How hard to take the rear wheel off? Not that hard, all you need is a motorcycle jack and a few tools, I can finish it in one hour, even my friend isn't a wrench, he can do it in 2 hours. You don't have to touch the belt adjustment, just remove the axle.
I'm about due for a read tire also. If I can stretch it out till winter I may give it a try myself. Otherwise prolly take it to my dealer. Ain't got time to be fooling with it during normal riding season.
I'm gonna tackle a rear tire swap on my 08 Heritage tomorrow morning. I'll report back here. I have a couple of small tire spoons that I used on dirt bike tires.... just gotta be careful to not scratch up my rim.
I was going to change my rear tire myself. Called up the dealer in Port Charlotte,FL and they wanted $205, which included taxes, so I had them do it.
If they had wanted $300, that would have convinced me to do it myself.
Tom
Just put new ones on last month,lops org, HD tires. Dennis kirk had them for $228 shipped to door, and local indy did R&R,balanced and installed for $128 including getting rid of old ones.
Of the 4 local HD's around home, lowest price was $475 and a hr away.
Since this thread got brought back to life i guess i will update my situation. I deceided to tackle the job myself. The indy 25 minutes away had the tire(d401) in stock. So i pulled the tire off myself. i Started around 330pm and took my time following the manual. I got the wheel off the bike, removed the rear pully and took them both to the indy. He mounted and balanced the new tire for $200 bucks and i was out the door, i was home and had the wheel reinstalled by 630pm, and damn near an hour of that was drive time. i also never done it befor so i was very cautious and took my time. mine when very smooth. couldnt be happier doin it myself.
Thanks guys for all the advice.