How to Change a Motorcycle Rear Tire
The most efficient way to disrupt your trip or group ride is a flat tire on your motorcycle. Fortunately, with a little know-how and a few basic tools, you could be back on the road in no time.
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Things You'll Need
- Innertube (or new tire)
- Tire lever
- Pump or CO2 cartridges
- Basic wrench set
Instructions
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1
Prop your motorcycle on its center stand and weight the front of the motorcycle to elevate the rear tire. If you do not have a center stand, prop the bike on anything that will hold its weight.
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2
Loosen the rear axle nut and take the wheel out of the motorcycle's swing arm. If your motorcycle has a one-sided swing arm, like some street bikes, leave the wheel attached, but it will be more difficult to change the tire.
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3
Using a motorcycle tire lever (a large wedge-like tool) take the tire off the rim.
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4
Take the punctured inner-tube out of the tire. If your motorcycle has tubeless tires, take the entire tire off the rim using a tire lever.
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5
Push the new tube into the tire. Orient the stem correctly with the valve hole on the rim to avoid tearing the new tube. If your motorcycle has tubeless tires, simply mount one bead of the new tire on the rim.
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6
Push the remaining bead of the tire back onto the rim. If the tire is too difficult to install with your hands, you may use the tire lever. Be careful not to tear the tube.
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7
Inflate the tire using a hand-pump or CO2 cartridges. Install the wheel on the swing arm of your motorcycle.
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Tips & Warnings
If a new tube or tire is not readily available, use a patch kit to mend the deflated tube or tire. These patches, however, are not designed to be used as a permanent fix, and the tube or tire should still be replaced when possible. In general, a patch will last 200 to 400 miles.
