Is anyone changing their own tires?

[pcv57]

I'm interested to know how difficult it is to change tires on the XR. I have a tire changer and used to change them on my K12S which was a huge pain in the ass. Also, I needed a special adapter to balance the wheel. I only started doing it because I could choose from a greater selection (and better prices) than my local shop.

[SwiftTone]

My friend has a No Mar tire changer and have done many sets of tires for me.

Certain tires are easier than others. It def takes some skills but its do-able.

Most shops will mount any tires you bring yourself but at a higher install charge.

You have to do a lot of tires to make it worth it money wise.

[smithy]

Yes, I change my own tyres...I don't trust the 12 year old kids they use at some places these days...

I have a proper tyre changer though, not one of the "Wrestlemania" ones many people have..

Smithy.

[pcv57]

That is an impressive tire changer. I have a basic Harbor Freight unit and have to muscle it to get it to work. However, I don’t do enough tire changes to warrant spending the money.

[smithy]

Originally Posted by pcv57

That is an impressive tire changer. I have a basic Harbor Freight unit and have to muscle it to get it to work. However, I don’t do enough tire changes to warrant spending the money.

I do quite a few sets, most of my riding mates and their friends often pop over to my place and get their tyres done, we can then all sit around the shed and talk crap or watch bike racing etc.....I don't mind doing them for free as they can often help with with something in exchange....which I'm unable to do myself.

Smithy.

[Mareng1]

The biggest influence on changing tyres easily - is getting them up to temperature.   

In summer, putting the new tyres in a cold frame in direct sunlight - can raise them to 45c.   They almost fall onto the wheels.

Otherwise, heat them with a hairdryer inside the carcass and cover with polythene.   Changing your own tyres is great when you have part-worn on the bike, but want new tyres for a holiday tour.   

One thing to factor in - is the cost of disposal of the old tyres.  In UK you will probably have to bung the ‘lad at the local kwikfit’ £20 to bung a few sets in his boss’s skip.

[pcv57]

Smithy, I need a friend like you. Lol
I do heat up the tires before installation but I think my K12S was especially difficult and had to do something with that particular rim.
My XR came with a set of Bridgestone T30s. I’ll check these out and if I don’t like them, I’ll give the tire changer another try

[SimonUK]

I change my own tyres using a NoMar. I had a K13S and do not remember them being harder to change than the XR/R. Things to bear in mind that will make it easier/harder to change:
1) as mentioned already, heating the tyres up makes a huge difference in ease of install
2) 'Touring' tyres will generally be harder than 'sport' tyres due to the (generally) stiffer sidewall
3) rims with a deeper center well are slightly easier than rims with a shallow center well.
4) the more you do it the easier it becomes as you learn the little tricks and nuances.

[Winger]

For you guys in Oz and in the States it’s an occupational hazard of being a distance for getting such done, Here in the UK jeez I can think of half a dozen places that do such within  15 minutes from home, cost? Normally a cream cake and a chat 

[pcv57]

I wish it were that simple where I am in the northeast US. Most places don’t want to do it unless you buy the tires from them. If you do, they want you to remove the wheels and bring them in which is most of the work IMO