Tools for removing a dirt bike tire
Gather your tools before breaking the bead. These listings cover tire irons, valve-core removal and useful wheel-service aids; the restored removal guide follows below.
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Motion Pro 8.5-inch Tire Iron
A compact steel iron with a flat end and a curved end. The smaller working tip is our bench preference when changing conventional tube-type tires.
Before you buy: This is an individual iron. Check the listing quantity and how many your tire-changing procedure calls for.
View on Amazon (paid link) — Motion Pro 8.5-inch Tire Iron, 08-0003Manufacturer details · 08-0003GEARWRENCH 12 mm Ratcheting Combination Wrench
An individual 12 mm wrench with a 72-tooth ratcheting box end—the wrench style we prefer for rim-lock and tube-retaining nuts.
Before you buy: Check your hardware first: some nuts need 13 mm or another size. This example is 12 mm, and it is not a torque wrench.
View on Amazon (paid link) — GEARWRENCH 12 mm Ratcheting Combination Wrench, 9112Manufacturer details · 9112No-Mar Tire Lube Paste
A water-soluble tire-mounting paste. No-Mar specifies direct paste use for installation and dilution for removal.
Before you buy: Confirm the pint jar and follow the tire and lubricant directions. This bead-mounting paste does not replace an insert maker’s specified mousse gel.
View on Amazon (paid link) — No-Mar Tire Lube Paste, SP-LUBE-PINTManufacturer details · SP-LUBE-PINTMotoSport Tire Changing Stand
The stand suggested by our editor: height adjusts from 20 to 32 inches, with a rubber-covered support ring and a built-in tool holder.
Before you buy: MotoSport lists wheels 16 inches and larger. Check wheel size and clearance; this is an alternative to the Chevy-wheel support we used for years.
View on Amazon (paid link) — MotoSport Tire Changing Stand, MTP000P00000Manufacturer details · MTP000P00000Lisle 15190 Valve Core Tool
A screwdriver-style handled tool with a heat-treated steel tip for removing and installing standard valve cores.
Before you buy: This is the bench style we prefer. A suitable valve-cap core tool works too; check whether your tube already came with one.
View on Amazon (paid link) — Lisle 15190 Valve Core Tool, 15190Manufacturer details · 15190Motion Pro Bead Buddy II
Hooks over a spoke to help keep the opposite tire bead down in the rim’s drop center while you work with tire irons.
Before you buy: For compatible spoked off-road wheels. Check spoke reach and rim shape; this is a bead holder, not a bead breaker.
View on Amazon (paid link) — Motion Pro Bead Buddy II, 08-0471Manufacturer details · 08-0471Motion Pro RimShield II
A pair of removable nylon shields that sit between the tire iron and a compatible rim during tire removal or installation.
Before you buy: Check the two-shield package and rim compatibility. Motion Pro excludes Harley-Davidson cast rims from this model.
View on Amazon (paid link) — Motion Pro RimShield II, 08-0546Manufacturer details · 08-0546Motion Pro T6 Combo Lever · 32 mm
An aluminum tire spoon with a 32 mm axle-nut box wrench at the other end. A useful combination for the tool kit, track box or tail kit.
Before you buy: Match your axle nut and the manufacturer’s tool torque limit. We prefer small-tip irons for tube work; broad spoons need extra care to avoid catching a tube.
View on Amazon (paid link) — Motion Pro T6 Combo Lever · 32 mm, 08-0289Manufacturer details · 08-0289These are product selections based on manufacturer information, not a new hands-on test or a complete kit. Finish the kit with the tools and supplies your exact wheel needs, plus suitable inflation equipment and a pressure gauge. A working wheel support or valve-cap tool you already own may save you a purchase. Confirm package contents, seller, fitment and current price on Amazon.
For conventional tube-type off-road wheel work. Tubeless systems and mousse inserts need their own procedures. Follow current tire, wheel and motorcycle instructions; the restored guide below reflects its original publication date.
Read our current workbench notes on irons, spoons, wheel support and valve tools before choosing your kit.
1st thing, let the air out of the tube by removing the valve stem core, use a vale stem core removing tool. Loosen the nut on your rim lock and leave the nut so that it is still threaded on generously at the end of the rim lock stud. For more information on the tools used in this procedure please see this post
Completely remove any nuts and keepers from the tubes valve stem (Leave the nut on the rim lock as the end of the rimlock stud threads).
2. place the wheel on your wheel stand using a tire iron, insert the iron into the seam where the tire meets the wheel and start to lever the tire off the rims bead seating area towards the center of the rim (Breaking the bead), work your way around the wheel ’til the tire bead is now collapsing into the dip in the center of the rim. Turn the wheel over and repeat on the other side of the tire.
** Note that some tire irons have a flat pointed end that works better for breaking a bead than the spooned end of the iron.
3. Now that we have the bead broken on the tire and both tire beads are collapsed into the center of the rim, you can get a little lube on the bead area to help the removal but is generally not necessary, you can also install a bead buddy on one side or both of the wheel holding the tire beads into the center of the rim.
4.Starting a couple inches from your bead buddy, Insert the spooned end of your tire iron into the rim with the spoon side facing the tire bead and use the rim to leaver the tire bead out of the rim and hold it steady.
Take your second tire iron, and move a short distance from where you are holding the bead outside the rim in the same way you did the first tire iron and leaver the bead out side of the rim.
*** Find the point where the tire iron is least resistant to fit under the tire bead***
At this point you should be able to remove your 1st tire iron and move along the rim, normally after the 2nd or 3rd time you pull the bead over the rim you should be able to continue all the way around the rim with just one tire iron or spoon. you may have to press and hold the rim lock up into the tire by pressing on the rim lock stem while you work the tire off in this area.
5. Now that you have one side of the tire’s bead outside of the rim, you can start work on the other side. Please note that this IS NOT the time to remove the tube. You may remove any bead buddy tools at this time. You should remove the opposing side of the tire in the same way as outlined in step 4. when you get to the rim lock you may have to again press the rim lock stem into the rim and tire and work the bead off.
**** When finished you should have both beads out side of the rim and the wheel will now be in the tire with the tube. ****
6. Pull the rim away from the tire allowing the rim to set into the tire, the rim should work out of the tire and can be set aside. If reusing your tube install your valve stem core and check for leaks or pinches.
Don’t forget to inspect your rim lock, Wheel hardware, Rim strip (Black band that keeps spokes from poking your tube) and all other items for wear and replace if needed. See our previous post for more information
And there you have it! Tire is off, tube is in the tire, no fighting, no pinching.
*** This is a good time to go over any spokes and wheel truing needs while the tire is off. **
Don’t forget to check out our other posts for more information about Installing a tire, tools and other items that should be considered when changing mx tires.