There are some great tire change resources on the web, most on you tube. Do you have the owners manual for the bike? It shows just how easy it is to remove the wheel from the bike and reinstall. As for the actual tire changing, I haven't done that yet. I will be ordering the new tires, tubes, etc in about a week. Definitely take up the friends offer on the place to work and tools to borrow. I googled "changing a motorcycle tire" and found enough info in video form to make me confident enough to try. Best of luck, and ride happily.

The rear tire is s booger. Front one, not so bad, but Ill never try that rear one again,,I did it, but its just not worth it,
Pull the wheel, haul it to someone who has the equipment & pay them.

I recently attempted to do the rear myself and decided to give up when the sweat was running in a steady stream off of the end of my nose... getting the wheel off the bike was easy, and I managed to break the bead on both sides, but there was no way in hell I was going to get the tire off of the rim.  It was worth the $35 at the dealership.

I had a hell of a time getting the wheel back on the bike though, I had a lot of trouble juggling all seven pieces that have to go together.  After getting it all the way together for the third time (missed the slot for the rear bake the first two times), I discovered that I had one of the adjusters on backwards.  I left it that way, since I'm not using the marks anyway.

quote:
I've seen an instance or two where the clymer's manual has been off, according to folks. I don't have an air ratchet, or anyway of setting my amount of torque (I have basic tools). A friend of mine has most everything to fix a bike and has said that I can use his shop anytime I want. So, here's the question: for a noob....is it possible to change out your own tire....or is it better to have a pro do it?  I can change my oil, swap out front brake pads, did the seat mod and changed handlebars. I'm thinking I can do it, but messing with tires makes me nervous. Any one got a solid understanding of how to do it and give me advice? '07 model.

I say you can do it yourself.  

I just like to try to do things myself.  You have to decide whether you want to or not.  It's not expensive enough to get it done that you NEED to do it yourself especially since the first try will take all afternoon.  (I think i've done 2 fronts and 3 rears and i still would need a couple hours set aside to do the job.)   The best thing about it is that you can DIY it  at 9:30 PM or whenever you need to when the tire shop is closed.  



Changing the tire is not that  bad - the first time is pretty rough but you can definitely do it.  (I'm no mechanic and I can do it)
Get some rounded "tire spoons", though.  Screwdrivers will not work to pry the tire!  A spare tube might be good for your first time,( it's a little hard to learn not to pinch the tube)

find instructions online, youtube or something.  if you want i can try to figure out what i do more or less step by step

(breaking bead: i use a bumper jack between car and top of the tire, press it right next to rim until it breaks off)

Do you guys balance your tires?  I usually have the shop change the tire for the simple reason that I'm taking it there anyway to be balanced.

justin_o_guy2 wrote on 09/04/12 at 21:23:02:

yeah, thats a better idea!

as far as balancing ... i align the valve stem with the painted dot - seems to work (i.e. no excessive vibration or other issues)

i think oldfeller had a picture of a homemade balancer he used - maybe on the old "oversize tire" thread (?) in technical documents

I just remembered there was a questionn about setting torque.  You can get a 1/2" drive torque wrench for not too much $$ - be worth adding to the toolbox

I had a flat rear last weekend with a population rivet stuck in it I caught on the way home from work. Took it to the local bike shop. 82 bucks for the new tube and labor.