Ducati Monster Forum

I am new and have never changed tires before. What does everyone do for tire changes? Is the cost savings of buying tires online worth the hassle?

My tires are not worn out completely, but I plan to do this (http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hl=en&saddr=30.46646,-97.77925&daddr=38.67774,-87.26824+to:38.55618,-86.48111+to:37.61078,-82.70633+to:37.14721,-81.24398+to:36.98452,-81.52959+to:36.38964,-81.24977+to:36.27973,-81.37576+to:36.14580,-81.71233+to:35.91058,-81.96720+to:35.73366,-82.31758+to:35.53699,-82.50348+to:35.45405,-82.66629+to:35.30980,-82.88017+to:35.50884,-83.29777+to:35.52517,-83.99316+to:33.47713,-84.60674+to:30.29559,-89.77170+to:30.46646,-97.77925&f=q&om=1&ll=35.719758,-85.9021&spn=6.838989,9.876709&z=7) in March and I don't want to have to change my rear while on the trip... so I am thinking about going ahead and changing before I leave.

I would like to know what the best solution is: buying online and having them installed, OR just buying locally and getting installed locally. And who do you recommend for buying locally if that is the best option?

I'm kinda at a dilemma as to whether to replace before or after my trip. I definitley have life left in my tires, but I would hate to be in the middle of no where in a rain storm with bald tires; however, at the same time, I hate to put new tires on and then immediately square them off with a ton of highway miles. They are not to the wear marks (but getting close) I hear that once a tire gets towards the end of it's life, it tends to go fast??? I have no prior experience, so I don't know.

I would hate to square off a set of brand new shoes too, but better than running the risk IMO.

Consider a commuter tire like a PilotRoad maybe?

The pilot road is definitley on my list: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/10987/ITEM/Michelin-Pilot-Road-2-Rear-Tire.aspx (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/10987/ITEM/Michelin-Pilot-Road-2-Rear-Tire.aspx)
But if I change, I plan to just change the rear, and I have the Bridgestone Battlax on the front... not sure about mixing the Michelin with the Bridgestone, so I am probably going to put http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/11802/ITEM/Bridgestone-Battlax-BT-021-Rear-Tire.aspx?SiteID=CSE_Gbase_396&WT.mc_ID=80003&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45&zmap=11802 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/28/396/11802/ITEM/Bridgestone-Battlax-BT-021-Rear-Tire.aspx?SiteID=CSE_Gbase_396&WT.mc_ID=80003&zmam=88421133&zmas=1&zmac=45&zmap=11802) on the rear..

BTW, my bike will be in the back of a truck for the first 1000 miles of my trip; as I am going to help my dad drive home (he lives in Indiana) and then essentially I am taking the "long way" home. So my trip will be 2000 miles not 3000... don't mean to confuse anyone.

I don't think you would run into too much trouble running the different tires. Worst case, do some miles before you leave and be prepared to swap the front out too maybe?

Honestly, it feels like you know what the responsible part of you wants to do but you want to get affirmation from other people about it. Do what you feel safe doing, I say.

I think you are correct... but I would still like some opinions, so I created this thread in Tech:
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=34952.new;topicseen#new (http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=34952.new;topicseen#new)

I am leaning towards getting the tires online from the motorcycle superstore and then using the "preferred installer" program they have for the installer in my zip code which would be $120 for the tire and then $50 to have it installed. Unless someone on here highly recommends a different installer in Austin.

Tires, contact Willie at http://www.outofbalanceenterprises.com/ (http://www.outofbalanceenterprises.com/)
Good guy, local, keep you money in town,  ride over to his place and he will do it all while you wait.

Or show up to Ming's and ask for Willie and you can talk with him.