Who changes their own tires? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

BillyBumbler · 11-06-2006, 03:45 PM

It's not exactly around the corner, but sometime in the next year or so I'll be faced with getting my tires replaced. I've found 4 or 5 tutorials on the internet on doing it yourself. They vary in methods somewhat, but they all have a common theme....it's a PITA which involves a lot of sweating and cursing because most guys have to make do with cheaper less specialized tools for the job. I like doing as much of my own maintenance as feasible, and I'm a pretty handy guy, but if the mounting fee was the only thing I was saving I wouldn't even think about it. However tires on the net seem cheaper as well. I could maybe save well over a hundred bucks doing it myself, but I'd like to gauge just how much of a common practice it is and if it's really something I should consider bothering with.

DrBob · 11-06-2006, 04:52 PM

Some guys have good luck mounting tire themselves, but I don't want to mess with it. I take the wheels off, bring them to a local independent shop, and he mounts and balances them for $10-12 each depending on tubes or no tubes. I buy the tires from him too, as he is always within $5-10 of the best internet prices and there is no shipping, plus he handles the return and warrantee if there is a problem. I'm in and out in 15 minutes usually, so it's just not worth it to me to spend the time to change them myself or buy the tools.

But if you have more time than money, give it a shot. There was a post a while back on some beads you put in your tire to balance them, and it seems like that would be a lot easier than messing with weights.

**Clint** · 11-06-2006, 06:58 PM

Bob, that's a dream scenario 99% of us can't find. Since my $15 tire changes went the way of $1.29 gasoline, I'm looking to do my own, also. I'll just sit over here, off to the side, and see what I learn.

SKTR · 11-06-2006, 07:51 PM

Hey Billy, I ordered tires on line, saved significant $. Bought both. Put the bike on lift and removed the wheels. Took them and new tires to the dealer, were installed in 2 hours. Dealer I went to charged $75 per tire if wheels were on the bike, only 20 per tire when the wheels were off the bike. Obvious savings of $110 just on taking the wheels off the bike. Was a learning process for me as 1st time doin it but worked out great.

BillyBumbler · 11-06-2006, 08:13 PM

If I can find a local place that will charge $20/tire if I bring them in off the bike that would be great. Thing is, I hear their mood turns sour if you don't buy the tires in-house. I'll just have to call around. Just taking the wheels off sounds easy since I have a bike lift, it's the rest of the work involved that makes me wonder.

2005GZ250 · 11-07-2006, 07:30 PM

I've done 2 sets of tires, 2 for the GZ250 and 2 for the GT750 and it was easy. It was easy for me because I work for a Automotive tire/repair shop and used the tire machine. I also used the balance beads with good results.

BillyBumbler · 11-08-2006, 03:12 AM

Here is the most in depth online article I've found on changing your own tires.

Motorcycle Tire Changing

11-06-2006, 03:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
BillyBumbler Kickstand Operator Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 M50 Black Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 268	Who changes their own tires? It's not exactly around the corner, but sometime in the next year or so I'll be faced with getting my tires replaced. I've found 4 or 5 tutorials on the internet on doing it yourself. They vary in methods somewhat, but they all have a common theme....it's a PITA which involves a lot of sweating and cursing because most guys have to make do with cheaper less specialized tools for the job. I like doing as much of my own maintenance as feasible, and I'm a pretty handy guy, but if the mounting fee was the only thing I was saving I wouldn't even think about it. However tires on the net seem cheaper as well. I could maybe save well over a hundred bucks doing it myself, but I'd like to gauge just how much of a common practice it is and if it's really something I should consider bothering with.

11-06-2006, 04:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,793	Some guys have good luck mounting tire themselves, but I don't want to mess with it. I take the wheels off, bring them to a local independent shop, and he mounts and balances them for $10-12 each depending on tubes or no tubes. I buy the tires from him too, as he is always within $5-10 of the best internet prices and there is no shipping, plus he handles the return and warrantee if there is a problem. I'm in and out in 15 minutes usually, so it's just not worth it to me to spend the time to change them myself or buy the tools. But if you have more time than money, give it a shot. There was a post a while back on some beads you put in your tire to balance them, and it seems like that would be a lot easier than messing with weights. __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

11-07-2006, 07:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
2005GZ250 Fender Buffer Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2005 GZ250 1973 "heavyoldandslow" GT750 Location: Roland, AR Posts: 442	I've done 2 sets of tires, 2 for the GZ250 and 2 for the GT750 and it was easy. It was easy for me because I work for a Automotive tire/repair shop and used the tire machine. I also used the balance beads with good results. __________________ I only ride 'em. I don't know what makes 'em work. Oddball: Donald Sutherland, Kelly's Heroes 1970

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11-06-2006, 07:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
SKTR Kickstand Operator Joined: Nov 2005 Bike: Suz Marauder VZ800, Kaw Fll 250; Sons Suz Intruder LC1500, Yam YZ 125 Location: Ortonville MI betw Pontiac-Flint Posts: 256	Hey Billy, I ordered tires on line, saved significant $. Bought both. Put the bike on lift and removed the wheels. Took them and new tires to the dealer, were installed in 2 hours. Dealer I went to charged $75 per tire if wheels were on the bike, only 20 per tire when the wheels were off the bike. Obvious savings of $110 just on taking the wheels off the bike. Was a learning process for me as 1st time doin it but worked out great.

11-06-2006, 08:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
BillyBumbler Kickstand Operator Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 M50 Black Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 268	If I can find a local place that will charge $20/tire if I bring them in off the bike that would be great. Thing is, I hear their mood turns sour if you don't buy the tires in-house. I'll just have to call around. Just taking the wheels off sounds easy since I have a bike lift, it's the rest of the work involved that makes me wonder.

11-08-2006, 03:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
BillyBumbler Kickstand Operator Joined: Oct 2005 Bike: 2005 M50 Black Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 268	Here is the most in depth online article I've found on changing your own tires. Motorcycle Tire Changing

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