New Tires

[2ducs]

Hi riders. I'm getting tired of spooning on new tire and contemplating giving the dealer the business this time. Looking to try PR4 GT or 5 GT.
Could you guys that take this road to new skins chime in with average cost? I've been told my dealer charges list for the tires and no charge for mounting.
Thanks in advance

[escapefjrtist]

Don't know your location, that will have a bearing on cost. In the PNW, you're not getting much change back from $500 for what you describe.

~G

[2ducs]

What I thought, thanks.

[raYzerman]

You may find a place that installs tires, options are you take the wheels in or you take the bike in... prices range... budget say $50 a wheel? More if you take the bike in. But at least you get to find tires at the best price that way.
I am told Cycle Gear installs for free if you buy from them...... no experience, we don't have those in Canada.
https://www.cyclegear.com/stores

[ionbeam]

...I'm getting tired of spooning on new tire and contemplating giving the dealer the business this time...I've been told my dealer charges list for the tires and no charge for mounting...

...In the PNW, you're not getting much change back from $500 for what you describe.

Wow, what's that in real currency? That's like 3.5 rolls of toilet paper

Without any shopping around, online I can find a set of PR4 for $338. More dealers are now offering to install tires even if you didn't buy them from the dealer. This is a significant improvement from a few years ago; no buy from us, no install. What I'm seeing at most Motorcycle brand dealers in NH is something like $45 per wheel to mount/balance if you bought from them and $75 per wheel if you didn't buy from them.

Since 2ducs time is free, invest a little time in some research. Call the dealer and ask what they offer for price and install. Your call is anonymous so dig right in. When they quote your $450 or more for purchase & install tell them you are aghast at the price, tell them you would rather keep your money in the local economy and nicely ask if there is anything they could do to help you with that price. In advance you need to know what online tires cost (with shipping if any) so you can assess what the dealer is making on either the tires or the service. Asking is free.

The final decision is always yours as to how much you really hate putting on your own tires. I'll mention that putting the tires on yourself you will know the care and quality of the job. At a shop, it's usually the lowest paid, newest employee that will be servicing your wheels.

[NTXFJR]

What Ionbeam said ^^^^

I've run the PR4's and was reasonably happy with their confidence inspiring grip, especially in the wet. Ionbeam's note of around $338 online seems about right My dealer charges $95 per set for carry ins. I bought a Harbor freight m/c tire changer a couple of years ago on sale for $90 which greatly helped with tire changes and saves me the trip across town.

[fjray]

In my shop I charge 50.00 per end if you bring in the bike or 20.00 each if you bring the wheels. That includes mount, balance and disposal. I make a little on most but lose on some . I charge extra for tube type and more for rim locks. If I get you the tires I add 20.00 per tire for my time finding you the best price. I'm cheaper than most but I don't have any overhead and a workforce of one. The drawback is that I work when I feel like it and at my pace.

[escapefjrtist]

Based on FJRay's rates, I need to increase prices...

~G

[raYzerman]

Same boat, G!! Now if I could just keep working on my own stuff...... but that pays even less.

[bill lumberg]

I pay $50 per wheel, ride in, ride out. That’s low.

My shop charges me the same for tires as I would pay online. That’s just how he prices his tires. I Iove the 4GT, and like the 5GT even more. Bought the last set with a rebate.

[fontanaman]

Maybe it is time for a new spoon????

I change my own and am happy to save the money and hassle of taking it to a dealer. I don't imaging a dealer will do it for less than $50 per tire.

[JTRC51]

I have a NoMar tire machine and do my own tires. I used to do others but decided the small $ wasn't worth the trouble. I like doing my own tires vs. paying others to do it.

[Spininprop]

Im in south central pa, buy tires off revzilla cheaper than the dealer. Jack my bike up and take the wheels and new rubber to a dealer. It's about 60 bucks to mount and balance plus disposal, i think. I pay the bill, as im done putting on new rubber.

I run road 5. Awsome tires. On my second set and will be my third set this year. Well unless covid sticks around.

[danh600]

We have a Ride Now dealer that price matches and installs for free. They have about 30 dealerships so I guess they get them cheap.

Most dealers around here give a discount from list and charge about 50 a tire for installation.

You have to shop around down here.

Talked to one dealer that charges 75 per tire installation and list price.

[BkerChuck]

Made friends with a guy from the other sandbox when I first bought my 2007 FJR who lives near me and has tire changing equipment. I buy online, have them shipped to his house so I don't need to carry them with me. Costs me a case of Guinness bottles to go hang out with him and we swap both tires and tall tales for a few hours. Actually, he doesn't even ask me for the beer I just started taking it over as that's his preferred beverage. We also do our own valve checks and adjustments, rebuild front forks, and have our own mini tech days when the need arises.

Having worked for a HD dealership for several years I can tell you that most of the time a dealership can't begin to beat most of the online tire sellers for pricing. Dealer I worked for is pretty large and even with my employee discount it was still cheaper for me to buy online. If your dealer is willing to match online pricing you'd better jump on it and say thank you because they're likely selling them at a loss to get the installation.

[Cav47]

I have a line on a No-Mar that has all the bells and whistles. Extra posiclamps and he has the balance station with weights and everything. He wants 750 for it and seems pretty firm. He said the set up cost him $1,200 since it is the deluxe package or something like that. It is the hitch mount version. Is it worth it?

Th guy that has been doing my tires is getting old, scratches my rims sometimes, and is sometimes hard to get into or get ahold of. But he is cheap. Usually $20 bucks per tire if you bring the wheel only in. I can see paying 5-600 hundred, but 750 seems kinda high.

[wheatonFJR]

I have a line on a No-Mar that has all the bells and whistles. Extra posiclamps and he has the balance station with weights and everything. He wants 750 for it and seems pretty firm. He said the set up cost him $1,200 since it is the deluxe package or something like that. It is the hitch mount version. Is it worth it?

Th guy that has been doing my tires is getting old, scratches my rims sometimes, and is sometimes hard to get into or get ahold of. But he is cheap. Usually $20 bucks per tire if you bring the wheel only in. I can see paying 5-600 hundred, but 750 seems kinda high.

I got a brand new nomar classic-floor mounted from nomar in 2014 for less than he is asking.

[raYzerman]

Get a Cycle Hill (made by Nomar) for even less than that..... easily made a hitch mount with a piece of 2" square tubing and a coupla U-clamps... or as I did, made a wee platform base of plywood and have it floor mounted (it is a little on the low side, needed some height).

[wheatonFJR]

I like my NoMar. Show me a photo of your cycle hill.

[raYzerman]

Cycle Hill with Baltic Birch plywood base to raise it up a bit, sliding rest for tar/wheel when using the bead breaker. Square tubing and clamps to make it a hitch mount if need be. Note the standard wheel clamps on a Cycle Hill are the optional ones for the NoMar.