Changing Tires Myself?

[crazyhorse]

hi all,

i have changed dirt bike tires for years, does anyone with this type of experience change their own tires on their R12R? particularly the rear. i am wondering if streetbike tires are just too stiff or the width presents more of a challenge or what, since i don't know. anyone with experience, please chime in.

the steel is showing on my Z6 and the dealer can't do it until next week. at this point i feel like ordering my own and saving some $$$.

wes

[bobw]

I have a local guy that does mine for $20.00 USD each off the bike. I take my rims over and buy tires from him as he is close to Internet prices. One round trip and I'm set. Some shops won't mount an internet tire or charge extra to do so. If you have tire irons, etc., I would try my own.

[Lost Rider]

Yes, I change all my tires myself on my R, maybe 15 of them in the last few years. Can be easily done, though some brands are easier than others.
Screw paying a dealer $100 an hour to change TIRES!

Look here:

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=11956

[crazyhorse]

cool thanks guys, i'll give it a go.

i was thinking of trying michelin pilot road 2's, the new dual compound tire. most websites show three different 180 55 ZR17 designations, A B and C.

anyone have these tires and know which one we would need? it seems if it's the right 'size' then i don't get why there is 3 types, and 'B' is always more expensive.

i couldn't find out from the michelin website.

wes

[bobw]

A,B,C and other designators on various brands indicate an OEM spec'd tire. Various issues, but an example would be a BMW GT or a FJR have mucho weight and power and "need" a stronger sidewall to carry the max load at speed with less flex and heat. This type of construction is what the letter identifies and relates to added tire weight and price. The lighter R could use any of the tires without a problem and likely a GT could too if not ridden at it's maximum design limits, YMMV, etc., etc. If the price is good for you, I found the PR2's to be an excellent tire and some guys use the PR2 rear with a PP2ct front for spirited ridng/mileage compromise. You should be able to check a reference chart on the site or manufacturer's web page that matches up the A,B,C tires if you're still deciding between individual tires.

Good luck.

Bob

[crazyhorse]

great thanks for the info.

anyone recognize the bike in the michelin header on this webpage?

http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index ... PilotRoad2



wes

[waynemathews]

great thanks for the info.

anyone recognize the bike in the michelin header on this webpage?

http://www.michelinmotorcycle.com/index ... PilotRoad2



wes

Its Eilenberger's on another of his development deals. If you could see the shocks it would be a dead giveaway.

[deilenberger]

Its Eilenberger's on another of his development deals. If you could see the shocks it would be a dead giveaway.

Bwhaaaaaaaaa!

Wayne,

The clue it isn't mine - it's wet and it's leaning over. Anyone who has ridden with me can attest that in rain, I keep perfectly upright (more or less..)

EDIT - ya know - mebbe I should contact Michelin and offer "For riding on oiled tires.. can't beat the RoadPilot-2.." and a photo of my tire.

[waynemathews]

Its Eilenberger's on another of his development deals. If you could see the shocks it would be a dead giveaway.

Bwhaaaaaaaaa!

Wayne,

The clue it isn't mine - it's wet and it's leaning over. Anyone who has ridden with me can attest that in rain, I keep perfectly upright (more or less..)

EDIT - ya know - mebbe I should contact Michelin and offer "For riding on oiled tires.. can't beat the RoadPilot-2.." and a photo of my tire.

It might even get you a ride on their Laurens test track. That makes the picture you learning to clean oil from your tires. A new Michelin program? What low sudsing detergent are you using?

[deilenberger]

EDIT - ya know - mebbe I should contact Michelin and offer "For riding on oiled tires.. can't beat the RoadPilot-2.." and a photo of my tire.

It might even get you a ride on their Laurens test track. That makes the picture you learning to clean oil from your tires. A new Michelin program? What low sudsing detergent are you using?

Actually - it wasn't easy to get the tire oil free.

Started out with detergent and a big brush.. that got the surface stuff off, but there was still embedded oil (anyone who doesn't think the new rubbers are porous - this proved it to me..) So - it was off to chemical land to see what would work. Engine degreaser - not much good. Brake cleaner - worked well and got most of it off.. so I went for a ride. When I got back the tire was nicely warmed up (even at my speed..) - and I found more signs of oil in the grooves. They got attacked with carb-cleaner. Seems to have gotten the last of it out. Water doesn't bead on the tread surface again, and after spending a few hours riding today - no signs of any more oil coming to the surface.

It also wasn't a bunch of fun getting the oil off the rest of the bike - it seems to have gotten everywhere behind the engine (inside the hugger, under the rear fender, centerstand is nicely oiled now, muffler had a nice misting of oil on it..) I think I've gotten most of it off - but haven't done a complete bike washdown. Prolly some night this week.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

I will invest in DVD's and servicing tools.
When I'll be done with all my electrical add ons (its coming soon....I found the right guy to do it...)


I have a Question: Which online store are interesting to buy from
for a set of Michelin Pilot road 2 ?


Below is the actual status
of my REAR tire



FRONT tire is as usual a bit better.


My "R" is now 119 days old with 8531 Miles
which is approximately an average of 72 miles per days riding routine.

Shame on me !

Yes because It mean that averagely I am going away from my place
at no more than a ridiculous 36 miles radius per days.

Which is equal to that

Frankly such a small world I live in !

But Seriously now...
What price range should I look for
to order myself a set of PILOT ROAD 2 ?
(I just found this website--->http://www.americanmototire.com/catalog ... 33_176_185)
Actually I just can't really compare with any other competitive pricing list...

[crazyhorse]

here is where i ordered mine from on thursday. it's shipped but i don't have it yet.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... -Tire.aspx

(you have to select the size)

$171.99 and free shipping? best i could find. if i had wanted 2 tires i would have ordered from http://www.swmototires.com/ as you get free shipping with 2. same price on the actual tire though.

wes

[Cosmic-Rider]

I do all my own tire changing. A bottle jack and my truck bumper makes breaking the bead easy. Actually, the rear tire is a breeze, I struggle a little more changing my front tire.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Thanks Crazyhorse !

I just ordered mine


I'll be glad to install those tire myself but I have no DVD's yet, tools or anyone to show me and in a currently under remodeling house it definitely not really easy to work on a bike.

If they last +/- 10K at a 72 miles daily average ride
they will cost me around $3 per day (installation included)
I am glad I don't smoke

[crazyhorse]

fred, i just put mine on yesterday. no problem. i actually can't believe it was that easy, it was harder getting the old one off than the new one on. on my drz tires it has always been the other way around.

i'm not yet proficient enough to offer to change anyone else's tires without feeling like i would scratch their rims but if you want i can show you how. if you want an easy go of it with less chance your rims will be wrecked i would say take it somewhere!

there are so few things left in life after my job and kids have beat me up that make me feel triumphant that to change my own tires makes me feel incredibly so. it's not because it's 'easier' that i do it though.

wes

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Crazyhorse wrote : "fred, I just put mine on yesterday. no problem. i actually can't believe it was that easy, it was harder getting the old one off than the new one on. on my drz tires it has always been the other way around."

I will risk myself to follow your example later when my garage/studio will be finish...I will tools and everything....

"i'm not yet proficient enough to offer to change anyone else's tires without feeling like i would scratch their rims but if you want i can show you how. if you want an easy go of it with less chance your rims will be wrecked i would say take it somewhere!"

.....everything mean also when I'll watch someone doing it, took some notes and pics maybe...so thanks Wes for the proposition to show me, I'll be up to do that with you when you'll need to change tires again.

"there are so few things left in life after my job and kids have beat me up that make me feel triumphant that to change my own tires makes me feel incredibly so. it's not because it's 'easier' that i do it though."

Hi5 ! This is very well expressed

(I found what I consider a smart independent BMW mechanic on west side who is not talking or acting like a Neanderthal, so in addition to my electrical addons I will give him my tires...many BMW rider in Los Angeles work with him these days, he has a good reputation apparently)

[crazyhorse]

by the way, the marc parnes balancer is excellent and easy. i just used it to balance my new pilot road 2 ct rear and it took all of 15 mins, and i'm pretty careful.

the cnc milling is exquisite, it's worth every penny. a great piece of kit.

http://www.marcparnes.com/

wes

[deilenberger]

if i had wanted 2 tires i would have ordered from http://www.swmototires.com/ as you get free shipping with 2. same price on the actual tire though.

wes

No longer free shipping. SWmotoTires changed hands about 2 months ago - a Suzuki dealer now owns it - and free shipping is gone. This makes other sites a bit better deal usually.

EDIT: Just visited the website - they still list free shipping for 2 tires. Let us know how this works out.. the word I got from a friends shop (non-dealer) who used to buy all his customer's tires from them is - there was no more free shipping.