| Author | Message | ||
     Big_island_rider |
I really try to support my local shops but DAMN! Toothless, my Ulysses, needs new tires. SO I go into the ONLY local shop that carries ANY tires that will fit. Look at several different brands/models and decide on the Michelin Power Road 3s. So come home and do some research. Spend hours searching for an online retailer that will ship to Hawaii. Here is how the prices break out: BTO Sports - Front & Rear combo $320.98 + $55 shipping is $375.98 Local shop Front $240.95 Rear $311.95 + Tax $24.89 is $577.78 That is a difference of $201.80. Oh and they want $45 per wheel to mount and balance with wheel off the bike. I don't curse often but FU(K THAT! | ||
| 46champ |
All I can say is try a different shop. I buy a lot of stuff from the local dealers I have 3 H-D shops local but I took my tire business to the Huskavanara dealer and it was all about price. | ||
| Rick_a |
I've found that if the tires are a common type/size the prices will be comparable to internet stores when purchased as a set. If it is uncommon in size or type...forget about it. These have saved me a lot of money...it just costs more in sweat and elbow grease.  | ||
| Bartimus |
Revzilla is close in price to BTO, and has free shipping. Check with other shops, HD shops are always expensive. Our local BMW shop only charges $25 a wheel, off the bike... | ||
| Pwnzor |
You live on an island, so unfortunately you are subject to the whims of those who sell things on the island. Will Amazon not ship to Hawaii? Here's a set for $229.99 with free shipping | ||
| Teeps |
Big_island_rider Posted on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 So come home and do some research. Spend hours searching for an online retailer that will ship to Hawaii. Here is how the prices break out: BTO Sports - Front & Rear combo $320.98 + $55 shipping is $375.98 Local shop Front $240.95 Rear $311.95 + Tax $24.89 is $577.78 That is a difference of $201.80. Oh and they want $45 per wheel to mount and balance with wheel off the bike. Brah, that's the premium you pay for living in paradise. Time to learn how to roll your own!  | ||
| Thumper74 |
My local metric shop is about $50.00/tire OFF the bike. I'm tempted to buy a NoMar to do tires out of my home garage until I'm done with the stuff for my real shop | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I bought a cheap Harbor Freight tire changer. Paid for itself after I mounted the first set. I NEVER balanced any set that I changed and had NO problems. Crazy? I thought so until I was told by the people racing Sunday's on a shoe string budget that is was no problem... and it was no problem  and one from back in my midlife crisis  | ||
| Ourdee |
I use plastic from oil jugs to protect the rims from the spoons. | ||
| No_rice |
Just because people want to be able to say it is, doesnt mean its always the dealers fault the tires/parts are more $$$... I've worked at a dealer for 10 years now. I cant even buy tires for my buells through here. well i can physically buy them through here, but even at our cost noticeably they cost more then i can order them online and have them shipped to my house door for... we go through alot of tires, but we dont go through enough to get the massive discount that some of the other places to because of the sheer bulk of tires they sell a year. As far as mounting and balancing, thats not a bad price. its pretty much the going rate. | ||
| Big_island_rider |
46chanp, There are NO other shops. Only 2 motorcycle dealers on the entire island and only 1 or 2 independent shops that work on them. Bartmus, Went through the buying process and input the REVHAWAII code but upon talking to a service rep they do not ship tires to Hawaii. I told them it would be helpful to include that in their shipping policies to save me time. Same as it ever was. Pwnzor, Some Amazon retailers will and I suspect if you are a Prime member it is free but I have not signed up yet for it. Might be time to do so. Teeps & norice, Yah I know but it still sucks to have almost no support from vendors or shops. I am not cheep and do not begrudge anyone a reasonable profit but it did not cost them $200 to ship those tires here. (Message edited by big island rider on April 21, 2016) | ||
| Reepicheep |
Balancing is easy as well. I do it for peace of mind, but like wolf, I never had a problem not doing it. http://www.amazon.com/Pit-Posse-Motorcycle-Balance r-Balancing/dp/B004MSYQBU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1 461267465&sr=8-2&keywords=motorcycle+wheel+balance r (not sure that is the one I got, but it looks just like it. I bolted it to some welded up old bed frame, which I just clamp in my vise. Static balance, not dynamic balance, but you can balance down to the weight of a gnats wing if you so wish). | ||
| Reepicheep |
(Just make sure you get one wide enough for Buell sportbike wheels with that pulley, they are about as wide a wheel as you will find. The one I have is wide enough for a Uly wheel) | ||
| Jim2 |
Is there a sears? That have some motorcycle tires. | ||
| Cupcake_mike |
I mount and dont balance all of my own with 3 tire spoons and 2x4s...of the probably 30 or 40 pairs I have done in my life I have only ever come across one that I couldn't get mounted easily (wide tkc80) which is why I was glad we have a vehicle maintenance shop at work (used the tire machine after hours). More than likely the problem was it was 50 F in the shop and the rubber wasn't wanting to move those last couple inches to get it on the rim. Additionally, I mentioned this particular b*tch of a tire to the guy working at the local cyclegear and he said if I run into a problem again to just bring it in and he will seat it the last bit for no charge. Literally takes 5 seconds on the tire machine so no sweat off his sack. | ||
| Pwnzor |
If you want to use my prime shipping, we can figure that out easy. PM me your shipping address, and you can send me money through paypal if it works out correctly. | ||
| Jim2 |
I have to spread the word about tire changes using the zip tie method. Just Google drawkward zip tie method and there is a video. | ||
| Greg_e |
There are many videos on the zip tie method, never tried it but looks like it should work on most wheels and tires. | ||
| Big_island_rider |
Pwnzor, That is a very generous offer and I might take you up on it. Mahalo. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
I go tired of paying stealerships a fortune to scratch my rims up decades ago. I will share a tidbit about the main BMW stealersgip in st Louis. My S1000rr had a 3 year warranty, at 2 years id developed a clutch noise, I had it in for a check up and the mechanics foreman assured me it was normal sound. I disputed that it was dampner springs and we argued he refuses to do warranty work. It's now out of warranty and I take it back for a service. Low and behold they tell me it needs dampner springs, new clutch and a output shaft bearing. Imagine that. This is just one of doezens of horror stories I have had with stealerships. HD, Metric, German .... It doesn't matter. They are all the same. The S1K is the last new bike ill ever purchase. If I've got to pay for warranty work might as well buy a used one and work on it myself. I'm sure many people have had wonderful stealership experiences and I'mglad for you if you did. I never have. End of rant. | ||
| Big_island_rider |
***Update*** Found a deal on Amazon, not Prime, for $257.07 and no shipping for Pilot Road 3s. That is about $7 more than the front tire + tax from the stealer. Gonna check around more for a shop to mount and balance. If no better price I will do it myself with the zip tie method. |
