Replacing tires on Grand Vista 250

[richard1958]

Is it very hard to replace the tires?  Is it something best left to professionals?  I've always done most of the work on my bikes but I've never replaced tires.  Thanks in advance.

[MaryK]

If you read the service  manual, the front wheel is easy enough to get off, BUT
the rear wheel removal involves removing the muffler.  We decided to have the local
motorcycle dealer do the balancing and install. 

Unfortunately, the wheels need a 10mm axle to spin balance and the dealer
did not have that for his balancer or else he didn't know how to use the balancer. 
Note: I bought the AVON tires from the dealer and got a good price.
 But he did the install for both wheels and I took the front wheel to another shop for balancing.  A bit of a hassle.
The front AVON tire is out of round but ok for riding now, probably get a different tire next year if I still own this scooter.

SO hard to get what you want when you depend on others.

Ask  about the service you want and the price.
Ask about the age of the tire when it arrives at the shop
Ask about reasons for rejecting the tires.

scoot safely.

[zombie]

It is about the same as a bicycle tire just bigger tools. I use a "C" clamp to break the bead, and standard tire irons for the rest. ALWAYS replace the valve stems, and ALWAYS clean the bead area w/ a stainless steel wire brush or wire wheel in a drill. Dish soap, and water help in both install, and removal.

Lastly either TBF (tire balance fluid) or Dyna Beads eliminate the need for a pro balance forever.

[richard1958]

Thanks for the replies.  I hadn't heard about tire balancing fluids before.  Where can I buy them?

[zombie]

This is the brand I use.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/353-177?utm_source=PLAs&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CICVqeCgwL8CFUYA7AodSmEAmA

Read up on it... The only draw back is if the bike sits for several months the product can pool in the bottom of the tire. A few un nerving seconds of riding re-distributes it but it is a slight draw back.

Dyna beads are at any bike shop...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/180961113820?lpid=82

The draw back w/ them is they continuously wear the inside of the tire so when you open the tire for whatever reason it will be full of rubber dust, and they do nothing for balance below highway speeds.

Strangely enough I would never own a bike w/out using one or the other. I do prefer the TBF as long as the bike is ridden at least once a month.

[windwheeler]

I own a car/motorcycle wheel repair business and have a bit experience on this subject:
Anything liquid in the wheel is generally NOT a good idea (never ever leave Fix-a-flat in ANY wheel; remove as soon as possible) We have seen too many customers having with all that stuff out there MAJOR corrosion problems on the rims with permanent air leaks, sooner or later.  Also, it is usually a true "darn mess" when changing the tire(s) (especially those big 20+" rims) and we charge an extra $20-30 for all the clean up, our machines and equipment included.

Even tough beads work OK, a good conventional balance with stick-on weights is very sufficient.  A honest shop should not charge you much for balancing the wheel while putting a new tire on.

The beads are the only other alternative I would approve of, but as I said, a truly good conventional balance at the beginning is all you need and then have no other problems.

This is the brand I use.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/353-177?utm_source=PLAs&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&device=c&network=g&matchtype=&gclid=CICVqeCgwL8CFUYA7AodSmEAmA

Read up on it... The only draw back is if the bike sits for several months the product can pool in the bottom of the tire. A few un nerving seconds of riding re-distributes it but it is a slight draw back.

Dyna beads are at any bike shop...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/180961113820?lpid=82

The draw back w/ them is they continuously wear the inside of the tire so when you open the tire for whatever reason it will be full of rubber dust, and they do nothing for balance below highway speeds.

Strangely enough I would never own a bike w/out using one or the other. I do prefer the TBF as long as the bike is ridden at least once a month.

[zombie]

I understand you dismay on using liquids. I also see lots of trashed rims from Fix a Flat type products.

The Ride On product however is nothing like that. It is a polymer that once run it makes a band around the inside of the tire. You can actually peel it out like a "mold" once it is cured.

Like I said tho if the bike sits for extended periods it will "slouch" back into a pool but this also can simply be peeled out of the tire. It's actually more like a Silly Putty once cured.