how hard is it to change tires. should i do it myself or just take it to a shop to do it

 

If you must ask the question, by all means, TAKE IT TO A SHOP!

Just think; how may people do you know who change their own tires on the rims of their automobiles?

The equation is no different regarding ATV's; changing tubeless tires on their rims is an awful lot like work; the machines at the tire shop are worth the money.

Don't fret if the rims are slightly bent in the machine-assisted changing process; as long as they hold air, they're o.k.

Tree Farmer

 

The hardest part about changing ATV tires is breaking the bead. After that it is a piece of cake. If you have 8 inch rims, do not let them change the tire with automotive equiptment. It is very easy to damage the tire. 9 inch rims are ok, but the tire guy must be competent. Since most shops charge between 10 and 20 bucks per tire to do this, you can save yourself some time and money by buying a 75 dollar bead breaker and a couple of tire irons for atv tires.
Here is how to do it. Break the bead with your bead breaker. Follow the instructions that come with it. Then you have to look at the rim. The rim is kind of shaped like an hour glass when viewed from the top if you roll it on the shop floor. One side is thicker than the other. Place the rim on floor with the thin side facing up. Push down on the tire with your knee and place the tire irons on the opposite side(about 4 inches between them) and pry the tire off the rim. Take one tire iron out and move it a couple of inches and pry a little more of the tire off the rim. By this time the tire is half off. You can then just pry and pull the rim out with one iron and your hand. Going on is almost the same.
The key is to get one side of the bead into the area of the rim where it is "skinny" and then move the othe side on or off the rim. Don't get me wrong, this takes some practice before you get good at it, but then how good were you riding your first time out? There is some satisfaction from doing things yourself. Hope I helped.

 

thanks alot ridzhard. that helped alot.

 

how i change mine is get the jack that came with my dads truck and set the jack on the side of the tire real close to the rim and than put the jack under the front tow hook than jack it up the bead will pop right off than i do the same thing on the other side of the tire than just use 2 or 3 big screw drivers to get the tire off the rim

2000 lakota with sur tracks on back and prm belly skid plate

 

Honda rims seem to have a very stubborn bead as compared to after market and other manufacturers. I would invest in a quality bead breaker and a couple of actual tire irons. While screwdrivers may work, they are a really good way of damaging a bead and compounding the problem of atv tires slowly leaking.

 

thanks alot everyone. sometime this week i'm gonna get a bead breaker. right now i have 8 and 10in rear douglas rims and stock honda so i'll probaly get some tire irons too. once agian thanks

 

Once you break the bead, mix a little dishwashing detergent (Dawn) and water. then apply it to the rubber bead and rim. It will lubricate the two, allowing the tire to slide off or back on, easier.
weetoots

 

I bought one of those atv bead breakers a couple years ago. It was the biggest waste of money for me. I tried breaking the beads on six different tires, all with no success. The bead breaker tool broke before the tire bead broke! Unless they drastically improved the do-it-yourself tire changers, don't buy one. This is just based on my experiences.

 

I just picked up a bead breaker from harbor frieght tools for 16 dollars and tried it out tonight. It works slick. It isn't one of the ones that work off of leverage, it clamps onto the rim and then a bolt pushes the blade down on the bead. I use a little simple green in a squirt bottle to lube the tires(good tip) but the soapy water works well also. I agree that the leverage breakers are almost worthless. Check out harbor freight tools.