Cost of tire installation
Road Master
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 874
Likes: 60
From: new york
I just went to a local bike shop here on long island last week. they quoted me $270 exact, to change out the stock spoke wheels to my new mag wheels. front & rear. keeping the same rubber.
Last edited by scottylonebull; Aug 4, 2015 at 09:00 AM.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 1,966
From: PA
Quoted price is in line with what they charge anywhere for this task... so no, not out of line in terms of the quote.. What were you expecting to pay? 50 bucks??! It is not complicated to do, but it is all labor... an independent shop will be less expensive than the HD dealer for sure...
I don't begrudge the worker earning his money and charging to install tires, I just don't want to get ripped off. My local dealer quoted absolute top dollar for a set of tires, about $120 more than the set would cost online. The online people are obviously making a profit, so the dealer was really making some gravy, and then charging top dollar for installation. Next town over, another HD dealer sells the tires at a 13% discount, and installation isn't bad either. It definitely pays to shop around.
I should have my new tires installed tomorrow. Thanks all for the feedback. And thank you wachuko for posting the pics of the tools, I will definitely be hanging on to that info.
take it to an indy
check www.bikebandit.com for cheap tires w/ free shipping.
have the tires shipped to an you local independent shop. my indy charges 25 a tire.
DO NOT GO TO THE DEALER UNLESS YOU HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. THERE WILL BE NO ASTRO GLIDE OR KY-JELLY USED ON YOU. ...but you'll get a cup of coffee.
well, no the people at lancaster harley are honest and fair... they know that the farmers don't have the freeflow. they did my 883/1200 conversion supercheap
check www.bikebandit.com for cheap tires w/ free shipping.
have the tires shipped to an you local independent shop. my indy charges 25 a tire.
DO NOT GO TO THE DEALER UNLESS YOU HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS. THERE WILL BE NO ASTRO GLIDE OR KY-JELLY USED ON YOU. ...but you'll get a cup of coffee.
well, no the people at lancaster harley are honest and fair... they know that the farmers don't have the freeflow. they did my 883/1200 conversion supercheap
Last edited by cvaria; Aug 11, 2015 at 09:14 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 192
Likes: 3
From: FBI Surveillance Van, UT
Yeah, if it wasn't so cheap, I'd get the spoons and do it myself. I've done the tires on my dad's heritage a couple of times and the hour and a half of my time is worth more than $20 and I get no satisfaction out of changing tires anymore. Did that too many times racing mountain bikes.
If you are worried about screwing something up, don't be. It's almost impossible to actually install a tire wrong if you follow the directions. Now you could ding up your rims if you aren't careful and go metal to metal but that's just cosmetic. As I said above, at the price I get, it's dumb for me to not just have someone else do it. Much higher, and I'd be buying the spoons and they would be paying themselves off within a year.
If you are worried about screwing something up, don't be. It's almost impossible to actually install a tire wrong if you follow the directions. Now you could ding up your rims if you aren't careful and go metal to metal but that's just cosmetic. As I said above, at the price I get, it's dumb for me to not just have someone else do it. Much higher, and I'd be buying the spoons and they would be paying themselves off within a year.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 586
Likes: 126
From: Boston
I got a tire w/ slow leak in the rear tire of my 2005 Roadster. I had a ride in 2 days planned so i needed it quick. I went to the local Harley dealer (Boston HD) and they did it on the spot for $325 . Included the new tire, install and disposal fee for the old tire. Yes it sucked but I wanted to ride that weekend and did not want unsafe tires. I could of held out for shipping from an online dealer and had an indy install.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Cost of tire installation
I just had new tires put on my 09 883. I'm a certified mechanic but just didn't have tools or time to do it myself. Went to a local independent shop and got charged $150 or 2 hours labor. Would have been less had I taken him the rims but again didn't have time. Only took him 1 1/2 or so and I was back out riding.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 989
Likes: 286
From: West Virginia
Been in the tire bizz for 36 years now and we change bike tires carried in for $10 each tubeless or tube types. A little extra if you want balance beads inside or if they have bead locks. We have 3 machines that will change most all bike tires.
Due to insurance and time involved we don't remove them from the bike but I have patched several for people passing through our area just by braking the beads down and pulling one side of the tire off while the whole thing remains on the bike.
Due to insurance and time involved we don't remove them from the bike but I have patched several for people passing through our area just by braking the beads down and pulling one side of the tire off while the whole thing remains on the bike.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 1,966
From: PA
Well I got my new tires today, woo hoo! The tires on this bike (which I bought a week ago) were the original tires from 2007. 8 years old!! I went to Pocono Mountain HD. They sold me the tires at 20% off. The front is spoke, so that got a rim strap and inner tube. Took them around 2.25hrs to do the full job, and that was $180.
The tech test rode it, came back, and pulled into the shop again. Uh oh. Vibration at 40-45mph on decel. Lifted it, found the steering was too loose. Did some adjusting, rode it again - perfect.
When we were wrapping up I asked about my jiggly clutch lever. He said there's an anti-rattle spring in there. He knealt down, reached in with a screwdriver, and out came a piece of plastic. 10 min later I had a new anti-rattle spring.
They also did a state inspection.
I rode outta there feeling good! It rides great, and they were professional from start to finish. I paid more, yes, but I don't feel like I got ripped off. They spent extra time with me and made sure my ride is safe and ready to go.
Thanks all for the feedback.
The tech test rode it, came back, and pulled into the shop again. Uh oh. Vibration at 40-45mph on decel. Lifted it, found the steering was too loose. Did some adjusting, rode it again - perfect.
When we were wrapping up I asked about my jiggly clutch lever. He said there's an anti-rattle spring in there. He knealt down, reached in with a screwdriver, and out came a piece of plastic. 10 min later I had a new anti-rattle spring.
They also did a state inspection.
I rode outta there feeling good! It rides great, and they were professional from start to finish. I paid more, yes, but I don't feel like I got ripped off. They spent extra time with me and made sure my ride is safe and ready to go.
Thanks all for the feedback.