Avon Tire

[debtman7]

I've contemplated that, I've changed car tires before but I had the aid of special machinery to do it (I did an internship at an OEM wheel supplier back in the day). That video tempts me though, that's the simplest and cheapest bead breaker I've seen. Hmmmm... The only thing that concerns me is balancing. I'd rather have it done by machine that trying to guess while it's on the bike, and if I have to take it somewhere for balancing I might as well take it somewhere for installation. I'll just have to call around and see what places charge for tires and installation and figure out the best route.

[bucks1605]

Tires unlimited gave me a convoluted response to my email asking if they install if I haul the wheels out there. The basic answer I got was that they don't do it for those prices, you can only get tires at the website prices by ordering online. Since going out there would use their sales people, cash registers, showroom space, etc that I'd have to pay retail prices.

I would think they'd try and sell me and tell me what it would cost for the tires and installation but they didn't... Have to see what I can find around here then, or find someone to install without ripping me off.

If you're interested in the Avon AM26 Roadrider this may help you out. I called into Iron Pony today and they said they had it in stock and it was $62.99, which I believe was the same price as tires unlimitated. They'll mount it but you have to take your wheel off and I think they charge like 12 bucks, not too bad. Thats the route I'm going.  BTW can you believe the weather we're having! It was 80 yesterday and now its snowing! I'm so ticked off.

[debtman7]

Ah cool. Iron pony is a bit of a drive but their prices are pretty darn good. Their website says $12 mounting and $12 for balancing, per tire, so it'd be $48 total for install I think. Seems high to me but what do I know... At that price I may install them myself and take them somewhere for balancing. But if I can get the tires there, at least that's closer than dayton.

And yeah, the weather is wack. Here I was, breaking out the shorts and sandals, driving with the windows down and now I'm getting the sweaters back out.

[bucks1605]

Ah cool. Iron pony is a bit of a drive but their prices are pretty darn good. Their website says $12 mounting and $12 for balancing, per tire, so it'd be $48 total for install I think. Seems high to me but what do I know... At that price I may install them myself and take them somewhere for balancing. But if I can get the tires there, at least that's closer than dayton.

And yeah, the weather is wack. Here I was, breaking out the shorts and sandals, driving with the windows down and now I'm getting the sweaters back out.

yeah same here. I guess that price is a little high, but I'm only getting a front tire, so it's cheaper.

[scratch]

The AM51 front I would favor over the BT45, from my personal experience.

[bucks1605]

The AM51 front I would favor over the BT45, from my personal experience.

I was going to get the AM51 but my local shop only had it on their website and shipping was $20, so I chose a different tire. The new Avon AM26 Roadrider. It's only a few dollars more and I believe its the replacement for the AM51. So I'm looking forward to getting it tomorrow, should be a good tire. Now if only it wasn't 20 degrees and snowing outside, it was 80 two days ago. 

[debtman7]

I've decided for $50 I'm changing the tires myself, we'll see how that goes...

AM26 is currently winning. It'd be $143 with tax from the local store, can't find them cheaper anywhere else once you factor in shipping costs.

Although, tell me how bad this would be, but chaparrel racing has Maxxis Promaxx tires that would be $95 *shipped*. I hear decent things about them. Not much though. I'm just starting out and buying gear and other things, so the price is appealing... Bad idea? If they only lasted a year, I'm ok with that for the money. More concerned about decent handling for commuting and mild fun rides.

[bucks1605]

I've decided for $50 I'm changing the tires myself, we'll see how that goes...

AM26 is currently winning. It'd be $143 with tax from the local store, can't find them cheaper anywhere else once you factor in shipping costs.

Although, tell me how bad this would be, but chaparrel racing has Maxxis Promaxx tires that would be $95 *shipped*. I hear decent things about them. Not much though. I'm just starting out and buying gear and other things, so the price is appealing... Bad idea? If they only lasted a year, I'm ok with that for the money. More concerned about decent handling for commuting and mild fun rides.

I couldn't really tell you anything about those tires, I have no experience with them. This is the first tire I have had to buy, so I'm new at this too.

[gsJack]

I've decided for $50 I'm changing the tires myself, we'll see how that goes...

AM26 is currently winning. It'd be $143 with tax from the local store, can't find them cheaper anywhere else once you factor in shipping costs.

Although, tell me how bad this would be, but chaparrel racing has Maxxis Promaxx tires that would be $95 *shipped*. I hear decent things about them. Not much though. I'm just starting out and buying gear and other things, so the price is appealing... Bad idea? If they only lasted a year, I'm ok with that for the money. More concerned about decent handling for commuting and mild fun rides.

The OEM size Roadriders would be $149 plus sales tax from my local dealer, but they mount and balance for $19.95 a wheel including a new valve stem and old tire disposal so the total is hard to beat for an old man.

http://www.shadetreemotorcycle.com/

I mounted my own tires for years, only needed one long 14" curved lip tire iron, a large screw driver, and an old Ford Escort.  The car jack placed on top of the tire close to the rim and then starting to jack it up made the best bead breaker I ever had.      Gave it up at about age 65, overweight, and out of shape  when I changed my last one on a very hot August day and though I was gonna croak.  Always wondered why more of you young fellas don't do your own.

A couple people here tried the Promaxx tires and as I recall they were happy with the performance but the life was not too long, maybe 7-8k miles if I remember correctly.  Maybe you can find the posts by search.  I found the AM51/52 tires to be good for 9-10k miles when I tried them.  I'd expect the Roadriders to be better than the old AM51/52 but we won't know till we try them, I may do so later this year.

[debtman7]

I've decided for $50 I'm changing the tires myself, we'll see how that goes...

AM26 is currently winning. It'd be $143 with tax from the local store, can't find them cheaper anywhere else once you factor in shipping costs.

Although, tell me how bad this would be, but chaparrel racing has Maxxis Promaxx tires that would be $95 *shipped*. I hear decent things about them. Not much though. I'm just starting out and buying gear and other things, so the price is appealing... Bad idea? If they only lasted a year, I'm ok with that for the money. More concerned about decent handling for commuting and mild fun rides.

The OEM size Roadriders would be $149 plus sales tax from my local dealer, but they mount and balance for $19.95 a wheel including a new valve stem and old tire disposal so the total is hard to beat for an old man.

http://www.shadetreemotorcycle.com/

I mounted my own tires for years, only needed one long 14" curved lip tire iron, a large screw driver, and an old Ford Escort.  The car jack placed on top of the tire close to the rim and then starting to jack it up made the best bead breaker I ever had.      Gave it up at about age 65, overweight, and out of shape  when I changed my last one on a very hot August day and though I was gonna croak.  Always wondered why more of you young fellas don't do your own.

A couple people here tried the Promaxx tires and as I recall they were happy with the performance but the life was not too long, maybe 7-8k miles if I remember correctly.  Maybe you can find the posts by search.  I found the AM51/52 tires to be good for 9-10k miles when I tried them.  I'd expect the Roadriders to be better than the old AM51/52 but we won't know till we try them, I may do so later this year.

Our local place would be $143 with tax, decent prices, but $12 per wheel to mount, $12 per wheel balance, $1.50 for tire disposal and probably another charge for valves. Seems a lot...

I think I'm going to give the promaxx a shot. I'm ok with low life, honestly I just need something to get through my first year of learning and then I'll have a better idea of what kind of tire I need. I don't hear a lot about the promaxx but I can't find any negative comments from people  who've tried them. And $95 to my door is awful hard to beat...