I changed my own damn tire!!

[desertPOS]

I have been needing a new rear tire on my RM for a while now, and decided I would change the tire myself instead of paying a bike shop $30 to do it. Everyone I talked to laughed at me and said I would quickly see why it was worth it to have the bike shop do it, and that I wouldn't be able to do it myself. Well, it took me about 40 minutes, but I did it, and I was sooo happy when I did. So, for all those of you who said I couldn't do it (including the guy at the bike shop who sold me the tire irons), screw you, and I'll change your tires for you now for $20 if your not willing to work for it yourself <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[Keith Strong]

I get mine changed at the shop for $10 <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> Wait till a tire iron breaks on you and you break 2 knuckles, ruining your plans to ride that weekend. It aint worth it to me <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[desertPOS]

oh, i think it is <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[desertPOS]

besides, it would cost me $60 to have both tires changed, and that just doesn't seem worth it to me.

[Keith Strong]

Originally posted by crawlytoy:
<STRONG>besides, it would cost me $60 to have both tires changed, and that just doesn't seem worth it to me.</STRONG>

OUCH!!! You need to start riding with the guy that works in service <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[smurfsdad]

i run foam inserts in mine. ya sure you wanna do it for $20. try changing your tire without lettin out the air and you will know what its like changing mine.

[Toy 4Runner Man]

The last tire I had changed at the dealer it cost me $10. It was well worth the $.

[77bronc]

i change mine all the time..takes about 10-15 minutes with the right tools...when you ride dual sports you learn to do it....on the trail..in the rain or the heat...get a long tire iron...for about 18 bucks..the small ones are garbage!

[desertPOS]

well im glad to see that someone does <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[Bones]

Can this be done on a street bike as well? Or would I risk farking up the wheel? Do bike shops charge the same for dirt and street bikes? Just curious when the day comes. <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0">

[smurfsdad]

most of them are easy. if you have something like a gold wing it gets a little more complicated as you have to remove the rear body work but still doable

[Keith Strong]

Originally posted by 864runner:
<STRONG>Can this be done on a street bike as well? Or would I risk farking up the wheel? Do bike shops charge the same for dirt and street bikes? Just curious when the day comes. <IMG SRC="smilies/confused.gif" border="0"></STRONG>

I have done it before, but its really difficult to do without fawkin up the wheel. Mine were powder coated as well, and I wasnt too hapy with my end results <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[Rockin']

You get quicker every time you swap them.

I always did it myself because a lot of the offroad races I went to were out in the toolies. Sort of hard to get in to the shop and back without timing out.

[ErikB]

One thing that makes it WAYYYY easier too:

Use plenty of lube like WD40 or dish soap.

I like the dish soap. I keep a little "sampler" bottle of it in my wheeling tool kit (helps a lot for truck tires too).

[Keith Strong]

Originally posted by ErikBeeb:
<STRONG>One thing that makes it WAYYYY easier too:

Use plenty of lube like WD40 or dish soap.

I like the dish soap. I keep a little "sampler" bottle of it in my wheeling tool kit (helps a lot for truck tires too).</STRONG>


Hey bible humper.....
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<IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0"> How ya been man? <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0">

[Kyron]

I always have changed my own tires <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">
Just have MORE tire irons than you think you'll ever need and your on the right track.
street tires are alot harder because they are firmer in the sidewalls...

I would pay to watch someone put a foam tube insert in though... <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0">

[smurfsdad]

i will be changing both front and rear inserts in about a month if you wanna watch. you dont have to pay me you just gotta promise not to laugh when i get pissed.

[Kyron]

Hey how do you like the inserts? What kind do you have?? Don't they last like 2 sets of tires?

Whats the real reason you run them? I wanta hear the horibble story of you getting a flat in the middle of noware with no tools while your "friends" drink your beer back at the truck while you ruin your rim from riding on a flat..... Am I close?? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

[smurfsdad]

i am currently running tech tubes and they are great. the front will last 2 tires but usually only 1 in the rear. i have been racing in the desert for the last 10 years and just got tired of gettin flats. the only real problem with them is at the real high speed races like vegas to reno or similar easy terrain you cant use them in the rear as they melt and even the front sometimes wont make the distance. other than that i love them.

[Kyron]

Cool I keep threating my bank accout that I'm going to get a set.... but I havent had a flat in like three sets of tires so??(knocking on cheap desk)

When taking the insert off for the last time do you just use a sawzall?? it seems quicker....
What kinda bike do you ride??
I have a CR500....

[smurfsdad]

i ride a kx250 and no i dont cut them off its actually not that hard to change them plus i try to run em down so its easier. they arent that hard on the wallet either around $100 each.

[Kyron]

$200 is alot more than $35 for two tubes... naw I just need to ride more <IMG SRC="smilies/rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[smurfsdad]

another item thats worth way more than what they cost is a scotts steering damper. i will not ride without one ever again.

[JW]

Changing the tire all depends on time and $$. If you aint got the $$ you better have the time. It has happend to me that I am planning a trip and don't have time to pull the tire off the bike and drive to the shop and wait... and wait... only to come back again the next day. I guess if the shop location is cool and 10 bucks, it would be worth it to me. I just swapped my paddle on and back off for a Pismo run two weeks ago. To be honest I can't wait to have to be burndened with that task again (if I am gonna get to go to Pismo <IMG SRC="smilies/tongue.gif" border="0"> ). I guess what I am trying to say is 10 buck yes, 30 bucks <IMG SRC="smilies/flipoff.gif" border="0">