Needed new tires at 5000 miles
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 225
Likes: 62
From: East Coast
Needed new tires at 5000 miles
Just had my bike at the dealership for the 5000 mile service. The dealership called and told me I needed new tires. I new the back needed to be changed, but the front I honestly haven't paid much attention other than checking the air every few rides. I told the service guy to give me a price on the Dunlop American Elite instead of the OEM 407s which was quoted at close to $900 (even more for the 407). Anyway, 2 new tires will be here from Revzilla for $336 shipped and a new No-Mar Classic will be here in a few weeks. I am all for the dealership making money, but just can't see paying that much for tires. Especially since I will average 7-10 thousand miles a year. Already have a J&S Jack and make a living as a machinist/mechanical engineer, so have all the tools to check the bearings as well as the service manual. Just have never changed a motorcycle wheel, so it is time to learn. Just trying to decide if I will change out my bearings while I have the wheels off? And if I will use HD or aftermarket? Oh yeah, going to do my own services from now on as well.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 852
Likes: 54
From: Dallas tx
How many miles on the bike? You should probably start thinking about bearings around 70k miles. Not sure what Harley recommends, but from experience that about the time they start going south. My riding buddy replaced his at 90k. Unfortunately he was on a trip when the rear gave out..
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 614
Likes: 79
From: Iowa
There's plenty of good videos on Youtube for how to pull the front and rear wheels. Watch a couple of those, consult your service manual as needed and you'll be set. Then just take the wheels to what ever shop you want to have the new tires installed. I use the honda shop because they do good work and run me about $60 to install a set with new tubes and rim strips.
I was in the same boat. The harley dealer wanted something like $600 to order and install tires. (thats with me bringing the wheels in, not the whole bike). And they won't install tires that aren't purchased through them. I told them to go kick rocks.
I was in the same boat. The harley dealer wanted something like $600 to order and install tires. (thats with me bringing the wheels in, not the whole bike). And they won't install tires that aren't purchased through them. I told them to go kick rocks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 55
From: Londonderry, NH
Just had my bike at the dealership for the 5000 mile service. The dealership called and told me I needed new tires. I new the back needed to be changed, but the front I honestly haven't paid much attention other than checking the air every few rides. I told the service guy to give me a price on the Dunlop American Elite instead of the OEM 407s which was quoted at close to $900 (even more for the 407). Anyway, 2 new tires will be here from Revzilla for $336 shipped and a new No-Mar Classic will be here in a few weeks. I am all for the dealership making money, but just can't see paying that much for tires. Especially since I will average 7-10 thousand miles a year. Already have a J&S Jack and make a living as a machinist/mechanical engineer, so have all the tools to check the bearings as well as the service manual. Just have never changed a motorcycle wheel, so it is time to learn. Just trying to decide if I will change out my bearings while I have the wheels off? And if I will use HD or aftermarket? Oh yeah, going to do my own services from now on as well.
I usually remove my wheels and have someone mount and balance them...both my bikes have spokes and tubes....so really a pain.
I used to remove and mount tires on my old British bikes and dirt bikes. I've gotten older and wiser and prefer to have someone else do that part. Most of the cost savings is in the tire cost and labor saved by removing and remounting the wheels yourself.
If you plan to do your own services, it's a good time to look at wheel bearing replacement and brake pads.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,927
Likes: 962
From: Texas
Just had my bike at the dealership for the 5000 mile service. The dealership called and told me I needed new tires. I new the back needed to be changed, but the front I honestly haven't paid much attention other than checking the air every few rides. I told the service guy to give me a price on the Dunlop American Elite instead of the OEM 407s which was quoted at close to $900 (even more for the 407). Anyway, 2 new tires will be here from Revzilla for $336 shipped and a new No-Mar Classic will be here in a few weeks. I am all for the dealership making money, but just can't see paying that much for tires. Especially since I will average 7-10 thousand miles a year. Already have a J&S Jack and make a living as a machinist/mechanical engineer, so have all the tools to check the bearings as well as the service manual. Just have never changed a motorcycle wheel, so it is time to learn. Just trying to decide if I will change out my bearings while I have the wheels off? And if I will use HD or aftermarket? Oh yeah, going to do my own services from now on as well.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 912
From: Omaha
But if the front tire is worn out at 5000 miles then something is wrong with the front end, you hit something hard or the tire is defective.
Looking back at my records on OEM Dunlops I average around 7500 for the rear and 15000 for the front and the front was only changed due to cupping not tread wear.
As for the $336 price for American Elites that seems reasonable, however $600 for a tire changer seems a lot to spend unless you're going to be changing a lot of tires.
I had the rear replaced last year and the front about month ago.
I went with Commander IIs and the online price was right at $300 for both shipped.
My local Indie charged me $330 for both and that included installation and balance. (they charge $35 if you bring the tire in)
I like doing my own work too even if I don't save any money doing it but I've changed bike tires before and you couldn't pay me $35 to mount and balance a tire.
Anyway good luck and do a review of your No Mar Classic.
I'm sure there are others out there that might want to go that route.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 632
From: NorCal Rocklin
Wow, spent big bucks on a No Mar tire changer. It won't be that hard to do since you have one of those. Dont forget to get a balancing stand unless you want to put that ride on goo. If you have spoked wheels your going to need a balancing stand anyways and a dial gauge to check the rim runout for spokes.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
5kwornout
I have an 11 Fatboy Lo and 5300 was the best I ever got out of a tire(metzlers, Dunlops, Mitchlens). Around 35k I went from Commander ll's to American Elites and have almost 9k on them and looking like I will get another 1500 out of it. Been running 42lbs in the rear and 41 in the front. About 6 years ago I found a Coats 220 tire machine in a yard sale for 250$ and it's payed for itself many times over the years(especially when your only getting 5k per rear tire). Suddenly have more friends in the riding community. I use Centramatic tire balancers and Dyna beads for balance and it works well.