It's time for tires on the Street Glide so of course I give my local Harley shop a call to see what it's going to run me.
Front and Rear Harley Davidison tires mounted and balance - $610!! OUCH!!
I ask if they could order other brands and they said they only sell HD tires.

So I started searching the net and found Dunlop American Elite 2nd Gen tires - $345 for both, free shipping, no tax. Nice!! (JakeWilson.com)

I wanted to suupport a local shop so I gave the local Honda shop a call to see what price they charged to mount and balance.

Talked to the service dept. and they wanted $80 to mount both tires.

Better - 2 tires mounted and balance for $425

Decided to talk to the parts guy to see if he could come close to the internet price.

Well he did more than that - he came back with a price of $371 mounted & balance tax included.

That's $240 less than my Harley shop!!
For what some would say are better tires.

I think some Harley shops are really missing the boat when it comes to tires. They need to be more flexible and give better pricing so they can compete with other shops out there.

Anyway - Tires will be here next week.
Better get out to the garage this evening and yank the wheels off the SG.

 

Is the Honda dealership removing and replacing the wheel or are you just dropping off the rims?

 

"I think some Harley shops are really missing the boat when it comes to tires. They need to be more flexible and give better pricing so they can compete with other shops out there."

They don't need to. For every guy like you that knows it's rediculous, there's another idiot with more money than brains who will pay whatever.

It's the "Harley" world we live in now. Sad.

 

$610 is a steal around DC! I was quoted $850 by the HD dealer in North VA. I got it done by an Indy for $420. Yes tires, balancing, and mounting. This was 3 yrs ago....

 

My Indy installed the harley dunlops front and rear for 400$ I just took him the bike and picked it up later.

 

I'm dropping off the wheels.
Same deal with the Harley shop. $610 was me dropping off the wheels.

The Honda and Harley shop charge the same for mounting tires on the wheels. $40 per wheel.

 

I drop off the bike, and Michelin Commander II's installed for $350.

Better tire than the Dunlop...

 

Most folks do things because "they can" ! Example , is building a stock H.D. engine for more power ! Yes , I am guilty of it too !
. A H.D. dealer charges "what he can" because he can ! I believe this all goes back to "supply and demand".
. The spread between "the haves" and "the have nots" is surely increasing !
. Only way to stop the nonsense is to quit demanding the supply ! Only real problem is that there is always some "rich" guy with a pot load of money willing to buy what he wants because "he can" !.
. Alas , we poor folks ultimately "pay the price" for the rich guy's whims and demands !
. Ok , I've finished with my soap box speech but I bet there are a lot of folks saying , "Yes , that is exactly why the dealers get away with their high priced attitude !"
...We all know prices are rising , so we keep on riding and paying the inevitable rising prices ! There is a solution someplace ! ?

 

I think they charge what we'll pay so the more of us who go to an indy for 1/2 the price the more likely they might charge less ? Just a theory, might not work, haha.

 

Ive also found a large number of HD owners think Harley actually makes tires.