Where do you guys go for new tires?

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I don't know how you guys feel about reviving old threads - some hate it, but I don't see the purpose of starting a new thread over adding to an old thread with valuable information in it.

Anyhow...I needed to replace the tires on my bike.

I found this very thread that recommended Pete's . I was skeptical that they could possibly touch F9, GP, etc and even moreso when I went to their website. They didn't post prices on the Dunlop Roadsmart IVs I was after; you have to ask them online for a quote. A few minutes later I had quotes for front and back.

The rear tire alone was about $100 less than all the big players I knew. I love GP Bikes, but they were $120 more than Pete's. The front was also less expensive in proportion.

Now, I knew from this thread that I could probably take that quote back to GP or F9 or Royal, that they might match it and I might save the $40 I paid Pete's for shipping, and I might be able to pick up my tires in a day or two as opposed to waiting a week for it to be delivered.

But I decided that I preferred to give my money to a smaller operation (I assume) over a bigger one that is going to gouge me unless I can prove to them I know I can do better.

So TL;DR: check out Pete's. They're the real deal. Thank you to everyone who pointed people to Pete's in this (old) thread. You all saved me a bunch of money!
 
Thanks for sharing. I will need to look for Pete's info in this thread as I was thinking on getting the RoadSmart 3 or 4 when my tires are due.
 
Bought the Roadsmart 4 after my Roadsmart 3 were past due for replacement. Pete's is legit and will buy from there from now on. Date stamp was new on the front tire. Not so much on the rear but price was too good to pass up. Was looking at T33 and Road 6 but decided to give Dunlop another chance. They feel great both dry and wet.
 
Yup, Pete's Superbike has had the best prices for years. When I used to work at dealerships we would match the price if someone asked, but it left very little profit.

Just keep in mind, some places will charge you more to instal tires purchased elsewhere. But there are also a lot of shops that don't care and just have a flat rate mounting and balancing rate.

Heres the website @PacoT

Canada's #1 Choice For Motorcycle Tires, Parts, Helmets & Apparel - Pete's Superbike

Order the top brands of Motorcycle Tires, Helmets, Jackets, Pants, Boots, Gloves & Accessories with the lowest prices and fast FedEX shipping in Canada! With tons of inventory ready to ship and live stock access from all the big names like Alpinestars, Scott, Michelin, Pirelli, Dunlop, Anlas...
www.petes-superbike.com www.petes-superbike.com
 
Yeah, I know most places will charge me more to mount tires I didn’t buy from them, so now I am on the hunt for a guy in the Orillia area who charges reasonable money for tires. Is this something any tire guy can do? In an emergency I found a small place in Orillia that I liked when I recently needed to replace a car tire, but I have read lots of stories of dinged rims.

This will be the first time I didn’t have a dealer change my tires with wheels still mounted, but I do need to learn how to remove my wheels.

There’s a big part of me that would like to learn how to replace the tire itself, but it seems like this is a job almost everyone agrees is worth leaving to someone else.
 
NuggyBuggy said:
There’s a big part of me that would like to learn how to replace the tire itself, but it seems like this is a job almost everyone agrees is worth leaving to someone else.
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Depends on what bike, what tire.

Dirtbikes/enduros are easier. Larger diameter, skinnier rims and soft carcass tubed rubber. Inner tubes and rimlocks may complicate things.

Street/touring bikes would be harder. 17" wider rims and stiff carcass tubeless.

If I had to pay someone $120 every time I wanted to change a tire, I'd go broke very quickly. I've done five this season already (street and dirt).

Also, if you care about the shape of your rims, take it to a shop with a machine. Less likely to scratch them up.

And sometimes you don't have a choice...

IMG_8718-X3.jpg


Suffice to say, after the first trailside tube change, I no longer care about the condition of my rims.

Black sharpie is my friend.
 
Lightcycle said:
Depends on what bike, what tire.

Dirtbikes/enduros are easier. Larger diameter, skinnier rims and soft carcass tubed rubber. Inner tubes and rimlocks may complicate things.

Street/touring bikes would be harder. 17" wider rims and stiff carcass tubeless.
Click to expand...

You are 100% right about that. In addition to that, modern sport touring tires have gotten stiffer than they used to be, which is good for longevity, but bad for you if you're trying to spoon them on. I used to mount my own (using the zip tie method), and eventually got my technique good enough where I was able to do it fairly quickly but within the last 5 years or so I've found it nearly impossible to mount the rear, last time I did it it took me like 4 hours. I still do my own fronts, but for the rear (190, I always buy sport touring tires which tend to be really stiff) I've found a place in barrie that will do it for $40 if you bring them the wheel. Sometimes you can save a couple bucks by asking them to not balance it, since that's something you can easily do at home.
 
danp said:
I've found a place in barrie that will do it for $40 if you bring them the wheel. Sometimes you can save a couple bucks by asking them to not balance it, since that's something you can easily do at home.
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Who’s your guy in Barrie?
 
Lightcycle said:
Depends on what bike, what tire.
Click to expand...
I remember cursing all afternoon trying to replace the tire on a little garden tractor. Soft, small tire with rims I absolutely didn’t care about. I get little enough time to ride as it is. I do want to remove the wheel myself, not so much to save the money but so that I can do it if I end up in a situation like you found yourself in @Lightcycle!
 
NuggyBuggy said:
Yeah, I know most places will charge me more to mount tires I didn’t buy from them, so now I am on the hunt for a guy in the Orillia area who charges reasonable money for tires. Is this something any tire guy can do? In an emergency I found a small place in Orillia that I liked when I recently needed to replace a car tire, but I have read lots of stories of dinged rims.

This will be the first time I didn’t have a dealer change my tires with wheels still mounted, but I do need to learn how to remove my wheels.

There’s a big part of me that would like to learn how to replace the tire itself, but it seems like this is a job almost everyone agrees is worth leaving to someone else.
Click to expand...
There's Duffield Powersports in Barrie.

Or ask for Frank at New to You Tire in Barrie 461 Dunlop St West.

I have not used either, but they're mentioned in the local sportbike group a lot. Bring your rim off the bike.
 
I just go to Fartnine and order the latest version of the same tire I started with.
Bridgestone Battlax T30, T31, T32 or whatever the heck they're up to now...
I get the "GT" version since I think they're more betterer for a heavier bike like the FJR.

Install is DIY.
 
NuggyBuggy said:
I remember cursing all afternoon trying to replace the tire on a little garden tractor. Soft, small tire with rims I absolutely didn’t care about. I get little enough time to ride as it is. I do want to remove the wheel myself, not so much to save the money but so that I can do it if I end up in a situation like you found yourself in @Lightcycle!
Click to expand...
That's actually a bad example. Small wheels are harder. I remember fighting with tires on my trailer (8" rims) after some how getting one on I simply could not get the second and ended up buying a whole new rim/tire.
 
I went with Ace when I last put tires on the track bike, have always been very happy. Then I quoted a new set of rubber bought elsewhere for the Griso (spoked rims but tubeless), then he wanted $80/ea to install. Local Hamilton crusty bastard wanted $90/ea. Pro 6 did them for $55/ea. Tires were bought at Revco after lots of comparison shopping with Pete's, Fortnine, locally, etc.
 
timtune said:
That's actually a bad example. Small wheels are harder. I remember fighting with tires on my trailer (8" rims) after some how getting one on I simply could not get the second and ended up buying a whole new rim/tire.
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I've had the same battle with 8" trailer tires. A couple of days ago I put 2 new front tires on my lawn tractor. I used this method. It was pretty easy.
I used C clamps to break the beads.
 
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NuggyBuggy said:
Yeah, I know most places will charge me more to mount tires I didn’t buy from them, so now I am on the hunt for a guy in the Orillia area who charges reasonable money for tires. Is this something any tire guy can do? In an emergency I found a small place in Orillia that I liked when I recently needed to replace a car tire, but I have read lots of stories of dinged rims.

This will be the first time I didn’t have a dealer change my tires with wheels still mounted, but I do need to learn how to remove my wheels.

There’s a big part of me that would like to learn how to replace the tire itself, but it seems like this is a job almost everyone agrees is worth leaving to someone else.
Click to expand...

If you ordered the Dunlops, there's a rebate that covers the Roadsmarts.

 
Relax said:
If you ordered the Dunlops, there's a rebate that covers the Roadsmarts.

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Nice. I’m going to apply. Having said that, Pete’s wrote the invoice in a funny way. There’s a “combined total” line item for x$, and then two line items describing the Dunlops , each at 0$.

I wonder why they did it that way - maybe their price includes the rebate baked in?

Edit: it also says tires must be bought in person…:(
Edit2: “Sorry, there are no current offers for online purchases. While there may be no rebates available at this time, we still hope you enjoy your new Dunlops. Thanks for trusting us to be part of your ride”

They were still cheaper at Pete’s by a good margin even after shipping.
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