If I had a tire changer

[rallyfocus]

Some of you may or may not know but I've started an online tire store to try and help out the local bike community. I'm aware that most of you buy tires from Pete and who wouldn't with the prices he has. My prices are a little higher right now but I'm looking into ways to lower them.

A thought I have is to buy my own changer. I know alot of people shy away from buying tires online because the dealers charge $40 or more a rim to change someone elses tire. I'm thinking about setting something up where I would install any tire I sell for $15. This would help offset the cost difference between Pete and I unless you install your own already.

Anyone have any thoughts on this? I'm just trying to get opinions and ideas from the motorcycle community.

[woot]

Having a changer should really improve your sales.

[Katana600]

$15 install is about the only sane price I have ever heard for a tire change. If your prices match or beat local dealers, I'll probably buy from you to support someone local. If you get a tire changer on top of that, I will almost certainly be a customer (as long as your competant with the tire changer, me no like rim scratches)

With competetive tire prices and inexpensive installs, I have a feeling you will be in business. Search the forum... there are plenty of tire price and install threads. Mostly full of complaints.

[brad50thR6NS]

what sort of price would be offered to random A-holes who want you to swap out a set of race take offs they get from someone?

[Jayski]

I think the track charges $10/tire... but it may have to be Pirelli tires.

Ask Quek, Madska, Hartlin or Mdabyo as they have a changer I believe, check and see if they've had any business or want your business to save you buying a changer (and worrying about nicks,scratches, dings from doing tire changes etc)

[Katana600]

If I Had A Tire Changer
(to the tune of If I Had A Million Dollars)

If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
I would change yo’ tires
(I would change yo’ tires)
If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
I'd buy you some tires for your bike
(Maybe a nice metzeler or a michelin)
And If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
Well, I'd buy you a beamer
(A nice reliant motorcycle)
If I had a tire changer I'd buy your love

If I had a tire changer
I'd build a bike fort right down at the pits
If I had million dollars
You could help, it wouldn't be that hard
If I had million dollars
Maybe we could put like a little tire warmer in there somewhere
You know, we could just go up there and hang out
Like change some tires and stuff
There would already be laid out tires for us
Like little pirellis and avons

They have pre-wrapped sausages but they don't have pre-wrapped peckers
Well, can you blame 'em
Uh, yeah

If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
Well, I'd buy you a leather coat
(But not a real leather coat that's cruel)
And If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
Well, I'd buy you an exotic bike
(Yep, like a ducati or a guzzi)
And If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
Well, I'd buy you John Merrick's remains
(Ooh, all them crazy elephant bones)
And If I had a tire changer I'd buy your love

If I had a tire changer
We wouldn't have to walk to the store
If I had a tire changer
Now, we'd take a guzzi 'cause it costs more
If I had a tire changer
We wouldn't have to eat Kraft Dinner
But we would eat Kraft Dinner
Of course we would, we’d just eat more
And buy really expensive ketchups with it
That’s right, all the fanciest ke... dijon ketchups!
Mmmmmm, Mmmm-Hmmm

If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
Well, I'd buy you a green bike
(But not a real green bike, that's cruel)
And If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
Well, I'd buy you some clothes
(Some A-Stars or some Teknic)
If I had a tire changer
(If I had a tire changer)
Well, I'd buy you a monkey
(Haven't you always wanted a monkey)

If I had a tire changer
I’d buy your love

If I had a tire changer, If I had a tire changer
If I had a tire changer, If I had a tire changer
If I had a tire changer
I'd be rich


Sorry for the thread jack, but the rum I'm drinking made me do it.

[woot]

I'm in on that tire changer... it's great to have. Ideally I'd have one all to myself in my garage...

Really - tire changing at what ever hour of the day that someone wants it done isn't worth doing.

I wouldn't want to have that over my head... but then again I'm not trying to sell tires

[Rembrant]

I have absolutely no problem buying tires locally at a good price, and no problem paying $15 each to have them installed.....but...

You'd have to be able to balance them too...

Is that in your plans?....Just curious.

In any case, I still do wish you all the luck in the world.

[Magicman]

Cory beat me to it.

Balancing.

I'd be all for bringing my bike to you as long as you had the capability to swap my tires, and leave me ready to ride.

EG: Got a Pete's BT-021, strapped it to the bike, rode to Toad's, had it installed AND balanced, was only like $40 with tax.

If I can't show up (with an appointment, or whatever) and ride away an hour or two later, it probably wouldn't be worth the hassle of getting you to mount.

I'll probably still buy the rubber through you if you have the right tires at the right prices...

[rallyfocus]

I agree balancing is a must and limited wait time is also a big selling point. I can't stand dropping my bike off for a whole day to have tires mounted. And even worse when the bike shops are busy they don't really want to squeeze you in to change a tire .I still think that $40 is way too much to change a tire. I'd probably do it on Saturdays to start out and see where things go from there.

I'm exploring this possibility a little more but my main concern is pricing on my website. I've been milling over number in Excel and I'm about to plug them into the site.All the prices will be dropping in a day or two and I'm going to offer $10 off a pair.

Nice touch Katana600 I actually started singing that in my head when I started this thread.

Thanks again for your imput guys.

[JusPlaynBob]

IMO...

attempting to balance a sportbike tire is a waste of time and energy.

There nothing worse than seeing a big "Gob" of lead, taped to the inside of a bike wheel, knowing full well that it has little or no effect.

Truely, the absolute best balance your going to get is with a static balancer, while carefully positioning the tire on the rim where it has least
effect.

Suriously!

[woot]

I gave up balancing after the first 3 changes last year... didn't make a difference to me.

[madska636]

i've had weights fall off and haven't notice