How much do you pay for tire mount and balance thread.

Discussion in 'The Garage' started by ben2go, Jan 8, 2012.

  1. ben2go

    ben2go Long timer

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2011
    Oddometer:
    7,522
    Location:
    Gone
    I am trying to make a list here on the forums for people to get tire service done, either locally or while traveling.Please share your knowledge and represent for your favorite shops.Please don't dog a shop, because you had a bad experience.Do state the problem and how the shop did or didn't handle the problem.Don't just say I bought tire at XXXXX and they suck @$$.

    This is my contribution and I will be adding to it as more and more small shops seem to be popping up around here.I reserve the right to change my info or update as places change their policies.

    1)Where: Cycle specialties,Greenville,SC USA

    2)How much per tire: Front N/A Rear N/A

    3)Wheels Off/On Bike: OFF

    4)Will They Mount/Balance Tire You Bring In: No

    5)Anything worth noting?My dealer only mounts the tires they sale and they have limited offerings.If I buy their tires they will mount/balance them off bike for $45 each.
    #1
  2. Tarka

    Tarka Strangely strange. Oddly normal.

    Joined:
    May 10, 2007
    Oddometer:
    2,870
    Location:
    Across the pond.
    1)Where: Frank Bather Tyres
    A41 Birkenhead (Almost opposite Cammell Laird Shipyard)
    Merseyside
    England


    2)How much per tire:
    Free fitting/balancing for tyres bought there.

    3)Wheels Off/On Bike:
    You have to remove and refit your wheel but can borrow their trolleyjack.

    4)Will They Mount/Balance Tire You Bring In:
    Yes...£5 for fitting and £5 for balancing.

    5)Anything worth noting?
    A great bunch of guys I`ve dealt with for nearly 30 years...friendly and helpful.
    If ever you go there mention 'Steve with the bikes' (and the Ural sidecar outfits)..that`s me!
    #2
  3. Flashmo

    Flashmo Whatever...

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2008
    Oddometer:
    2,687
    Location:
    Vagabond Hippie
    I change and balance my own...where ever they happen to be (tubeless).

    Zero charge.
    #3
  4. troidus

    troidus Long timer

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2010
    Oddometer:
    64,346
    Location:
    Georgia
    Have HF changer and MC adapter with Mojo blocks and NoMar bar. Mounting=free. Use axle and safety stands to balance MC tires=free. Balancing car tires=$12 each (off car) @ Westside 66 in Lawrence, KS. Used Freecycle to get rid of old car tires. Still need to get rid of old MC tires.
    #4
  5. JALnSC

    JALnSC Long timer

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2009
    Oddometer:
    1,036
    Location:
    Florence SC
    Yamaha of Florence South Carolina.
    Took in my leaking front tire. Installed new tube and rim lock. Balanced tire
    total was 43.00 and some change. I think it is a good deal.
    #5
  6. ben2go

    ben2go Long timer

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2011
    Oddometer:
    7,522
    Location:
    Gone
    :clap
    #6
  7. kubiak

    kubiak Long timer

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2007
    Oddometer:
    4,837
    Location:
    madera california
    if you have a cycle gear around i think they charge 13 bucks for mount and balance off the bike. i do all my own mounting and balancing though.
    #7
  8. ben2go

    ben2go Long timer

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2011
    Oddometer:
    7,522
    Location:
    Gone
    Never seen one of those around the south east.
    #8
  9. trophymoto

    trophymoto MACDADDY!

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2011
    Oddometer:
    455
    Location:
    S.C.
    Don't you live in or near G'vill? there is one on Wade Hampton blvd.
    #9
  10. dtysdalx2

    dtysdalx2 The only easy day was yesterday...

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2004
    Oddometer:
    36,755
    Location:
    Moneyapolis, MN
    $0.00

    I do my own.

    ONE TIME I was traveling and had cords showing on my rear tire. I took the tire off myself and brought it to a stealer. Cost me $234 bucks to buy their tire and put it on my rim. Probably would have cost $300+ on the bike. I can buy a rear tire for $124 shipped and DIY for my suzuki. I balance it on the bike, using weights and static balance method.
    #10
  11. trc.rhubarb

    trc.rhubarb ZoomSplat!

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2011
    Oddometer:
    8,679
    Location:
    Concord, CA
    $30 here for CycleGear
    #11
  12. trophymoto

    trophymoto MACDADDY!

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2011
    Oddometer:
    455
    Location:
    S.C.
    I think it's $25 here.... I use my coats 220 in my shop.. I'm also $25 off the bike
    #12
  13. ben2go

    ben2go Long timer

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2011
    Oddometer:
    7,522
    Location:
    Gone
    I live in Inman.I know WH pretty well but I don't remember seeing it.There's Grady Miller Honda and Cycle Specialties.
    #13
  14. JamesG

    JamesG Rabid Poster

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2006
    Oddometer:
    10,946
    Location:
    Columbus, GA
    I change my own as well.

    BUT

    Its not $0, or "Free". How much did the changing equipment cost? Even if you are like me and made your own DIY changer out of an old car rim, some 2x4s and misc. hardware, the tire irons cost some. Also your time isn't free. So if it even only takes you an hour to change tires (more like 3 or 4 for me), do you work for minimum wage or more than that? Even if you discount your labor costs, there is still the opportunity costs, you could be doing something else instead of wrestling rubber.

    That is the actual "cost" of DIY tire changing.Most people will find that its actually cheaper to have a shop do it unless you have more time than money or you a masochist who likes doing it (me).
    #14
  15. trophymoto

    trophymoto MACDADDY!

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2011
    Oddometer:
    455
    Location:
    S.C.
    Cycle gear is right next door to Gradys (it's not Greedys anymore, Powersports I think)
    #15
  16. Canuman

    Canuman Crusty & Unobliging

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2008
    Oddometer:
    4,689
    Location:
    The Palace of the People, VT
    $25 on the bike including computer balance and at Big E's Garage, Sutton, VT.

    This rate does not apply to "dressers."
    #16
  17. tgeliot

    tgeliot Topher

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2010
    Oddometer:
    1,580
    Location:
    Denver, CO
    $20 off the bike for mounting only (I didn't discuss balancing) at Performance Cycle of Colorado, 1990 S. Broadway, Denver. 303 744-2011
    This was valid as of 12/2011. I did not buy the tire there.

    $18 off the bike for mounting only at Motorcycle Depot, 231 Airport Blvd, Aurora CO (720) 277-3583.
    This was valid sometime around 8/2011. I did not buy the tire there.
    #17
    MattF44 likes this.
  18. epix1718

    epix1718 Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2010
    Oddometer:
    785
    Location:
    Michigan/Indiana border
    1)Where: Hamlin's Motorcycle Center - Sturgis, Michigan

    2)How much per tire:
    $15/tire

    3)Wheels Off/On Bike:
    Wheel Off

    4)Will They Mount/Balance Tire You Bring In:
    Yes but have never had them do so

    5)Anything worth noting?
    Great little shop, very friendly. Not open Mondays tho :(
    #18
  19. KWayne406

    KWayne406 Adventurer Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2011
    Oddometer:
    43
    Location:
    Lake City,Fl
    Support your local shop! Most times when you buy a tire online, pay shipping, and inflated mounting and balancing charge you're probably better off buying from that local shop.R emember time is money. I've all so found that you become a valued customer and will reap the benefits.
    #19
  20. manic mechanic

    manic mechanic Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2011
    Oddometer:
    163
    Location:
    up nort' somewheres
    I work part-time at Anschutz Motorsports
    1540 N 24th St
    Manitowoc, WI 54220
    888 686 9399

    Our deal on tires is, bring us the rim, price includes mounting/balancing, but we do add $2 tire disposal fee. That's recent, it costs us more to dispose of them now.

    Bring us the bike and we charge labor.

    We are an independent shop, specializing in off-road/MX, but we work on whatever comes in - bikes, ATV's, scooters, PWC's, and sleds. We vend around AMA District 16 MX races, and the owner's brother (up front in the store) is the Hare Scrambles referee for the district.
    #20