Best outing with the Rabaconda yet, this time changed the front tire on the W800. Removed wheel/tire from the bike, broke bead, Raba-removed the tire, Raba-installed new tire, balanced the wheel, installed back on the bike. Started at 10:30, hour off for lunch, and all done with tools put away by 2:15. This time breaking the bead was a bit more difficult as the head of the arm kept sliding up the side of the tire, but once I got the angle right, it broke w/out too much effort. Removing and mounting tire was laughingly easy. I mean literally...I was laughing out loud as it went on w/out any real effort, and I was flashing back to hours and hours of struggling with my KLR650s tires. When you work this tool right, it's fantastic.
I think I could get this down to around 2 hours from start to finish, including setting up the installer and breaking it down. That's 4 tire changes since last October. I calculate that 6 changes pays for the Rabaconda, and I still have the DR650 to do, but I'll likely try that first w/out the Rabaconda to see if my "field tire-changing" skills are intact.
![[Image: Talcskf.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/Talcskf.jpg)
Anyway, my summary review at this point is: easily a "two thumbs up" or 5 out of 5 stars. It's easy to put together and comes with a great installation booklet with clear pictures. There are Rabaconda how-to videos (another a number of other youtube review videos), and they offer tech support although I didn't need to contact them. It's easy to break down and comes with a duffle like storing bag, so it doesn't take up much room.
I understand a lot of riders don't want to mess with tire changes, and there are advantages to a shop doing them. I was concerned that maybe I shouldn't even be trying now that I'm in my early 60s. But I think at 4 attempts, I've gotten to the point that the most difficult part is re-installing the wheel back on the bike. But...it is worth $650? So far I would have paid over $400 to do what I've done since last fall. I can take it with me in my pickup when I do mc / pickup camping in eastern Oregon. It hasn't happened yet, but I can help friends with changes or loan it out.
Got both the W800 and CB1100 ready to do road trips...now I have to decide which one goes first.
