Dirt Bike Tire Changing Tips - Dr. Dirt

Continue to slowly work your way around the tire, moving the next tire iron the shortest possible distance from the last one-usually about 2 inches apart from each other. Any closer and you will have too much trouble pushing the tire iron in between the tire and the rim. If you have the luxury of three tire levers (I like the Motion Pro spoons), it makes the job easier. You don't have to fight and pull out irons as much.

Once one side of the tire is all the way off, pull the valve out of the rim and then pull the tube out of the tire (if you have average strength, it won't be hard).

I reinstall the valve core as soon as I remove the tube to ensure it is ready for reinstallation. Plus, I won't lose it.

Flip the wheel to the sprocket side and start dismounting the other side of the tire. You want to end up with the tire on the outside of the rim.

Pick the wheel up off the stand and hold it with the rim lock on top. Bump the bottom of the tire/wheel combo on the ground, and the rim should drop deeply into the well of the tire.

The used tire will now easily push off of the rim. I have a sturdy stand, so I just push the tire off the bottom edge of the rim and let the tire fall around the stand. This technique won't work if you are using a bucket or something similar for a stand.

Another method (shown here) is to set the wheel on the ground, hold the tire with one hand and push on the rim with the other hand.

Inspect the rubber rim band and the rim lock to ensure no debris or sharp edges are marked into the rim and the threaded ends of spokes do not show above the spoke nipples. Any of these may lead to a tube failure. Some riders discard the rubber rim strip, but most tire technicians prefer to leave it in place and make sure it is in good condition. If you simply must have tape, try to use a special plumbing tape that resembles wide, heavy-duty electrical tape. It is made of plastic and doesn't have a cloth weave that can fray like duct tape does.

Drop a bit of talc-based baby powder in the new tire to keep the tire and tube from chafing against each other and wearing out the tube. The powder will also allow the tube to slide as it inflates, and this slipperiness will minimize pinch flats while you air up the tire the first time. Upon the recommendation of pediatricians, many baby powder brands have switched from talc (a powdered, slippery mineral dust) to corn starch. Corn starch just makes a mess and doesn't help. It isn't slippery enough. Look for a brand that lists talc as the main ingredient.