Most Cost Effective Way To Purchase And Install Tires ?

[frayne]

I know I'm in need of new tires and will probably go with the stones BT021. Just wonder if it would be cheaper if I bought the tires and then took the down and had my local Yama dealer put them on, or just go through him. I don't have the tools, facilites or the know how to do a tire change myself. Appreciate any and all thoughts and replies.

 

[dbvolfan]

depends on the dealer.....my local Yammi dealer doesnt care if I bring the tires in from SW Moto...others will refuse and/or make it prohibitively expensive to have them mounted. I had a local shop that said they would charge me double the install rate if I brought them in off the street.

Seems like TWN has a pretty good deal worked out with his dealer, and I am sure others here do as well. Me? My local dealer wants $180 for the rear alone+tax (Avon Storm)...no thanks, I'll pay $127 on line (no tax and free shipping if I get both tires) and have tham mounted here for like $30 each.

I have another local dealer I have been buying maintenance supplies from and I am going to approach him about the total install price if I buy the tires from him and see how it comps. Seems like most will deal with you if you have some kind of history of maintenence work, farkles or if you bought the bike from them.

 

[S76]

I know I'm in need of new tires and will probably go with the stones BT021. Just wonder if it would be cheaper if I bought the tires and then took the down and had my local Yama dealer put them on, or just go through him. I don't have the tools, facilites or the know how to do a tire change myself. Appreciate any and all thoughts and replies.

I was quoted $500 to buy tires through the dealer and have him install them.

I DON'T THINK SO!

So I bought them on line delivered for $250. Also bought some spoons, rim protectors, and a balancer for around $100.

Get a shop manual and follow the directions. It is a bit of a wrestling match that will work up a sweat but over time a huge savings. Even if you do not have a compressor you can always fill at the local gas station. You should also have a torque wrench and a good size bench vise. That is how I break the bead by squeezing the tire in the vice. Or, they have a hand held tool to break the bead.

Not only is it way cheaper to do it yourself but you can do it when YOU have time rather than make an appointment etc.

I feel these bikes go through way to many tires to not do it yourself.

 

[Checkswrecks]

Most cost effective is to order tires online and mount yourself. Here's basically how I do mine and have for years. Note that the boards between the wheel and driveway are important and I use some scrap aluminum between the spoons and rim to help keep from scratching up my rims.

https://www.webbikeworld.com/t2/bead-breake...ead-breaker.htm

BTW, Rick Korchak has gobs of other good info and links from his Webbikeworld site, such as:

https://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tec...es/articles.htm

If you really want to pay somebody else, just recognize that they need to make a profit and you're going to pay for the privelage of not getting dirty or sweaty. It's just a matter of how much more you're willing to pay. I'd check the yellow pages for non-dealer shops (your area has plenty) and start calling them for prices. Just make it apples to apples by telling them what your bike is, exactly what tires you want, that you do want balancing, and want an out-the-door price. Most will have to check on their price for the tires and call you back. Make sure to ask if you need to worry about the installer being a kid who will scratch up your rims. The question will put them on notice that it's somethign you're going to watch for. Then ask if they can do it while you wait, rather than leaving the bike.

Bob

 

[Fencer]

find someone like me with a changer in his garage close(er) to you. I'm cheap

 

[Rickster]

Another option is to split the work between your dealer and yourself.

Remove the wheels yourself -- not too hard, and doesn't require alot of tools

Have the dealer ONLY remove/replace the tires on the wheels

Order a Marc Parnes balancer -- and balance them yourself, and re-install them.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

I can see a dealer charging you 'shop rate' for a job where you bring-in parts bought elsewhere. So, buy your tires (where-ever?) and when the shop does work for you; the tech starts the clock at, say?, $80/hr. That's professional, covers dealer business costs, shop liability, etc. The next best approach (and discussed here) may be to bargain the best "package deal" you can -- tires, mounting, balance, convenience -- for an 'out-the-door' price. Last, imo, is to do it yourself -- yes, it's possible (for some) but isn't the 'preferred' way. It's the 21st century, for-crying-out-loud, people don't do stuff like that (themselves) anymore....!!

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

I have found that the local (non-dealer) motorcycle accessory shops are often worthy of your business. These are the shops that sell (off road and street) helmets, riding gear, tires, etc. and maybe even used bikes and ATVs.

Usually they will match any competitors prices on tires and will mount them (off the bike, you bring in the wheels) for ~$20 or so per wheel.

 

[Scab]

My local yammi dealer wants an incredible $80 to mount two tires on wheels that I took off! They want you to buy the tires from them and then they will do it for $60. Still too high and their tires are rediculously priced. I found a small independent shop that will mount them for $20 each, but does not balance, nor sell any tires. All in all, I'm just gonna get into the business my self. I haven't changed any yet, but I have already scored a tire changer and balancer.

 

[Fencer]

If you have a cycle gear close by, they will mount and balance for you, but you have to take your rims to them

 

[E1Allen]

My yamaha dealer wont mount tires if I dont buy them from there. Thats a joke in itself. However, I do remove my own tires and spend the $20 to get one put back on the rim. I don't know if my wife would let me buy another toy for my bike.

 

[extrememarine]

Our local shop(s) were making it very difficult to get tires put on. Their price (on limited selection) was high ($450 a set & up), or they would charge $60 per tire if you brought your own tires (and wheels off the bike). I good friend of mine got a deal on a NoMar deluxe tire changer setup. Now we order them online & install them ourself.

The other option I've used is a Cycle Gear store. They usually have good prices, will price match, and it's was $20 to mount & balance a tire (wheel has to be off the bike). A benefit to using cycle gear is that they offer a road hazard warranty for around $6.

 

[Geezer]

For about $100 on sale you can get the Harbor Freight tire changer and motorcycle adapter. For about another $100 you can get a Marc Parness or similar balancer. And, if you want to get fancy, you can spend another $100 or so on a Mojo Lever or other premium tire changing bar. I use the tire changer bolted to a 4 foot by 4 foot sheet of 3/4 inch plywood and I use some scraps of red oak as levers. I still have to use the big bar that came with the tire changer on stubborn tires so the Mojo is on my Christmas list.

Changing your own tires is work but gets easier with experience. Mine paid for itself the first season. And, as said above, you can do the job when it is convenient for you. Taking my time and working carefully, I change both tires in about two hours.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

Find a small independent dealer. I found one just after i bought the 03. Does what he says he is gonna do. He sells me tires within $10-$15 of SWMototires but mounts and balance for free. So he is actually cheaper if I had to pay to have them mounted even with the Ca. state tax.

 

[twowheelnut]

*snerk* You poor *******s!

 

[Scab]

*snerk* You poor *******s!

I still don't have your property taxes. *double snerk*

 

[twowheelnut]

*snerk* You poor *******s!

I still don't have your property taxes. *double snerk*

And, you don't have my equity. *triple snerk*

 

[Scab]

*snerk* You poor *******s!

I still don't have your property taxes. *double snerk*

And, you don't have my equity. *triple snerk*

Damn it. *out snerked*

 

[Fencer]

*snerk* You poor *******s!

I still don't have your property taxes. *double snerk*

And, you don't have my equity. *triple snerk*

Damn it. *out snerked*

Not quite yet Scabbie.

He may have a little more equity, but he has a lot more Hispanicans to go with said equity

Snerkity snerk snerk