[Burnin Padrons]

@Burnin Padrons and @mikeInPA , Are your Trail max tires "B" rated? I read about the difference in radial vs biased and load ratings... Just a sanity check.

View attachment 4537

I'm sure they are. I'm not aware of another option with the Trail Max tires.
Awesome tire on and off the pavement. Excellent balance but could never replace knobs when it comes to sand and mud

 

[talesfrom2wheels]

Theres a guy near me who has a small shop that offers $20 per wheel tire change service. You remove the wheel, bring to him (with a new tire) and he'll mount & balance it for $20. For that price, it makes no sense for me to fiddle with manually trying to do it.

Same here. I pull the wheels and have a local shop mount and balance. Too convenient.

 

[Jesse Davis]

Mind blown . I will certainly try not balancing..

Just went down to the garage and looked at my PA... No wheel weights to be seen. My 23 Ultra limited sitting across from it. No wheel weights.. Ok, ok... Thanks.

My 2021 PAS had black wheel weights ... I use beads now.

 

[Jesse Davis]

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?

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.

 

[MilwDave]

Look into the Olmaxmotors changer. It is fabricated in Poland and shipped direct. It takes awhile to arrive but top shelf piece of equipment.
He sells on eBay or on his website. www.olmaxmotors.pl

 

[RobieCreekGeorge]

Maybe late to the party here but I purchased a Rabaconda last year. I've never done my own tire work before and I had no trouble dismounting and mounting on laced wheels.
HF balancer finished it off.
5 stars to the Rabaconda for the win 🏆

 

[CrazyEddie]

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.

 

[Tobba611]

HF balancer finished it off.

HF Balancer??

 

[Msauter]

HF Balancer??

Harbor Freight. They sell a motorcycle wheel balancer … works great.

 

[Tobba611]

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!

 

[glphil595]

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.

 

[Tobba611]

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.

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.

 

[PDXGSCH]

I change my own and use the Olmax tire changer. Have been using it since 2022 & it works great.

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[Squatch]

I don't do it enough nor have space to be able to have a machine, so it's sitting on my beer cooler with some spoons and the new tires. Getter done, and it's good prep/practice for potentially having to fix things in the woods.

 

[al.gartner]

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.

 

[Tobba611]

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.

 

[DOCIHMC]

I like my NoMar tire changer but they definitely are proud of it lol

Got the attachment for my trailer hitch to be mobile also and the balancer too , came with various other goodies too 😉 on sale $1050ish

 

[Tobba611]

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.

 

[DOCIHMC]

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.

That's a great way to look at things Bro 🤣 I've done both my Pan America tires and about 6 club brothers tires for other work favors and Mt Dew and lunches and Tacos ofcourse, done all 4 tires on my Ole lady's Honda accord and a few hay wagon tires for my neighbor who has given us real beef off the cows ass and a bush hog here and there 😀

 

[Rocket]

That's how I justified my tire machine, it was paid for in a few months because I was the only tire guy in a hundred miles that wasent the dealer!
Gota have that recoup!