Unless I'm hugely mistaken, a 1 inch long flappy gash on the tyre wall of my ER-5's rear Dunlop is probably something that shouldn't be ignored. When I had Mr. Car I always used to take it to National Tyres & Autocare to have new tyres put on. They do motorcycle tyres too, but am I better taking it to a local Motorcycle dealer? --Nick.
"Mr. Car"?!? I think you'd be better off just killing yourself now! But if you want to get the tyre changed first, see who's cheapest, or who can do it quickest if you're in a hurry. A car place that does bikes is just as capable of scratching your rims & over-torquing your wheel nut as a bike place. FFS!
True. We've got a branch of Universal in Tun Wells, though, and they seem *very* good. They'll fit to loose wheels, or remove the wheels if you want, and their guys seem to take care, use proper tools, etc.
Nick emerged from their own little world to say If you give a clue to where you are located then someone may suggest a place nearby. Most motorcycle dealers do not fit tyres at competitive prices. They just sub the job out to a local tyre fitter and add a markup plus full workshop labour rates if they remove the wheel.
I've found the independent motorcycle traders pretty competitive, for loose wheel fitting, compared to the big car tyre chains or [1] mail order. For the sake of £10 or so I know who I'd rather give my money to. If you're not confident removing a wheel (which can entail removing brake callipers, chain etc.) then take it to a motorcycle workshop. Although it's pretty easy when you know. [1] 120/90 H Bridgestone BT45 rear delivered from Busters is £59.45 (then add fitting ~ approx £10). I last paid £80 for the same tyre off the shelf from the local bloke who isn't necessarily the cheapest but was certainly nearest and quickest.
That's not IME but I don't go to many dealers and when I do I tend to frequent the under the arches type.
I checked the ER-5's 8000 mile service when they replaced the tyres, charged £69 for rear Dunlop + labour. National Tyres want to charge me £79 (inc fitting) for one, should they be able to do it. I'm not confident in removing the chain yet so I think I'll give them a call on Monday to get them to order the tyre. I wouldn't have minded as much, but the rear tyre has only done 3k, loads of tread left. The front tyre is in perfect condition around the sides, but the tread is only about 2.5mm. I'd prefer shavong a couple of BD's on it, but at my current novice stage of riding I probably wouldn't notice any difference.
Legal limit is different to a car (1mm as opposed to 1.6mm) but many people change them at 2mm as the tyres appreciably go off about then.
