I'm getting to the stage now where I'm ready to replace the front tire on my ten, I'm contemplating changing it myself is this relatively easy or should I just bite the bullet and take it to my lbs. Currently running Tkc80 so will probably replace like for like, any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks Rich.

Give it a go. A TKC80 front is a good tyre to learn with as they are as soft as a baby's bum when worn. Even new they are pretty pliable. Breaking the bead is easy.

Make sure you've got some decent leavers, plenty of lube at hand and be careful you don't pinch the tube.

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Thanks for that so then the next question is recommendations for the best tire levers and equipment. Thanks in advance Rich.

240mm levers are handy to carry around with you, but at home I use 350mm (16") levers. The longer ones are probably better for a first-timer, but it's more about technique than brute force.

These are what I use:

http://www.derbyshireoffroadcentre.c...mart&Itemid=57

There is a similar size Motion-Pro tyre lever:

http://www.adventure-spec.com/defaul...yre-lever.html

Some protectors might be handy if you're precious about your rims?

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Once again thanks for the use of your wealth of knowledge, no doubt I'll be posting again if I struggle!
Thanks Rich.

Ok... I can do 8 or more tyre changes a year between all
my bikes...

the first time you change your own... you will wish you never tryed
same with the next few....
it takes practise... but once you have it it's realy quite easy..

I find getting the wheel off/on the bike more trouble than changeing
the tyre....

The 3 biggest tips I can give you are..
1....lube & lots of it...
2....take SMALL bites with the levers & only put them in a LITTLE way...
3....keep the opisite side of the tyre down in the well in the centre of the rim gives more free tyre on the side you are working..

best levers!!1.... It comes down more to the person useing them.... I use 2 cheap 200mm/8" levers...
long levers you can apply to much force & start damageing the tyre bead and/or rim...{ double so if it's your first change}

Have fun...



.

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Harley Davidson..
The easyest way to turn gasoline into noise with out the side efect of horse power...

May I suggest that one thing to watch for is that you don't bend the brake discs. This is really easy to do.

If you have a car wheel and tyre assembly handy, it'll be really good to rest your bike wheel on during the operation.

Also, when you've re-fitted the tube inside your new tyre, inflate it just enough so that it'll hold its shape. This makes it harder for you to pinch the tube.

Personally, I don't use any lube fitting tyres. But that's up to you. As Petenz said, the big secrets are keeping the tyre bead in the well (even if that means rubber-hammering it every bite of the lever), and taking small bites with those levers.

You can spend a fortune on tyre fitting gizmos. The best gizmo is experience, so have a go!

Good luck.

Best way is to start and finish at the valve, the reason is you can push the valve stem in with you fingers which means the tube is also away from the rim so you dont nip the tube. Use rim protectors to avoid damage.

Before you take off the old tyre find the mark on the tyre wall (usually a red circle) which identifies the heaviest part of the tyre and make a chalk mark on the rim and line up the mark on the new tyre in the same place so the wheel is reasonably balenced. As mentioned earlier make sure both tyre rim sides directly opposite to where you are levering are in the WELL of the rim.

After refitting the tube BEFORE you start to lever the new tyre on add a little air to the tube and double check that the tube is now inside the tyre and not trapped between the tyre and rim. More air and a light bouncing of the wheel should correct this, then loosen the valve enough so it releases air when you are levering on the tyre. The standard inner tube is coated with a graphite lubricant but my new tubes are not, use talcum powder as a lube when fitting new tubes.

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XTz 660 tenere, adventure spec bash plate, main stand, skid marks tall screen, Oxford tail pack 36 litre. Kobra hand guards, Bigger cast footpegs, Zen overland luggage plate, USB power point, iridium spark plug, TKC80 f k60 R tyres, o2 and fuel Kev mods, DNA stage 2 filter. bark buster bar wieghts, Touratec side stand base and GPS mount. Led spot lights