So, how bad did I overpay for new rubber?

[Veloce-Fino]

Bought Michelin pilot power 2ct
120/60x17 and a 160/60x17  $110 for the front, $150 for the rear. Came to $261.90 after tax for tires.

Bought in store, figured I'd support a local business.

I ended up paying about $60 for the front and $70 for the rear to be installed and balanced. Tire weight was $10.

The whole deal ended up costing: $400.65

Seems a bit high to me.

Next time I'm bringing in just the wheels instead of the entire bike. Or am I just being cheap?

[DarkStaR]

I've spent more (wheels on the bike)...won't do it again, unless the bikes going to be in the shop for other stuff at the same time.

I usually try to bring it all in dismounted, but you pay for convenience/laziness.

[seevtsaab]

Alot. The Pilot Powers, 2CT, are the cheaper kin to the Pilot Road2s.
I got the powers delivered for under $200 this winter, for both, mounted them myself.
I ordred from Derby Cycles, haven't priced them recently.

I believe my sizes were the same as yours, for the baby Monster.

edit: I paid about $190 locally for a PR2 rear, mounted a couple seasons ago.

[ungeheuer]

If I told you what you'd pay in Australia for the same thing..... would that make you feel better? 

[Greg]

Buy a tire changer and it will pay for itself in 3 sets of tires.

[Monsterlover]

+11tyb.

I have a no-mar setup and it rawks.

I don't even bother balancing them either.  Never a problem and Ive probably done 20 sets of tires.

[Veloce-Fino]

If I told you what you'd pay in Australia for the same thing..... would that make you feel better? 

Haha. Alright, I feel a bit better now.  

Buy a tire changer and it will pay for itself in 3 sets of tires.

I'm considering this. I have a local guy who will balance for me, If I mount them.

[Bigbore4]

I'm considering this. I have a local guy who will balance for me, If I mount them.

Plus a ton on the NoMar.  Huge savings in PITA.  Nomar and others have balancing equipment too.  If you ride a lot, have more than one bike, a bunch of riding buddies, it will pay for itself in spades.

Rather than charge folks to do tires I ask them to bring me a jug.  Saves on my whiskey bill, costs them far less than going to a stealership or dinging up the rims DIY.  And then of course we can break out the glesses and ice after the tahrs are mounted.

[caperix]

It all depends on what area you are in.  Buying online will save you alot on tires, but many shops will then charge you more to mount them.  Even bringing the wheels in seperate from the bike, I usually get chaged 1 hour labor, about $70 were I live for 2 tires mounted & balanced.  I am looking to pick up my own mounting & balancing equipment, will look into the no mar.

[DucHead]

Buy a tire changer and it will pay for itself in 3 sets of tires.

ding ding ding

[rideserotta]

Anyone ever try DynaBeads for balancing? http://www.innovativebalancing.com/motorcycle.htm

[fastwin]

Have a local independent guy that mounts and balances mine. He has a No Mar and yes it does rock! He has even mounted several sets of tires on BSTs (no, not mine ) and is very proud of the zero scratch job he has done on them. He's very careful and methodical.

He even likes to check the balance of the wheel before he mounts the tire. He found the rear wheel on my Gixxer 1000 to be WAY off! It took a shit load of weight to get it right. He even covered the weights with 2 part epoxy and waited until it dried before mounting the tire and re-balancing. Said it must have been a manufacturing snafu, he'd never seen a stock factory wheel that far off. 

[jsd2]

Recently I ran over something and had to replace the rear tire.  My dealer was out of the size I needed for my 696 and he told me it would be quicker and cheaper to buy the tire online.  He had me ship it to the shop and he installed and balanced it for $35.  I paid about the same price as you.  I would actually prefer to buy it from him even if it is $20 or $30 more because he is the only Ducati Dealer within 4 hours of my house and I want him to stay in business.  So I think the price of the tire was pretty good but at least compared to my dealer the install seems a bit expensive.

Jim

[DesmoDiva]

Recently I ran over something and had to replace the rear tire.  My dealer was out of the size I needed for my 696 and he told me it would be quicker and cheaper to buy the tire online.  He had me ship it to the shop and he installed and balanced it for $35.  I paid about the same price as you.  I would actually prefer to buy it from him even if it is $20 or $30 more because he is the only Ducati Dealer within 4 hours of my house and I want him to stay in business.  So I think the price of the tire was pretty good but at least compared to my dealer the install seems a bit expensive.

Jim

Do you go to Williamsville Competition?

Recently paid $70.00 for have two tires mounted and balanced from wheels that were off the bike.  Will be paying that again by the end of the week on another set. 

[ducatiz]

Anyone ever try DynaBeads for balancing? http://www.innovativebalancing.com/motorcycle.htm

there is a whole thread on this that I think was locked due to the flamewar that resulted...