Buying tire accessories: the key points listed
This is what you need to know before you work on your tires yourself:
- Tire rim lock is required: Riding with low tire pressure requires a motocross tire rim lock to prevent the outer tire from spinning on the rim and tearing your valve stem off.
- Replace your rim tape: Rim tape protects your vulnerable inner tube from the sharp edges of the spoke nipples. Replace it immediately if you have any doubts.
- Quality tire levers: Use long, sturdy metal tire levers. Cheap, thin levers will bend and damage your wheel rim bead.
- No fumbling with the valve stem: A valve stem puller is the ultimate tool for easily guiding the inner tube valve straight through the rim hole.
- Check the rim size: Tire rim locks and rim tape are size-specific. Use our partsfinderto select the exact correct width for your front or rear wheel rim.
Why a motocross tire rim lock is essential for traction
In motocross, you almost always ride with low tire pressure to maximize contact with the terrain. Whether you're plowing through deep sand or flying over a hard clay track, traction is everything. But that low pressure comes with a risk. As soon as you open the throttle or lean hard into a turn, the friction between the tire and the rim is too low. The outer tire wants to spin on the rim.
Without a properly installed motocross tire rim lock, your outer tire will pull the inner tube along with it. The valve stem, secured in the rim hole, has nowhere to go and will tear off cleanly. You'll be left with a flat tire instantly. A rim lock from brands like Apico or Prox clamps the outer tire's bead tightly against the rim flange. Pay close attention to the correct torque specification during installation: too loose and it will still slip, too tight and you can deform your rim or damage the tire.
Rim tape and valve stem pullers: prevent unnecessary flat tires
Getting a flat tire right after you've just installed a new binnenband has been installed; it's the biggest frustration for any home mechanic. Often the culprit is a worn or shifted rim tape. The sharp edges of the spoke nipples and burrs in the wheel well press directly through the rubber of your inner tube under pressure. A durable rubber or plastic rim tape fully covers these sharp areas. Inspect the rim tape every time you change a tire and replace it immediately if there are any cracks or folds in it.
Additionally, installing an inner tube is often a challenge, especially feeding the valve stem through the rim hole. If you fumble with a screwdriver or your fingers in that tight space, you're likely to damage the valve threads or pinch the inner tube and cause a leak. A valve stem puller is the perfect solution here. You screw this flexible tool onto the valve stem, feed the cable through the rim hole, and pull the valve stem smoothly and squarely into place. No frustration, no damage.
Tire levers that won't damage your rim
Tough motocross tires have a rigid bead to prevent the tire from slipping off the rim during hard landings or sharp turns. You can't work these onto the rim by hand alone. Cheap, short tire levers simply don't provide enough leverage. You have to use too much force, which causes the lever to slip and either pinch the inner tube and cause a leak or scratch your expensive wheel rim.
Invest in a set of professional, long metal tire levers (for example, from Motion Pro). These are specifically designed for motocross tires, have a rounded tip to protect the inner tube, and provide the correct leverage. Always use at least two, but preferably three tire levers at once. Work in small steps and use a little tire mounting grease or soapy water to help the tire slide smoothly over the rim bead. Additionally, make sure your motorcycle is securely positioned on a sturdy motorbokstand so that your wheel is hanging freely and you can apply force safely.
