I remember checking these out last year, but then not getting them because of a deal on the dunflops.
They do seem to get pretty good reviews. I'd try them.

 

I have a bit of a more general question related to this thread;

I searched on the forum, and found a lot of information different tires and such, but I can't make much sense out of it all.
I've decided that it wouldn't be a bad investment to get a pair of stands for the bike so that I can take the wheels off myself to save some change.
I've also heard that the cheapest route in getting new tires is via the internet.
What are your thoughts on these?

I went to a couple of local small bike shops that are regarded as being pretty good and honest, and I got some quotes.
bridgestone battleax BTO 16 ultra-high performance
M/B $35 each tire
R/R $60

Front 120/70/17 $168.75
Rear 170/60/17 $201.39

The above information was written on a business card.
What are your thoughts?

(also what does R/R mean, in this context. I assume M/B means mount/balance)

Oh, also, Should a wheel be balanced every time it is changed? Would getting it balanced only every-other time suffice?

keep in mind, I still know (relatively) nothing about bikes, and do not have the experience required to differentiate the pros and cons of harder or softer tires, etc.
All that I know is that I need some new tires, and if investing in some stands will save me some money in labor costs after a few tire changes, then it seems worth it to me.


Let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions, let me know!
Thanks
Nick

 

OK, Nick, I'll try to give some advice here...

First off, you should have a centerstand already on the bike. Maybe not, but you should. Once on the stand, you can remove the rear wheel, then use a floor jack to raise the front end to remove the front wheel.
Actually replacing tires takes a little bit of skill and force if you don't have a machine to do it like the shops. I did a crappy little write-up in the tech section that will give you a little idea what you'll be up against.
As far as the price goes, check out dennis kirk, bike bandit, and other online retailers for a price comparison on the quote you got.
Generally speaking, softer tires are more "grippy" but don't last as long...whereas harder compounds are less "grippy" but last longer (sometimes much longer). It's a tradeoff depending on riding style.
Wheels should be balanced every time you get a new tire, but sometimes they are ok. My recent front replacement seems to be ok with no shake or vibration all the way up to about 150mph, so I'm ok with it. I didn't balance. Results may vary.
Sometimes it's easier to have a shop do the whole thing, but it depends on your personal balance of money vs. PITA.
Off the top of my head, I can't think of what R/R means. I'm drawing a blank.

 

M/B = Mounted & Balanced - IE you take the wheels to him

R/R = Ride in / Ride out - IE drop bike off & ride away with tyres fitted & balanced

A wheel should always be balanced every time the tyre is taken off even if the same tyre goes back on (ie after a puncture)

PS - I went to a 180/55/17 rear and found that there were more deals on 120/70/17 + 180/55/17 pairs

 

93cbr1000f , there are a number of good vid's on youtube related to tyre changing . check these out you may find them informative :-

 

Sawnee: I'm a PR2 convert as well. My back one is on 13,000km and still ok. Good side feel and grip due to softer walls and good in the wet. I've had Bridgestones as well (can't remember which) but they just wore too fast in the middle, as most of my kms are on the highway to work. I suppose it's horses for courses really.

Leanit: I've had a set of Z6s on mine and can't really fault them. I got 15,000km out of mine and was fairly happy with the wear. It's just that I prefer the feel of the PR2...can't say why exactly..

You fellas are getting robbed on your tyre changes! I don't mean to skite (honest), but my local bike mechanic (Yamaha shop but ex Honda mechanic who owned two of our bikes before Blackbirds) fits them for free, ride in ride out. Small town service is still out there sometimes..prices seem fair too.

 

You guys may think I'm joking but my local Honda dealer charges $185.00 USD for a rear Shinko and $140.00 a matching front plus $45.00 to m ount and balance. PR2s - $395 a set, installed. Man, what a rip-off.

 

Shoot him !

 

when looking at tires to buy, what are the vital statistics that I need to know.
what do the measurements XX/XX/XX mean?
Someone hinted at the interchangability to a certain extent; how safe is this, and is it worth it for our bikes?

also how decent are my local shops tire prices?:

*1st shop:
labor; 15 USD per tire
Balance; 10 USD per tire
Disposal; 3 USD per tire

(this next part i am recreating from the note he wrote on the business card, and I can't really tell the significance of it; let me know if you can interpret it)
tire prices
120/70-17 105 143
170/60-17 137 143
********---- ---
********242 286

*2nd Shop:
M/B; 35 USD per each tire or R/R 60 USD
tire prices (two sets)
Bridgestone BattleAx BTO16
120/70/17 front; 168.75 USD
170/60/17 rear; 201.39 USD
[next quoted set]
BT020F retail 221 USD, price from shop; 187
BT12017 retail 175 USD, price from shop; 156

All; are these three tire quotes reasonable prices, or can I find significantly cheaper online, and then take them to a place to be fitted (or fit them myself)

also, when looking for specific tires and things, what are good things to keep in mind to be a smart tire shopper. do they have "grades" for tires, like as far as quality or mileage go, or is it something relatively underground in which reputations are gained through word of mouth? haha.
thanks guys for contributing to the education of a newbie.