price for a pair of Michelin PR2

[stnkbait]

I bought my bike with 2386 miles on it on Jan 24th of this year. At 2900 miles I replace the plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter and the final drive oil. Yesterday, with 3949 miles on the bike, I changed both tires to the Michelin Pilot-Road2 brand. I paid $432.49 including the mount, BAL, disposal, & tax (front was 139.85, rear 207.85) is that about norm for the price?

fyi,

At Chaparral Motorsports in San Bernardino,Ca

also, the front tire was in need of replacment.

 

[CAJW]

To give you more specific feedback, more details are needed. This link https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...80&hl=tires is just one example of the deals to be had out there on mail order. Mount and balance costs vary, did you take the bike to them or pull the wheels off the bike? B spec rear tire will influence the cost also (higher), here's another thread for reference. https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...26&hl=tires

 

[stnkbait]

To give you more specific feedback, more details are needed. This link https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...80&hl=tires is just one example of the deals to be had out there on mail order. Mount and balance costs vary, did you take the bike to them or pull the wheels off the bike? B spec rear tire will influence the cost also (higher), here's another thread for reference. https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...26&hl=tires

I pulled them off.

Thanks for the info

 

[CAJW]

To give you more specific feedback, more details are needed. This link https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...80&hl=tires is just one example of the deals to be had out there on mail order. Mount and balance costs vary, did you take the bike to them or pull the wheels off the bike? B spec rear tire will influence the cost also (higher), here's another thread for reference. https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?s...26&hl=tires

I pulled them off.

Thanks for the info

Sorry forgot to add that IIRC, my local shop charged (per wheel) $40 on the bike or $20 off the bike. That was if I bought the tires there (which I did, trying to help keep the $ local), but last time I mail ordered tires and paid $35 off the bike.

 

[fjrchooser]

I've paid about that several times in my FJR's 46,000 miles stnkbait. Lately theres been some smoking deals on PR2's that could have saved us both about a hundred bucks. Hope these deals are still around next time I'm due.

I'm a bit reluctant to pop too far ahead for something I may not need for a year or more. Anyone know how long an unmounted set of rubber can be expected to stay fresh ?

 

[MCRIDER007]

I'm a bit reluctant to pop too far ahead for something I may not need for a year or more. Anyone know how long an unmounted set of rubber can be expected to stay fresh ?

It depends who you ask but they should easily last 2-3 years if you store them in a cool place out of the sun. I know a lot of riders will not buy a tire that is 2 years old but they don't mind riding on tires that have been on the bike for 3 years. I currently have 3 sets of PR2s that are in "storage" and probably will not need to buy tires until 2012.

 

[CAJW]

I'm a bit reluctant to pop too far ahead for something I may not need for a year or more. Anyone know how long an unmounted set of rubber can be expected to stay fresh ?

It depends who you ask but they should easily last 2-3 years if you store them in a cool place out of the sun. I know a lot of riders will not buy a tire that is 2 years old but they don't mind riding on tires that have been on the bike for 3 years. I currently have 3 sets of PR2s that are in "storage" and probably will not need to buy tires until 2012.

There's a number of opinions out there on when to "retire" a tire, but I tend to agree with MCRIDER in that 2-3 years old for a motorcycle is probably long enough, extreme conditions not withstanding (i.e. parked outside in the AZ sun for years, etc....), but a number of sites that offer tire advice state about 6 years. https://searchwarp.com/swa59705.htm I've got a hotrod that never sees the light of day unless it's being driven and is always covered. I've just replaced the 7K mile B.F. Goodrich T/A radials that I put on in 1999, just to be on the safe side. BTW, they look as good as the day I put them on, but a blowout on my other baby would not be something I"m willing to take a chance with.

 

[exskibum]

For base point reference:

I've paid $240 to $270 delivered per set (F & R) for the 4 sets of PR2s I have ordered for my FJR off the internet. I remove the wheels and mount and balance my own tires, so that's almost free. Not counting the compressor I already had, I probably have ~ $200 invested in tools, self made tire changing station (from junkyard 14" car wheel, rubber washing machine drain hose, plywood and 24" threaded 5/8" rod), Marc Parnes balancer, and materials (tire mounting lube, weights).

I believe that is the rock bottom cheapest it can be done for, with the added advantage that I KNOW it's done right and no one scratches up my wheels. Between Blackbirds and FJR over the last 5 years that I've been doing this, I think I've mounted about a dozen sets. The initial investment was recovered with the first day's efforts (when I did 2 Blackbirds at the same time), and even the amortized cost is already well under $20/set now. (BTW, it was a dealer wanting to charge me > $500 for a set of Michelin Pilot Powers on my '97 Blackbird that made me decide to handle the task myself.)

 

[fjrchooser]

Thanks for the reply MCRIDER007.

I end up replacing tires on my little used Corvette due to rubber rot rather than tread wear. Never worn a set out yet.

Only 5 or 6 thousand miles on them now and maybe 5 years sitting in the sun. I can see cord where the rubber has opened up between the tread rows and around the rim so I'm due again.

Replacing all four of those wide bad boys makes re-shoeing the FJR seem like a good deal. Might be one reason folks want the freshest- just to get to the 5 year interval with some peace of mind along the way.

No way I can get 5 years out of FJR rubber.

 

[stnkbait]

I've paid about that several times in my FJR's 46,000 miles stnkbait. Lately theres been some smoking deals on PR2's that could have saved us both about a hundred bucks. Hope these deals are still around next time I'm due.
I'm a bit reluctant to pop too far ahead for something I may not need for a year or more. Anyone know how long an unmounted set of rubber can be expected to stay fresh ?

If I get 14-16K on a set, I think I just might start looking to make a internet purchase and just store the tires. I have plently of room in the garage. Also, I would like to know more about exskibum's tire changing station? I like the idea of being able to do it all here at home.

Tim

 

[exskibum]

If I get 14-16K on a set, I think I just might start looking to make a internet purchase and just store the tires. I have plently of room in the garage. Also, I would like to know more about exskibum's tire changing station? I like the idea of being able to do it all here at home.

One of the advantages IS not having to be dependent upon someone else's schedule when you don't get to it by 2 days before a trip.

I'll try to get back to this with some pics and more info in the next day or so. I originally got the 14" car wheel, etc. recipe off a web page I used to have a link to. I had a HD crash that took that a couple years ago, but may be able to find it.** I'm pretty sure that I posted all about this (except the pics of my setup) maybe 3 or 4 years ago here, though. At worst, I can describe what it consists of and how to put it together, illustrated with the pics I took a year or so ago.

Not sure what all accounts for the widely varying mileages some riders get from similar tires, but I can only wish I'd get 15K miles on any tire that is reasonably sure footed (sticky). So far, the PR2s are the best for me, but even then, a little over 8K miles is pretty much my limit for the rear without taking the chance of trying to get home with the cords showing. Some tires I've had barely get me 5K.

**EDIT TO ADD: Here's the link to the original instructions from which I constructed my tire changing station: https://www.clarity.net/~adam/tire-changing.html

 

[Big-D]

I paid $255 for a set of PRII's two weeks ago including tax from a local motorcycle parts store here in my little city. Of course that did not include mounting and/or balancing. Back when I first bought my '08 I figured I would probably be changing tires a lot, so I bought a $49 tire changing machine from Harbor Freight and included their $39 motorcycle changing adapter and have changed my tires myself every since.

I use Dyna Beads to provide balancing, although when I first changed my tires the beads called for an ounce of beads in the front tire. Foolish me, I grabbed a measuring cup and poured out an ounce and inserted them in the tire. I must have been suffering from a little brain malfunction because I thought fluid ounce instead of weight ounce and dumped about 5 ounces into my front tire. All was fine until I reach speeds between 100-107mph and things started shaking pretty bad. The worst part was having to pull the wheel once again, break the bead and pour the beads out and start all over again.

Having learned the hard way, I now pay closer attention to what I'm doing and all is fine. Because I had installed 90 degree valve stems, I thought they could have had a little to do with the shaking going on, but once I replaced the beads with the proper amount, everything was fine.

Overall, I'm glad I bought my own tire changer from Harbor freight, because I now use it for both my bikes, my ATV's and my two utility trailers. It's paid for itself several times over within the first month of owning it. I did perform a couple alterations to it in regards to the little fingers that hold the motorcycle rim in place. But since I do my own welding and such, it was a piece of cake to manufacture the needed pieces.

The tires I recently purchased are for the next required change. Since Michelin was having some kind of sale, it didn't make since to pass up the great price.

 

[MCRIDER007]

If I get 14-16K on a set, I think I just might start looking to make a internet purchase and just store the tires. I have plently of room in the garage. Also, I would like to know more about exskibum's tire changing station? I like the idea of being able to do it all here at home.

Take a look at:

https://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoweb.htm

I have the same setup as a lot of other members which is cheap Harbor Freight tire changer (about $70 on sale), a Mojolever ($100), and Marc Parnes balancer (about $105). I also bought three 15 inch tire irons for $40 which I have not had to use since I learned how to use the Mojolever. You should also consider the Mojo blocks or glue some rubber strips to the HF rim holders to avoid any metal to metal contact.

Changing tires is more about technique than equipment and I can change most sport touring tires in 10 minutes and balance one in about 5 minutes, much quicker than driving somewhere to have someone else do it. One of these days I am going to have to replace the tip on the Mojolever but after 72 tire changes it has been a real bargain.

 

[bigjimbiker]

I bought my bike with 2386 miles on it on Jan 24th of this year. At 2900 miles I replace the plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter and the final drive oil. Yesterday, with 3949 miles on the bike, I changed both tires to the Michelin Pilot-Road2 brand. I paid $432.49 including the mount, BAL, disposal, & tax (front was 139.85, rear 207.85) is that about norm for the price?
fyi,

At Chaparral Motorsports in San Bernardino,Ca

also, the front tire was in need of replacment.

Funny you should ask, I just had two new PR2's put on last Wednesday.

Here's the bill:

120/70x17 PR2............................................108.99

180/55x17 PR2............................................144.99

State (FL) tire fee..........................................2.00

New valve stems (90 degree)..........................34.50

Installation.................................................118.50

Supplies......................................................11.85

Tax............................................................29.46

_____

Total.........................................................450.29

When I was shopping price the parts manager said they charge $10.00 over cost for all their tires.

I got 8,000 miles out of the original Metzlers so I'm hoping for a few more miles out of the Michelins.

I got the 90 degree stems so I could check the air pressure more easily and more often.

BTW, the shop did all the work...I'm no grease monkey (my apology to all monkies.)

bigjimbiker :yahoo:

 

[mamiya67]

:yahoo: Got my PRII's B rating for $235.85 with free shipping. $70. to put them on. Ya might want to shop around.