Wondering how much it costs to change motorcycle tires and whether you’d be better off changing them on your own? It all depends on several factors – your budget, how much time you can spare, and how far is your nearest dealership.
The cost of changing motorcycle tires is usually somewhere between $50-$80 per tire depending on your area. It doesn’t include the new tire itself – just the change. Some dealerships offer cheaper tire changes if you buy the tires from them.
If you take the wheels off your bike yourself and bring them to the dealership, the motorcycle tire change cost will be a little less – around $20-$40 per tire.
A hidden cost of motorcycle tire changes is the time and distance to travel to your local dealer. If it’s nearby, that expense is minimal. If you have to travel for more than 50 miles, the cost adds up.
Finally, the cost of changing motorcycle tires depends on the kind of shop you choose. Smaller, local shops tend to charge less than big, authorized dealers, and chain dealers offer better prices if you buy your tires from them.
Changing your tires at a local shop means you’ll get it done fast and professionally. If you’re not mechanically minded yourself, that’s the easiest and simplest solution, especially if your local dealer is nearby.
The disadvantages of changing your rubber at a local shop are the cost (authorized dealers may charge more than $80 per tire change). In addition, a dealer may push you to buy the tires they offer rather than the ones you want; finally, it’s not uncommon for workshops to scratch or damage the rims of your wheels.
If you run mousse inserts, that presents another challenge. Most industrial tire changers with a duck head system cannot handle mousse insert changes, which means the mechanic will need to do it manually – and, chances are, charge you more for the pleasure.
The cost of changing your own motorcycle tires is zero if you have the right tools. Motorcycle tire replacement isn’t rocket science, and you can learn to do this yourself fairly quickly. Stiff sidewall motorcycle tires are a little harder to change, but it can be done – especially if your garage is well-equipped.
Replacing your own motorcycle tires means freedom. You can do it whenever you need to without having to book an appointment and drive to the local shop, you can buy whichever tires you prefer, and it’s up to you to decide when you need new rubber.
Changing your own motorcycle tires is a great skill to possess. Not only you save cash, but you’ll also be able to fix a flat tire roadside instead of waiting for someone to come along and help. Finally, when you change them yourself, all you need to worry about is the cost of motorcycle tires rather than new rubber and the work to replace them.
If you don’t have a lot of experience, changing your own motorcycle tires can be a challenge for the first time. It takes several changes to master the skill, especially if you ride a motorcycle with stiff, hard tires that are usually a little more difficult to remove and mount.
Then, there’s the question of choosing the right motorcycle tire changer. If you’re just starting out, wrestling with your tires using just tire irons can be a nightmare, whereas a tire-changer might make the job much easier.
Replacing your own motorcycle tires can be learned, especially if you start off with the right tools. If you own a dirt or an adventure bike, the Rabaconda ADV Tire Changer is a fantastic solution: simple and easy to set up and use, this tool is designed to make tire changes almost effortless and fast, even if you don’t have a lot of experience.
For street, cruiser, touring, sport-touring, V-Twin, sport, and some adventure motorcycles, the best option is the Street Bike Tire Changer tool that’s adaptable to most wheel sizes and offers extra rim protection. Cast, forged, or wire-spoked wheels, single and double-sided swingarms – the Street Bike Tire Changer is capable of changing almost any tire, at zero cost.
The initial expense of getting a high-quality tire changer may seem a tad steep, but it will save you a good chunk of change in the long run and enable you to change your own tires whenever you need to. Hey, you might even earn a few gratitude beers from your friends if you help them change their tires, too - or perhaps charge a small fee for it!
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