After not heeding the warnings from some of my friends, I decided to go for it and put my own tires on. My brother picked up only a pry bar and a spoon, and after reading various posts on tips to do this, I gave it a try. Definately should have got my own tools, and got the 3 prybars. I wish it was as easy as some posts said, but I guess now I know how to do it. Broke the spoonand nearly lost an eye, safety glasses would be a definate suggestion if you do your own and are as impatient as me. After a couple hours i got them on (took me that long because I put the wrong tube in the rear tire, only noticing after it was all inflated.)

Happy to report these tires are great! I was concerned about having to add a sprocket after reading how bigger tires change the gearing, but I really didn't notice it. Going to take them in the mud hopefully this weekend and see how they do. They are significantly more aggressive than the stock tires I would say, should be a good time.

Incidently, does anyone know the "break in procedure" for new tires, as I've noticed in the kawi handbook? Also I've got them pumped up to about 28-29 pounds. They dont say on the tubes or the tires how much air should be in them.

Cheers.

 

Yep, you're going to like them a lot! I noticed a slight difference in the gearing with the 120 rear. I run anywhere from 15 to 20 psi on my rear depending on dirt or street, front seem fine at 15 psi. Of course depending on your body weight you might want to play around with it a little. On any new tire break in I just take in easy on the turns for the first 50-75 miles.

 

I'm pretty heavy, 250. For the street should i keep it as is and let it out a bit in the mud? Not really sure the rule of thumb for that one.

 

Your tire pressure sounds about right. As KLX250rider suggested just take it easy for the first few miles of street ridding. It really doesn't matter that much in the dirt. When I put new tires on my sport bikes it only takes about 25 miles to get them heated up and scuffed in. All tires come with a really slick surface that just needs to be ruffed up a bit. You can tell they are ready when the edges are not shiny.

I stopped by the KTM dealer todayand they had a 07 KTM Super Duke with 25 miles on it. It had $7000.00 worth of damage! From the looks of the tires he didn't scuff them in at all, he just rode straight down the road on new tires then tried to push it too hard in the first turn he came up on.

 

ouch that sucks. thanks for the info doods

 

I changed my first and only motorcycle tire last year and it was the 606. From start to finish it was 30 minutes, and that included taking the tire off the bike. You'll get the hang of it. I did buy 2 of the long bars and 2 smaller spoons. Here is a picture of the tire changer that I bought, it works great.

 

I was actually looking at your thread earlier today and it was then i was hoping i'd get at least 2 of those pry bars. When I change my bro's tires it will be alot faster i'm sure, and I wont mix up the tubes[:@].

Also was curious, using some grease on the bead to get it on easier wont harm nothing would it? I'd hate to find out i made a mistake the hard way if you know what i mean....

 

When I bought my Trakmaster, I noticed it was slippery as hell until I scuffed 'em in. However the Michelin Roads that I got for my BMW R1150R were sticky as hell right from the start. It seems likeMichelin put some sticky substance on it so overzealous riders don't crash leaving the dealership.

 

I don't know about grease. Many moons ago, when I was a kid, I worked in a Tire Store and we used to use highly diluted soap solution. Mostly water with just enough soap in it to make it slippery for that moment.

 

Windex is the way to go for the bead. Dries fast for no slipping! I can change both tires in less then 40 min. I use three spoons.