Another useful video. I always carry tyre levers and a spare tube whenever I go off road. It's not difficult to change a tube and much quicker and more reliable than trying to repair a puncture in middle of nowhere. Punctured tubes can be repaired at home. It's quite easy once you've done a couple and you have some lube with you as well, faster than the machine. Generally there's no point balancing a knobbly tyre as they go out of balance pretty quickly anyway. On your GS it's worth balancing them though. Just one more thing, when you are off roading you need only carry one tube, the 21 inch front tube will fit in the 18 inch rear tyre quite happily in an emergency. On a long day of adventure riding you want as little extra weight to carry as you can get away with!
I saw from a different video that it is possible to break the bead on the tyre using the weight of the bike on the sidestand (put the sidestand on the side of the tyre and lean the bike over). Seemed to work well on the videos I saw.
The stock size for the rear tire is 12/80-18 in metric. What are they in inches? 4.0, 4.1 or 4.6? I goggled up and internet says it's 4.0 or 4.1. But the dealer in my country insist it's 4.6. What are your thoughts?
Will do - initial impression of just the front is very encouraging on loose stuff/gravel, now need to give the pair a good thrashing in some mud.....it's on the list!
I change all mine myself on crf250l. Use 2 tyre spoons and the hardest bit is getting the tube in and get valve through the hole. This guys given me a new idea. But you still didnt show how he got valve through hole when fitting the tube with tyre at once. Poor editing to miss that critical part.
Hi, enjoyed the video. Did he break the bead with the tyre changing machine? Also interested to know why he used the machine to put the new tyre on but not to take the old one off. Great tip on inflating the tube prior to fitting. Thanks Mark.
Have you ever thought of changing the tyres to tubeless? A lot of conversions done online just in case you get stranded further afield. I am contemplating this process.
Yes Nigel makes it look pretty easy doesn't he....would have taken me a day of wrestling I suspect....mind you, it helps to have the right tools/equipment!
So you just replaced only the rear tyre? It look similar to my rear TKC80. And by anychance, did you checked the torque on the rear axle nut? Seems he only tightened it buy hand with the spanner, It should be 88Nm.
....no I had the front replaced a few weeks ago with another T63 - looking forward to trying them both out....and no, he used the "torque wrench of experience" (I asked the same thing).....
I maybe mistaken but that is a Pirelli Diablo Rosso on the Ducati? I find you don't get good mileage out of them and your rear one looks to be on the way out too? Hard to tell I suppose from the video.
Very observant Jmcphee7 - it is indeed a Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa on the Duc - but it's in good shape, I think the lighting in the man-cave makes it look a bit more worn than it actually is....10/10 for observation though!
Can I ask what jack you use for your CRF. Want to buy one for mine but there are so many options. Love your vids by the way. I also have a GS TE and I love it.
Hello Sir. I enjoy your video's so this is not a criticism.. I've had this bike for 2 years and I live in SE Queensland where fortunately the trails are dry and dusty most of the year. These tires are actually great in those conditions, very predictable and slide nicely round the corners and I'm no bad-ass dirt biker! However, I had one ride in the mud and I agree - they were shocking and I dropped the bike 4 or 5 times that day but fortunately without any damage to me or the machine. 7k kms on the tyres now and I'll try something different when they're done. Maybe the TKC 80 from Conti? Not sure yet but keep up the good work!
+Jamie Cox Hi Jamie - what you mean the Michelins were bad on the wet stuff or the stock tyres? I'm yet to try the new tyres in the mud so very interested to hear your views! Thanks for taking the time to stop by...all the best - TMF
Hi Mr Flyer Think youll like those T63s. I put a set on my WRR this spring and think theyre pretty good on dirt and pavement. As you all like to say theyre crackin. ;)
My rule of thumb is to pump them to the manufacturers recommended pressure! ;0) so far off road I’ve not let pressure reduce but I know some do. Thanks for the kind words- TMF
Love your CRF 250L vids as I have one myself. Being new to motorcycle's I wanted to ask would it be possible to change the rear tire to a 120/90-18? Sorry if that's a stupid question but I'm a noob :-)
I honestly don't know Greg - in some cases it is possible to fit slightly different size to the OEM recommendations but I don't know for the CRF in this specific case - best call your local dealer and ask the service guys...sorry!
Thank you MF for your good infos. I tried the IRC in the woods today. Since it has been raining, you get stuck as soon as it gets muddy or grassy. I wanted to order the T 63, but what size did you get for the front? And how many km did you do? Apart from this, was the Heidenau K 60 a choice? I use the Scout on my Triumph Tiger 800 XC and I am very impressed. But like you I prefer the "light" Crf for the "real" offroadfun. Servus from Austria! Richard
You could've brought the wheel and tyre down to me when you went to Land's End, I'd have changed it for you lol. Good choice on the Michelin's, won't use anything else myself now. RSM8
Yep - always a good idea to carry a puncture repair kit if you're planning to be away from civilisation at all (I also carry one on my GS for touring.....although puncture repair is easier in the field on the tubeless tyres of course)...thanks for watching - TMF
No I haven't - as far as the CRF goes, the bike feels just fine (no different) but then these are basically 50:50 tyres, not extreme off-roaders with monster knobblies....
Get your tools out son, me and the boy change those off road tyres in the back of the van at enduro events. I'm keeping mum about how long it took us the first time we tried 😂 Got it down to about 15mins now 👊
How to replace a tire with an expensive tire machine. I have the same tire on my crf250l and have ridden them to the actual base. Id say, based on my riding, that rear has at least 3000 miles left on it. Though it's possible my tires have become hard with age.
At last! Did he balance the wheel after fitting the tyre, as a matter of interest? Didn't see any weights go on, but you may have skipped that bit (or it may not have been necessary?). Weather going to be rubbish? Ideal off-road testing conditions I should have thought. 😄
Yes it's been a long time coming Len hasn't it! Can't wait to try 'em out in the rough stuff...stay tuned for that....and no Nigel said that in this case the wheel didn't need balancing (not sure why not, but I did ask)....
I have same bike, I was going to take my rear tire off and have the new tire put on the rim at a place, what did I hear about balancing the tire when I put it back on?
I asked that very question and Nigel said no - though don't know if that just applies to light bikes like the CRF (as I'm pretty sure - without checking - I have balance weights on the BMW).....
TheMissendenFlyer From what I gather by doing a google search, yes they do need balancing, but this requires an additional piece of equipment. It could be possible Nigel doesn't have a balancer.
I don't think you need much equipment to balance a wheel on a spindle and see if it spins round! ...although I'm sure there are "professional" versions available....
How to fit a bike tyre - take it to a tyre shop. Brilliant and inciteful. Thanks for that. I like the bike reviews but this and the videos where you show us how to clean a bike and you read magazines to us might be taking the show a bit too far.
Watching isn't compulsory Mark, sorry you don't like all the stuff I make, but you know what they say "you can make some of the people happy some of the time....."etc. Thanks for watching anyway, cheers for stopping by and all the best - TMF
A more useful video would be to show how to get the wheel of the bike and then, not use a motorcycle mechanic. We can do that. Video how to do it without a machine etc. This does no good on instruction for the person doing it on their own. Seems like a cool guy though!
Kind of a useless video. Basically it answers that tricky question "How to change a motorcycle tire?" By saying... "You take your motorcycle to a tire shop." Gee, it's easy once you know how!
