Stubby tire irons or should I say Plastic irons?

Well after about 800 miles I decided my stock 6 days tires had to go. They are just worthless for the kind of riding I do. Anyway I decided to call around town and see what I could get D606 tires for installed (I would bring in the rims off the bike). I used to be able to haggle with the guys as I always installed new tubes and had the rims balanced for a better package deal out the door. Well it must be a lean year because the three local stores would not make any sort of deal. The worst one was going to make me a deal if I bought today and sell me the D606 for $120 each heavy duty tubes $40 each and mount and balance for $45 each. $205 plus tax for each wheel, needless to say I could not get off the phone fast enough.

On a side note a couple of years ago the local shops quit mounting new tires if you did not buy them from them. They used to do it but charge you a higher price. I understand they need to make money and its there shop they can make there own rules. I do not mind paying a higher price to help them out and have the ability to get it done quickly.

So after shoping around on line I picked up the D606 front for $83 rear $88 and Bridgestone ultra heavy duty tubes $24 each with free shipping and no tax.

Which leads me to this review. Every time in the past I changed tires I always end up marking up my rims a little. Well with my new KTM the rims are black and any marks will really show up so I did a little reading and came across these Stubby tools. I bought the fanny packer size as I wanted to be able to carry them with me. I ordered them direct from Stubby www.stubbytiretools.com for $38.92 including shipping.

Well every thing showed up a week later and it was time to get er done. Read the instructions and had the tires off in no time with no problems. The part I always hate when installing is after the tube is in and filled up a little and then working the final bead over, it can be hard not pinching the tube. It was harder putting the tire on as the tools are thicker than normal tire irons but not that bad. The design of the tool aslo helps to not pinch the tube. New tires on aired up the tubes, no leaks, and not a scratch on the rims.

I have done my two tires and while on vacation changed out a friends front tube out on the trail. The tools do have some gouges and wear marks so I am not sure exactly how many uses I will get out of them but for me, I am money ahead at this point as my total cost is almost half of what my local store was going to give me a DEAL for. The only thing I can not do is balance the tires but I can live with that as I am not riding the bike out on the road at this piont other than transitions.

Glad to hear you liked them, just ordered a set from Rocky Mt. ATV for about the same price. Same worries about the black rims and I liked the short (packable) size.

Got a new set of Motoz waiting for install! Hope they are a little more "sticky" than my worn 606's.