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Metzlers are indeed hard to hand mount with tire spoons, due to the small amount of sidewall they have, but you can do it. I use a solar oven. It's just any kind of enclosure the tire fits into with a clear plastic sheet over it all. Place it outside in the sun and after a half hour or so the bead area of the tire becomes much more pliable.
If I don't feel like mounting the tire myself, there's hole in the wall auto tire shops all over SoCal that will do it, the last guy apologetically asked me for ten bucks after I asked how much?
Metzlers are indeed hard to hand mount with tire spoons, due to the small amount of sidewall they have, but you can do it. I use a solar oven. It's just any kind of enclosure the tire fits into with a clear plastic sheet over it all. Place it outside in the sun and after a half hour or so the bead area of the tire becomes much more pliable.
If I don't feel like mounting the tire myself, there's hole in the wall auto tire shops all over SoCal that will do it, the last guy apologetically asked me for ten bucks after I asked how much?
I'll probably go spend the $80 at Harbor Freight for their portable tire changer with motorcycle attachment. A couple of tire changes on our 2 motorcycles and it will pay for itself.
Back on the original topic of the thread - you guys that are spending $500-600 to get 2 tires put on a motorcycle are scamming yourselves.
It's not hard or complicated and if you do it yourself you will learn plenty that you'll be glad you know (like how to test and adjust your belt tension). This is my 4th motorcycle and second Harley, all bought used. I am no mechanic - I just have a service manual and Google. I barely use more tools than I have in those 2 chrome teardrop toolboxes on the sides of my bike (for most jobs, I don't even open both of those) and I've never taken my motorcycle to a mechanic in my life. Just finished putting a starter on the FXST below - before that, I had never removed an oil tank or my outer primary cover, much less a starter. Not that hard. Works great.
Before a buddy of mine got a tire changer for his garage, I used to get my tires on line, then take them (just the wheels) to my local Suzuki dealer. $35 mount & balance.
Harley dealers are a last resort for me, for ANYTHING.
Trying to replace tires on my bike. I replace my own tires on my dirt bike but just don't want to do it myself on a bigger bike.
I called 4 HD dealers and got 4 different prices. They all have this "free tire install" scam where the tire price they quote is way higher than I get online with free shipping and no tax.
I asked one dealer if I could provide my own tires and have them install, and they would not. I can get Michelin's for $240 front and back. Harley is quoting $500.
I don't have an Indy near me in Peoria, AZ.
Have you been successful negotiating with HD dealers on better pricing for tires?
Thanks!
Going through the same thing here. I found the Michelin Commander II tires front and rear for $325.00 on amazon. Just need to find and indy to install them. Yep the dealers here want over $500.00 for the Dunlop front and rear tires. But wait there's more, I get a free install. Free my ***.
A chunk of 6x6, tire irons and a bead breaker for the past 30 years for all my bikes and my buddies bikes when they needed help. When I get to old to do that, I'll go to an indie.
Stubby Pro: Black Grip Set Our Original tire changing tool for your motorcycle. This revolutionary tire changing tool is made of a high quality plastic that won't scratch your rims and reduces pinched tubes!.It is the professional's choice! "It really works!"
I use these to break the bead on the old tire (200 rear) and install the new one - the tip is shaped for breaking the bead and then flip them over to lever the bead off the rim. The material is tough and does not scratch the wheels.
I was quite surprised how easy this was to do on my own tire change, and if it wasn't that easy I'd just keep using CycleGear to change the tires.
So, it's just like changing out a bicycle tire...except requiring more stout hand tools, and a whole lot more muscle power. I've had trouble getting some racing bicycle tires over the rim. I can't image the hand strength required to do a motorcycle tire.
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So, it's just like changing out a bicycle tire...except requiring more stout hand tools, and a whole lot more muscle power. I've had trouble getting some racing bicycle tires over the rim. I can't image the hand strength required to do a motorcycle tire.
Little scooter tires are worst, and the skinny 21" on my 1200C was a bad one, needed spoons with that, even on the tire changer. Might seem strange, but I've found the fatter Harley tires to be the easiest, especially without a tire changer. I'm 67, hurts my joints to spoon a skinny tire, but I'm sure I could do the fatter 18's without any trouble. I've had a Harley rear just slip on the rim with some gentle hand pressure, no tools.
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