Does this sound expensive ???
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 5
From: Hickory, NC
I usually do my own tires. The last tire I ordered was around $150 shipped to my door. Then I have a local shop that does motorcycle tires, do the mounting and balancing. They charge me $20.
The key to changing a rear tire is getting it aligned correctly. If you don't it will wear prematurely. I use a tool that I made out of a coat hanger and a tie wrap to measure the distance from the center of the axle to the adjuster on each side to get the distance correct.
You just place the hook at the center of the axle, measure out to the adjuster, and slide the tie wrap up or down the tool to mark the distance. Then move to the other side, check that the distance is the same, and adjust if necessary (and of course making sure the tension is correct also).
Hope this helps.
The key to changing a rear tire is getting it aligned correctly. If you don't it will wear prematurely. I use a tool that I made out of a coat hanger and a tie wrap to measure the distance from the center of the axle to the adjuster on each side to get the distance correct.
You just place the hook at the center of the axle, measure out to the adjuster, and slide the tie wrap up or down the tool to mark the distance. Then move to the other side, check that the distance is the same, and adjust if necessary (and of course making sure the tension is correct also).
Hope this helps.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,780
Likes: 69
From: Al Bu Ker Key, New Mexico
About right for around here. Local Dealer offers 20% off Dunlops and installs at $50 a wheel. Wont install whats not purchased there. Most indies are getting $80 a wheel to install and could care less where you get the tire. Tire changes is just one job I wont do. Not my thing. I know I pay more than I should but what's new...its my Harley.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,543
Likes: 6,418
From: Honah Lee
Depends. Local dealer here charges $15 to mount and balance if you buy the tire from him on drive ends. Tire is Harley book price. I have 3 bills from the last 3 tire installations for the dealer across the pond from me who charges that labor like you man did. They are not all the same. Competition is the driving force in what they think they can charge in my opinion. 99% of Harley owners are millionaires any way so it helps the country....
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 770
Likes: 1
From: Coeur d' alene, Idaho
I got screwed by about the same amount last summer. Problem was I blew out a tire on the road and HD roadside assistance takes you to the nearest HD shop so they had me by the short hairs. A new tire, plus tube plus mounting and balancing was about $450. I know I got the Oscar Meyer but was glad to get the help in an emergency so I just grinned and beared it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
I order tires online. Pull the wheel, and there is an Indy shop that mounts and balances the tire for $15.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 773
Likes: 24
From: Findlay, ohio
Bought new tire and then pulled rear tire off myself and had dealer put new tire on rim. Cost of new tire about $150 plus tube and rim strip. Dealer charged $30 to mount on rim and balance. I then remounted on bike. Total cost about $215.