Tire change pricing you pay?

[Half Squid]

So I went to my local bike shop that is just 2 miles away and I think they are charging too much.

What do you pay and describe if you bring the bike and have them take the wheels off or if you just bring in the wheels and how much & where.

Performance Cycle used to (3 Years ago) charge me $40 for both off the bike, the last time it went up to $50 about 2 years ago.

This place will be left unmentioned for now as I don't want to bash on them if they are in the ball park. They did turn the wheels over to me quick so I am not too upset. they charged me $70 off the bike, which they only charged me $50 last year, why the $20 increase?

Am I wrong or is it a rip off @ $70 off the bike?

I think I may consider buying a manual machine and balancer to do these myself, unless I can find a cheap semi automated one used. Any leads? I will then be doing this service at my house.

[BostonSVkid]

I pay nothing like most people if you buy from boston moto...its included in the price of the tire as long as you can get the rims off the bike and meet them at the track.

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.508 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

I think for a full shop that $25 to $30 is reasonable per wheel. It takes me no longer than 10 minutes to mount/balance two tires with no distractions so $70 is pushing it a little.

[butcher bergs]

I'm discovering that if you don't purchase tires at the establishment, they will charge a bit more for the install.

[Half Squid]

Oh that didn't include taking the shit tires for disposal. But "I Forgot them there" After I mentioned I thought $70 was high and I wouldn't return there I just so happened to lleave the old tires in his office!!!

So that also made me feel better about it!

[Half Squid]

I have a membership, but didn't want to wait to be ready for the track day last minute. I like getting there onloading organizing and then relax and get ready for the fun!

I pay nothing like most people if you buy from boston moto...its included in the price of the tire as long as you can get the rims off the bike and meet them at the track.

[Stromper]

If you have a compressor with a tank the rest you can do for 50 bucks cheap spoons and 2x4 or about 130 harbor freight

I do slightly scratch my rims (probably avoidable) but will have the tires on in less time then to drive to see the stealership..

Balance bikes axle on a pair of saw horses.

[mycirus]

Thats funny, I was quote 60 for both of mine. He said my rear wouldnt pass inspection so he told me to come back when I got the tires. I agree that 70 is too much. Heck, 50 is pushing it.

[BluGixxer]

If you have a compressor with a tank the rest you can do for 50 bucks cheap spoons and 2x4 or about 130 harbor freight

I do slightly scratch my rims (probably avoidable) but will have the tires on in less time then to drive to see the stealership..

Balance bikes axle on a pair of saw horses.

Thumbs up for being creative with a 2x4 , I spent the money for the harbor frieght set up, manual tire machine, motorcycle adapter kit, and the balancer, all pretty much a waste,. the only good thing is the adapted kit , it holds the wheel better then lying it on a blanket, I use a portable aircompressor that you plug into your cigerate lighter in the car, I have been lucky with that so far. .use Plenty of lube,,,,,,,
Stealership says it all, $20-$25 per tire seems plenty fair for a shop with overhead.

[pasta-rocket]

I changed both tires yesterday for a kid from nashua for 40 and that was on the bike! oops

[csmutty]

I usually get charged 12.50-15 dollars a tire off the bike.

[breakdirt916]

Performance Cycle used to (3 Years ago) charge me $40 for both off the bike, the last time it went up to $50 about 2 years ago.

you've been getting a deal...they always charge me $30 per wheel, off the bike, and I bring in my own tires

[Half Squid]

Where at???? Do they beat up your wheels at all, or have a good set up?

I usually get charged 12.50-15 dollars a tire off the bike.

I forgot to mention for you Worcester area guys on the northwest side.

AW Cycles in Holden does a good job for $25/tire. Or it was when I went to him. He may have gone up over the last few years?

Great guy, (Allen) loves to talk about bikes/races/local rips! & He does RIP! I keep telling him to take it back to the track B4 he gets in trouble!

[markbvt]

I don't pay anything for tire changes because I do them myself.

Shops expect me to put the bike up, remove the wheels, drive them over to the shop, wait to have the tires changed (if they can even do it while I wait), and then make me pay far more than their posted labor rate for the 10 minutes it took them to actually do the work (once they got around to it)? No thanks. In the amount of time it takes me to drive the wheels over, get the change done, and drive them back home, I can do it myself with a set of tire irons and an air compressor and have time left over to enjoy a beer or a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Plus I'll be able to afford a lot more of both with the money I saved.

--mark

[Half Squid]

Ok, I need to invest in at least the table/clamping part of this, but would definately feel as if a semi automated machine and balancer would be very helpfull.

What are the suggestions, and or places to locate a motorcycle specific tire changer?

[Ryno]

I have access to a tire machine and do my own.
It's crazy what some places charge

[sandman]

Ok, I need to invest in at least the table/clamping part of this, but would definately feel as if a semi automated machine and balancer would be very helpfull.

What are the suggestions, and or places to locate a motorcycle specific tire changer?

all you need is a set of spoons, a compressor, a 2x4, a car or truck, some lube and a balancer if you want.

harbor freight has a good balancer for around $60

[Charlief]

I spooned my front on but just couldn't break the bead on my rear. Using the 2x4/truck trick used on the front just wasn't working for the rear rim. I finally drove it to a place to have the tire put on...

I balance the tires using dynabeads.

[sandman]

I spooned my front on but just couldn't break the bead on my rear. Using the 2x4/truck trick used on the front just wasn't working for the rear rim. I finally drove it to a place to have the tire put on...

I balance the tires using dynabeads.

did you put lube on the rear before you tried to break the bead?

napa sells some tire lube by the gallon.
imho: the tire comes off and goes on a lot better with it.
iv'e used some sort of soap in a spray bottle for the past 20 years, but like the napa stuff a lot more.

i only started balancing my street tires this year, then again i don't really need to balance them seeing as i never ride over 185mph.

although i do like to have my dirbikes knobbies balanced.
those tires will shake pretty good from 80-125mph

[Fitz]

$10 per rim off the bike including disposal - Dunlop garage at the track.

$15.50 per rim off the car including disposal - Brake & Go in Hudson, NH.

Fitz

[FireboltEric_MA]

All I use is a No-Mar-Bar, a 2x6, and my shed. Been doing them for years now for my riding buddies. Takes me about an hour to do both tires this way. never scratched a rim either. cheaper than paying some one..

[slammp]

go to Tricky Mike. $20 per wheel throw out your own tire. You pay an NESR'ian (keep it in house) and you get a good job!

[RandyO]

mechanics deserve a decent days pay for a days work just like anyone else

shops have overhead, if you don't like what the have to charge to stay in business

while there may only be 10minutes time actually changing the tire, logging the job in, punching the time clock on the job, cleaning and putting tools away, etc are all part of the job, but the time you get everything done, you have a half hour, 45 minutes for 2 tires

if $100.hr is what you have to charge to stay in business, $75 to change a pair of tires is reasonable

if you don't charge that as a business owne you won't be in business long

[MysteriousR1]

I paid $23 a rim last time to my local shop. I brought the tires, they disposed of old. Was done in about a half hour.

[R7]

Ok, I need to invest in at least the table/clamping part of this, but would definately feel as if a semi automated machine and balancer would be very helpfull.

What are the suggestions, and or places to locate a motorcycle specific tire changer?

It wasn't so much for spending the money at the dealership for me because I still think their prices are reasonable for tire changes. It's more the time it takes to drive down there, wait and drive home. It's about a 3 hour deal last time I had them change them. I finally bought the NoMar and just changed my first set a couple weeks ago. No scratches but it took me a while, plus there's a learning curve to it like everything. I still saved myself 1 1/2 hours of my personal time and the $60. I'm sure after doing a few more, I can do 2 tires on my bike including taking them off the bike in about an hour.

You should have called me, I would have helped out out

NoMar