Freaking Dealership
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 838
Likes: 1
From: Indiana
Is there some kind of rule about not mentioning the name of a dealer that you feel is overcharging or gouging customers? Dancing around the name of the offending business seems pretty silly...and a complete waste of everyone's time 
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 4
From: Newtown, PA
I agree. Tell us specifically the dealer's name. What's the problem with that? No one has any problem telling us about this vendor or that vendor that gave them bad service. I buy my tires from Motorcycle Superstore and the rimbands and tubes from Highroads Harley Davidson in Highland Park, NJ. I take my wheels off myself and Highroads HD puts takes off the old stuff and puts on the new and balances the wheels for $45-$50 a wheel. There are also other dealerships around (e.g. Honda, Triumph, etc) that could do the same work as well. I never heard of not balancing the wheels. That is a primary cause of vibration (cars and motorcycles).
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
Buy the tires on line. Take off the old ones and install the new ones yourself. It ain't hard to do and about $60 for bead breaker and spoons will last you a lifetime of tire changes. I'll catch some flak for this, but in 40 years of tire changing, I HAVE NEVER HAD ONE BALANCED and have never noticed any handling issues.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 717
Likes: 3
From: Cincinnati
It ain't rocket science (or dancing with chickens) to change a tire, but if you can't or just don't want to, at least pull the wheels and take them in. It'll save you some labor cost.
If you don't want to hassle with any of it, make a few phone calls and get the best deal you can, but keep in mind all these shops have to pay business overhead, labor, taxes, workmans comp, insurance, etc., just to keep your happy *** on the road.
Don't expect something for nothing, or for just your cheap idea of someone's time and you won't feel the need to bitch as often.
Last edited by thealaskan; Jan 13, 2011 at 03:10 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Queens,NY
It ain't rocket science (or dancing with chickens) to change a tire, but if you can't or just don't want to, at least pull the wheels and take them in. It'll save you some labor cost.
If you don't want to hassle with any of it, make a few phone calls and get the best deal you can, but keep in mind all these shops have to pay business overhead, labor, taxes, workmans comp, insurance, etc., just to keep your happy *** on the road.
Don't expect something for nothing, or for just your cheap idea of someone's time and you won't feel the need to bitch as often.
What got lost in all of this is that I was upset about the plugged tire. I too understand about "business overhead, labor, taxes, workmans comp, insurance, etc., " as a small business owner I jump these hoops as well. As a matter of fact, this is why I would rather go to the local indy shop and help them w/their business.
I complained about a specific HD dealership experience that I had, compounded w/what I perceive as an inflated quote of 2.5hrs to change 2 tires. I had a beef w/them for claiming they checked the bike over prior t selling it to me, and as a 1st time bike owner of any sorts of my adult life...it left a bitter taste. You hear it a lot when shopping from dealer to dealer what they say about each other, I should of listened a little more careful is all. Next time I will buy private and expect different results.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 63
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
I replaced my tires twist last year at Bayside Harley in Portsmouth VA. I went with the new HD Michelin Scorchers. If you buy the tire from them "and thats the only way your going to get a HD tire" they install them for free plus the cost of wheel weights. Great Deal. If I had went with the Mitslers I would have used the Harbor Freight spoons and got the Indy/ricer dealer to balance them for me. So based on what they charge you should consider a rode trip! I pluged a almost brand new dunlop and put 11K miles on it once. Just couldnt throw away such a new tire!
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