Tires

 Where do you all buy your tires?  I have a couple online places staked out,
but all things considered I would prefer shop locally, but to be honest I
can't find a place locally that has a large selection or that wouldn't order
them online themselves.  Are they not common enough to the point where
sellers just aren't very common.

Note:  Like I said I have a few sites staked out already, so my question is
more exasperation at how hidden they are.  Costco don't have them, Les
Schwab don't have them, Big-O don't have them, the dealers have them at
unbelievable prices.  I'm in Seattle in case you care.

 On Tue, 27 Nov 2007 19:02:36 -0800, "Eigenvector"


www.swmototires.com

Last three sets have come from there. So will the next set.
sleazy
'01 R1150GSA - "Terminator"
'95 Trophy 1200 - "SPT2R"

 

The problem is not so much where to find the tires, but
who to find that will install them. Not so many years ago,
many/most shops here(Texas) would install the tire for
free, or a very nominal charge, if the tire was purchased
at the install shop.

It appears that this is no longer the case. I've heard all
kinds of excuses for not installing a mail order tire....

1). Insurance won't permit.
2). We don't know the source/condition/authenticity of
    the tire.
3). We can't make any money just doing installs of other
    retailers tires.
4). On, and on, and on....

Personally, although it's probably more expensive, and
maybe a lot more, I prefer to just buy the tire and get it
installed at my favorite retailer. It's a lot less hassle, and
I suspect that's the reason that so many objections are
placed in front of you by the local shop.

Of course, you can mount/balance the tire yourself. I did
for many years, but you'll need the following materials
and equipment.

. Some way to get the wheel off the ground.
. Some way to balance the new tire.
. Tools.
. A source of compressed air.
. Blood pressure medication.
. A robust first aid kit.
. Lots of hand cleaner.
. A dedicated sense of accomplishment in the face of any
    obstacle(s).
. And last but not least, ability.

 Anonymous wrote:

The price quoted to me for both of the tires I wanted for my Concours
was $200 more (that was the *lowest* quote I got) than the online price.
  And that didn't include mounting/balancing @ $25 per wheel (off the bike).

Dealer by me would do the tires I brought in for $35 (off the bike)
each.  I went to Harbor Freight, bought their tire changer and
motorcycle adapter, a gallon of RuGlyde from Napa, and a box of wheel
weights from JC Whitney.  Total cost for the necessary stuff was $100.
(And since I had two bikes that needed tires, I saved more than that on
labor alone)  I don't yet have a compressor, so I went to the local gas
station that has free air and used theirs.  Used a couple of jackstands
and the axles from the bike to do the balancing.  Heck, I could have
bought a balancing stand and probably *still* been ahead...

I probably would have considered one of the local shops if their prices
were *somewhat* reasonable.  But c'mon.  $200 more in profit for two
tires???  Are they kidding???  They'd have to order them anyway,
(probably from the same distributor that drop-shipped them to my door)
so they really can't claim any overhead.  I would have bought them, and
let them do the work for $50 more (plus labor) but not if they are going
to screw me that much.  I thought they might work with the price a bit,
but they wouldn't even budge.

--
"Outback" Jon  -  KC2BNE
outback_jon@ver.no.sp.am.izon.net
AMD Opteron 146 (@2.8) and 6.1 GHz of other AMD power...
http://folding.stanford.edu  - got folding?  Team 53560

2006 ZG1000A Concours "Blueline" COG# 7385 CDA# 0157
1980 CB750F SuperSport <== For Sale $1200

 


My friendly independent motorcycle mechanic is happy to install and balance
any tires I bring him for $20 a whack.