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Changing your own tires?

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7.8K views 61 replies 22 participants last post by  Rocket  
#1 · (Edited)
Wondering who all changes their own tires and what implement(s) you use? I typically do all preventative maintenance myself. In my 35 years of riding, I have predominantly installed all tube-type tires myself and taken tubeless wheels to a shop to be swapped and balanced. But it's gotten expensive. it used to be like 30 bucks, the HD dealership and even my local "powersports" shop want upwards of 60 bucks per wheel to swap a tire. (If you bring them the wheel). I'm looking at a "Rabaconda". @Jesse Davis did a thread about the unit a year ago, but it's been a while so I thought I would bring it up again. @mikeInPA did a video with his "No-Mar", so I'm comparing those.

Anyone using anything else I should look at?
Anyone made this choice already?
Beads for balancing or something else?
 
#2 ·
Wondering who all changes their own tires and what implement(s) you use? I typically do all preventative maintenance myself. In my 35 years of riding, I have predominantly installed all tube-type tires myself and taken wheels to a shop to be swapped and balanced. But it's gotten expensive. it used to be like 30 bucks, the HD dealership and even my local "powersports" shop want upwards of 60 bucks per wheel to swap a tire. (If you bring them the wheel). I'm looking at a "Rabaconda". @Jesse Davis did a thread about the unit a year ago, but it's been a while so I thought I would bring it up again. @mikeInPA did a video with his "No-Mar", so I'm comparing those.

Anyone using anything else I should look at?
Anyone made this choice already?
Beads for balancing or something else?
I do my own tires, have for many years. I have a tire machine in my home shop.
I also have the tire and wheel warranty, but it takes to long and I dont like to wait so Ill through an old tire on to ride till the new one comes in
I dont bother balanceing motorcycle tires, never had an issue with it.
 
#3 ·
I do my own tires, have for many years. I have a tire machine in my home shop.
I also have the tire and wheel warranty, but it takes to long and I dont like to wait so Ill through an old tire on to ride till the new one comes in
I dont bother balanceing motorcycle tires, never had an issue with it.

REALLY? No balance at all?? Do you ride interstate speeds?

What tire machine do you have?
 
#11 ·
you already know my answers :)
Still using beads just because it's quick and easy and have not had any issues with the Pan America. I did have slight balance issue on my Road King that required adding 1/2oz more in the front tire over Counter Act's recommendation
.
I will add that I recently mounted some Trailmax Missions, and they took a bit more effort even on the No-Mar.
 
#13 ·
you already know my answers :)

I will add that I recently mounted some Trailmax Missions, and they took a bit more effort even on the No-Mar.
My next set is a set of Trailmax Missions. That's what started this "rabbit hole" for me. (The stiffness) I'm going with more off-road biased than the Dunlop Mutants I've been running, since I bought my Ultra Limited and plan to use it more for the long trips the PA used to get. I've also got a enough time and miles on the PA now, I don't care if I beat it up a bit.
 
#14 ·
as far as the space, I installed threaded drop-in style anchors in the concrete of my garage floor for mounting the no-mar. It takes me about 10 to 15 minutes to get it all setup, and when I'm not using it I store it in a big rubber maid style bin under one of my work benches. I don't use it enough to justify a fulltime setup. The drop-in anchors are flush with the floor, so no posts sticking out for me to trip over.
 
#24 ·
Yep yep, Rabaconda for me and I use balance beads. Currently running Pirelli Scorpion Trail II (mostly street). This is my 3rd set of tires ... first two sets were knobbies.
 
#27 ·
The Rabaconda isn't cheap, but for avid riders or those planning to ride for many years, I highly recommend it due to its exceptional quality. I've successfully used balance beads and even have the complete setup with an air injector. Nonetheless, statically balancing the PAS wheels is quite straightforward. Local shops in my area are not cost-effective, even when providing them with the wheels and tires. Additionally, I'm impatient and prefer not to wait to get back to riding. I'm using Mitas E07+ tires on both the front and rear, and they've been performing well so far. The noise doesn't bother me since I always wear earplugs.
 
#30 ·
Thanks everyone for the advice on which tire changer you have or prefer.

I ordered my Rabaconda Thursday and it came in today. It's all together and I've installed the new Dunlop Trailmax Mission tires on the rims. They were stiff! It was cold today so I put them in front of a heater for while. The Rabaconda popped my previous tires (Mutants) off super easily. Swapping both tires might have taken an hour if I hadn't been going slow, trying to figure things out and watching videos in between. The unit sets up and packs away neatly. I'm pleased with it.

I'm going with beads for balancing.

Next project will be swapping tires on my old KLR and my daughters sportster. Based on what the cheapest shop I can find in my area charges, I figure it'll take six sets, swapped at home before I can say I got my money's worth, I'll be halfway there in a week!

Thanks again!
 
#31 ·
I live in Bumfuck Idaho and used to live in Bumfuck South Dakota. I have learned to be self sufficient especially with tire changes. If anyone knows where Scenic South Dakota is they will understand. I also learned self sufficiency due to the expense of having tires mounted and balanced in addition to the distance traveled to Black Hills HD or Snake HD. I use the Rabaconda tire changer. I have standard wheels on my 2022 PAS and my significant other has spoked wheels on her 2022 PAS. The Rabaconda tire changer hasn't failed me yet. I had a No Mar from St. Louis, and it was difficult to say the least compared to the Rabaconda. I bought the Rabaconda two years ago at the Sturgis Rally at Black Hills HD Rally at Exit 55. It was a good rally price. I also use CounterAct wheel balance beads. 1 oz in the front, 2 oz in the rear. I've run Dunlop Trailmax Missions, Dunlop Trailmax Raids. and Continental TKC 70's with no problem. I highly recommend the Rabaconda, especially for dudes working out of their garage. I've had nightmare motorcycle work done that wasn't remotely right. Everything from front springs with improper fluid, to tires with wrong balance, to dealers lying about battery installations.
 
#32 ·
I've owned my Rabaconda for a year now. Absolutely no regrets. I do all my own motorcycle and auto work for myself, my rental bikes and several friends and family members. Except for the stuff that requires a scanner. But that's another discussion.
 
#33 ·
#35 ·
Currently Tire Irons and a Harbor Fraught Bead Breaker. I just rolled the dice and ordered a Constands changer off eBay. The outfit is German (with questionable review history) and product is Chinese with even more questionable build quality. Could not bring myself to drop close to a grand on the Rabaconda. I know, penny wise, pound foolish, buy one cry once, etc etc etc.

This venture will either work great or fail spectacularly. I'll advise either way.
 
#36 ·
Currently Tire Irons and a Harbor Fraught Bead Breaker. I just rolled the dice and ordered a Constands changer off eBay. The outfit is German (with questionable review history) and product is Chinese with even more questionable build quality. Could not bring myself to drop close to a grand on the Rabaconda. I know, penny wise, pound foolish, buy one cry once, etc etc etc.

This venture will either work great or fail spectacularly. I'll advise either way.
I was a tire iron guy forever. Until I installed a set of shinkos and then took on the trailmax missions.

I actually looked at a Constamds.. But the bad reviews got me. Looking forward to your input.
 
#38 ·
I like my NoMar tire changer but they definitely are proud of it lol View attachment 8217 View attachment 8220
View attachment 8219

Got the attachment for my trailer hitch to be mobile also and the balancer too , came with various other goodies too 😉 on sale $1050ish
Nice though.. I justify purchases like that by figuring up savings. It costs me 60 bucks to pay somone to mount a tire. At 60 bucks, that thing is paid for after 18 tires. "ROI" (return on investment) at 19... That would take me 10 years to recoup, BUT - I install tires for other people for beer and sandwiches.. Due to the rising costs of groceries, ROI in 6 months. :unsure::D:D:D
 
#43 ·
I have the no-mar. I don't have the room to leave it setup and ready, so I installed recessed concrete anchors that I can bolt the base down to when needed. It takes me about 10 minutes to get it setup when I need to do a tire change. Otherwise it's disassembled and sitting under my workbench.
 
#45 ·
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So I promised an update. The Constands was ordered on or about the 31st, got a tracking number a couple of days later, absolutely zero updates after that, and FedEx shows up today with the package. Packed well. Other than the lack of shipping updates, its all good. Opened the box, it all went together, had to grind down an overzealous welds on the duckhead arm, no big there.
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#47 ·
Having the H-D spoke wheels, I’m curious if the raised edge around the perimeter of the rim makes this wheel type more of a challenge to swap tires on? It almost looks like a traditional tire machine that runs on the edge will scratch or destroy the rim? I have a guy that lives in my subdivision who has a legit pneumatic motorcycle tire machine and digital spin balancer in his garage shop and he mounts and balances both wheels for me off for $20 each. But I’d prefer not to be the guinea pig with him on these wheels, lol………. Anyone have any experience with these?

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#48 ·
Having the H-D spoke wheels, I’m curious if the raised edge around the perimeter of the rim makes this wheel type more of a challenge to swap tires on? It almost looks like a traditional tire machine that runs on the edge will scratch or destroy the rim? I have a guy that lives in my subdivision who has a legit pneumatic motorcycle tire machine and digital spin balancer in his garage shop and he mounts and balances both wheels for me off for $20 each. But I’d prefer not to be the guinea pig with him on these wheels, lol………. Anyone have any experience with these?
I got no scratches with my rabaconda. YouTube it, you will love it when you get one. I used my tax return to get one.

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