Topic: is it easy to change your own tires?

[Airborne 82nd]

Check shops first before buying your own tires and asking them to mount them for you. Some will not mount tires purchased elsewhere........due to "liability" issues

+1 ^^^ Also, most shops will mount your tires for FREE if you purchase them from their shop. It's one of their 'perks'. But that is only if you bring them your front and rear rims to dismount and mount the tires you purchase from them... if you bring them your whole bike and expect them to remove the rims from your bike, well expect to pay a large chunk of change for them to do that.
Charlie

So true what are the shops getting $80 USA or more

[juntjoo]

and if you got a riding mower do your own.

why do you say that? just because of having enough tirew to be worth getting good at it?

[juntjoo]

okay, so I'm going just pay someone to do it including taking them off the bike and putting them back on and I'm going to guess that's at least $100 in labor. $300 total with new tires right? it's worth it. I'm done working on the bike for a while. it was fun but now it's time to ride for a while

[evinrude7]

my local shop does it for $40 a tire if on the bike and $25 if off the bike.  worth avoiding the headache and to have them balanced. 

[Yamahawk]

my local shop does it for $40 a tire if on the bike and $25 if off the bike.  worth avoiding the headache and to have them balanced.

That's a good price, and very fair. I took a bike to the Honda dealer here in Toledo, ONCE... cost for the Dunlop SportMax was $120, and to pull the front tire and mount it, and change the wheel bearings, was +$300... and this was back in the '90's... never again lol.
Charlie

[evinrude7]

my local shop does it for $40 a tire if on the bike and $25 if off the bike.  worth avoiding the headache and to have them balanced.

That's a good price, and very fair. I took a bike to the Honda dealer here in Toledo, ONCE... cost for the Dunlop SportMax was $120, and to pull the front tire and mount it, and change the wheel bearings, was +$300... and this was back in the '90's... never again lol.
Charlie

good lord that's expensive!  this particular local shop is great.  super good folks.  lucky to have them. 

[crazypj]

 Changing tyres is actually dead easy on 'pre MT' rims. You just need to realise your not 'stretching' the bead but using what's called 'drop centre' of wheel rim. Tyre bead is placed at a shallow angle into the 'hollow' then persuaded  over teh rest of rim lip. I always remember seeing a Dunlop film (probably from 1950's?) 'Start at the valve, finish at the valve' for removal and replacement. Had many many 'discussions' with people who should know better saying the exact opposite but if you think about it, you need the 'drop centre' if valve stem is 'in the way' you reduce your available space. The only time it doesn't matter where you start or finish is with tubeless tyres although I still use the same 'mantra' as it's easier to maintain any balance marks on tyre in position. It's more difficult than bicycle tyre simply because tyres are way more 'heavy duty' but principle is exactly the same

[przjohn]

Not sure where these "Easier" tubeless tires are but having done a good many tires I have found them to be harder. Getting a tube in a tire is relatively simple and the problem of inserting the stem is made much easier with a simple tool that is nothing more than a cap with a wire on it. Tubeless tires can be a real pain to break the bead and then set it. Using a tie down around the tire halps to set stubborn beads. Motion Pro makes a bead breaking tool that can take a litle bit of time but will eventualy break tough beads.

[crazypj]

MT rims are not difficult to do, one of my techs (Brian Morgan, now a police detective) did a rear tyre on Yamaha FZR1000 in 11 minutes, including pushing bike onto bench, removing wheel, removing tyre then re-fitting everything AND, it was before tyre machines were easily available in British motorcycle dealers. You don't inflate costs with free fitting although he was 'sweating like a pig' after it was done. (plus, was only 18 or 19 at te time and 'showing off') We used a bench vice with a piece of plywood to 'break the bead without damaging rim.  With wider rims the original tyres almost 'fall off' once the air is out and bead broken. As for costs, some bikes are easier than others to do but expect to pay a minimum of 1/2 hr for a front but rears - anyone done a Goldwing lately? Tube tyres actually take longer as you have muchh more to go wrongIf you don't have a bench vice to do MT rims, just use a large (ish) 'C' (or 'G' clamp. One side gets padded to prevent rim damage, the 'moving' piece fits between rim and tyre on tyre-wall. Tighten screw and it pops off the internal 'bump' If people ain't willing to learn how to change tyres, don't complain about costs. BTW, any shop refusing to change tyres not supplied by them is real shortsighted, most can't buy tyres at the prices sold online. 'We' only kept a few sizes in stock for 'emergencies' in case someone got a flat or 'shop bike' needed some