Tire change at WFO

[Groo]

I believe I remember someone (probably Warchild) talking about Sunnyside providing a tire replacement service in Reno at WFO. I'm just doing a bit of math, and looking ahead, and my Avons will probably be due for a swap-out either by the time I get to WFO, or by the time I leave.

Regardless, how far in advance should we let Sunnyside know, and place our order to get new rubber while we are there?

 

[PapaUtah]

+1

The Cobalt Cooker should be pretty bald as I roll in also. I am planning on a Wednesday arrival to complete this task along with an oil change. I am sure WC will be forthcoming with any options we may have there, local dealer, etc.

 

[tcfjr]

+1, on both tires and an oil change.

 

[Ignacio]

Another one of those that details are being worked out by the rally masters.....but remember Warchild is swamped. This, the other question, and many more will be answered in the coming weeks and months in detail. You can bet notification will come before you have to let them know.

What I can offer is that I heard Warchild talking with Sunnyside about what all to haul down and I even offered my 27 gallon compressor if they can haul it.

I would suggest a bit more patience and when you see the banner on the website switches over--that might be a sign that things are progressing.

 

[twowheelnut]

... and I even offered my 27 gallon compressor if they can haul it.

Compressed beer? Dang, you Washingtonians are a funny lot...

 

[Bluebullet]

Unfortunately I did not catch this thread before I had already emailed Glen at Sunnyside and found that he had no idea he was bring a tire changer and balancer with him. Since then he has gotten things all worked out. He had me put the tires I wanted on layaway with my name on them and pay with a credit card so he would have them when I got there. You can reach Glen at 509-837-2124. Very good service.

 

[FJRocket]

Unfortunately I did not catch this thread before I had already emailed Glen at Sunnyside and found that he had no idea he was bring a tire changer and balancer with him. Since then he has gotten things all worked out. He had me put the tires I wanted on layaway with my name on them and pay with a credit card so he would have them when I got there. You can reach Glen at 509-837-2124. Very good service.

Any more news on tires changes by Sunnyside at WFO? When are they going to be available to do the changes? I'd like to consider getting my tires changed out when I'm there, too, but hate to miss out on too much riding. Maybe change out departure morning or something like that? Or arrival afternoon?

 

[weekend rider]

I spoke to Sunnyside on wednesday and asked about tires and changing them for this event.

The person that I spoke to said that the decision was still being talked about and no final answer has been given about tires being available and them changing them also.

I am going to phone them in a couple of days and find out what the scoop is.

I know riders comming from afar some of them will need new rubber, I want to purchase a new set as well.

Instead of them hauling all the tire equipment down here which will be ackward and time consuming, I suggested to team up with a local dealer " Yamaha " and make arraingements to share or use there equipment . This could be a win win situation for all.

So anyone out there that needs tires when they get there you better make sure either Sunnyside has them and will be able to mount them or contact a dealer and make the needed arraingements.

"It would be a shame to be rubber less and no riding protection" :yahoo: weekend rider

 

[Groo]

I had thought about getting a new set at Reno, but in looking at my rear Avon, I wasn't sure it was going to make it, although it's still got some life left. I also hadn't heard any more about Sunnyside, and didn't want to get stuck if they decided not to do the tire changing at Reno. So I had the rear replaced with a fresh Avon from G. McCoy yesterday (only $21 mounting and balancing at a place here in Houston off the bike!), and will put the old one back on when the new one is used up. Plus that allowed me to get my Smartire monitor installed.

My front looks like it's got plenty left...

 

[madmike2]

I So I had the rear replaced with a fresh Avon from G. McCoy yesterday (only $21 mounting and balancing at a place here in Houston off the bike!), and will put the old one back on when the new one is used up. Plus that allowed me to get my Smartire monitor installed.

That's what I did last year before heading North to Skagit Valley. No use "trusting to luck" and knowing I ws going to ride while up there.

Of course, If I was coming from back East, that'd be another story altogether.

Unless the organizers have made arrangements with a dealer, like last year, let's see if exskibum or some other local Reno area rider can suggest one? That way you could have them order the tires of your choice and make an appointment ahead of time.

 

[Ari Rankum]

Perhaps we can get a tally of the number of tires of each type that will be needed? Above a certain threshold, people who provide this type of service will see hauling gear to WFO as a business opportunity, rather than a burden. That threshold is probably north of a dozen pairs of tires.

If someone has equipment and tires on location, I'd purchase a new set of Avons for my FJR. My Metzlers look like they can only be counted on for half of my trip. I'm also going to be looking for an oil change.

Any others who will be looking for tire/oil change should speak up.

 

[odot]

Hey, groo...when you leaving and what's your route?

 

[exskibum]

Well, only since I was asked to throw in my 2 cents. I live about 45 minutes south of Reno (until just about or just after the time of WFO). I also do most of my own wrenching and tire changes, so my input on the specific issue isn't what it might be.

The Yamaha dealer in Reno is Michael's Cycle Works on South Virginia St., which is maybe 5 or 6 miles from the Hilton. I have never dealt with that store, but bought my FJR and have done substantial business (mostly parts) with their other store in Carson City (which carries Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki). While they have always been cordial and pleasant, their prices are always the highest of anywhere else I might go, they won't deal on bikes and my one service dept. experience (rear tire, plugs, and some specific requests on my 97 XX) was expensive, incomplete, poorly done and resulted in me leaving the bike several days longer while they figured out the vacuum line (to the tank) problem I told them they had created. They tagged me for $205 for a Pilot Power and then charged me another $95 to take it off the back of the XX (not hard) and mount the tire. I needed it done, wasn't able to do it myself right then, and wanted a few other things addressed, so I left it and my service manual with them. When I came to pick it up several days later, they took my money and gave the bike back to me, unrideable, since the only thing it'd do was idle, AND they completely blew off checking a couple other things I'd asked them to check and fix.) So, I'm going to have a hard time recommending Michael's for service work.

So, if I'm in Reno and it isn't a Yamaha specific part or problem, I go to Big Valley Honda (which, BTW can be seen from the bike parking area at the Hilton -- a half mile away). A riding buddy has had his XX's tires done at BVH a couple times (after Michaels (Reno) installed a 190 on the stock 5.5 inch rim the first time he replaced a rear tire (like the FJR, it takes a 180, and a 190 makes it squirrely on less than a 6 inch wheel). The Kawasaki, Ducati, HD and Buell dealers are within 100 yards of BVH, too.

IF I were coming from far away, and if Sunnyside wasn't coming with a tire changing station, I'd probably call BVH ahead of time to make sure they had the tires in stock for me. Once at the meet, I'd either bring them a photocopy of the H. Marc/WC wheel removal pages OR take the wheels off myself at the parking location (meaning tools along) and find a way to hump them over to BVH a half mile away to be mounted and balanced.

 

[radman]

I will be bringing full FJR tool set to WFO, being as the Merc has lotsa room, and as I may be assisting with the TBS party there. These will be available to those who need and have the ability to use. Yes I will have some hammers, for those who are unfamiliar with the proccess.

 

[Groo]

Hey, groo...when you leaving and what's your route?

This is it, give or take a couple of last minute route tweaks...

 

[exskibum]

I will be bringing full FJR tool set to WFO, being as the Merc has lotsa room, and as I may be assisting with the TBS party there. These will be available to those who need and have the ability to use. Yes I will have some hammers, for those who are unfamiliar with the proccess.

:lol2: :haha: :lol2: :haha:

 

[FastJoyRide]

Just spoke to Guru Glen. Apparently the issue is confusion about if/where they'll be allowed to do tire changes at the Hilton (on again, off again negotiations?).

He will call when he has a definitive answer and I'll post here if others haven't done so already.

 

[weekend rider]

It did not ocur to me or any one else about the complexity of a simple tire change would be.

I think a company selling motorcycle tire changers should have been contacted and have him/her put on a demo with his/her machine so the dealers can see what modern tools can do to increase profit,( sales promotions) It might be too late for this.

I think I will scrap the idea of new tires at Reno and order from "fjrgoodies" and have them installed before the forum and will be all broke in by the time I get to Reno... :clapping:

 

[Ari Rankum]

It did not ocur to me or any one else about the complexity of a simple tire change would be.
I think a company selling motorcycle tire changers should have been contacted and have him/her put on a demo with his/her machine so the dealers can see what modern tools can do to increase profit,( sales promotions) It might be too late for this.

I think I will scrap the idea of new tires at Reno and order from "fjrgoodies" and have them installed before the forum and will be all broke in by the time I get to Reno... :clapping:

I was going to do that. But there's something north of 3K miles left in my tires, and I like chaos. I'm going to scrounge around Reno and bitch and moan until I'm sporting new rubber. That's all I'm sayin'.