Let’s be real. Some tires are a breeze, and some make you question every decision that led you to this moment on the garage floor. If you’ve ever fought with a stiff Pirelli or a low-profile Dunlop, you know the struggle is real.

That’s where Drop Center Tools come in. They may not look like much, but once you’ve used them, you’ll wonder how you ever changed a tough tire without them. (Bonus: Drop Center Tools now come included with the Street Bike Tire Changer!)

Let’s break down what they do, why they matter and how to make them work for you.

What’s a Drop Center Anyway?

Every motorcycle wheel has a “drop center” — a little valley inside the rim. When you push the bead into that valley, you instantly get more slack on the opposite side. That slack is the magic that lets you pop the bead over the rim without turning it into a wrestling match. Pushing even a little bit of the tire into the drop center when mounting goes a LONG way in terms of making mounting easier.

The drop center tool’s job? It pushes the bead of the tire into the drop center or “valley” and holds it there  so you can focus on mounting or dismounting instead of juggling knees, elbows and creative swear words. 

Think of it as a buddy who keeps things steady while you do the heavy lifting.

Why Riders Swear By Them

• Stiff sidewalls? No problem. Two drop center tools will give you enough leverage to tame even the toughest rubber.
  

• Low-profile tires? These don’t give you much room to work with, so drop center tools are practically mandatory.
  

• Wheel protection. Ours are made of tough plastic that’s strong enough for the job but won’t scratch your rims.
  

One rider who mounted a car tire on a motorcycle rim put it best:

“It would not have been so smooth (maybe not even possible) without the Drop Center Tools and the Bead Grease. They were definitely key.”

Pro Tips for Smoother Swaps

• Slather on the lube. Bead grease (or even soap water in a pinch) is your best friend. Don’t be stingy! The more the merrier. Dry tire swaps are misery.
  

• Work opposite. Always push the bead into the drop center across from where you’re levering with a tire iron. That’s where the magic happens.
  

• Follow the steps. Grease up the duck head, let the bead breaker push the tire into the drop center and let the ratchet do the heavy lifting.

• Double down (if needed). We generally recommend using one Drop Center Tool for mounting front tires and two for a rear. But if it’s a beast of a tire, feel tree to go with two regardless. We include a pair in the Street Bike Tire Changer.
  

Why We Include Them

We’re always looking to make our products better or easier to use, and we’ve seen too many riders struggle (and too many scratched rims) to leave these out. That’s why every Street Bike Tire Changer now ships with two Drop Center Tools. Because sometimes one just isn’t enough.

The Bottom Line

Tire changes don’t have to be a sweaty battle of wills. With a couple of Drop Center Tools, some Bead Grease, our Street Bike Tire Changer and the right technique, you’ll turn what used to feel impossible into a smooth, almost satisfying part of bike maintenance.

They’re not flashy. They’re not expensive. But once you’ve tried them, you’ll never want to go back to doing it the hard way.

So next time you’re gearing up for a tire swap, keep those Drop Center Tools within arm’s reach. They’ll protect your rims, save your sanity and maybe even leave you with enough energy for what matters most - getting back out there and riding.