Dirt Bike Tire Changing Tips - Dr. Dirt

The last few bites with the tire spoons need to be done correctly and with plenty of lube. Try to lift the tire irons up until they are parallel with the top edges of the rim and no farther. That will prevent tube pinches. Some riders who prefer a bar-type tire lever grind a notch across the tip of the tire iron between 5 and 10mm back from the tip. The notch will catch on the rim and prevent the iron from slipping in too deeply. The key is to keep the bead pushed down off the rim shoulder so it will not be too hard to finish these last few sections.

Remove your Bead Buddy with a slight pry on the tire.

Set your tire pressure between 12-14 psi. Rocky, ledgy conditions (for off-road or moto), hot weather or a heavy rider are all reasons to consider using a few more psi than the standard.

Install the valve cap so it stops against the valve stem nut. Don't tighten the nut down to the rim as that can cause the stem to rip out of the tube if the tire slips on the rim.

Tighten the rim lock nut; however, be careful not to overtighten it as you can damage the rim or pull the bolt right out of the rim lock. Now go ride!