Tire replace - take it to dealer?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
if you have any indys in your area check them out. One of the 3 in my area has a tire & balance machine and does it for cheap if you bring in the tire & wheel. He did my front in 10 minutes for $10.00.
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 69
From: Northford, CT
An Indy close to me charges almost the same as the internet prices for the tire. If I buy the tire from him he does not charge for mounting and balancing. Dropped off wheels at 6:00 at night he called me at 8:00 next morning to pick them up. I would call local Indy dealers before doing anything.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
Local Indy told me he doesn't make any money selling tires and I should buy them online and bring them to him to change/mount/balance. 50 bucks a wheel on the bike. I don't/can't do much of myown work anymore and he also installed my sceam'n eagle 103 jugs/pistons, Andrews cams, Front springs + ricor valves plus lots of other parts I bring in. Parts not warranty but labor is. I keep going back... Had another great guy that did service work in his garage I took tires to but he moved to the hills. Looks funny to ride around with a tire around your neck...
Last edited by 0ldhippie; Dec 15, 2013 at 03:03 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 959
Likes: 5
From: Oswego, IL
Local dealer here will remove the wheels, install, and balance new tires, tubes, and bands if purchased from them...... For no labor charge........ No brainer for me. I know the MSRP price vs. internet price with a charge for install and balance...... along with time for me to remove the tires....... All the same in the long run.
They have an express lane on saturday....... get there early and be out of there in an hour or two.......
They have an express lane on saturday....... get there early and be out of there in an hour or two.......
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,087
Likes: 22
From: USA
Bring the wheel in yourself to an indy. Don't have them balance and they should charge you a few bucks less. Buy Ride-On to put in the tires for punctures sealing and balancing. GREAT stuff and no weights.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,350
Likes: 647
From: Vegas, baby!
For years I have ridden to one of several local shops, tire or motorcycle, that will remove wheels/tires, mount tires bought there, and install them on the motorcycle. This is included in the price of the tire.
Last edited by rjg883c; Dec 15, 2013 at 05:02 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,808
Likes: 285
From: Green Country Oklahoma
I buy my tires on line for lot less $$$ then Hd shop then either take to HD or Cycle Gear who ever can do right away,balancing is very important for proper handling. Installing wheel back on the bike follow directions and all torque specs strictly to the repair manual for YOUR SAFETY.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,600
Likes: 4,041
From: Virginia
My dealer has a winter special, free install for the oem Dunlop replacements. Saved about $170 in labor for the 2 tires.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 6,081
Likes: 1,127
From:
Local dealers will not mount outside sourced tires in my area.
Local dealers will not fix a puncture even on tubed tires in my area.
Local dealers wanted $200+ for the change-out, mount,balance of two tires and two tubes.
Took bike into an indy and picked it up a couple of hours later for $200+ less than the dealer (who did not include the rear pads in their price) including replacement of rear brake pads for the same exact tires, non harley tubes and name brand pads.
To be fair the Indy does not supply coffee, doughnuts or wash the bike.
Some places advertise inexpensive tire prices but the gotcha comes in installation cost.
Total cost is the key..
If the dealer would have been only a hundred difference i would have given them the job and used some chrome points but $200+ not including rear brake pads is out of line for me.
To be clear the dealer would be an additional $200+ dollars above indy total cost and would not include parts and installation of rear name brand pads.
Local dealers will not fix a puncture even on tubed tires in my area.
Local dealers wanted $200+ for the change-out, mount,balance of two tires and two tubes.
Took bike into an indy and picked it up a couple of hours later for $200+ less than the dealer (who did not include the rear pads in their price) including replacement of rear brake pads for the same exact tires, non harley tubes and name brand pads.
To be fair the Indy does not supply coffee, doughnuts or wash the bike.
Some places advertise inexpensive tire prices but the gotcha comes in installation cost.
Total cost is the key..
If the dealer would have been only a hundred difference i would have given them the job and used some chrome points but $200+ not including rear brake pads is out of line for me.
To be clear the dealer would be an additional $200+ dollars above indy total cost and would not include parts and installation of rear name brand pads.
Last edited by im; Dec 16, 2013 at 10:06 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 29
From: SE FL & Black Hills SD
Dealer just put a set on my RG $625 said'n'done. How'd I do?
Original Equipment Dunlops had 18,000 miles, still looked fine, but made noise when I leaned the bike. Never had a rear last that long before..
Original Equipment Dunlops had 18,000 miles, still looked fine, but made noise when I leaned the bike. Never had a rear last that long before..