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Changing your own dirt bike tyres is a handy skill, whether you're replacing worn knobs, preparing for a weekend ride or fixing a puncture.
But anyone who's wrestled with a stiff motocross tyre knows it isn't always straightforward. Stubborn beads, tyre levers and inner tubes that seem determined to get pinched can turn a simple job into a frustrating afternoon.
The trick is understanding how the tyre sits on the rim, using the right tools and working methodically rather than forcing things.
This guide covers changing a conventional tube-type dirt bike tyre, from removing the old tyre to checking the new one before riding.
Before you start: These instructions apply to conventional tube-type off-road wheels. If your motorcycle uses a mousse, Tubliss system or another tubeless arrangement, follow the instructions specific to that system.
Before You Start: Choosing the Right Tyre
Check that the replacement tyre is the correct size and specification for your motorcycle and rim. Consider the terrain you ride most often, whether that's hardpack motocross tracks, soft sand, rocky trails or mixed enduro conditions.
You can browse Firestorm's off-road motorcycle tyre range to compare available options.
Always confirm fitment for your particular bike and year. Use our parts finder to select your model and year when looking for relevant replacement parts.
Inspect your existing inner tube, too. If it's damaged, deteriorated, stretched or heavily patched, replace it with a suitable new tube.
Firestorm tip: Keep a spare inner tube handy before starting. Even experienced riders occasionally pinch a tube when fitting a stiff tyre. Having a spare ready means you can finish the job instead of leaving the bike stranded on the stand.
Tools You'll Need
A decent set of motorcycle tyre levers makes a noticeable difference. Smooth, correctly shaped levers help move the bead without applying unnecessary force.
Tip: A warm tyre is generally easier to work with than a cold one. Leaving the new tyre in a warm, sunny spot briefly can make the rubber more pliable. Avoid excessive heat or hot surfaces.
How to Change a Dirt Bike Tyre: 8 Steps
Support bike and deflate
Release both sides
Use levers carefully
Inspect rim and lock
Prepare and insert tube
Small controlled sections
Check bead seating
Secure and reinstall wheel
1 Remove the Wheel and Deflate the Tyre
Support the motorcycle securely before removing the wheel. Follow the motorcycle manufacturer's procedure for removing the axle and any associated components.
Place the wheel on a clean, stable work surface that won't damage the brake disc, sprocket or rim.
Remove the valve cap and valve core to release all air from the tube.
If the wheel has a rim lock, loosen its retaining nut sufficiently to allow the lock to move inward and release its grip on the tyre bead. You generally don't need to remove the rim lock completely.
2 Break the Tyre Bead
The bead is the reinforced edge of the tyre that sits against the rim.
With the tyre fully deflated and the rim lock loosened, press the sidewall inward to separate the bead from the rim. Work around the circumference, taking particular care near the rim lock.
Turn the wheel over and repeat on the other side.
For a stubborn bead, use a suitable bead-breaking tool. Avoid forcing a tyre lever beneath a bead that's still firmly seated against the rim.
3 Remove the First Tyre Bead
Apply suitable tyre lubricant around the bead. Starting away from the rim lock, carefully lift a small section of bead over the rim using a tyre lever.
Use a second lever nearby and gradually work your way around the wheel.
The most important technique is keeping the bead on the opposite side of the wheel pushed down into the rim's centre channel.
Avoid taking large sections of bead with the levers. Small, controlled movements reduce the risk of damaging the bead, rim or inner tube.
Once enough bead is over the rim, you may be able to remove the remaining section by hand.
4 Remove the Tube and Old Tyre
With the first bead off the rim, carefully withdraw the inner tube. Guide the valve stem back through the rim hole and take care around the rim lock.
Work the second tyre bead over the rim and remove the old tyre completely.
Before fitting the replacement, inspect the wheel for:
- Sharp edges, cracks or damage to the rim
- Damaged or displaced rim tape
- Exposed spoke nipples
- Corrosion, dirt or debris
- Damaged or excessively worn rim locks
Repair or replace damaged components before proceeding. If your rim lock needs replacing, check the required size in Firestorm's tubes and rim locks range.
5 Prepare the New Tyre and Tube
Check the direction-of-rotation marking on the new tyre, if fitted, and orient the tyre correctly.
Inspect inside the tyre for debris, packaging or anything sharp.
Apply suitable lubricant to the first bead and fit it over the rim, using your hands wherever possible.
Add just enough air to the inner tube to give it a natural rounded shape without making it firm. Position it inside the tyre and guide the valve stem through the rim hole.
If there's a valve stem retaining nut, leave it loose for now. Check that the tube is sitting naturally without folds or twists.
6 Fit the Second Tyre Bead
Lubricate the second bead and begin fitting it over the rim, making sure the rim lock is correctly positioned. The tyre beads must sit beneath the rim lock's clamping surface, not trapped on top of it.
Work progressively around the rim, keeping the opposite bead down in the centre channel.
Use small movements with the levers and avoid catching the tube between the lever and rim.
Lift short sections of the bead at a time. Large sections create unnecessary tension.
Work beneath the bead without reaching deeply into the tyre where the tube sits.
Inspect both sides of the rim and make sure no inner tube is visibly trapped beneath the bead.
As you reach the final section of bead, resistance normally increases. If it becomes difficult to fit, stop and check that the opposite side is still in the centre channel.
Don't use excessive force. Once the bead is fitted, inspect around the entire rim for any visible trapped tube.
7 Inflate the Tyre and Check Bead Seating
Before inflation, check that the tyre is positioned correctly, the rim lock is properly seated and the valve stem isn't trapped or pulled sideways.
Inflate the tyre gradually, following the tyre and rim manufacturers' bead-seating instructions.
Check the moulded bead seating line around both sides of the tyre. It should appear evenly positioned relative to the rim.
If the bead doesn't seat properly, stop, fully deflate, apply suitable lubricant and reposition it before trying again.
Important safety check: Never exceed the applicable manufacturer's maximum permitted bead-seating pressure. The maximum pressure marked on the tyre is not necessarily the recommended riding pressure. If the bead won't seat within the permitted limit, have it checked by a qualified motorcycle tyre fitter.
Once the bead is seated correctly, adjust to the appropriate cold tyre pressure for your motorcycle, tyre, load and riding conditions.
Off-road pressures can vary considerably. Follow the relevant manufacturer recommendations rather than using a universal setting.
8 Secure the Rim Lock and Refit the Wheel
With the bead correctly seated, tighten the rim lock nut to the motorcycle or rim lock manufacturer's specified torque.
Check that the valve stem is straight and hasn't been pulled sideways.
Where a valve stem retaining nut is fitted, follow the motorcycle or tube manufacturer's instructions for its final position. Don't automatically tighten it hard against the rim.
Fit the valve cap, check for leaks and inspect the brake disc, wheel bearings and spacers before reinstalling the wheel.
Refit the wheel according to the motorcycle manufacturer's procedure, including axle torque, alignment and any required brake or chain adjustments.
Seating line even around both sides of the rim.
Correctly positioned and tightened to specification.
Straight, correctly positioned and not under sideways tension.
Set to the correct cold pressure for your bike and conditions.
Wheel secured, rotating freely and brakes functioning.
Recheck pressure and inspect the rim lock and valve stem.
Watch: How to Change an Off-Road Motorcycle Tyre
Seeing the process is a useful way to understand tyre-lever technique, bead positioning and handling the inner tube.
This workshop tutorial from Motion Pro, featuring a Dunlop expert, demonstrates off-road motorcycle tyre-changing techniques.
Common Dirt Bike Tyre-Changing Problems
Why is the last section of tyre so hard to fit?
The opposite bead may have climbed out of the rim's drop centre. Push it back into the channel, check the rim lock position and work in smaller sections.
How do I avoid pinching the inner tube?
Use a lightly inflated tube, work with shallow tyre-lever movements and take small sections at a time. Check the tube isn't trapped before inflating.
What if the tyre bead won't seat evenly?
Fully deflate the tyre, inspect for obstructions, lubricate and reposition the bead. Never keep increasing the pressure beyond the manufacturer's permitted seating limit.
Should I replace the tube when fitting a new tyre?
Not necessarily, but inspect the original carefully. Replace it if there's damage, deterioration or questionable repairs. Having a correctly sized spare available is sensible preparation.
Is It Worth Changing Dirt Bike Tyres Yourself?
If you ride regularly, learning to change a conventional tube-type tyre can save time and make routine maintenance easier.
It gets easier with practice. The main things to remember are using suitable tools, keeping the bead in the rim's centre channel, taking small bites with the levers and checking everything carefully before riding.
If you're unsure about compatibility, bead seating or any part of the wheel installation, have the job completed or checked by a qualified motorcycle tyre fitter.
Get Your Bike Ready for the Next Ride
Replacing worn motocross tyres, preparing for an enduro ride or stocking up on workshop essentials? Firestorm Motorcycles has a range of off-road tyres, inner tubes, rim locks and tyre-changing tools.
Always refer to the motorcycle, tyre, tube and rim component manufacturers' instructions for correct fitment, inflation limits, torque specifications and safe installation procedures.
