tire for beginner/city use

[Commodus]

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH

TOO many opinions, not enough info. and Com', 150 for a tire is not cheap. See, I like to eat every once in a while, so while I CAN and if i must WILL pay 150 for a tire, I'm kinda hunting around for that really good value tire that perfroms reasonably close to a premium tire, but doesn't cost as much. (I'm cuttig the ol food budget for this stuff. the beer budget is already spent, I'm not saying on what)

And on a side note. I have family in BC, and they are ALL weird. something in the water over there?

I need to know WHY you guys think a tire is good. obviously if you liked a tire you love that tire, cause ya bet your @$$ on it. I need some level of comparison. I realize most people haven't gone through 3 or 4 sets of tires, but for those of you who have, can you give me some referance?

Or what tires do you guys NOT like? Whats failed for you?

And I would ask if synthetic or Dynosaur oil is better, but thats pointless. everyone knows synthetic is the only way to go\\/

Thanks everyone!

BentRod

Oh sorry dude, I thought $300 for a set of tires was a great price! Mind you, that's mounted, balanced, after taxes, etc. An "out the door" price - but I have to bring in just my wheels.

I like the BT45s because they grip very predictably, wear evenly and long (at least for me!), and hold very nicely in the wet. And, they're the cheapest tire that have all of these qualities, at least that I have seen. The Metzlers and Pirellis I have used and I like them, but they are not significantly better than the BT45s, and they are more expensive - in my market, at least.

 

[Guest]

It is insanely expensive to buy M'cycle tires locally (in Canada)...both you guys, check out www.imotorcyclestore.com (in the U.S.) and you will save about $150 at least on a set of decent tires....make sure you specify shipping with USPS...their default courier is UPS...you will be sorry if your items arrive via those scumbags (expect to pay them $80.00 for 'brokerage'). Also expect a 3week delay till your tires actually arrive, due to customs backlog etc. (the vendor usually mails the stuff out within 24 hours, but international parcels seem to take forever to get over the border via mail).

Tony.

 

[Commodus]

Well, looks like from them it would be $200, plus shipping, taxes, and installation/balancing.

I think I'll just buy them from my local dealer, heh. Maybe if I could change my own tires I would use that site.

 

[BentRod]

Local store

Local store

I called into a local shop, on their last day before holidays i might add, and they told me that if i buy a tire, they will mount and balance for FREE. the funny part is that it is a harly d shop. those guys do get good customer service. he told me he already had mich', pirelli, avon, and dunlop in stock. he wasn't sure if they could get a king in my size, but that he did have kenda. he's supposed to get back to me on a price for the bt-45.

I couldn't ask about the chengshin tires, cause either i couldn't pronounce it, or he couldn't understand me. I tried to spell it but some how that failed too.. oh well.. its a harly shop.

keep the advice coming, it is much appreciated

 

[Guest]

Well, looks like from them it would be $200, plus shipping, taxes, and installation/balancing.

I think I'll just buy them from my local dealer, heh. Maybe if I could change my own tires I would use that site.

IIRC, shipping to Canada is a flat $10.00 (free in the US)....there is no tax to speak of....except the Canadian Customs ' import duty'....the vendor thoughtfully underpriced the tire on the invoice so I paid a grand total of $10.00...installation/balancing are'nt in this equation....they remain the same , regardless of where you purchase the tire...looks like you will still save almost 1 bill...Pirelli Sport Demons worked out to about $100 cheaper per tire compared to the prices locally here in Ontario. Your choice....maybe stay with the local vendor if you prefer...I know I will never buy locally again.
Tony.

 

[Guest]

I called into a local shop,..... and they told me that if i buy a tire, they will mount and balance for FREE........ he's supposed to get back to me on a price for the bt-45.

Bent Rod, do shop around and compare some prices...maybe let us know where you find the best deal....if your bike is parked for the winter, there is plenty of time eh? They will sweeten the deal with free mount/balance, if they mark up the tires drastically to begin with, so shop around a bit.

Tony.

 

[Commodus]

IIRC, shipping to Canada is a flat $10.00 (free in the US)....there is no tax to speak of....except the Canadian Customs ' import duty'....the vendor thoughtfully underpriced the tire on the invoice so I paid a grand total of $10.00...installation/balancing are'nt in this equation....they remain the same , regardless of where you purchase the tire...looks like you will still save almost 1 bill...Pirelli Sport Demons worked out to about $100 cheaper per tire compared to the prices locally here in Ontario. Your choice....maybe stay with the local vendor if you prefer...I know I will never buy locally again.
Tony.

I would be absolutely stunned if shipping on two tires was $10. Yes, the import tax was the one I was referring to.

If I buy the tires from the local dealer, installation is free.

 

[BentRod]

ok.. going by tread, looks like the tire on the front of my bike is a Chengshin HiMax.. if i match on the back will that give a better performance over all? or would i still greatly benifit from say, a BF-45 or D404?

 

[Guest]

I would be absolutely stunned if shipping on two tires was $10.......

Apparently, it was (and still is) $10...
http://www.imotorcyclestore.com/cgi...ims+jaxy3098+_DInfo_02worldwide_5fshipping_01

The difference in prices seems to be more marked on the premium tires (though they are selling a set of CS Himax's for $100 too)....ultimately, you will have to do a few sums and see if its worthwhile for you I suppose.

Tony.

 

[rickt]

More Tire Stuff

More Tire Stuff

I've been putting tires on motorcycles for 35+ years and many of these posts with tire prices are I would say, entertaining. For years I have purchased tires from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse and have never found anyone who could beat their price. e.g.
Cheng Shin 100/90 x 19 $31.95; 120/90 x 18 $38.95
Bridgestone BT 45 $71.95; $79.95
Pirelli Sport Demon $84.95; $91.95

The stories of spending $300-400 for a set of tires seems rather "unbelieveable." The local charge for mounting and balancing is ~$20-25 per wheel. I can't imagine a pair of top line tires mounted and balanced being much more than $225.

BTW - the manual says that my '78 GS750 should have a 3.25 x 19 on the front and a 4.00 x 18 on the rear. Are 100/90 x 19 and 120/90 x 18 appropriate replacement tires for this bike?

rickt

 

[boris]

the manual says that my '78 GS750 should have a 3.25 x 19 on the front and a 4.00 x 18 on the rear. Are 100/90 x 19 and 120/90 x 18 appropriate replacement tires for this bike?

rickt

i was asking about tyre sizes a few days ago and this link got posted
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/tire-data.htm

 

[Guest]

But Rick Rick Rick, I think you missed the gist of it...these prices we are discussing are to buy tires from local stores here in Canada...there is a huge difference in prices on bike tires here and over the border...apparently some price fixing going on ,and no competition between vendors to speak of.Having spent 2 bills for a Metzeler rear tire myself in the past, I am a believer in the gouging going on. The link I supplied (imotorcycle) beat the MAW price last year when I was shopping around, when you factor in their shipping policy/pricing to Canada...typically their prices I found were within a couple bucks of each other, but a flat $10.00 on shipping to Canada is hard to beat. . Also, a lot of US vendors are reluctant to go the extra mile and ship via USPS to Canada, preferring to use UPS or similar due to their convienience...I don't buy anything if they will not ship USPS.

Tony.

Tony.

 

[Commodus]

I've been putting tires on motorcycles for 35+ years and many of these posts with tire prices are I would say, entertaining. For years I have purchased tires from Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse and have never found anyone who could beat their price. e.g.
Cheng Shin 100/90 x 19 $31.95; 120/90 x 18 $38.95
Bridgestone BT 45 $71.95; $79.95
Pirelli Sport Demon $84.95; $91.95

The stories of spending $300-400 for a set of tires seems rather "unbelieveable." The local charge for mounting and balancing is ~$20-25 per wheel. I can't imagine a pair of top line tires mounted and balanced being much more than $225.

BTW - the manual says that my '78 GS750 should have a 3.25 x 19 on the front and a 4.00 x 18 on the rear. Are 100/90 x 19 and 120/90 x 18 appropriate replacement tires for this bike?

rickt

Well, everyone keeps telling me I'm paying too much, but no one's telling me how to get better prices. I went to that Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse and it lists the BT45s as well over $100, or in other words, more than I pay from my local dealer:

http://www.shopmawonline.com/produc...499500&browse=13173&shopBy=2097&catalogId=213

BTW, $10 shipping is a fantastic price from that other site, thanks for that information! (not the quoted poster, I know)

 

[Guest]

Well, everyone keeps telling me I'm paying too much, but no one's telling me how to get better prices. I went to that Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse and it lists the BT45s as well over $100, or in other words, more than I pay from my local dealer:

http://www.shopmawonline.com/produc...499500&browse=13173&shopBy=2097&catalogId=213

BTW, $10 shipping is a fantastic price from that other site, thanks for that information! (not the quoted poster, I know)

You are welcome.... imotorcyclestore.com beats the MAW prices here quite handily on the Bridgestones as well ....BT45 Rear Tire 139/90/17 for $103.95...the MAW price is $152.95 for the same hoop...do your homework,Commodus. Again, I have no vested interest in this store...have been extremely happy with their price/service, and am putting the word out.
http://www.imotorcyclestore.com/cgi...c5872+_DCatNum_02S21BRI45V_01PageType_02ML_01

Tony.

 

[bwringer]

Since they ship in the US for free if you buy a set, I've never, ever been able to beat the prices found at Southwest Moto Tires:

http://www.swmototires.com
Great communication and fast service, too. Their selection is limited to certain brands, though.

For a much wider selection, excellent service, and also great prices, check here:
http://www.tiresunlimited.com

Both of these are REAL tire sellers, with huge warehouses full of inventory. They're not just some goober with a catalog selling tires from his Mom's basement. This is a very important distinction...

I dunno if they ship to the frozen tundra or not, though. It seems both Canada and the US are getting more and more persnickety these days about goods crossing the border.

 

[Commodus]

Yer, but that's still $200. +10$ shipping, so we're at $210, great price!

Oh, but I still have to pay tax, which is what, 7%? Huh, I actually can't remember, but let's just go with that, for a total of $224 (ish). Oh yeah, plus that crazy tire tax, do you have to pay that for imported tires? Well, let's just say you don't.

Plus install! Let's say it's $25/tire, for the sake of argument, though I think that's a little cheap. So, I'm at $274, which IS $26 cheaper, that's definitely a savings. I could buy two pitchers of beer for that!

Hmm, you have me thinking. But then I'd have to wait for my tires, and that would require WAY more forethought that I'm used to... :-D

 

[gsgeezer]

The better tires warm up quicker. If your tires are too hard, they won't warm up as fast. Cheap tires get higher milage, but if you do a 360 you may wish you bought the best tires you could get.

 

[rickt]

Try checking again

Try checking again

If you go to www.mawonline.com , then to tires, and then to Bridgestone, you should find BTs in both H and V types. The prices range from $70-$90 depending on the size of the tire. I think the prices shown in the site below must be full retail and not the actual maw price.
rickt

Well, everyone keeps telling me I'm paying too much, but no one's telling me how to get better prices. I went to that Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse and it lists the BT45s as well over $100, or in other words, more than I pay from my local dealer:

http://www.shopmawonline.com/produc...499500&browse=13173&shopBy=2097&catalogId=213

BTW, $10 shipping is a fantastic price from that other site, thanks for that information! (not the quoted poster, I know)

 

[Pete's GS]

Try Avon Roadrunners. Metzeler Lasertecs might work too. See their fitment charts. I'd threw away a brand new Kenda Challenger before I'd ride on it.

 

[Commodus]

If you go to www.mawonline.com , then to tires, and then to Bridgestone, you should find BTs in both H and V types. The prices range from $70-$90 depending on the size of the tire. I think the prices shown in the site below must be full retail and not the actual maw price.
rickt

You are correct, they list different prices there...for some reason...and pretty good ones too.

That brings the price down to around the $200 mark, assuming shipping is reasonable.