I just priced a set of Dunlops from a local dealer,I do try to support dealers but this is just stupid. His price on a set of tires is over $150 more(plus tax) than I can order them for from a well known company and that includes the shipping cost(which is free.) Hey come on dealer,at least be in the ballpark price wise,jeeez. I mean hell I was willing to pay you to mount them and you charge $130(plus tax) for that and you still want to gouge on the tires? Forget it.

 

Pop went in to a dealer across town,to ask about a rear tire. They quoted him a price of $435. I asked if that included the front too for that price. Service guy didn't like my question too much.

 

Yea but they used Harley certified hot air!

 

Yep,probably Syn3 anyway. That means you only get half air,the rest is a blend.

 

not all dealers are bad just had rear tire installed on 2010 streetglide for 265 total

 

i love my dealer they tuck it to me all the time but it feels good

 

Any business has to make a profit, but there is a fair markup & and then there's gouging. Have you checked a local indy to see what they charge for installation?

 

That's less than the price I was quoted for the rear tire alone(stock replacement.)

 

A few years back I needed a set of tires for the VTX1800 which only lasted 8,000 miles. The Honda dealer wanted $120 to change the tires, and over $550 for the tires plus tax, disposal, shop supplies and all that.

When on the internet and got a set shipped to my house for a total of $325 dollars. Then I installed them myself as I have always done. Getting older and lazy so I just thought that I would check the dealer. I thought it would be like car tires which you buy the tire and they mount it for free.

So it is not just HD dealers.

I ran my rear tire to the steel belt in 8K on the trip to Alaska. Pulled into a Yamaha dealer and they had the size tire that the Buell Ulysses used but in a longer lasting dual compound. The OEM Buell tire was a very soft compound for cornering. From the time I pulled in until I was back on the road was 2 hours and that included the unloading and reloading of all the gear. I had packed the service manual so that they knew how to change the tire.

Total cost was right at $325 but I was pleased that they jumped on it and got me going. I had checked and other Buell owners had reported that they got 10K out of the rear. The total trip was 9K but it must have been the heavier load and the long runs at 85 mph in the western states.

My 10 Ultra is at 18K and it looks like they will make the 4K trip coming up. I got the tires at the dealer in Feb. when they have an annual sale of 20% off on tires, batteries and brakes. I saved about $50 more on the set by going to black walls. I think those little white stripes on the Ultra are not worth the $27 extra.

I will do like I always have done and mount them when I return.

 

I'll even buy the tire from them if they are within 20% of the list catalogue price,yeah I'll shop around next week.