Changing Tires?

[Mikeal]

How difficult is it to remove the front and rear tires/rims from the rockster? Reason being, the local BMW shop wants $56 for each tire change if on the bike, where if I bring in the tires/rim to cyclegear they will do it for $15 each. Plus the tires are cheaper, $100 savings total. : )

Thanks.

Mike

[Mrhappy]

How difficult is it to remove the front and rear tires/rims from the rockster? Reason being, the local BMW shop wants $56 for each tire change if on the bike, where if I bring in the tires/rim to cyclegear they will do it for $15 each. Plus the tires are cheaper, $100 savings total. : )

Thanks.

Mike

No it is very simple, and i'm far to be good in mecanics.......

Just read your service book it will explain how to remove the brakes and the wheel. But make sure that you have a torque wrench to put bake everything in place.

Also, what I do, is I put some masking tape on my wheel where the brake pads are, so it will protect my rim from any mistake from my part, like scratching it.

Also I've put a small bucket under the engine when i removes the front tire and another under the drive shaft, so bike won't move....

Keep away all kids that could touch your bike when your out...

Ho ya also keep closs the phone number of a mechanic buddy that could help you if needed....

May the force be with you.

[taosports]

Mikeal

Like Mrhappy said...it's very easy removing both wheels. Just follow the instructions in the maintenance booklet that came with your bike. The only difficulty is securing the bike if you want to remove both wheels at the same time.

For your own safety, make sure you use a torque wrench set to the proper torque.

[leno]

It's not hard to remove the wheels, the rear one is the hardest. The hard part is making sure the bike is stable and secure before you start. And make sure it's impossible to move once there is no wheels. Some sort of support under the engine would be good. Mind I pay nothing extra to have mine done on the bike. Guess I'm luck to have a good chap near me.

[riceburner]

Go somewhere else.

[ferroknight]

after I removed one wheel at a time. The rear I did first. Just remove brake caliper and she comes off easy!

I'm picking up front wheel today with tire installed. Rear wheel is on bike with new tire. I have bike parked on street with rear tire against curb. Since the road crown slopes down to the gutter, the front end is oriented upward anyway and balance is biased rear-ward. I have a bucket under forks but the bike is really very stable unless someone comes along and pushes it hard forward.

I saved myself over 60 USD in install, and this is my first time doing this...so can you!

[riceburner]

oh yeah - be careful re-fitting that rear calliper - the metal the bolts go into can be quite soft so mind you don't strip the thread or cross-thread it.

[ferroknight]

Which grease for the front axle? I've read white lithium but also aluminum complex. I don't think it's stated in owner's manual.

[jm1515]

Which grease for the front axle? I've read white lithium but also aluminum complex. I don't think it's stated in owner's manual.

Any good, reasonably high temp grease will be fine...esp bearing grease.
Any auto parts store should have what you need....

[Mikeal]

Just following up on this post, it was pretty simple, ran into no problems doing it myself, I only hesitated because the BMW tech told me it was difficult after I inquired how easy it was when he told me their prices. Anywho, I and now riding on a new pair of Michilin Pilot Roads, I love'em so far. Cycle Gear also offered a road hazard warranty for 10% the cost of each tire, something the BMW dealership said did not exist for motorcycle tires.

Mike

How difficult is it to remove the front and rear tires/rims from the rockster? Reason being, the local BMW shop wants $56 for each tire change if on the bike, where if I bring in the tires/rim to cyclegear they will do it for $15 each. Plus the tires are cheaper, $100 savings total. : )

Thanks.

Mike

[Skiman]

My '04 Rock I purchased in March with 1700 miles now has 3500 miles. The tread on what I assume are the factory Michelin Pilot Sports are already wearing thin. I have maintained the pressure according to the owners manual. I am a newbie to riding, so my riding isn't overly aggressive yet. I am seriously bumming about having to shell out close to $300 for new skins! Anyone experience such drastic wear on the OEM's? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

[jm1515]

My '04 Rock I purchased in March with 1700 miles now has 3500 miles. The tread on what I assume are the factory Michelin Pilot Sports are already wearing thin. I have maintained the pressure according to the owners manual. I am a newbie to riding, so my riding isn't overly aggressive yet. I am seriously bumming about having to shell out close to $300 for new skins! Anyone experience such drastic wear on the OEM's? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

I just took off my stock Pilot Roads at 11200miles.
I run them at 36Fr & 38Rr psi, which is higher than the book says.
Your Pilot Sports have a sticker compound, no doubt, and will not last as long. I'd bump up the psi a couple pounds now and you will get some longer life...
If you are not that aggressive, when you change tires, you might want to go with a 'Sport Touring' radial (Pilot Roads/Pirelli Diablo Strada etc) which will last you significantly longer, but will not be as sticky in the turns....

[Skiman]

I must be going blind or was not really looking closely but not only are the skins on my Rock wearing thin prematurely, the front tire is cupping badly! The front has been kept at 35.3 and 38 at the rear. I weigh in at 270 buck naked so maybe 280 fully clothed. jm1515 suggests 36/38 (thank you jm). Anyone have any idea why this cupping is taking blace?? argh!!!! Oh the tires are Mich Pilot Roads. Thank you all for your knowledge and patience with the newbie.

[riceburner]

My '04 Rock I purchased in March with 1700 miles now has 3500 miles. The tread on what I assume are the factory Michelin Pilot Sports are already wearing thin. I have maintained the pressure according to the owners manual. I am a newbie to riding, so my riding isn't overly aggressive yet. I am seriously bumming about having to shell out close to $300 for new skins! Anyone experience such drastic wear on the OEM's? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Pilot sports don't last very long. I can get about 2.5K from them if new - my last pair only lasted to 3 because I didn't do the first 1200.

That's not drastic wear - that's normal wear.

oh yeah - standard pressures should be 36 / 42psi. (that's what I run at).

[riceburner]

My '04 Rock I purchased in March with 1700 miles now has 3500 miles. The tread on what I assume are the factory Michelin Pilot Sports are already wearing thin. I have maintained the pressure according to the owners manual. I am a newbie to riding, so my riding isn't overly aggressive yet. I am seriously bumming about having to shell out close to $300 for new skins! Anyone experience such drastic wear on the OEM's? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

I just took off my stock Pilot Roads at 11200miles.
I run them at 36Fr & 38Rr psi, which is higher than the book says.
Your Pilot Sports have a sticker compound, no doubt, and will not last as long. I'd bump up the psi a couple pounds now and you will get some longer life...
If you are not that aggressive, when you change tires, you might want to go with a 'Sport Touring' radial (Pilot Roads/Pirelli Diablo Strada etc) which will last you significantly longer, but will not be as sticky in the turns....

rubbish.

Diablo Stradas are more than sticky enough for road use. Z6's are good too. I'd even take the Stradas to a track day with pleasure, they're a very good tyre and perfectly suited to the Rockster.

[houndog]

I got a question along these lines. A friend of mine is a dealer for Western Power Sports at his dirt bike store and he can order from their street catalog. In the catalog they have Shinko tires. I have never heard of them but the price and all looks good. Has anyone ever tried these tires? I heard that they are a knock off of Yokohama.

Tommy

[Lion_Lady]

How difficult is it to remove the front and rear tires/rims from the rockster? Reason being, the local BMW shop wants $56 for each tire change if on the bike, where if I bring in the tires/rim to cyclegear they will do it for $15 each. Plus the tires are cheaper, $100 savings total. : )

Thanks.

Mike

This is one of those cases, that the project is likely to take you over an hour to remove the wheels. Then the same again to replace them. Add to that the possibility that you do something wrong...

Guess you gotta ask, "is it worth the risk?" Especially if you've never done it and don't have someone with you who has do it, to walk you thru the process. Not a risk I'd be willing to take for a savings of $100.

P

[jm1515]

My '04 Rock I purchased in March with 1700 miles now has 3500 miles. The tread on what I assume are the factory Michelin Pilot Sports are already wearing thin. I have maintained the pressure according to the owners manual. I am a newbie to riding, so my riding isn't overly aggressive yet. I am seriously bumming about having to shell out close to $300 for new skins! Anyone experience such drastic wear on the OEM's? Thanks in advance for the feedback.

I just took off my stock Pilot Roads at 11200miles.
I run them at 36Fr & 38Rr psi, which is higher than the book says.
Your Pilot Sports have a sticker compound, no doubt, and will not last as long. I'd bump up the psi a couple pounds now and you will get some longer life...
If you are not that aggressive, when you change tires, you might want to go with a 'Sport Touring' radial (Pilot Roads/Pirelli Diablo Strada etc) which will last you significantly longer, but will not be as sticky in the turns....

rubbish.

Diablo Stradas are more than sticky enough for road use. Z6's are good too. I'd even take the Stradas to a track day with pleasure, they're a very good tyre and perfectly suited to the Rockster.

Read the post again, dood..

I never said the the Stradas are not sticky enough for road use...I just put a set on!

I merely stated Pilot Sports=more sticky=less life than the Stradas.

Rubbish...