K11 Owners Group

Stoked Steve · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:50 pm Post subject: Outrageous Dealer Tire Prices

I'm all about suporting the local M/C shops and usually give my local BMW shop a chance to quote on certain things. Then, I get a price quote from them that makes my blood boil and I say SCREW 'EM!

I needed a new front tire and called my local BMW dealer for a quote on a Road Pilot2, mounted if I bring the wheel in off bike. First he says $300! and after I got my breath back, I said, "off bike"? Oh, he says, well then that would be only $250! I tried to stop laughing long enough to say OK, thanks....

I then went online and found Derby Cycles, http://www.derbycycles.com/ ordered and got the tire for $125 plus $11.50 shipping. It was on my doorstep two days later.

The last time I bought online tires and asked my local BMW dealer if they would mount them, they said "NO!, we don't mount online tires, we spend a lot of money making sure the right tires are here, in stock, for people who need them ASAP". But, he said they'd be happy to balance them for me, WTF???

In contrast, my FRIENDLY local HONDA dealer said they'd be happy to mount them, they just couldn't balance them because of not having a BMW adaptor for the machine.

So I took my new tire to them with wheel off bike and they charged me $24.50 TOTAL to mount and dispose of my old tire. A very reasonable charge.

This really pisses me off. If the BMW would charge a reasonable amount for the tire and mounting (and had less attitiude) I'd be happy to give them the business. But $90 more for one tire?! No way.

So the next time I need some gloves, or a new helmet, or anything not specifically BMW, who do you think I'm going to go to first? My friendly Honda dealer, he has earned my business and appreciates it!

Rant mode off!

Now I have a nice new RP2 I can't wait to try out! No thanks to BMW!
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:28 pm Post subject:

Steve,

On this current tire change (from Z6 to Pilot Road 2) I went and bought the tool to bust the old tire off the rim and a Marc Parnes balancer- I already had tire irons.

I figure what I bought came to about $150 and I can do my own mounting and balancing from now on. No more of who will or won't do what.

I used to do my own years ago when I roadraced- it isn't difficult at all.

JMHO

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Stoked Steve · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 7:41 pm Post subject:

I considered attempting a mounting by myself, but then read about what was needed, problems I might incur, damage that might happen to my rims or discs, etc.... heck for $25 a tire, I'm more than happy to let someone else do it. A tire usually lasts me 3-4 years, so I'm not a rapid wearer of tires.
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:26 pm Post subject:

I priced tires on line from swmoto, they had a good price.
I then priced the same tires from my local Independant(mostly Harley) shop. They were a little bit more but they included mounting and balancing (well the front anyway). I bought the balancer mount and adaptor so I can balance the rear and check the balance of both each spring.
I'm all for trying to support our local business as well, so long as they can be reasonable.
I may get into mounting my own someday, just not yet.
_________________
Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Jim · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:58 pm Post subject: tires

I probably posted this before. The closest BMW dealer is an hour (at least) south of me, and it can take more than half a day to drive down, get anything done, and drive back. The closest multi Asian brand shop is a real POS - I won't do any business with them. There used to be an independent shop near here that sold tires, accessories and riding gear - he actually had a pneumatic tire machine and spin balancer - until he closed shop.

Based on what others had posted here - I bought the Harbor Freight motorcycle tire changer - what a piece of crap! I sweated, swore and scratched the rims - then I bought the Mojolever: http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoweb.htm and the Mojoblocks: http://home.comcast.net/~prestondrake/mojoblocks.htm This is a great setup! I've also got my eye on one of these: http://www.nomartirechanger.com/product/show/10

I bought the Marc Parnes balancer before I got the tire changer - the balancer is a class act!

By the time I could take a wheel off, take it and a tire somewhere, get the tire balanced and mounted, then come home and re install the wheel, I could easily tie up 4 hours or more. Being able to do the work here is a real time and money saver.

I agree with you about some of the BMW dealers.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

joeangi · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:26 pm Post subject:

Just started changing tires myself, not as bad as it seems. I would rather trust myself to take the time to do it right. I agree, it cost about $150 to get the right tools, but now I am all set. The nearest dealer to me is in Manhattan....and you can just imagine what they would charge. I ordered some Michelin RP2's from Sport Bike Track Gear...nice guys, came right away. The radials seem to be easier to install than the bias ply on the K100RS.

Hardest part for me, was new valve stems....you need a special tool...who woulda thunk it???

Off the grid · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:12 pm Post subject:

A quote for 500 for a set of Lasertecs mounted and balanced are the reason why I never set foot in a BMW dealer in the last 2.5 years.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

michaelcurrin · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 8:43 am Post subject:

I've been mounting my own tires ever since a dealer left off a spacer on the back brake of the Triumph chopper (this was about thirty years ago and the back brake was the only brake) and left me brake less. It was a downhill exciting ride out of the parking lot onto a 4 lane road. (It was a now defunct HD dealer in another state that was having a free mounting and balance tire sale.)

I use a harbor freight bead breaker, a plastic bucket that drywall compound came in to set the wheel on and a couple tire irons. Also a no name static balancer I've had for years.

The car tires on the sidecar rig get mounted at the gas station , bur I just mounted pilot road IIs on the GTS last weekend.
_________________
Mike Currin
20 BMW R1250RS
93 BMW K1100RS / EML Speed 2000
06 Ducati ST3
67 Triumph 650 chopper

John Clauss · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: Re: tires

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 9:40 am Post subject:

I admit that the thought of mounting/balancing your own tires may seem difficult. But do it once- maybe with someone who has done it before- and you'll see that it really isn't too hard at all.

I find getting the old tire off to be the more time consuming task.

The Parnes balancer really works well- nice piece of equipment.

TRY IT, you'll like it!

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Jim · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:47 pm Post subject: Re: tires

dave n · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:53 pm Post subject: DIY tire changes

I've been using one of the Harbor Freight changers for a few years now - with a No Mar bar.

Yes it is crude but still much eaiser than on your knees on the floor with tire irons. The bead breaker on it is a real time/labor saver also.

Recently did a set of 1800 Gold Wing wheels. Those tires were a bitch - Dunlop 250. Very stiff sidewalls made it two man wrestling match.

There are a few independent shops around here now that will mount/balance tires bought elsewhere - most of the big dealers will not.

All depends on your own situation - time; money; space; competence( easy to scratch rims / bend brake rotors)
_________________
Dave Norris KOG 248
1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon
1993 K1100LT w/Hannigan sidecar
2008 Suzuki DR650

Stoked Steve · Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2009 9:45 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 2:31 am Post subject: No Mar

Thanks, Steve. I'm holding out for that unloved (actually despised), dust collecting NoMar piece of junk in Robesonia, PA - figure it's only worth about $100.00 or so...
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."