I have always felt that dealing local helps the local economy and my local dealer has got a LOT of my money. Two years ago I had them install a stock Dunlop 402- wide whitewall tire on my 2003 RKC. The price was approx. $300 Canadian. Three weeks ago I went there and they suggested since I was down to 3/16 tire tread that I should consider replacing it. In two years I put on less then 4000 K but if its wore its wore. I asked about price and they said around $300. Fair enough. Booked it in for today and took it to them and they told me it would be $585. I said you told me close to $300 and I paid them roughly that 2 years ago. The service guy said ya but that was a cheaper tire. Same part number and bought it from them so whats the BS about a cheaper tire? The service man said this new price included a new tube and rim strip. I told them I didn't want that and he said they don't put tires on without that. When I said you guys didn't do that last time he said that's my preference and not the previous service managers opinion. Fair enough, I cancelled the appointment and called a local independent shop and they can do it for $400 taxes in and they will do it while I wait. Guess where im going? Like I said earlier, I like to deal local and I like going into the dealership, however this year alone, I purchased an auto Tuner, Throttle cables, rear fender rails, front fender rails, 4" SE Street Cannons, Auto tensioner and had new SE lifters installed last month not to mention all my oils and filters cleaners etc. throughout this year. I bought the bike used from them, paid their price and have always supported their business. Ya I'm a little miffed, oh on a similar note, I have spent roughly and additional $15,000 in accessories and parts over the years as well from them ONLY.

randy

 

Your first mistake was not being loyal to YOU and YOUR wallet. Buy online and have tires installed as cheap as possible by an Indy. They need money as much as anyone.

 

I'm loyal to my Bank Account. Whoever is cheaper gets my business. I traveled 12 hours round trip to buy my last bike the deal was that good.

 

Loyalty? Maybe some back in the days of mom and pop shops.....but today it's all strictly business with these big mega corporate dealers. I always shop around.

 

I refuse to pay dealership prices for tires. I have a local Indy that does it for cheap and he gets me the tires at roughly the same price as buying them online.

 

do it yourself, you'll feel better. just did my white walls on the 4th. took 2-3 hrs tops. paid $430 total for 2 metzler m888 ultra www, 2 tube and 2 strips. 0 labor, pride in wrenching your bike is priceless

 

Trouble is there is not a lot to choose from up here in Ontario. We have dealers every 70-120 miles and virtually no Indys. A few but they are not in every town. I'm a retailer myself so I do understand the rational to shop local when you can. I hope for the same in my business, but people that KEEP you in business should not be "used" as such. I don't but then again I'm a small pop and son establishment. Old school is fading and I suppose I'm a relic of the past. We don't have the options up here that most of you guys do and of course anything coming from out of the US is subject to "customs" and such. I just wanted to vent on the original post. Thanks for listening. Ride long and free and carry a thick wallet.

randy

 

BS is the key word here. You should always replace the tube when you do a tire but that shouldn't be more than 15-20 bucks of the job..

 

I would strongly suggest a thorough inspection of your wheel bearings when changing tires. I had a front go out at 32,000 miles... bought the bearing puller/installer and plan to at a minimum, every other tire change a new set of bearings. YMMV

 

Dealers have no customer loyalty so there's no reason you should have any dealer loyalty.