It's Getting Ridiculous
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,928
Likes: 117
From: Ashby, Ma
Hey, regardless of the high cost of this stuff.. and all the other stuff.. I gotta say, that's a pretty nice scoot ya' got there.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 7
From: Boston, MA
And if I did pay the dealers labor rate, I wouldn't come on to a public forum and cry like a baby about it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I buy my tires on line for half that including a battery. Do my own work. It is an easy process to change a tire or install the battery.
With 16 HD's in my garage and doing the work myself, I save enough money in a few years time to buy another bike.
I am an unskilled know nothing person. I only know lefty loosey righty tighty. And some times I get caught with a darn left handed nut/bolt that throws me for about 5 minutes.
That has served me well along with a couple tire irons and other Harbor Freight tools. See! I don't even know enough to buy "quality tools".
Either do it yourself or pay the man. Whining about the cost is not an option. Tell it to the person looking back at you in the mirror.
Oh by the way I'm only 74 years old with arthritis, past heart attack, bad liver, bad kidneys and diabetes. I forget it all when working on the bikes then go for a ride.
With 16 HD's in my garage and doing the work myself, I save enough money in a few years time to buy another bike.
I am an unskilled know nothing person. I only know lefty loosey righty tighty. And some times I get caught with a darn left handed nut/bolt that throws me for about 5 minutes.
That has served me well along with a couple tire irons and other Harbor Freight tools. See! I don't even know enough to buy "quality tools".
Either do it yourself or pay the man. Whining about the cost is not an option. Tell it to the person looking back at you in the mirror.
Oh by the way I'm only 74 years old with arthritis, past heart attack, bad liver, bad kidneys and diabetes. I forget it all when working on the bikes then go for a ride.
Last edited by lh4x4; Mar 30, 2015 at 08:33 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
When the demographics of who buys Harleys began changing back in the 80's, so did the cost to get them fixed. The percentage of people able or willing to work on their bikes has for sure dramatically decreased so you have to pay more now. Its the way it is, unfortunately.
With the increased complexity and computerization its going to be harder for everybody working on their own bikes. Since the extended warranties and service plans are the going thing, many people don't seem to care what the cost is. Many of them trade every year or 2 anyway.
With the increased complexity and computerization its going to be harder for everybody working on their own bikes. Since the extended warranties and service plans are the going thing, many people don't seem to care what the cost is. Many of them trade every year or 2 anyway.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 125
Likes: 3
From: Claremont, NC
I'll start by saying that I'm not defending the dealer. With that said, I have been a commission technician all my life. Most dealer techs for Harley are not I know, but when a person has years of experience and thousands in tools, they should be compensated. I pay the dealer to change my tires. I don't like the price, but I bought the bike to ride. If I wanted to work on something, I would stay at work or own a race car. I ride enough that I put at least two tires on each year. When people ask about gas mileage, I tell them it doesn't make up for tires. I know this and except it. BTW no one ever complains about the price of a new house if the contractor finishes early!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,150
Likes: 459
From: S. FL
Honestly at your age I could understand this not the time to start turning wrenches on your bike....but man, a batter change is 4 bolts. There's gotta be a riding bud or someone that coulda given you hand. I help my buds all the time on their bikes.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Some people say the two happiest days in a boat owner's life are the day he buys it and the day he sells it. I'm beginning to think the same may be true of bikers. I went to pick up mine today after it had to be towed to a local H-D dealer because of a dead battery. While it was there, they told me that I probably would need to replace the rear tire in a thousand miles. So, since I am planning on a mountain trip this Spring I opted to have them go ahead and replace the rear tire. Bottom line, $540 for the tire and battery and labor. If I had to pay that for a car, I would trade it. In my opinion, $160 for labor is a bit much for changing a rear tire and installing a battery. Oh, they said the labor charge on the battery included checking the charging system. That probably took all of five minutes.
Did you get the price before they started? If you did, and gave the work a go - how can you bitch after? You could have said no and called around for the best deal on a tire replacement.
I don't get people.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 742
Likes: 1
From: Down South Jukin'
There's just a little bit of a difference in changing a car tire and a bike tire. Battery too.
Bicycle tires are way easier, but many of those riders can't change those either.
Learn to do it yourself, or you gotta pay.
Bicycle tires are way easier, but many of those riders can't change those either.
Learn to do it yourself, or you gotta pay.