Michelin Motorcycle Tire Installation

Michelin motorcycle tires are used by many championship racing teams.

Michelin manufactures modern tubeless motorcycle tires. Many high-performance street bikes come equipped with Michelin brand tires. Several championship motorcycle racing teams also prefer Michelin tires, including the Yamaha Austria Racing Team and YART-Michelin. Changing your Michelin motorcycle tires requires a bit of skill and some know-how.

Things You'll Need

• Tire iron(s)
• Pliers
• Ratchet set
• Soap and water

Instructions

1. Remove the rim and tire from your motorcycle. If you are changing a rear tire this will involve removing the chain, belt or drive shaft and the brakes. If you are changing a front tire you will have to remove the brakes to free the wheel. To remove the wheel, jack up the bike and place it on a motorcycle stand. Loosen the axle bolt with your ratchet set and slide the rear rim to the back or the front rim downward until free.

2. Remove all air from the old tire by pulling out the valve with your pliers. Place your hooked tire iron between one edge of the tire and the rim. Pop the tire over the rim edge and rotate one full turn. Place your tire iron between the remaining tire edge and the rim and repeat the process until the tire is completely off. If you have difficulty getting the tire iron into between the tire and rim lay it down and use a hammer and block of wood to break the seal. If you have difficulty prying the tire from the rim apply soapy water to lubricate the surface.

3. Balance the rim by placing it between two level pieces of wood high enough to provide turning clearance. Attach the axle nuts to the axle bolts on both sides of the wheel to act as a platform which will hold the rim in place as it spins. Spin the rim and wait for it to stop. Perform this action several times. The bottom of the rim where it stops regularly is the heavy spot. To provide the wheel with basic balance, install the heavy side of the tire in the exact opposite location to the rim heavy spot. The lightest spot on the tire will come marked from the factory with a dot of paint.

4. Match the light spot on the tire with the heavy spot on the rim and install. Lay your rim flat with the tire lying flat underneath it. Apply soapy water to the first tire bead and push down on the rim to get the process started. Pry the rest of the first bead over the rim using your tire iron and rotating until it pops over completely. Flip over the rim so that the tire is now on top. Push down on the tire to get the second bead started. Insert the straight end of your tire iron between the tire and rim and slide around the edge until the tire pops on completely. Use two tire irons if you require more leverage or grip during the installation process.

5. Inflate the tire slowly and wait for the bead to set into place and form a seal around the rim. You may hear a popping sound when it locks in. Inflate to the proper pressure. Install the wheel onto your motorcycle. Make sure to have your rim and tire balanced by a licensed professional before riding.

Tips & Warnings

• Never patch or repair a motorcycle tire. If there is a problem with your tire, then change it for a new one.

• Wheel balancing is a very important part of tire installation. Improperly balanced wheels may shake or wobble at speed, causing loss of control and potentially fatal accidents. Have your wheels balanced by a licensed professional before riding to ensure your own safety.

References

• Dans Motorcycle: Tires and Tubes
• Mademan: How to Mount Motorcycle Tires; Jaleanna
• Michelin: More Motor Cycle Racing Success for MICHELIN at the 8 Hours of Oschersleben
• Michelin: Championship Wins