Any advice on hoop change protocol?

Mark Hooton

Cymarcbikeparts
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Hi all, my Metz`s are about had it and I am thinking about changing them.

This is my first GS, which I love to bits, and I was wondering if any members had some good advice on changing the tyres?

Is it something the majority of us leave to a BMW dealer? Is it ok to take the bike to most tyres dealers and let them get on with it? Do we remove the wheels and take them to the dealer 9if so is it easy would I need any special tools/brains?) :confused:

What`s the `norm` guys?

Regards,

Mark.
 
My experience:blast:blast
I wanted to have a go. I bought lots of tyre levers and read up all the internet stuff about bead breaking etc. After fecking hours of back breaking work, I got the rear tyre off and ended up with scratched rims despite cutting up milk containers for rim guards.:blast

After a further 4 hours or so trying to get the new fecker back on the rim I took the lot to my local tyre fitter, who charged me a fiver to put it back on.

I now take the wheel off and take the wheel and new tyre to the fitters and give them a tenner to do the job and consider it worth while!

Do you want to buy any tyre levers?
 
Ha funny

Sorry to hear that mate but it does have a little comedy about it - hope you don`t mind me saying!

Did you use special tools to get either the front or the rear wheel off? Was that easy?

Sorry for being a numbskull but I am a tyre newbie!

Regards,

Mark.
 
The wheel removal is a doddle, especially the rear one. Getting the front off shouldn't be too challenging either.

If you go to a BMW dealer you will generally pay top price and more for the tyres. They will usually charge their normal hourly rate for wheel removal and refitting. Best to use a specialist tyre place and either take the wheels in loose or see what they will charge for a full ride in and ride out fitting service.
 
Thanks

Thanks for that - in ignorance i just didn`t want to assume `owt, realise that I need a degree in Nasa and bugger something up :blast
 
If you have the sockets, removal tool (front wheel) & torque wrench, then take the wheels off yourself .... that is of course if you have a car to get the loose wheels to the tyre shop.
In my experience tyre specialist will undoubtedly do the best deals on tyres.

If you take the bike into a specialist, they will probably charge you to remove them.

It is worth remembering that the specialist will be good (hopefully) at changing the tyre, but potentially not have the correct torque figures to tighten the wheels back up...

There are also cases of "specialist tyre companies" damaging tyre pressure sensors

So at the end of the day it's horses for courses which way to choose.... for me it will always be loose wheels to a specialist & remind them that internal sensors are fitted...in writing if necessary.
 
Top advice from Bob. Phone around but be sure to ask for the all-in (fitted) price options eg loose wheel or ride-in service before committing to a purchase.

I also use a local tyre fitter who specialises in bikes, he is much cheaper than going to the motorcycle dealer and does an excellent job. Personally I go for the standard Metzeler tourances (not Tourance EXP) but you can ask for whatever fits/suits and the tyre fitters can usually get them if available in the required sizes.

My local fitter is happy for me to ride to his place, let me remove my own wheels, fit the new rubber for me at 'wheels only' cost then I can refit my wheels myself and ride home again. Money saved and no car involved.

No disrespect to the main bike dealers as they have to earn a crust like the rest of us, but they just seem to charge too much of a mark-up compared to other suppliers and as it is my own hard-earned cash I am parting with, I want maximum value for money.

Its not like the tyres they supply are any different (except in price).
 
I change them myself. I break the bead in a 6" vice then put a section of slit hose round the rim to protect it along with loads of washing up liquid round the bead. Two tyre levers and just work it round until they are off. It can be a bit of work on the semi on/off road tyres as they have harder side walls but you shouldnt have to use too much force. If you are having to push the levers hard then your taking too much of a bite. Release the lever and move closer to where it is already off and try again. Once off, fitting it is the reverse, loads of liquid again and the first side usually goes on without even using levers. If you need levers then put the bit hose on again and lever it on with small bites. Once you have it all on. Make sure you get the direction arrows the right way round and check that the red dot on the side wall is at the valve. Keep the valve core out for initial inflating so the air goes in quicker and turn the pressure up on the airline. The whole idea is to get as much air in as quickly as poss so the bead pops. You will never get this done with a petrol station compressor as they dont have stored air usually. Anyway if air is leaking and it wont pop then turn and bounce the wheel a few times then put the wheel upright against a wall and press your knee against it so you have pressure on three points (floor, wall and knee) and put the air in. If it is still not working then kinda bounce on the tyre a bit with your knee. You will hear the leak stop and it will seal itself and pop. if it is a really stubborn tyre then get a bit rope and put it round the centre of the tyre like a tourniquet and tighten it. After its popped then put the valve core back in and inflate to your pressure, job done, go for a ride or have a beer. Takes about 10 mins a wheel 20 including wheels on and off and is even easier if you can get a mate to lend a hand. I have been doing my tyres this way for 25 years and have never had to balance one yet unless it was out of balance before. Tyres shouldnt need balancing (this is what the red dot is for), its the wheels that need it, especially if they have been damaged. If there are weights on the wheel already then leave them on and everything will probably be good.
 
Air pressure sensors??????

Thank guys, what is this about air pressure sensors? How do I know if they are fitted to my 2006 R1200GS?

Is it a standard fit?

God, I know nothing! :eek:
 
Thank guys, what is this about air pressure sensors? How do I know if they are fitted to my 2006 R1200GS?

Is it a standard fit?

God, I know nothing! :eek:

Not sure if the 06 GS’s had TPS’s (tyre pressure sensors).

But if they are fitted, you will have a pressure display on your digital dash readout.

Changing tyres.
Personally I always ride to the tyre fitters (ProTyre Bristol) then remove the wheels myself and hand them over to the fitter. If I take my own tyres as well, they charge me £10 per tyre to fit them (or free fitting if I buy the whoops from them).
:thumb
 
Thank guys, what is this about air pressure sensors? How do I know if they are fitted to my 2006 R1200GS?

Is it a standard fit?

God, I know nothing! :eek:

They didn't have the sensors on the 2006 GS. I seem to recall they only became an option from 2008 onwards.

I second what Adam says about Tourances. Avoid the EXP's and go for the standard ones.
 
Ta

Ta guys, I have found a place near me called A18 tyres and they have quoted:

Standard Metzeller Turance 110/80vr19 front and 150/70vr17 rear £213

Presumably this is ok? :confused: Not bought Metz since I was a kid.

This is for a drive in drive out service.
 
Mark, you're not that far from a place that I have used many times - Bike Tyres Leeds, they have always done me well and when I had the VTR and was using tyreas more regularly than now - I used to buy sets of 3, (2 rear 1 front)

They will do ride in/ride out but call and book first

Tourance here

53mile/1 hour from you
 


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