I think it's a question of whether you're making a long-term commitment to changing tyres or whether you're viewing it as a one-off. I decided last year that from then on I was going to change my own tyres, partly because it means over time I can save money, partly because if my rims get chipped I can only blame myself and partly because I wanted to try out 'Easy Balance' compound and you need to add the compound as you're fitting the tyres. (I didn't have the bottle to ask a tyre fitter to do it)...
So I bought myself an Abba bead-breaker, some rim protectors and a set of Buzetti tyre levers and got stuck in. I remember changing my own tyres years ago (back in my 350LC days) and thought that if I could do it then, I can do it now. The one thing you do need is a method of clamping the wheel in place without damaging the rims. There's nothing more frustrating than chasing a wheel round a garage floor while waving tyre levers about...
I opted to use my old Black and Decker Workmate. This came with a set of (orange) pegs which fit into the top surface and are designed to clamp irregular shape objects. Like motorcycle wheels... I wrapped some gaffa tape around the clamping surfaces to protect my rims and gradually wound the two sides together until they securely clamped the wheel rims at four equally-spaced points. I was then able to use 'reasonable force' to get the tyres off and back on the rims, using my fancy levers (they really are very good) and the rim protectors. Oh yes, and plenty of lube (Abba also supply a pot of this and a brush).
I was initially skeptical about Easy Balance tyre balancing beads, but decided to give it a go. The benefit, as far as I was concerned was that I wouldn't have any more ugly, messy balance weights to contend with. Removal of these things almost always leaves marks on the rim and, as others have said, static balancing is an imperfect art. To be honest, whether this stuff worked or not would probably determine whether I continued to fit my own tyres. This is where I get it from:
http://www.tyre-equipment.co.uk/acatalo ... pound.html
I'm glad to say it does, at least in my experience. I've now fitted it to four wheels (Front and Rear on the Falco's Roadsmarts and F/R on my VFR 750's Continentals), and the wheels on both bikes feel beautifully balanced, so much so that I've never even given it a second thought. Don't ask me how it works; it just does in my experience. The only caveat is that it's completely incompatible with Nooj's tyre gloop, which may be a downside for some.
Er... that's it. Flame away!
) and while i am in there, will need some new plimsoles to go play on.
, but is it worth forking around and also I will then need to get them balanced which is another thing entyrely (!) 
