So I got myself new metzeler m3's from ronayers.com for $235 shipped, feeling smug that I'd saved around 100 bucks over what the local shops offered. But now comes the question of getting them changed.
Option 1: Remove wheels myself after getting a stand ($80+) for bike and take them to the shop to change ($48 per tire!!) = 180 bucks
Option 2: Take the bike in and get them remove tires ($40 for rear and $30 front) and change them ($48 per tire!!) = 170 bucks

The guy quoted 48 bucks per tire to replace it! That's 100 bucks just to get both replaced. And it'll be 80 more whether I buy the stand/take the bike in!!
They would have changed the tires for free if I bought the tires from them.... which would come to around 330 bucks.

So loss from buying tires online?! Or is this guy quoting too much to change them?

I never realised that it would take 400 bucks just to get tires changed [:@][:'(][][X(]

 

well yea the dealer or shop has to make some money somehow. that's how the local cyclegear does it too. the profit margin on tires really isn't all that much.

why not just buy the tools to change the tires yourself?

HF tire changer with moto attachment ~70 dollars
tire irons ~15 bux
stands ~100

then you can do the labor yourself and the tools according to your cost structure would have paid off in its first use

 

bike shops are all rip-offs
obviously buying stands and pulling the wheels yourself will save a ton in the long run, but you'll probably spend more than $80 on stands, especially if you get good ones like pit-bull (those are probably more like $250-300 for a set but imho are the best)

I always take mine to the track for tire changes, since most trackside services will do it for $15-20 per wheel but looks like your in washington and its winter so your probably stuck paying a dealership to do it

 

Why dont you just copy the design of one brand and make some of your own

 

On the schedule for the local track (Pacific Raceways) I see one open lapping day remaining... I'll see if I can make it to that. Thanks for that tip Woodyracing.
Else it will have to be some other balance between work I do and work I get done. Thanks for all the suggestions...

 

oh cool man, but try to contact the organizer if possible just to make sure they'll have tire service there
most do but every once in a while you run into a trackday without any trackside services

 

I bought a front stand for ~150bux just to change my front tire and i will probably not use it that much
but it is still great to have it in case I need it

 

Had the same predicament year ago. Ended up getting front and rear stand thru e-bay pretty cheap from some guy in BC Canada. They werent the best but they actually knocked down for storage and worked good enough for occasional use. FYI the following had ****ty prices on tires RMC Renton & Bent Bike. Got Sportec M1s at Cycle Gear for mail order prices plus its $11.99 each for mount/balance.
They will mount tires you bought elswhere (cant remember price) but you have to bring the wheel in.

 

well.. i must be fairly lucky then... shop near my place charge around 26 bucks per tire if we bring our own tire in

 

I think I am the most lucky. Two guys in our sportbike club just opened a shop here in Oklahoma City. $10 per rim if you bring em in, $20 per rim if you ride the bike in.

Some of you guys could save some cash by freaking driving here, mounting them, and driving back.