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Mounting your own tires - worth it?
- Thread starter Cookie Monster
- Start date
ScottRNelson
Adventure and Dual Sport
I've done quite a few dual sport tires by myself - the kind with tubes in them. The main reason was to make sure that I had all the right tools so that I could do it in the middle of nowhere if I ever needed to. I'm not sure I could get that Heidenau K60 Sport off of the KTM rear rim, but all three other wheels aren't a big deal for me currently.
Generally, half way through doing a rear tire I'm really wishing I had taken it somewhere to let somebody else do it with a proper tire machine.
Generally, half way through doing a rear tire I'm really wishing I had taken it somewhere to let somebody else do it with a proper tire machine.
thedub
Octane Socks
I change my own tires, and spent the money for the set-up, for these reasons.
I have a no-mar classic. it was $645 shipped to my door. Previously paying ~$25 per tire change, wheels off the bike, I have no illusions that I'm saving money. But having the ability to easily change tires any time in my garage is worth it.
APpy
Member
I do tire myself.
This stand pictured below plus a set of tire irons is all I use:
I bought a gallon of RuGlyde tire lube from napa for $8, 6 years ago and that is still half full after probably a 200 tire changes.
I have always had a compressor. So didn't have to get one specifically because I wanted to change tires. A few times I have seated beads with a bicycle pump when changing tires trackside. No biggie.
The main reason I continue to change the tires myself is because it takes less time to do it at home than driving to a shop and back.
Initially it was quite hard and tire changes involved making up new swear words(you will run out of swearwords
I keep thinking about adding a Nomar tire changer. But space is as issue. Eventually I will get one
Hey.. what stand is this? Looks like it'll take up less space the HF thingy, and seems like most people are not using the top half of that one anyway!
Cookie Monster
noob
Thanks for the input everyone! I think I'll start buying all the tools one by one and hopefully have everything I need to do my next tire change myself!
SFSV650
The Slowest Sprotbike™
Hell no, imho.
Removing wheels at home and bringing them to an installer seems to be the optimal blend of frugality and safety -efficiency.
Removing wheels at home and bringing them to an installer seems to be the optimal blend of frugality and safety -efficiency.
matjam
Crusty old UNIX engineer
I'm gonna give it a go.
APpy
Member
I guess that depends where you live. All the places in the peninsula now charge $30 + disposal with wheels off the bike
I have to drive to South Bay to get the $20 rate, and during business hours. People say time is money, but driving to a shop, dropping off wheels, picking them up etc. takes a lot of time too. I'd bet way more time than if I practiced and got good at doing it in my garage.
Lunch Box
Useful idiot
I do all of my dirt and dualsport tires, but my crappy setup makes it tough for street tires. Fortunately, I have a friend who lets me use her tire changer (and by that I mean she pretty much does it for me).
Edit: It helps that I don't have as much time to ride street as I used to, so I no longer need a new rear tire every few weeks.
Edit: It helps that I don't have as much time to ride street as I used to, so I no longer need a new rear tire every few weeks.
bambamb43
New member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2015
- Location
- Concord,ca
- Moto(s)
- 2015 BMW S1000R,2002 kawasaki ZRX1200R, 2005 gixxer 1000 (Track) 2010 BMW S1000RR (Track)
- Name
- Bruce
I got the nomar/cycle hill tire changer for $395, and find it extremely easy to change tires, last few times I had my tires changed at a shop they came back chipped up, the nomar machine is easy to use and leaves no scratches or chips, it takes longer to take the wheel on and off the bike then actually change the tire on the rim, I am no longer at the mercy of a shop on when my tires will be done, it works great on my BMW S1000R wheels, with track day's and spirited street rides and commuting I burn thought tires fast , this machine will easily pay for itself in a short time, I've even done Harley tires on it for a friend, I also bought a balancer and a couple of pounds of weights, and as for a compressor I use the harbor freight 12volt high volume compressor for $59 and it works unbelievably good, I've even beaded up my off road buggy tires with it and they are 32x1150x15 tires, I built an attachent for the tire machine so it plugs into my receiver hitch on my truck so I can change tires literally anywhere
thedub
Octane Socks
Safety? Are you saying dismounting/mounting your own tires is dangerous?
Shigeta
Moving Chicane
Rag,
I've been mounting/balancing my own tires for about 20 tire swaps. Much more economical than paying a shop, but if I'm in a time crunch, I'll let someone else do it.
I've been mounting/balancing my own tires for about 20 tire swaps. Much more economical than paying a shop, but if I'm in a time crunch, I'll let someone else do it.
SFSV650
The Slowest Sprotbike™
I have nine thumbs. Dangerous for the rim, and for anyone within earshot with a delicate constitution, at the very least.
ScottRNelson
Adventure and Dual Sport
Unless I'm wearing shop gloves the whole entire time I'm doing the tire change, I usually end up bleeding a bit. Does that count as dangerous?
Wait till you're in the middle of Kansas on a back road exploring, then all the time you took learning how to fix a flat with tire spoons and a patch kit will pay off.
having tools on trips is a great thing.
having tools on trips is a great thing.
louemc
New member
Unless I'm wearing shop gloves the whole entire time I'm doing the tire change, I usually end up bleeding a bit. Does that count as dangerous?
Bleeding is good, Takes the pressure off...
HeatXfer
Not Erudite, just er
stangmx13
not Stan
someone always reminds me about those mojo blocks when these threads come up and i never remember to buy them cuz i dont change tires THAT often.
mojo blocks =
some ppl can make anything dangerous. like the guy in the original vid that is going to get an iron to the face one of these days.
Last edited:
Lunch Box
Useful idiot
Exactly why I am a firm believer that all moto riders should know how to R&R wheels and change tires with spoons, as well as how to use plugs. Tire changing skills have saved my butt offroad a number of times, and carrying a plug kit has come in quite handy on the street.
I would much rather be self sufficient and be on my way in 10-40 minutes, than to be stuck somewhere for who knows how long until someone comes along who can help. In many of the places I ride, cell phone coverage is non-existent and it could be hours before the next person passed by.