POLL: How Much Would You Pay To Have Tires Mounted?

[troy]

Dealers and most local shops don't want to install tires they did not sell you. They claim liability concerns, but pretty sure it's more about protecting their interests. I think you could make the argument that you are actually less liable for tire issue if the customer purchased the tire somewhere else. Entire industries crumble while defending their interests instead of adapting to new consumer behavior. Barnes & Noble vs Amazon. Block Buster vs Netflix.

Also consider that traditionally shops charge a relatively low fee to mount your tires when you purchase the tire because they are able to offset some of the labor cost with the tire profit. This has trained people to not value tire mounting as much as perhaps they should. This is something consumers should consider when comparing prices of tires online vs the local store.

Local store charges $195 for tire and $25 to mount = $225. Online Discount store charges $165 for the same tire, but now you have an installation hassle and it will cost more than $25....unless you do it yourself, which is the ultimate manly option--why are we even having this conversation?! Pansies!

On top of the cost, you also have work to do--either haul your bike (assuming the tire won't hold air) or get out the tools and remove your wheel and haul it to the shop. I'm sure it's easy to take off work to make this happen...right?

How many of you would like to be able to simply call or email someone who takes all the hassle out of it? What if that person had a mobile rig and could come to your house (or wherever your motorcycle is) to mount & balance your tire(s)? Assuming you are saving all that cash by buying discount online, how much would you pay for such a service?

As you choose your answer to this poll, I hope you really remember back to the last time you either changed a tire yourself on your garage floor or had to remove your wheels to take to a shop or haul your bike to get new tires mounted.

Also feel free to post your additional thoughts!

Would you find this service more convenient if it offered evening hours?

How likely are you to go ballistic if you find a tiny, new scratch on your rim?

Would you be likely to use a service like this for oil & filter changes?

[ajayhawkfan]

I said $5 I have a NoMar tire changer. $5 and I would consider selling it.

As for oil changes, I have the dealer do it because I want them to check the bike out to make sure all is OK.

[Savage]

I always change my own tires, but if I was feeling lazy I would pay if the fee was reasonable and I trusted the person. I think $30 for 1 tire, $50 for both would be reasonable.

[bird man]

I purchased the nor mar tire changer and do my own.
Several things brought me to this decision.
First I tired of paying someone (this was several years ago) 25 and up to change a tire , and sometimes bend or scratch my rims up. At the time was usually still buying the tire from the dealer.
Second living where I do the closest place to get one changed or purchase one was 50+ miles away. The expense and trouble of traveling to get them changed was a big deal and added significantly to the cost.
Third with several bikes and no longer than a tire lasts we were changing a lot of tires.
Changing a bike tire is not rocket science and the more you do it the easier it gets , so now I am changing all my own and for friends also. I even went so far as to purchase a balancer, easy to do and does make a difference.
As far as what to pay, If I was to charge someone to change one I would probably want at least $30 a tire, especially on a tubed dirt bike tire. If I had to take the tire and wheel off the bike, well.....depending on the bike I may want more.
About the tire changer , if I was to do it over I would buy or build a good bead breaker and buy high quality tire spoons and forget the tire changer apparatus.
So now I buy tires cheaper on the internet put them on myself and never leave home to accomplish the task.

[hbadventure]

I currently pay $30 to a local tire shop, who hates me, but they do it for me cause I bring snacks, and tip people when it is clear that i need to.

[xr-nut]

$50 was my vote. I have a no-mar and a lift, I do not pay anyone to do it. I change tires for other people as part of my car dealership and for friends. If you come in off the street and I get to pull the wheels, its 50 per. If you are a friend and bring me the wheel and a 30 of coors light, I might do it for free. Without the beer its 20 bucks. I also have a tire machine and balancer at home, sometimes bike wheels fit right on the snappy tire machine and make changes a 2 minute deal!

I get supporting local business, always did, but more so now that I am one.

[troy]

Relative to the discussion, Engle Motors told me last week that they will install whatever tires you bring them. In fact, people order tires and have them sent to Engle's all the time so Engle's can do the install.

The boys at Skunkwerks Moto in Springfield, MO replaced my F800GS rear tire in 6 minutes. Not kidding. That was from rolling onto the lift to rolling out of the garage. I watched--they even loosened the ABS sensor to pull it back out of the way. I was rolling through their town and called head asking if they could change a tire pretty quick. The answer is, "YES".

[ajayhawkfan]

Relative to the discussion, Engle Motors told me last week that they will install whatever tires you bring them. In fact, people order tires and have them sent to Engle's all the time so Engle's can do the install.

The boys at Skunkwerks Moto in Springfield, MO replaced my F800GS rear tire in 6 minutes. Not kidding. That was from rolling onto the lift to rolling out of the garage. I watched--they even loosened the ABS sensor to pull it back out of the way. I was rolling through their town and called head asking if they could change a tire pretty quick. The answer is, "YES".

I buy my tires from Engle's because there will match any online price and what to support the local dealer.

[Creekside]

I do the fronts, but a 150 rear with tube is just too much for this guy on the ground. I just take it somewhere for $25. No pinched tube then from me mangling the crap out of the tube and rim and trying to bend the brake discs. I'll have to see about the 140 rear on the husky 350. Those real knobbies might go on easier than the 150s. Few more rides and I'll have to get a new rear.

[Motoracer13]

My opinion is kind of skewed. Probably because I work at a local shop and I have my own tire changing machine. The shop I work at will mount tires that you bought elsewhere and brought in, But if you bought them through our store you get a $4 discount per wheel for install and don’t have to pay the $3 tire disposal per tire. So it can save you $14 if your getting a set mounted that you bought through us. The shop will also price match as long as it’s not eBay or amazon.
I can’t share the secret to mounting bib mousses as I like reading and laughing at all the post where people have problems mounting them( I know,mean right?).