Chicagoland Tire Changing Options

[Murph]

A few of us jumped on the PR2 group buy and will be needing to install the new shoes. No doubt that others will be wanting to re-shoe the bike at the start of the riding season.

So where is everyone planning on going to install their tires? I'm looking for suggestions and am especially interested in non-dealer installers. Awhile back, some discussion took place about Jim's Tire Service in Barlett but I am on the fence as to whether I should give him a shot (someone posted about tires that weren't balanced very well). Any other suggestions?

Or ... how about this idea. If anyone has a tire changer out there, how about hosting a "Chicagoland FJR Riders Pre-Season Tire Changing Event"? For hosting a group of riders for a few hours and sharing tire-changing duties (ie. teaching those of us who are not tire change experts), I am sure the benevolent host would receive their fair share of donations in the form of $, beverages, food, good conversation, and gratitude.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Definitely a need out there...

...if someone had a nomar, marc parnes balancer and the time...they could make some $$ that's for sure.

I'm gonna try make a homemade jobby for myself. I wouldn't feel comfortable nor probably have time to change others' though.

 

[Murph]

...if someone had a nomar, marc parnes balancer and the time...they could make some $$ that's for sure.

I agree. I've already talked to my wife so that, if we ever get a house with a 3-car garage, I'm going to get the gear, install it, and learn how to do this. Aside from the point that I'm looking to get a dual-sport and will be needing to change tires even more frequently, I figure it would be worth it to open up the garage for one or two nights a month for friends, etc.

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

I think eworth out in Plattville, WI, has one.

 

[joeR6]

If anyone has a tire changer out there, how about hosting a "Chicagoland FJR Riders Pre-Season Tire Changing Event"? For hosting a group of riders for a few hours and sharing tire-changing duties (ie. teaching those of us who are not tire change experts), I am sure the benevolent host would receive their fair share of donations in the form of $, beverages, food, good conversation, and gratitude.

I'd be down for that. I too would be appreciative to learn how to change my own tires instead of paying a dealer $75-$85/tire and scraping off paint on my wheels in the process. Of course the host would be fairly compensated.

 

[cougar8000]

I already have those shoes on, but I would take an opportunity to mount Smart Tire.

 

[Sherman]

Cycle Sport in Lake Station (Rt. 6 & 51 east of Gary. IN) does tires mounted and balanced for $37 (last fall.) Just bring in the wheel and new tire.

Probably 2x that if on the bike.

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

Made some calls recently to local dealers. Here's what they quoted me (per wheel) for mounting and balancing.......

Rich's Yamaha, Lockport- $35
Highlands Yamaha, Coutryside- $30

Willy World, Joliet- $39

 

[joeR6]

Made some calls recently to local dealers. Here's what they quoted me (per wheel) for mounting and balancing.......
Rich's Yamaha, Lockport- $35
Highlands Yamaha, Coutryside- $30

Willy World, Joliet- $39

Ah, the beauty of living in the burbs. I will have to venture out to your neck of the woods to save some $$$

 

[wheatonFJR]

Made some calls recently to local dealers. Here's what they quoted me (per wheel) for mounting and balancing.......
Rich's Yamaha, Lockport- $35
Highlands Yamaha, Coutryside- $30

Willy World, Joliet- $39

Thanks for the comparo Larry. :clapping:

Do you have to buy the tires from them to get those prices - or did they say?

 

[Murph]

Made some calls recently to local dealers. Here's what they quoted me (per wheel) for mounting and balancing.......
Rich's Yamaha, Lockport- $35
Highlands Yamaha, Coutryside- $30

Willy World, Joliet- $39

Good info. Thanks for posting.

I plan on making some calls and will post what I learn.

 

[cougar8000]

There is place where I have been doing mine for a long time. It is in Des Plaines and they charge 30 per tire and very good. I was hoping that we could fine someone to give us a break, but sounds like it wont be a case.

 

[RiderCoach Lar]

Do you have to buy the tires from them to get those prices - or did they say?

When I called each one, I specifically asked how much they charged for mounting and balancing "if I were to bring in my wheels AND new tires".

 

[Murph]

Cost of tire change at Woodfield Motorsports (Hoffman Estates/Schaumburg):

$72 to change tires if you bring in bike. $40 if you only bring in the wheels.

 

[Bluebullet]

I realize that I am just a bit too far to go for true Chicago/Rockford people just to get tires changed. It is a 4 hour trek each way that I have made a few times myself. I will be buying all the rest of the gear I need to mount and balance this spring. I am quite experienced at tire changing and will help anyone getting internet bought tires on their bike. Things I have already: 3 1/2 car garage, big air compressor, grill, beer. Things I will have before end of April: Balancer and Harbor Freight tire changer. My price for forum members to change your tires if you bring them on the bike.....Ya gotta ride a few twisties with me down here (just to test the tires of course). Off the bike.....Driving the cage home and missing the twisties will be enough punishment. As for hosting a tire changing party....maybe the first week in April when my wife has left to go the the Cayman Islands without me and I'm home all alone....... after that we got rides coming up one weekend after another till like the middle of May.....don't really know, just throw out some suggestions and we'll see what works.

 

[wheatonFJR]

I realize that I am just a bit too far to go for true Chicago/Rockford people just to get tires changed. It is a 4 hour trek each way that I have made a few times myself. I will be buying all the rest of the gear I need to mount and balance this spring. I am quite experienced at tire changing and will help anyone getting internet bought tires on their bike. Things I have already: 3 1/2 car garage, big air compressor, grill, beer. Things I will have before end of April: Balancer and Harbor Freight tire changer. My price for forum members to change your tires if you bring them on the bike.....Ya gotta ride a few twisties with me down here (just to test the tires of course). Off the bike.....Driving the cage home and missing the twisties will be enough punishment. As for hosting a tire changing party....maybe the first week in April when my wife has left to go the the Cayman Islands without me and I'm home all alone....... after that we got rides coming up one weekend after another till like the middle of May.....don't really know, just throw out some suggestions and we'll see what works.

wow...that's a very generous off there Nate! :clapping:

 

[Murph]

I realize that I am just a bit too far to go for true Chicago/Rockford people just to get tires changed. It is a 4 hour trek each way that I have made a few times myself. I will be buying all the rest of the gear I need to mount and balance this spring. I am quite experienced at tire changing and will help anyone getting internet bought tires on their bike. Things I have already: 3 1/2 car garage, big air compressor, grill, beer. Things I will have before end of April: Balancer and Harbor Freight tire changer. My price for forum members to change your tires if you bring them on the bike.....Ya gotta ride a few twisties with me down here (just to test the tires of course). Off the bike.....Driving the cage home and missing the twisties will be enough punishment. As for hosting a tire changing party....maybe the first week in April when my wife has left to go the the Cayman Islands without me and I'm home all alone....... after that we got rides coming up one weekend after another till like the middle of May.....don't really know, just throw out some suggestions and we'll see what works.

My new favorite forum member! :clapping: Thanks for the offer!

Now I just have to find that thread about the forum contributor of the year.

 

[Bluebullet]

wow...that's a very generous off there Nate! :clapping:

Depends on how you look at it. If I ever had to repay in dollars and sense (yes I spelled it that way on purpose) what the group of people that is this Forum have already given me.....hmmmm, how do you repay priceless? So I do what we all do best here, give a little back with what I gots to give.