head f**ed, and MC tires so out of balance that I could only ride 35mph etc, and ALL from "good shops". Learn to do it yourself and have pride in acomplishment and save thousands over your lifetime.
Hah I beat you, my second hand bike old tires were made in 2004
Better get to it then! 😉
Same. Honda 2004 VTX1300c
How those guys sounds like cry babies. What is happening to men? Oh yeah, I forgot about metrosexual thing. Sorry!
He said “pay a small amount of money.” Really! Just yesterday I had the tires on my Tenere 700 changed. I called 7 different shops to ask for prices and I they all had their own price. Which went from 45 dollars per wheel if I took the wheels off myself and took then in, to 200 (plus tax) for both wheels. Every other shop in which they took the wheels off and put then back off were between 169-180 bucks. Perhaps that is pocket change for him, but not for a lot of people.
I ride an adventure bike and I am preparing for a solo trip through Central and South America. If you ride a dual sport or adventure bike off road for extended periods of time, changes are that sooner or later you will experience a flat, and with many bikes having spike wheels that use inner tubes, you better learn this skill to parch the tube or replace it and get back on the road.
Hell, I am a girl and I would had changed then myself if I’ve had the stands and levers. My brother in law owned big rigs and was a diesel mechanic, because I liked helping him and ai was always a tomboy, I used to change the tires in 18-wheelers when I was 16. I am talking about tires that were almost as big as me, and I didn’t. It wasn’t hard at all. The hardest part was lifting the damn things to stand then up. At the beginning I had trouble lifting the tire to mount it on the truck, until my brother in law thought me a trick. With a tire iron under the wheel lifting the tire right in place was nice and easy. And to tight the lugs I used my body weight. There is always a trick for everything. So why not a motorcycle tire now?
A small amount of money.... hilarious and ignorant...😂
Tip six: do NOT order parts from China. 😣
Not a fan of ultra durable Chinesium parts then? 😉
@@Lowfliers dude. Bought five parts. Replaced five parts.