Mounting tires

[entropic]

My 94 gs500 will need new tires soon and have been debating if i should try installing the tires myself for the first time. I would like to save the money instead of letting the dealership do it but if it's going to be an extremely awful experience i rather not.  I have been searching through the forum and online but seem to getting mixed opinions on how hard and tedious it can be. For anyone who has changed their tires how bad is it ?

thanks for any input !

[Paulcet]

The first time I did it, I wasn't sure it was worth doing myself.  But I tried it a second time and it went much better.  So, now I have done it 7 times and would never pay a shop to do it.  The only special tools I use are a pair of 15" tire irons from Motion Pro.

[BaltimoreGS]

How far are you from Baltimore?  I have access to a tire machine if you are in the general area.

-Jessie

[pliskin]

I was wondering this myself. I've done my dirt bike tires before. Had some trouble getting them centered on the rim. But I never went over 60mph onthe street with that and in the dirt you don't feel it much. Bothers me to think of doing it on my street bike. I'd prob just take the wheels off and let the shop do it. 

[entropic]

Thanks for the quick replies. It seems the first time changing tires is a pain that's why I'm contemplating it. I was hesitant when I had to take apart the carb and rebuild it but it wasn't bad at all. I also don't want to mess up, especially when dealing with tires and my safety.


Jessie, Thanks for the offer to help I'm about 3 hours from Baltimore though (  bikes 20 mins out of Trenton NJ). I'm leaning towards giving it a shot lol. I will keep you posted.

any tips from experience ?

Thanks !

[craigs449]

I have been doing my own tires for several years.  The tubeless ones (like the GS) are easy.  Tubes are a bit more of a pain because you gotta be careful not to pinch the tube when spooning the tire on. 

I use three tire spoons, get a bottle of Dawn dishwashing liquid that has about 1/8 left in it.....add a bit of water and shake it up, you will use this on your beads to get them to seat alot easier.  Also cut out some 2"x4" squares from a plastic milk jug to help from scratching your wheels.  Also, a good trick is to leave the new tire out in the sun for at least 1/2 hour to warm up the rubber...makes it alot easier to spoon it on when it's warm and pliable.

I don't balance my wheels on the GS, my supermotos, or my dirt bikes.  Never saw the need and they all work fine with no wobbles even at 100mph.

[gsJack]

I used one long curved lip tire iron and a large screwdriver to take the tires off and put the new ones on after breaking the bead.  An old Escort was my favorite bead breaker, put tire minus air under side of car with jack base on top of it near rim and jacked it up and poped the bead, turn over and repeat.  And I too used dishwashing liquid wiped on with a rag to lube the beads.

Mounted many tires myself until one very hot August day, overweight, out of shape, and about 65 yo I thought I was gonna croak and I gave it up and have got them done since.  I never balanced them either and never had trouble with them.  If you have cast wheels and take them in for mount and balance you'll notice they take off the old weights and then put back about the same amount in the same place when they balance the new tires.  Most of the lead is for the wheels, todays tires are very good in most cases.  I just left the old weights on when I mounted my own.

[Agno]

I put a set of bt-003 rs' on the GS myself. Wasn't a big deal at all. Watched some YouTube first. Got a set of 3 tire irons for about $20 and a bucket of soapy water. Used a 4x4 to lever down a piece of 2x4 onto the bead to break it. Took about 70-80 psi to set the new bead. That was probably the scariest part.

I'd say go for it!