Rabaconda Tire Changer
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,161
Likes: 11,252
From: San Diego, CA
@hattitude how come you purchased the street bike tire changer (tubeless model) as opposed to the dirt bike tire changer (tubed model)?
You're the second person to mention buying this model despite having a bike with tubed tires. It seems the tubed-oriented option from Rabaconda would've been a better fit?
The tires on my three Harleys with laced, spoked wheels are bigger, with stiffer sidewall tires than any dirt bike I ever rode. I would never have considered buying the "dirt bike" tire changer for my Harley wheels...
Besides, their dirt bike tire changer looks to be only one step up from using the old-fashion blocks of wood and tire irons. Been there, done that... At 68 years old, I was looking for an easy tire changer.
In addition to that, the Street Bike Tire Changer had videos that showed it changing tires on both cast/forged wheels and laced, spoked wheels. They claimed, and I believed, it would work on them both.
I would never have purchased their one product, if I knew I would have had to also buy additional product model, to service my 4 bikes....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,161
Likes: 11,252
From: San Diego, CA
The only laced, spoke wheel I tried it on, was fighting me a bit. I was very uncomfortable with the force that it appeared to be putting on the strap around the spoke as I tried to remove the tire.
Maybe it would have been fine, and/or I was possibly not using a warm enough tire, with enough lube...
It could very well be user error, due to unfamiliarity with the whole process...
Albeit numerous years ago, I have changed tires with a pneumatic tire changer, on both a few cars and a couple motorcycles. As I remember, it was far easier than the Rabaconda. The best part was that it positively grabbed the wheel rim and/or hub... there was no pressure put on only one or two spokes.
I don't mean to bad mouth the Rabaconda. It caught my attention, over other manual tire changers, with some of its positive features. It DID work OK with my Bagger tubeless, one-piece wheels.
However, in the end, it is not what I am looking for in a tire changer....
Last edited by hattitude; Mar 8, 2025 at 08:52 PM.
Novice
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 20
Likes: 16
From: Toronto, Canada
Chalk it up to ignorance of the issues on my part.... Well... also believing Rabaconda's marketing, and because of several good reviews... I never thought there would be a big difference between wheel types.
The tires on my three Harleys with laced, spoked wheels are bigger, with stiffer sidewall tires than any dirt bike I ever rode. I would never have considered buying the "dirt bike" tire changer for my Harley wheels...
Besides, their dirt bike tire changer looks to be only one step up from using the old-fashion blocks of wood and tire irons. Been there, done that... At 68 years old, I was looking for an easy tire changer.
In addition to that, the Street Bike Tire Changer had videos that showed it changing tires on both cast/forged wheels and laced, spoked wheels. They claimed, and I believed, it would work on them both.
I would never have purchased their one product, if I knew I would have had to also buy additional product model, to service my 4 bikes....
The tires on my three Harleys with laced, spoked wheels are bigger, with stiffer sidewall tires than any dirt bike I ever rode. I would never have considered buying the "dirt bike" tire changer for my Harley wheels...
Besides, their dirt bike tire changer looks to be only one step up from using the old-fashion blocks of wood and tire irons. Been there, done that... At 68 years old, I was looking for an easy tire changer.
In addition to that, the Street Bike Tire Changer had videos that showed it changing tires on both cast/forged wheels and laced, spoked wheels. They claimed, and I believed, it would work on them both.
I would never have purchased their one product, if I knew I would have had to also buy additional product model, to service my 4 bikes....
If I knew I wouldn't be able to do tubed tires without wanting to kick myself in the *** out of how annoying it is to use the street bike tire changer for tubed tires, I would have gone with the used tire machine instead.
It's part of why I wanted to make the review video I posted above, and let people know that, even though I'm signed up as a Rabaconda dealer, I won't sell any.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,256
Likes: 620
From: Pittsburgh suburb
Ive seen the Rabaconda used & it was mostly dirt bike tire changes, I could see where it would be a clunky unit for mounting the heavier side wall tires & I dont think Id even try a Gold wing tire. But then again it might be a "technique" issue as well?
I know when I got the No Mar my first tire change was a learning curve process - Now, I got that machine down. funny... a buddy of mine had his rear tire off his street glide & brought it to me & wanted to give it a try, I said getting the old tire off is easy, getting one side of the new tire on is easy, its getting that second side on, I let him try & after 15 minutes of cursing he said just do it, I had it on, aired up & bead set in like 5 minutes.
I just chalk it up to some people dont have the patience, some are use to other types of tire changers & I know guys who are quick as hell with spoons, its a learning curve that requires repetition & that could be the case with using the Rabaconda.
I know when I got the No Mar my first tire change was a learning curve process - Now, I got that machine down. funny... a buddy of mine had his rear tire off his street glide & brought it to me & wanted to give it a try, I said getting the old tire off is easy, getting one side of the new tire on is easy, its getting that second side on, I let him try & after 15 minutes of cursing he said just do it, I had it on, aired up & bead set in like 5 minutes.
I just chalk it up to some people dont have the patience, some are use to other types of tire changers & I know guys who are quick as hell with spoons, its a learning curve that requires repetition & that could be the case with using the Rabaconda.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 632
From: NorCal Rocklin
I have one and it's great. but I feel that whoever is welding these are drunk and high at the same time. their customer service is great. One thing i dont like is that you cant do smaller wheels like 12-14in wheels which they claim they can do but most of the time the axle holes are smaller than the 15mm that they supplied.
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