Changing motard tires at home? How hard?

[xxaarraa]

Hey guys,

How hard is it to change motard tires at home? I have motion pro tire spoons and these harbor freight tools seem inexpensive:

Motorcycle Tire Changer Attachment
Manual Tire Changer
Motorcycle Wheel Balancer w/ Stand

It's not super critical since I can get this done at the track, but would be nice to be able to do this at home and save hassle/stress at the track. I have never done it before so accounting for full learning curve, how hard is it?

[JettaJayGLS]

I did it with levers. Not bad if its race rubber. Leave em in the sun.

[hondarider102]

I'm telling you man get some large Zipties at home depot, they have the like 24 inch ones for around $8 for like 15 of them or something and do the ziptie method, by far the easiest tire change i have ever done, it was more time consuming then when i had my No-Mar changer but it was actually easier in my opinion. used my changing stand for my dirtbike tire to break the bead and hold the rim still but man it was easy!

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I did it with levers. Not bad if its race rubber. Leave em in the sun.

Only issue i have with the spoons is that you are almost guaranteed to leave some marks, No marks at all left with the ziptie method!

[black]

I had the same setup for tires for my xr650r. not easy but not hard. took an hour maybe?

Big suggestion is to buy some rim protectors


Havent tried this ziptie method

[xxaarraa]

Hey Corey, can you say more about this "zip tie method?"

EDIT:

[e30addict]

It's super easy once you learn the technique. You tube helps immensely.

I have the Motion Pro levers and a HF bead breaker. I use Dyna beads for balance.

[hondarider102]

Hey Corey, can you say more about this "zip tie method?"

Google Search Motorcycle Ziptie tire change and a youtube video will pop up, Now if this is a tube type tire this method won't help you to much unfortunately

[keeena]

Can you use the ziptie method with motard tires due to the tubes? When normally mounting the tire, the tube is already loosely installed. Would you ziptie the tire w/ the tube inside the tire?

The ziptie method: Put ~8 massive zipties at equal points around the new tire. This pulls the beads from both sides of the tire together and makes it very easy to get onto the rim.

[hondarider102]

Can you use the ziptie method with motard tires due to the tubes? When normally mounting the tire, the tube is already loosely installed. Would you ziptie the tire w/ the tube inside the tire?

The ziptie method: Put ~8 massive zipties at equal points around the new tire. This pulls the beads from both sides of the tire together and makes it very easy to get onto the rim.

Like i said in the above quote, i don't think it would help much with a tubed tire, but you may be able to, i haven't tried it but i feel like it may not help, only because of the valve stem

[Kurlon]

Get some Ry-Glide from NAPA, and something for breaking the bead. After that they're cake to do with normal tire irons.

[cdovego]

Dyna beads and zipties. I've had enough internet today.

[tsorfas]

I'm on the floor laughing. This is by far the funniest thing I have seen all week.
If you do go the zip tie method please record it. But make sure you have a big enough memory card because for a first timer I bet it is at least 3.5 days to do a full set of tires

[tsorfas]

I would also suggest this method to anyone changing ice tires as well.

Definitely record that shit and have someone stand by for 911 call

[aldend123]

Is changing tubeless motard tires any different from street tires? Assuming not, I think the tire changing stand is overkill for the occasional swap. First time's a bit tedious and long, but it improves once you get the hang of it. I've broke a bead by just standing on the tire right and bouncing a bit - it'll slowly peel away over like 30 seconds, just keep at it. Otherwise, a long 2x4 with another short 2x4 piece. It works, and doesn't take up extra space in the garage when you're done.


I've never done the ziptie method, but I can't see why it'd take so much longer. In fact, I'm thinking I'll probably get a few for my next swap. Seems like they'd help even if you don't do them all the way around.

If you're learning how to take the wheels off and on for the first time too, then this will probably be a fairly long project or at least feel that way. Just allot plenty of time.

[Pittenger5]

The harbor freight tire changer blows. Fuck that.

[xrocket21]

in my experience, around step 3 or 4 is when you tear the tube with the spoons...

[hondarider102]

I'm on the floor laughing. This is by far the funniest thing I have seen all week.
If you do go the zip tie method please record it. But make sure you have a big enough memory card because for a first timer I bet it is at least 3.5 days to do a full set of tires

The ziptie method actually works very well and doesn't take much effort or time at all, if you haven't tried it, don't bash it, its alot better then you think and alot easier then you think! I was shocked myself, i did not expect it to work nearly as well as it did. My first time doing the ziptie method it took me about 30 minutes for the first tire and about 10 minutes for the other 2 tires i did (1 full bike and the front on another)

[hondarider102]

and in the video, the guy says use a spoon to start it, I disagree, just use some soapy water and spray it good on the areas that will be pushed over the rim, its really amazing how easy it is, and for you people who think the guy is crazy or it won;t work, i thought the same thing and now i'll never do mine any other way. If anyone wants to bring rims over and try it, i have some zipties and i'd be happy to prove you wrong, after you can pay me my normal tire changing fee of $20 a tire.

[Garandman]

Get some Ry-Glide from NAPA, and something for breaking the bead.

To break the bead on the TW200 rear I got a 2"x3"x8' and a couple of blocks of wood. Set the rim on some blocks in the driveway to keep the rim from being damaged. Cut about a 15" piece of wood and put it on the tire at the bead. Put the 2x3 under the trailer hitch on the car and pushed down. Stupid easy.

[e30addict]

You guys are working too hard. You can break a bead with a kickstand if you want.

[xxaarraa]

Here's a noobie question. If breaking the bead is such a big task, what does one have to do to reseat the bead??

[hondarider102]

Here's a noobie question. If breaking the bead is such a big task, what does one have to do to reseat the bead??

fill the tire with air

[xxaarraa]

fill the tire with air

Tubes bro

[hondarider102]

Tubes bro

ok then fill the tube lol

[xxaarraa]

ok then fill the tube lol

Doh I meant can you fill the tube with high enough pressure to seat a tire bead? I know on sport bikes they inflate it to like 40-45 to seat the bead so I assume it takes high pressure to seat?