Tire replace - take it to dealer?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 910
Likes: 304
Uncle Larry, as a matter of fact I do own a small business. For the 'few years' I have been around Harleys I have never personally ran in to a dealer who wouldn't change tires. I have heard of some on this Forum, just never seen one until this one. It is their decision....... I know of a bunch of larger and smaller H-D dealers who will mount tires on rims off the motorcycle.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
Uncle Larry, you are correct...I have an appliance repair business, my best pal ran a car repair business for decades, there is NO advantage for a business owner to install customer supplied parts...they will expect you to warranty their parts without you being able to make any profit on them. Happens EVERY time you try to do a favor for a customer.
Last edited by Veekness; Dec 14, 2013 at 04:48 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 77
From: dallas
as for owning a business and not installing customer parts that tells me you are not out for the customers benefit. You can always modify your warranty or return policy but to not use customer parts is lame.
Plus bike tires are a little different in that a dealer may not carry a tire you prefer. Just my 2 cents
Plus bike tires are a little different in that a dealer may not carry a tire you prefer. Just my 2 cents
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
I always buy tires before I need them when my dealer has a 20% off sale. When I need to replace I take my wheels in with my receipt. They offer free mounting and balancing if you buy the tires there. I have found I can't beat the price anywhere when I add all these savings up.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I don't use stock tyres, so can buy alternatives from wherever it suits me. My nearest and most convenient source of tyres and fitting them is actually my local Yamaha dealer, who I take my Harley and Buell wheels to. They were even able to supply and fit new wheel bearings from stock, to replace the crap Buell originals! Any tyre fitter should routinely balance wheels. It is worth asking all suitable nearby sources of tyres for a price. Most of them should be able to get whatever you want, probably overnight.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,377
Likes: 647
From: Santa Clarita
as for owning a business and not installing customer parts that tells me you are not out for the customers benefit. You can always modify your warranty or return policy but to not use customer parts is lame.
Plus bike tires are a little different in that a dealer may not carry a tire you prefer. Just my 2 cents
Plus bike tires are a little different in that a dealer may not carry a tire you prefer. Just my 2 cents
I agree with you about tires being a different deal, though. The company that I have used once to mount a tire that I got online not only charged double...which I understand for the reasons outlined earlier...but they had a very comprehensive hold-harmless statement that I had to sign. But for a small town businessman, it's not the norm to have such a form, and I can tell you that the customer will twist that around..."Oh, I didn't know what I was signing..."
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
See if there are any mobile tire installers in your area. Last tire I replaced, I bought the tire online from Chaparral and found a local service that came to my house and installed it. I took the wheel off before he arrived, so he only charged $45 to mount and balance. If he has to remove the wheel, he charges $65. Now that I found this service, I'll never take mine to a dealer for tires again!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 102
From: Central Illinois
I am fortunate to have a great independent bike shop locally that will mount any tire I bring in to my wheel. I remove the wheel from the bike and bring it in. I buy the tires through Dennis Kirk and the shop mounts them and balances them for around 30-40 bucks each. He does them to perfection without scratching the wheel.
Phat Jax in Pekin, Illinois if anyone in the area needs his services. I think he primarily works on Harleys as that is all I ever see in his shop. He is a full service place and keeps pretty busy.
Phat Jax in Pekin, Illinois if anyone in the area needs his services. I think he primarily works on Harleys as that is all I ever see in his shop. He is a full service place and keeps pretty busy.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Oregon
Tires
Tried to do mine myself, thought I was being real careful with the rotors { wished I would have taken them off) I tweaked a rotor. Bought replacement off ebay. Found a local guy who changed them, off the bike, for 20 dollars a piece, well worth it and he does it in less that 30 minutes. I use dyna beads so balancing isn't a problem.
