Say No To Spend Tyre Changing - Chris Birch

I am often called a cheapskate, and it's got some accuracy - I do hate wasting money, especially when I can figure out a way to do it cheaper (or free) myself.
So I thought I would show you how you can do tyre changes on an adventure bike for little to no dollars spent. This will free up money to spend on good tyres you can swap out depending on your ride, or petrol money, or save for a new bike!
Enjoy!
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#saynotoslow #adventurebike #tyrechange #ktm #adv

[@ultimatist]

Using the kickstand to save money on a tire breaker is THE REASON I need a second bike!

[@robsonenduro3316]

I used kickstand with the same bike standing on center stand. Sketchy but worked.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

@@robsonenduro3316 I’ve done that too but I was too scared to do it on camera ha ha

[@ultimatist]

@@robsonenduro3316 done the same on my S1000XR, but absolutely will not when the front tire is off. Which is the bead I find much harder to break.

[@Kimsand520]

Ah yes, the 10k$ tire bead breaker that also functions as a motorcycle👍

[@commoncents5191]

😂❤

[@Adv4MM]

I'm Italian. Seeing your levers made in Italy brings memories of my father workshop and all his vintage tools from a lifetime spent in a factory. Stuff made in Italy between the 60s and the 80s was good quality.

[@Angry-Lynx]

I love this. Any idiot can throw money at problem. Doing stuff on budget takes skill and creativity, u learn AND save money. All pluses ;

[@ZebSmithulon]

Great video. Lube and keeping the bead in the drop center are the two reasons why everyone has a hard time with tires at first.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

That’s the key!

[@danharvey6383]

From British Columbia, Awesome video Chris. Thank you…. I like how you use the kickstand of the bike to help break the bead, You could do that we still holding your beer😉 Thank you

[@Michael_Shay]

I appreciate the emphasis on keeping the bead in the well of the rim. I was trying to teach myself how to change a tire and tube before solo'ing the IDBDR on my DR650. After like 3 hours I just could not get the tire off the rim. So I reached out to my local adv community, and within 5 minutes a guy sent me his address and I took the wheel over to him, and he showed me how to do it and not keeping the bead in that well with my knees was the only thing I was doing wrong.

[@Jimo368]

Couple things I’ve learned to make it easier on myself is to wear knee pads and also leave the tire out in the sun for a while to make it more pliable

[@BobcatSig]

For sure. Or if you're a degenerate road racer like me, you can use your tire warmers in a pinch (or when it's cold and rainy outside)

[@EeezyNoow]

I put mine in the car, parked in a sunny spot with all the windows closed for two hours.

[@Jimo368]

@@EeezyNoow great idea

[@TheIdlesurfer]

​@@BobcatSigI can vouch for that tyre warmer trick.

[@Liam1304]

You're right about your training video series. The best $50 I ever spent

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad you like them!

[@richardscott982]

I discovered an easy method for popping the bead off. An appropriately sized C-clamp will pop it off nicely. I also use a plastic milk crate to keep the brake rotor off the concrete. Thanks Mr. Birch, I enjoyed your riding instructional videos a lot as well.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

That sounds like a good idea

[@Diggler72]

Chris, you are bloody legend. I learnt something new today which makes me happy. Thank you.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Only a pleasure!

[@johanballin6601]

Brilliant! And I love it’s tubeless and with super basic tools.

[@ralphralph7368]

Hilarious, and helpful! It's worth the wait just to see Chris hand pumping to pop it!! Brilliant and miserly resourcefulness!

[@alexcovaci22]

Thank you Chris for this video, really good instuctions. First time trying to change my own tires I managed to bend the ABS ring on the manual tyre changing station, the ideea of getting the new tire under the wheel is brilliant! If you plan on making a part 2, I'm eager to see you change a front 21' with tube inside.

[@Icatchbigfish-b6l]

I have watched many tire changing videos and this one is one of the best.

[@richardkeeley6927]

Thanks Chris. It's best to do tire changes or repairs with manual hand tools. Practice in the garage and you will have the confidence and skills to do the same if something should happen in the field. :)

[@busabobsgarage9876]

I have done this a bunch of times on various different bikes, with different types of tires. I have invested in bead breakers, tire spoons, etc. The problem that you will run into is that you will inevitably scratch your rims, chip the powder coat, etc. If you can live with that, then this is a good deal. I have had many friends ask me to change tires on their road bikes, and I won't do it because I can't guarantee that I will not scratch their rims.

[@HenryTheGerman]

Great techniques and perfectly explained and demonstrated ! Many thanks @ChrisBirchNZ.

[@srinidhijagannath5272]

This video was so much fun to watch! Keep making more ones like this!

[@MotoVibes]

Best explanation I have ever seen. The ratchet strap trick at the end is golden. I changed my first set of Mitas E-07+ (not the best tire for the first time 😂) I was struggling with getting the tire onto the rim especially on the 21“ front but I managed to get both tires on but had to throw in the towel on the rear as I could not get it to pop onto the bead. I may give this another try again now - thank you very much 👍

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Glad it helped

[@harleyosterlund5796]

Agreed the kickstand truck was worth the price of admission! BRILLIANT mate!

[@ridingluna]

You always make things look sooo easy to do !!! Thanks Chris, i hope one day you swing by to Baja California Sur to give us some dual sport / enduro coaching :) There are many of us waiting to happend !!! :)

[@PPGGORILLA]

Tire changes on the trail give me anxiety because I've struggled with them even when my bike is in the workshop. My adv bike also has tubes that add an extra bit of trouble. I've pinched a few taking off and putting back on. Thanks for the tips, especially the side stand bead breaker!

[@tigercoward]

This might be the best video on the internet! If not, it is the best tire changing video for sure. Thanks Dave "Tiger" Coward 🇨🇦

[@JulietHotelFoxtrot]

Good tip on the ratchet straps. Setting the bead on the stiffer tires, like those Mitas you have, is the hardest part for me.

[@caldeirone]

Just Chris sense of humor is amazing... he could be talking about tupperware and he'd have a legion of fans! But thank God he talks about what we love: adventure bikes! :D Perfect!

[@strangecustoms8486]

Best video changing a motor bike tire ive seen and I've watched more than a few trying to find the best way I use a car tire as the stand because it sits on the spokes so when I use my knees it's not fighting the other side of the tire. I got to do the front one on the xr600 this weekend. Good vid 😁🇬🇸👍

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Ah that’s a good idea!

[@doccops]

Excellent video, I have changed hundreds and the compressor is essential to keep the heart rate down, well done for demonstrating what I did for years with a hand pump! A tip I picked up was to use 4 levers to take the tyres off, 4 smallish bites and the tyre is loose enough so the next lever goes in easy.

[@varafab3111]

Great video!!! Still funny and efficient. Many thanks Chris for sharing this kind of tips.

[@mikecarroll2025]

Awesome Chris! I’m all about doing things inexpensively!

[@Dalmau2008]

Thank u man..i always learn something watching your videos..and of course enjoying them !

[@twobeagles1365]

Best manual how to do video I have seen ! Great job ! I would like to find some longer tire spoons like you have , and that KTM hoodie !! I love that.... steal the mop out of the house and make sure no one looking. LMAO Thanks Chris

[@jonbaker7370]

For years I only used the tools I carry with me on the bike to mount new tires. Then I got old and bought a rabaconda for $450. Likely saved me money from not having to go the the Emergency room with a heart attack. All good stuff. And nice to see that even Chris Birch suffers when mounting a tire. Oh and that was a used tire you mounted much easier than a brand new extremely stiff one. Like a Tusk 2 track, saved $200 on that tire each time vs a Motoz tire. Enough to pay for the Rabaconda for the garage.

[@mullins6429]

I’m just about due to watch your training video series again. It really is the best!! Thanks for the tyre changing hints Chris. I use car axle stands and some pipe as my balancer. Works a treat. 🇦🇺👍

[@willmcgregor7184]

Thanks ! Great explanation & tips (Just like your courses)

[@thadthompson4929]

Thank you! I'm going to give it another shot when my new rear tire shows up. The first time I tried, I ended up at the shop. Gotta keep that bead in the well! Thanks again.

[@dawn-moon]

I couldn't even get my MTB's Big Betty tires on my tubeless rims with a bicycle pump =) You're the man Chris, thx for the advice !

[@TheDTPalmer]

Thanks Chris, your video and tips inspired me to give tyre changing another go. I invested in some decent levers, rim protectors and using WD40 for Lube. I got two tyres done in less time than it takes to drive to the tyre shop. This means end of tip toeing around on the gravel with 80/20's for me, I now have the confidence to swap on and off tyres to suit the trip.

[@fabie.motion]

Geat video Chris!!!!! Make more!!!!!

[@OrangeDesertTrackerODT]

I was always on the fence of changing my own tires, but the more you change your tires, the easier it gets. I find it a lot easier doing this on the ground than using a stand, plus when your out on the trail, you use the ground anyway. Practice practice practice and find what works for you.

[@kevinnielsen1356]

Flat proof fluid will balance the wheel, and help prevent flats. Works best with tubes. Ceramic balance beads are better for tubeless tyres because they don't interfere with tubeless repair plugs. The problem with counter weight balancing is as the tyre wears it progressively goes out of balance. The fluid and ceramic beads continuously adjust to tyre wear.

[@ianparkes2538]

Brilliant ,changed lots of tyres in my time but i really thought these stiff mitas on tubeless would be very difficult , you made it look easy , thanks for another brilliant and entertaining video

[@michaelsupple6081]

Priceless! Many thanks. Loved the strap tip especially!

[@jayhopkins1337]

Great idea using the kickstand and especially off road on your own fixing flat

[@marthinusvorster]

Ripper! Bloody legend you are. Say no to spend. "Now lets put this back on our $20k bike".

[@CurtisBrandt]

Superb! Full cheapskate and brilliant! I started doing my own tire changes a few years ago, and it's good to have a range of techniques available. I've gotten a few tools to help make things easier (cough, Rabaconda), but it's good to remember the basics - nothing fancy is required!

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Oooh Rabaconda, you fancy!

[@CurtisBrandt]

@@ChrisBirchNZ haha. Not really. Appreciate all your videos. Literally changing how I ride, after 40 years, and all the better and more enjoyable. Cheers.

[@Mark1JT]

Chris you are a man after my own cheapskate heart. Thanks for the video.

[@simonmills2375]

Mate. That was so well explained. Thank you very much, gonna give it a go. Cheers

[@steveh100]

That's me educated on tubeless, not sure what I'd prefer now tubed or tubless, that looked way easier.. damn you Chris Birch making it look so easy.. fitted a mitas eo7+ yesterday, not only did I get the rotation wrong but I pinched the tube too... 😂 guess I needed the practice. Thank you Mr Birch.

[@oleg21101979]

Приятно посмотреть что такой крутой парень как ты не боится испачкаться и может обслужить мотоцикл своими руками. Это видео обязательно к просмотру новичкам которые даже масло едут менять в сервис. У меня 990, скажем прямо: не самый легкий в обслуживании bike, но мне нравится с ним возиться. У нас в России говорят: любишь кататься, люби и саночки возить. Спасибо ещё раз, и удачи!

[@jjjjjjjjrifufjssjosskenf]

Another good tip to make it easier is leave the tires out in the sun to warm up first.

[@richardscott982]

Great tip, thx.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Agreed, assuming there is some sun which definitely wasn’t the case this day 😉

[@jjjjjjjjrifufjssjosskenf]

@@ChrisBirchNZIf it’s cold or winter, I’ll leave them by the heater for a few hours😊

[@ZebSmithulon]

@@jjjjjjjjrifufjssjosskenf I just sit on 'em for a bit. Kinda like laying a big rubber egg.

[@myronstambaugh761]

I've seen guys at the races throw a tire on top of their truck engine to warm it.

[@thadthompson4929]

Well Chris, it isn't as easy as you make it look. But it worked! Thank you!

[@TheBeardedGrump]

Best how to change a tire video I've ever seen! Thanks 👊

[@ERUtheWINDRIDER]

Save money on the tires and buy the: " Say no to slow" series. Really good advice.

[@GenLynx]

Just started to watch your Videos. Looking at replacing My 2023 DRZ 400s for a KTM 690 Adventure R. Love your videos and thanks for the info Chris.

[@kirkwohlford5553]

What a cool dude. I've got a 1090r. Love the KTM power. And need to go to one of your classes next time you're in SW Virginia

[@AdventureRockNRoller]

Brilliant!!! Thanks for that valuable info 👍😎

[@drzrider3440]

Yep, in 35 years of riding, i have never paid anyone to change my tire. Yes, dealers make it aesy for those that either dont know how or have no interest is doing it. But what are those guys going to to do when they have zero cell coverage and get a flat tire? Yeah, walk until they get signal or they are F'd. My roomate is one of those. He sat and waited 6 hours for me to get off of work to go find him, change his tire that only took 39 minutes including patching the tube. Tire changing in my opinion should be one of those things every single rider should know how to do themselves.

[@KevinZucht]

Drop Center, Chris...remember what Jarret(MITAS) told ya. Always great videos......loved the Utah!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Very good video! I find a very cheap and efficient bead breaker is a 3" long piece of angle iron, with all the corners rounded off, you just slip one side of the angle between the rim and tyre, resting the other side on the tyre wall, and hit the angle into the tyre/rim gap, the bead is broken very easily . Chris B.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Nice one! Sounds cheap and a little rough. I like it 😀

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@@ChrisBirchNZ I even use this on tractor tyres, but being very large they are a lot easier to break than a lawn mower tyre! Chris B.

[@peterjones4163]

Chris great that you like to go back to basics to work on bikes. Plenty of riders can relate to this 👍👍👍

[@louisbravos3781]

The best tire change video since Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda fixed a flat in a barn!

[@lesterroberts4787]

To save my bad knees, use a couple pieces of 3 inch long 1"X2" wood blocks to keep the bead in the well opposite the levers.

[@hailwood900]

Good video. We've always done our own dirt bike tires on the bench. Tubes and rim locks add a bit of hassle, but no worries. For me, reaching through to get the second bead over is the hardest. That's when I break out the long Harbor Freight car tire lever. I have a lube called Sil Glide, words great and doesn't dry out so fast. BTW, that second balancing weight you were putting on was upside down! LoL.

[@umaeder1714]

Hey Chris, thank you for the excellent video

[@tn8584]

Very entertaining and most useful. Can we get more cheapskate tip videos please

[@KentOnKTM]

If you need more exercise bring your hand pump to my place i have a couple that need changing :) Great video as per usual Cheers

[@DmitriyAdv]

Great video, very informative and extremely entertaining!

[@curtmueller4567]

Love it, a top rider showing how to for cheep. Thanks

[@givemeanaxe]

That side stand idea is the golden ticket staring you right in the face.

[@rulife2885]

Awesome video🤙🏼cool trick with the ramp🤙🏼

[@Kevwa51]

Man I wish this came out like a month ago when my buddy and I did the rear on my 890 for the first time. We even had a spare 1090 sitting right there and didn’t think to use the kickstand.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Doh!

[@chriskelly7459]

Tyre on backwards "Very disappointing" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣not sure that's what most people would be saying, your a gentleman!

[@lorinhughes]

Awesome video and tips...... I still go with using brake cleaner to "blow" the bead back on ;-)

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

I’m too scared of that ha ha

[@paulkleanthous5482]

The last two beed breakers are genuis!

[@ryanwinslow7853]

Thanks Chris. Great Vid. When the vice only popped one side. Red neck option got the other. Ka Pai!

[@thepcguy007]

Other free bead-breaker, a car jack (every car has a cheap scissor jack)... Line up the tire under the car, put the scissor jack between the car and the tire, crank it. Worked for me.

[@philgoogle1535]

Goodonya Chris. You make it look easy👍

[@donmurox]

Metal leavers on anodized aluminum. No protection whatsoever. I can imagine owners off expensive adventure bikes being very grateful for this helpful tips.

[@MotoPavilion]

Ratchet straps usually helps….but not all the time. I had a situation that the only thing that helped me to inflate my tire was a really big strong compressor.

[@lucazed4784]

“This would be easier with a friend” - cameraman looking the other way 😂

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

He’s good at that 😂

[@therealrealshocker]

You’re a damn genius! very very helpful thanks for sharing 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@CrashHorse-uj2jq]

Good job Mister Chris, j’ai appris des astuces ici Merci

[@rc51bigdaddy]

Great video!! Thank you!! Can you do one with tubed tires? Maybe you already did that? I have a compressor and a blaster to seat tubeless tires which makes life easier for some tires. I know you run your 890 with Powerparts wheels with tubed tires. I am going to do that too. Most interested in seeing the easiest way to get tubes in the tire and not pinching the tubes.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Quite a few people have asked for this. It’s something I’ll have to do when I’m next home.

[@thomasross8400]

Great work Chris!

[@corvus400]

That is awesome going to try it one day!

[@mikeontour_official]

Amazing video. Thanks for showing! Love it, saved it, will try it some day :D Regarding balancing the tire. Does a wheel has to be balanced on every tire change?

[@Nerb1]

I love these videos because it reminds me that you are just human too.... especially since you needed 3 tyre levers, like a learner ;)

[@g000se99]

how does a pro use the tool ;)

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Don’t worry I can do two, but til find three a lot easier 😉

[@boudix5737]

No Chris is not an normal human .. he is a super human ;-)

[@toddwmac]

Great stuff Chris, thanks. Been F@#$%^ing with my 990 rear tires for years and you gave me some good ideas and techniques. Now if I could find some big, cheap, foldable carbon fiber C clamps. :) As always, much appreciated!

[@zimtimxr]

I carry two short sections 2x1 baton and use them to keep the rim I the well.

[@parcadv419]

On my channel i filmed my tire change then couldn't find the tire lever showing the cleanup process. I had set new tire with iron inside of tire. Lol

[@kiwionbike]

Well done, another great vid!

[@jayrunner62]

Great Video. Thank you very much. Only thing is I can not afford a 20 k Euro bead breaker with KTM written on it. Guess I ave to find sth. cheaper. 🙂Greetings from good ol' Gemany !

[@KLRmurdercycle]

I'm a cheapo...use two simple straight spoons from Motion Pro and shampoo or camp soap as the tire lube. Spread it on with your finger. Never had problems with breaking the bead, even with rim locks. Can do front and back in less than half a hour. A little rub with baby powder on the tube and some air greatly reduces chance of fighting the tube into the tire and pinch flats from spoons. Also you can't get away from scratches, so just accept it.😄 And after the first couple changes you get confident about changing tires anywhere. This is my way. I don't carry all "the tire essentials" on the trails, so why do I need them at home. Great tips though, and rotation does make a difference, as well as some of the tiny compressors don't have much pressure and the strap technique works very well...umm the mop tip may get people killed though🤣 Chris, are you at grizzbait this year?

[@zeturbinas]

Nice ticks out there. By the way, nice trophee on the back, from extreme XL LAGARES ;)

[@ryanmalone2681]

Would love to see the same with a tuned tire or repairing a tubeless tire that can’t be plugged/patched.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Maybe a second one of these for dirt bike tyres?

[@jonay9221]

Yes, please do 👍

[@sorin.n]

Thank you! Nice tricks! 🧡

[@Gravelcruiser]

You can make it even cheaper by using lead wire for wheel weights. Just wrap it around the spokes. Might not look the part on a spendy KTM, but fits right in on the mighty DR.

[@offthebeatenpath9144]

A vise…….🤯🤯. I have one, never thought to use it. 👏👏👍👍

[@rayurlich]

Third set of hands? Where's the second!? 😆 The only money better spent than the SNTS videos are the Chris Birch riding courses. Best money I ever INVESTED. 😊💥👊🏼

[@BWGPEI]

That bicycle pump is one way to stay in shape, grin. At 70+ I do think I'll use the air-compressor that I bought years ago.

[@ChrisBirchNZ]

Good plan, doing it with a bike pump is money poorly saved ha ha

[@BWGPEI]

Wish we were neighbours - I suspect that we'd have lots of stories to swap. @@ChrisBirchNZ

[@jantoreaga5920]

Awsome tips!