If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard Taylor Robert, the three-time FIM World Trophy Team Champion who represented Team USA one last time at the ISDE (International Six Days of Enduro) in Argentina last year, talk about the Rabaconda Dirt Bike Tire Changer allowing him to change tires faster than ever with about half the effort. 

“The biggest thing that the Rabaconda solves for me is just it’s so easy to get the tire off the rim, once you take the bead off, it just pops it right off the other side and it’s so easy,” Robert told Rabaconda. 

Approved by the AMA as its official tire changer for the ISDE, the Rabaconda Dirt Bike Tire Changer will be on-hand for all 10 trophy and 21 club team riders at the 98th annual event in Galicia, Spain, on October 14-19.

One of the world’s oldest off-road motorcycle races, the ISDE was first held in England in 1913 and follows a set route at a set pace over six days as the ultimate test of both machine reliability and rider skill. Three timed special tests of varying length make up each day, and the final test on Day 6 is a motocross race. Riders must adhere to a strict time schedule to complete each day without time penalties and are given 15 minutes every day for work, such as oil and tire changes, before impounding their bike each night.  

The short 15-minute window of time makes a quick, highly-efficient tool like the Rabaconda even more essential and is part of what first inspired the original product’s design. Rabaconda co-founders Tõnu Kallast and Jakob Saks saw the need for something like the Rabaconda, took action and created the first-ever Rabaconda in 2012. 

Since then, the Rabaconda tool has helped Team USA, and many other elite ISDE racers, compete at the highest level, which Tonu says has always been the company’s driving force to support and enhance the performance of riders in the most demanding conditions.

“The ISDE is a unique challenge where riders race against the clock, working on their bikes under immense pressure,” Tonu added. “This environment highlights the importance of having tools that are not only top-quality but also incredibly fast and efficient. We’re proud to have provided those tools to Team USA over the years, contributing to their impressive victories.”

For Massachusetts rider, Johnny Girrior, who first learned how to use a Rabaconda before his first ISDE in 2021 – 2024 will be his third ISDE after helping Team USA clinch the World Trophy Team championship in Argentina last year – it’s important to keep a calm and steady mind “and not do anything crazy” when he’s changing tires on the clock. 

“If you go rushing around and get too worked up, then obviously everything falls apart,” Johnny said. “You’re not trying to set any records or anything. It usually goes faster than if you’re trying to do it as fast and as crazy as possible.” 

In 2024, Rabaconda released a limited-edition Team USA Rabaconda to celebrate its decade-long partnership with the American Motorcyclist Association’s ISDE effort with a portion of the proceeds supporting Team USA’s travel to represent the United States.

“Celebrating our 10-year partnership with the USA ISDE team, we’re thrilled to unveil the 10-Year USA ISDE Limited Edition Dirt Bike Tire Changer," Jakob said. “This special edition tool is a tribute to our ongoing collaboration and a way for our customers to join in supporting the team. It’s our way of saying ‘Thank you’ and inviting everyone to be part of this exciting milestone.” 

Purchasing the red, white and blue Limited Edition changer allows everyday customers the chance to celebrate Team USA’s spirit and performance while contributing to their journey in Spain. 

“It’s cool that the average person can go out and actually help support Team USA to head over to Spain and try to fight for another title just by purchasing,” Johnny added. “And also you get a good tool to use in the shop and make life easier.”

Take a trip down memory lane to go over some memorable moments when a Rabaconda came in handy for Team USA

Rachel Gutish - Nine-time ISDE racer 

Defending 2023 Women’s Trophy Team champion, Rachel Gutish started racing the ISDE more than 10 years ago – at age 16 – when she qualified to race in Germany in 2012. 

Rachel remembers seeing a Rabaconda for the first time over 10 years ago and thinking it was too good to be true.

“Our male Trophy riders had started using them, but I stuck with my traditional tire ring,” Rachel said. “Then somebody took the time to show me how it worked, and I wished that I’d been using it for that entire ISDE!”

After that, she said tire changes went from something she feared – “The work area was always the scariest part of my day.” – to something easy she can do almost without thinking. 

Obviously not one set of tires is going to hold up racing for six days straight. As any motorcyclist knows, changing two tires in under 15 minutes without a Rabaconda is nearly impossible, so having a fast and efficient tool under such difficult time deadlines is essential.

“ISDE is stressful enough,” Rachel added. “Your tire changes shouldn’t be. And that’s why having a Rabaconda is so important.”

At the ISDE on the evening of Day 3 in Argentina last year, Rachel found herself practicing a one-armed tire change with a separated shoulder after the race. 

“I was in an incredible amount of pain,” she said. “That was the hardest thing I have ever done.”

Wishing someone filmed the infamous one-armed tire change on Day 3, Rachel said the hardest part was inserting the first four tire irons: “I tried everything. At one point I was even standing on top of the entire Rabaconda, trying to find a technique that I could do with my injury.”

Eventually she ended up either throwing her leg over the Rabaconda or half-laying on top of it. 

“That way I could use my good arm to insert the irons,” she said. “I also flipped the Rabaconda arm upside down from how it is usually mounted, because when it curves upward it gives slightly more leverage. This is a technique I still show younger or smaller riders who are not very strong yet.”

Without the Rabaconda, the Indiana rider said she could not have done the tire change, probably would not have finished and would not have won the world trophy last year. 

“So thank you as always,” she said. “Rabaconda has been there for Team USA for a long time, and the limited edition Team USA tire changer is another part of that. You get a badass tire changer, while supporting Team USA - I think that’s a win-win.” 

The 28-year-old looks forward to competing in Spain for her ninth ISDE later this month. 

Ava Silvestri - Two-time ISDE competitor

If it weren’t for the ISDE, Ava Silvestri, the first female ever selected to join a Team USA club team in 2023, might not have ever learned how to use a Rabaconda. 

The California rider, who was slated to compete on the first all-female Team USA club team but was bumped up last minute to the Women’s World Trophy Team after a teammate’s injury, remembers watching her dad change her tires on the garbage can and thinking “Dude, there's no way I'm going to be able to do that,’” Ava said. 

Then, during COVID a few years ago, Ava learned how to use the Dirt Bike Tire Changer all by herself. 

“I almost ended up going to Six Days in 2021 in place of one of the three women,” Ava said. “So that was the first time I ended up using the Rabaconda because I had to practice and everything. It was super easy.”

“I was honestly surprised and actually picked it up pretty quickly,” she said. “It definitely made it a lot easier going to Argentina for Six Days last year. It was a really easy process.” 

Now, Ava can change two tires on and off the bike within 8 minutes. “Being able to do tire changes that quickly definitely helps,” she said. “The Rabaconda takes a lot of stress off of it. It’s a super helpful tool.”

Ava with her dad, Steve Silvestri, a Six Days veteran, at the 2023 ISDE in Argentina, her first event

In less than 10 days, Team USA tackles the grueling demands of this legendary event in an attempt to defend two 2023 world championship titles while the Rabaconda Dirt Bike Tire Changer witnesses it all, proving itself as an essential companion for all of the 31 riders representing the United States in Spain.

With the Team USA-themed Limited Edition Rabaconda, customers support Team USA as they strive for the top step of the podium. 

“You guys do a lot in just providing the Rabacondas,” Ava said. “It’s nice to see that you guys are super involved.” 

Follow along as Team USA tackles the challenges of the ISDE starting October 14. Be a part of this milestone and snag your Limited Edition Tire Changer to support Team USA in defending their two world championship titles.