Rabaconda Motorcycle Tire Changer - Demonstration & Review

Changing your own motorcycle tires - Does it work ? Is it worth it ?
Check out this video as we show how to use the Rabaconda Tire Machine and give a long term review.
Rabaconda Tire Machine:
us.rabaconda.com/products/sta...
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/ @3_am
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[@Rabaconda]

Really awesome video and fun to watch! Thank you guys for posting it, it's great honor for us! If you don't consider it rude, I'd add few learnings we've had on the way. a) for dismounting we have started to use soap water spray. Simple like that. Why? the soap water does not dry and stick like the bead grease. And it's liquid enough to penetrate smallest cracks between the tire and rim. That's good when you are fighting to break a very difficult bead. Soap water helps. b) we start dismounting with the duck head at 6 o'clock, because then, when you pull the tire over the duck head with the tire iron, SIMULTANEOUSLY you can push the tire down to the drop center from opposite side with the bead breaker. c) when using drop center tools, lube them also really well so the tire can slide into drop center. d) when mounting, the tire has to be DIAGONALLY on the duck head. So that the tire is above the front hump of the duck head (in the moving direction) and below the rear hump of the duck head. But thanks again for the video!! And... damn, the Road Glide looks too good back there... dream bike!!

[@3_AM]

Thanks for all your input and sharing our video ! We'll definitely try the soap and water method next time. We're very happy with the product and being self sufficient for all our bikes. It's diffidently true, the little tips like starting at 6 o'clock made all the difference. It became easier and easier after a few sets of tires. We still expect to be able to get the next set done even quicker !

[@cruzRjose]

Big fan... Great video and helped me make the choice to buy it

[@3_AM]

Glad to hear it!

[@ericroadking7564]

I like it good job guys!!

[@3_AM]

Thank you, it was a solid investment.

[@marcv338]

Nice tool , looks easy enough to buy one.

[@3_AM]

With a little practice it’s a piece of cake

[@scottnewland5523]

Thanks for the great video. It's good to see people using a product before buying. I'm starting to get up in age and I've been doing the Neanderthal method using just spoons and the last tire tool longer that your video just to get it on the rim. Doh! I had it down to this changer and one by another company. The other one is way cheaper but it looks like the bead breaker could scratch the rim and the manufacturer's webpage doesn't even list that product. With the Rabaconda, you get the lifetime warranty plus spare parts as needed. I also think the Rabaconda is more ergonomic and much easier with it's ratchet system. Lastly, they have a hub adapter that should work for the single sided swingarm on the 2014 VFR800 I have. After seeing this video, I'm buying one.

[@3_AM]

Thanks for the comment it’s great to see people benefit from our efforts. Hopefully you’ve subscribed. The Rabaconda is truly a great product and they stand behind it. That being said there is a learning curve as we mentioned. But pay attention to their little tips and details as they certainly help. After that you’ll have a great tool to make tire changes a snap.

[@Jonathan-L]

The guy with the beard wearing the beanie & glasses is really entertaining to watch.

[@CrashHardEnduro]

Random observation, but the lighting in your garage is fantastic

[@3_AM]

Haha thanks . The epoxy floor brightened and reflects a lot . Otherwise there’s 9) 4 foot led fixtures from Costco 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@krispy1k]

I just changed my front tire on my Road King and had the same issue you did when you cut it out at 16:04 mark. I fought with it and finally got the duckhead into position and once I got it to stay and used 2 drop center tools the tire went on no problem but there seems to be a troublesome hiccup in that portion of the process. I will be changing my rear tire tomorrow so hope it goes better. Thanks for the vid!

[@3_AM]

The small tips like that help immensely. We did another set last weekend and for just the part of putting a tire on the wheel we had it in 5 mins like you said , remembering that correct position and going straight for using the drop center tools.

[@nickaxe771]

Great vid.....I bought a table top balance rig a year ago....the cones where not machined dead ctr.....so could not get a constant balance if you took the cones out and fitted in a different part off the wheel. I sent it back and paid 3 times the price for a supposed garage quality rig.....same idea with the cones.....it was better but not perfect. In the end I found my bikes axles could be used and did not need the cones...that worked perfect. Its easy to think these rigs are doing a good job for you.....but good chance its kidding you. Nick in the UK.

[@3_AM]

Thanks for watching. I can see what you're saying. We'll have to try using the bike's axle next time. Ride on!

[@slimsgarage675]

Will this work on a 10 and 12 in rim? My kid races Ohvale miniGP bikes and this would save me a ton of time/ money on dealing with the tire guys/ shops.

[@3_AM]

It will do 12” - 21”

[@painsrides3616]

Last week I dropped the Vic's rims & tires off for a change over... The shop upped the price from $25\tire to $45\tire + 2hours of my time driving there and back x2 😐 I've been looking at tire-changers ever since.... Thanks for the review, the Rabaconda looks like a great option. One question... the Rabaconda free-stands, right? no need to have it anchored?

[@3_AM]

Correct it free stands, the whole machine folds into a bag which is a nice plus. We occasionally found ourselves putting a foot on it to steady it . In all it really does work well with some practice.

[@tcmits3699]

BMW'S from the 1970's were so far ahead of their time! The bikes came standard with a bead breaker built in (the centerstand had specially designed feet to break the bead), the tool kit had tire irons, to change tire, a repair kit to patch the tube, and there was an air pump conveniently mounted on the frame to pump up the tire. Oh yeah, that centerstand was perfectly placed so when you took off either tire, the bike would gently rest on the tire that remained, no looking for a log on the side of the road to prop the bike up. The dealership actually instructed me on the procedure. That tire machine looked painful 😂good luck 🤞

[@3_AM]

There's definitely a learning curve with the tire machine, however, its gotten easier every time we've used it. It's a great tool.

[@DrDaddy-yg2ki]

Off topic but do you have a link to the fork gaurds yall have put on that highball? Ive been wanting a set for my vision

[@3_AM]

Unfortunately I don't. EBay wont let me see that far back. But they were inexpensive fork gators made to fit Harley / universal.

[@donaldjackson8845]

Nice video, why did you remove the brake discs? Just video clarity?

[@3_AM]

No, I was having the wheels powder coated after this video!

[@krispy1k]

You can leave them on when changing the tire. I just did my Road King with dual rotors with no issue.

[@sofienetrabelsi6512]

Use counteract beads to balance instead of weights. Much better

[@cfltitan]

I’ve been using airsoft BB’s got years in my 35” mud terrain Jeep tires and my sportbike tires and they work great. A couple ounces poured in the bead of the bike tires before popping the bead on and about 9-10 ounces in the Jeep tires.

[@sexytime2616]

did you need any additional parts to do the 1290 ktm tires ?

[@3_AM]

The dealer actually did my KTM only because there was a recall on my front continental tire. But to answer your question no additional parts needed. For spoked wheels the only difference is you use a provided strap to stop it from rotating rather than the stud .

[@johnklein6322]

You don't scratch your wheels with the tire iron? Looks like it bangs on wheel when operating.

[@3_AM]

You have to be careful to make sure you're pressing against the inner part that doesn't show. Otherwise, we also bought some cheap plastic guard's.

[@mcdickbong]

ASMR box opening sounds

[@Petesmotoadventure]

Good to know that the tubeless spoke wheels need a different head.

[@3_AM]

Yes we found it out in the middle of changing the tires!

[@Rabaconda]

Only those spoked wheels need different head that have "cross-spoked wheels", where spokes run out to the sides of the rim (like BMW GS, Pan America). The sides of these rims are really thick, so they need a wider duck head. Normal spoked wheels do not need wide duck head, tubeless or not (like KTM Adventure bikes, Tenere, for example)

[@mtgone328]

You have to remove the rotors which is a PIA as you have to buy new bolts for the rotor.

[@3_AM]

You don't have to remove rotors to mount tires. At least we never have ! Thanks for watching. You are correct with the bolts as they're torque to yield, they are supposed to be replaced when removed.

[@ez123ification]

Windex works very well . 👍

[@3_AM]

We’ll have to try that

[@ez123ification]

Less mess as well 👍👍

[@frostbitevinnie]

Very cool! I may just order one. A good way to warm a tire in winter is stick your wife's hair dryer in the tire for 30 minutes!😁

[@3_AM]

It works very well . It’s nice being portable, like you said for warmth we moved it into the basement for winter.

[@firdausfirdaus7031]

Ho much.??

[@3_AM]

I believe it is around 500$ check out the link in the description! Thanks for watching!

[@jamesbanjomanjohnson]

just my 2 cents worth, ther's a lot of tire changers on the market this day and time but that one looks like a piece of junk 2 me and it looks like its hard 2 use and in an awkward position, im going 2 get one soon but it wont be that kind...

[@paulbregonzio2230]

And you should replace you valve stems!!

[@CCasyno]

Why not just spend another $7 or so and get a hydraulic. I get it either way. Spending almost $300 at the shop is BS. So $500 for the rab isn’t bad.

[@3_AM]

We like that it breaks down and can be stored or moved.

[@WinifredMulvey]

The No Mar tire changer is far superior and it’s a one man operation. The thought of using tire spoon on a street rim is inexcusable and will trash your rim…

[@cfltitan]

You’re retarded. If you knew anything about this you’d know the iron is literally just for popping the bead onto the duck head. It doesn’t contact the wheel and isn’t going to trash it. Hell I’ve mounted tires using nothing but irons and rim protectors and didn’t trash my wheels. The no mar is nice but it’s gigantic and takes up a lot of room and isn’t portable. Even with the hitch mount it’s still huge and heavy to try and take to a track day or anything.

[@Arl-eo6sc]

I’m a Amigette 😂

[@dougiequick1]

What kept me from buying is the unit is shown which is expensive but then there a bunch of other pricey pieces I assume might be needed but there was zero explanation so I passed Had they included some kind of verbal insurance with the main unit like "This has everything needed to change most typical full sized street bike motorycle wheels with one piece wheels" Then I likely would have bought ....but not if I might rather buy it only to find it is not all there and I have to buy more pricey pieces ....it sort of looks like maybe greed kicked in and they want to turn a 6 something hundred dollar purchase into a 1000 dollar purchase? Hope I am wrong but without explanations idk

[@3_AM]

Thanks for watching. This kit includes everything needed to change most tires, but yes, there are some additional pieces needed for exceptions like Ducati or BMW with one sided swingarms. We did have to buy a larger duck head for the external spoked Pan America wheels, but it was only about $50. You are correct this machine is not cheap at around $600 but we look at it as an investment. First we split the cost among 4 friends and otherwise we are saving a $100 on every set we change. In that perspective it becomes a money saver very quickly as we all go through a lot of tires.

[@user-wt9yv9lz1s]

The duckbill broke the first time I used it. Even it's they cover it under warranty, going to have to say it's a POS

[@3_AM]

Manufacturer defects do happen. I'm sure they'll take care of you with a replacement, its clear they stand behind their product.

[@chuck1622]

That’s a little harsh I think. Get it replaced under warranty, and if it breaks again, by all means call it all the bad names. But by all accounts it’s very well built so I doubt you’ll have more trouble. Unless you’re doing something wrong using it and not realizing.

[@countryjoe3551]

Sounds like an operator malfunction.

[@chrisc6874]

you guys are clueless. Hes lubing the sidewall of the tire

[@3_AM]

Thanks for watching. We've learned more lube is better, but yeah, its a messy process but rinses right off.