It 's one thing that I haven't done yet and want to become proficient at (plus my tires are in need of changing)...so

What tools do you all use that work well and where did you get them?

Do you use Dyna-Beads?

Where/whom do you get your tires from?

and lastly, any tricks of the trade to help me out???

Check the FAQ's & YouTube for changing motorcycle tires. There are really some good videos on UTube to lead you through the process - it's not brain surgery, just need some basic mechanical skills.

As for where to get tire there are websites - if you know exactly what you want or retail motorcycle shops. What I have done is check out tires at the shops then check the web for pricing to know what the best prices are.

Get some good quality tire irons (3)from Motion Pro or if a store is close, get them from Harbor Freight. Also a milk carton crate to place the tire on for the work. A tool to unscrew the valve core from the tube stem is also desirable. A large C clamp to break the bead away from the rim is desirable also especially if you are going to try doing the rear yourself. The front tire on the F650 rim is not bad but the rear is very difficult. Also get some Ru Glyde or other tire installation lube or Murphys oil soap. Talcum powder for getting the tube to move where it is needed is also a good idea.
Do a front tire first to see if you can handle it before attacking the rear. I have changed a few fronts but took the rear to a tire shop with a tire stand rather than risk damage to the rim and my sanity. The rear tire is not easily done with hand tools. Been there done that.
Review the tire change video before you start.

+1 what the others have said. I use a tire bead breaker that's similar to a large C-clamp but works a bit easier. Not easy, just easier. Also, a device that screws into the valve stem in the tube. It has a 6" wire on the end of it. It allows you to get the Fr*&%ing valve stem through the G*% D$@% little hole in the rim. Oh, and I get my tires form SW Moto. Good prices and free shipping.

I built a simple frame out of 2x4's to protect the rotor while changing tires. I don't remember where I got the design, but it was from the FAQs or u-tube iirc. Anyway, I've changed half a dozen tires with nothing but a couple irons and some Ru-Glyde. The 2x4 frame allows me to use my full-figured weight advantage to break the bead. The valve stem is definitely the hardest part. Expect to ding up the rim a little - it's only cosmetic damage, and it won't affect your performance. It's not hard - you can do this. The first time is the hardest, then it gets easier. I can swap out a tire in an hour including dragging out the tools and cleaning up afterwards. Save the $ from 2 tire changes and buy yourself a new tire!
I've used dynabeads for 35,000 miles without any problems. Hours and hours at 90mph, fully loaded.
+1 to SW Moto.

I use 2 tire irons, a C-Clamp and lubricant and some lubricant.

Here's another source for "How-To" info. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50717

nlp

if you dont want to ding your rims, get some rim protectors, or a piece ofgarden hose pipe, split done one side.

Or cut up a plastic milk jug into strips (round the corners so you won't accidentally slice a tube... ).

I have changed the tires on my Dakar (which is now 70K miles plus) since buying it in early 2007. Most front tires last a bit longer than rears, so I'd guess I've done around 18-20 tires changes total on my bike.

A neighbor and another riding buddy and I went in together and bought the following:

Harbor Freight tire changing machine with motorcycle attachment - $79.00 on sale
Mojo Lever tire mount/dismount bar - $95 shipped
Mark Parnes static tire balancer and bunch of wheel weights - about $100 shipped
4'x4'x3/4" plywood/bolts/nuts, etc. to mount machine - about $20

Total - around $300 (worked out to about $100 each). We all figured we recouped our investment on the first tire change because the going price here is around $40-50 per wheel for the dealer to mount and balance, not including the expense of getting the bike or wheels to the dealer 45 miles away.

Also, tires purchased online are delivered right to my door and cost at least 25% less.

We have done a total of between 50-60 tire changes between my Dakar and the other bikes (2 Husky 610s, 1 KTM 950 Adv and a 1200GS).

Using this system and the Mojo Lever, mounting/dismounting is a one-handed operation. The part that takes the most time is balancing the mounted tires/wheels.

A typical tire change for my Dakar takes me less than 1.5 hours to do by myself, including balancing and removing/reinstalling both wheels.

To put Michelin T63s on my bike F & R last week cost me a total of $112 (reusing the inner tubes).

To purchase, mount and balance the same tires from our local 45 miles away dealer (if they had them in stock, which they don't) would've been over $250 and I'd have had to spend at minimum the better part of a day getting there and back and scheduling the work.

As mentioned above, tire changing is easy... not rocket science. Once a few basic techniques are mastered it's no big deal.

The tire machine and Mojo Lever are convenience items as the same work can be done with just tire irons and a plastic 5-gallon bucket, but for the minimal investment it sure does make changing tires a much more pleasant experience.

Where to buy tires? I do my pricing comparison on-line and then give my local independent shop a chance to price match. They are happy with the opportunity and there's enough margin in the deal to make it worth their while. Plus, my shop will throw in free balancing if I let them do the mounting.

Ru-glyde works like a charm. Available from NAPA dealers.

The biggest trick is explained in Neduro's Tire Changing Class thread from ADVrider. When levering, make sure that the opposite side of the tire is squeezed down into the middle of the rim where it is deepest. That makes it easier to flip the bead over the rim.

I've done it enough to prove I can do it in a pinch. And speaking of pinches, take your time to make sure that the tube is completely inside of the tire bead before trying to inflate. That's where the baby powder comes in by allowing the tube to slide freely inside the tire. Nothing worse than cursing your way through a tire change only to find that you punctured the tube and have to start all over again. BTDT.

inmates......
esp those who should try to change their own tires....
it is manditory to carry the knowledge and the tools to repair a flat in the field....esp when you plan on being a way off the pavement.
do all that has been mentioned in above inmates comments....youtube is great..tire irons, required...lube, helpful...pump....patch/tube.....
i find breaking the bead ( i have only changed the rear so far) the most difficult of entire process.
i bought the Motion Pro bead popper.....i believe it will be a good option in the field. it works at home, i just hit it with a couple lb hammer a few times and wella. in the field one could use a stone to whak it. i havent tried any c-clamp style breakers....but they work since they are sold just for this use.
i only got stranded once last yr with a flat and it forced me to get training in a hurry!

here's to NO flats! cheers....happy thanksgiving

Funny, in over 70K miles on my Dakar I"ve never had any problem breaking the bead on any tire I've used - just pushed in with my hand. Of course none has ever been on the rims more than a few months as I go thru a lot of tires. Tires I've used so far include TKC80s, IRC GP110s and GP1s, Mefo Explorers, D606, MT21s and most recently Michelin T63s.

thanks for all the info, I checked with the shop andthey wanted 430 yikes! !

Tire changing was about the last thing that I learned to do. I'm not sure why but it always intimidated me. If you search ADVrider for Neduro's post on tire changing, it's a really good tutorial. Best thing I ever learned is that if you are really struggling, there is something wrong with your technique - it truly is about 90% technique. I actually tore the bead of a brand new Dunlop 606 by not listening to that advice. As long as you make sure that you have the bead, opposite the side that you're levering on, down in the dish of the rim you should have no problem. I just put on a new Mefo Explorer on the rear of my Dakar and it went on pretty easily - probably 30 minutes from removal of the old tire to installation of the new one. Use plenty of lube (I use dishwashing soap and water) and watch your technique; a pretty easy task - and one that everyone should learn in case it happens on the trail.

Does anyone have one of those tire changing machines?? or am I wimping out seems like with our RT it might be something to look into???

Thanks for the Neduro link, I definitely want to be able to swing the tire change as needed and out on the road.