Gosh, interesting. What sort of price are you paying on top of a tyre to get it changed ? I don’t know whether I could be bothered. Generally the price of the tyre includes the fitting over here. What about the balancing ?
Changing your own tires
I'm getting sick of paying shops to do this. I found this tool today, and I'm intrigued. Has anyone used this model?
rabaconda.com
They have a short video showing how it works. I also found a video of a guy on YouTube who used a much more basic Rabaconda tool to do the tires on his R1200RT, this one looks to be much improved.
Otherwise, which tool are you using? Anyone doing it old school with tire spoons? I've also debated trying this...
Street Bike Tyre Changer
The Rabaconda Street Bike Tire Changer is designed for both cast and forged as well as for wire-spoked wheels, offering extra rim protection. It’s adaptable to wheel sizes between 12-21", has great ergonomics at low weight, and is perfect for both single and double-sided swingarms.
rabaconda.com
They have a short video showing how it works. I also found a video of a guy on YouTube who used a much more basic Rabaconda tool to do the tires on his R1200RT, this one looks to be much improved.
Otherwise, which tool are you using? Anyone doing it old school with tire spoons? I've also debated trying this...
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This is an age old question. Darn expensive to have a dealer do the job. Any small motorcycle shop in town with a tire changer? this one looks a bit fiddly. But I'm sure there is a technique. You will need something to hold the rear wheel with the larger hole BMW has there. The bolt hole is on a circle of 120mm and the bolt threads are 10x1.25mm if you have a lathe.
![Wood Automotive tire Gear Rim Machine]()
I have the luxury of a power machine. I change tires for folks very cheap.
![Motor vehicle Automotive tire Gas Engineering Auto part]()
I have the luxury of a power machine. I change tires for folks very cheap.
Are you equipped for a bit a metal DIY? If you have the skills and tools, you can make a first class changer out of parts readily available.
I thirst bought one of these off eBay: https://www.dtmtrading.com.au/product/multi-tyre-changer-21/ The link is just an example, I didn't use that source. I used that changer as is twice. It makes the job difficult and very hard not to mark the rims. So further research lead me to max2h.com They seem to have disappeared since but you can find videos of their product. This guy built one from scratch:
The end result is a 5 minute (no exaggeration) machine that takes very little effort for well under half price of the Estonian thing.
If you decide to build or make your own, I am happy to help with photos. Or you can move to Perth and use mine
Thanks for the info. I'm going to look into this tomorrow when I get a chance. Making one from scratch won't be an option for me. I already have enough side projects and never enough free time to work on them. I'd like to buy something that is ready to go out of the box!Are you equipped for a bit a metal DIY? If you have the skills and tools, you can make a first class changer out of parts readily available.
I thirst bought one of these off eBay: https://www.dtmtrading.com.au/product/multi-tyre-changer-21/ The link is just an example, I didn't use that source. I used that changer as is twice. It makes the job difficult and very hard not to mark the rims. So further research lead me to max2h.com They seem to have disappeared since but you can find videos of their product. This guy built one from scratch:I then combined the changer I already had with the duckbill adapter and bits to be able to use it with the rear tyre on the RT.
The end result is a 5 minute (no exaggeration) machine that takes very little effort for well under half price of the Estonian thing.
If you decide to build or make your own, I am happy to help with photos. Or you can move to Perth and use mine
Truly depends on how may bikes you have. I have 4 street bikes and 4 dirt bikes for our household so I change all my tires. Different tools for different bikes, I have a simple No-Mar tire manual changer for the street bikes and use the bead breaker for the off-road stuff with lots of spoons with a balance stand for balancing.
Change Your Own Tires!
www.nomartirechanger.com
If I only had 1 bike I might take my wheels to the local shop
Yup, I bought a no-mar tire changer several years back and have changed hundreds of tires. It takes some practice to get used to the technique but it pays for itself pretty quickly. Especially when you take off a tire that has 2k miles left on it and you have a 2k+ trip upcoming.. you can save that take-off and put it back on when you have some shorter rides coming up... I usually wait til that new tire is worn... yes, you may end up with several almost-worn tires but it works itself out.
![Automotive tire Automotive design Tire Automotive lighting Motor vehicle]()
The interesting part is how many friends you end up getting .... lol
![Tire Wheel Automotive tire Motor vehicle Automotive design]()
The interesting part is how many friends you end up getting .... lol
I only have the one bike right now, but sometimes I have two at the same time. I've already spent over $200 having tires changed on my bike over the last two years. I should have just put that towards a machine. It will pay for itself eventually. Or, very quickly if you do some side jobs.Truly depends on how may bikes you have. I have 4 street bikes and 4 dirt bikes for our household so I change all my tires. Different tools for different bikes, I have a simple No-Mar tire manual changer for the street bikes and use the bead breaker for the off-road stuff with lots of spoons with a balance stand for balancing.
Change Your Own Tires!
www.nomartirechanger.com
If I only had 1 bike I might take my wheels to the local shop
That's a great point. I have a rear tire in my garage right now that I know I can get a few thousand km out of. It's just not really worth paying someone $50 to mount it for me. I will have to look into the No Mar unit. Right now I'm leaning towards the Rabaconda Street Bike Tire Changer.
Here's a video showing how it works. It looks really slick...
Yeah, it does. The duckbill is the game changer for the manual machines. The ratchet is the thing I never seen anywhere else. I made my duckbill head reversible so I just insert the handle in the opposite end to keep going around the tyre.
The only downside to his system is the bending over part. That's where a no-mar style system works better. Also, having things bolted to the floor makes the entire exercise easier. Admittedly though this system is sold as portable and for that it is better than the max2h changer that requires knee pads
The important part with any of these contraptions is warm rubber and LOTS of lube. I usually apply it so the inside of the bead gets a bit too, makes popping the tyre onto the rim easier and removing it the next time too.
Yeah, bolted to the floor would be nice, but I don't have room in my garage to bolt anything down. I considered bolting one to the floor in my basement, but I like the portability of having it unbolted. I believe some of the No Mar units can attach to a truck hitch. I'm considering this as well, but leaning towards trying this Rabaconda. I've watched lots of videos and it seems to work very well. The only people I saw struggle were guys who weren't following the instructions properly.The only downside to his system is the bending over part. That's where a no-mar style system works better. Also, having things bolted to the floor makes the entire exercise easier. Admittedly though this system is sold as portable and for that it is better than the max2h changer that requires knee pads
The important part with any of these contraptions is warm rubber and LOTS of lube. I usually apply it so the inside of the bead gets a bit too, makes popping the tyre onto the rim easier and removing it the next time too.
A tire warmer would be awesome for changing tires. I can't commit to spending that much money though. Leaving it out in the sun isn't always an option here, I'd like to be able to change the tires in spring/fall as well. I have some space heaters and a heat gun. Setting the tire up in front of an oscillating space heater should do the trick!
I have the hitch attachment as well and also got a hitch riser
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