What a Rip Off

I called my local honda dealer today(the peeps i never use) in arlington tx to find out how much to install a new front tire on my silverwing if i supply the tire....

Bring in whole bike $75
bring in wheel $40

i can drive a little further and get an independent dealer to change it on the bike for $25

last time i tried to get D&S cycle honda dealer to change a tire....they wanted me to drop it off.....Leave by any means neccessary and come back when its convenient for them. I told them i have no way to leave if u take my bike.....so i took myself and my bike.

[quote="FlyingWing"]I called my local honda dealer today(the peeps i never use) in arlington tx to find out how much to install a new front tire on my silverwing if i supply the tire....

Bring in whole bike $75
bring in wheel $40

i can drive a little further and get an independent dealer to change it on the bike for $25/quote]

That sounds about consistent with what I've experienced here.

The dealer usually charges 1/2 hour labor to mount & balance the tire when I bring in the wheel. A bit less if I've purchased the tire from them. So at a labor rate of $80/hr that $40 bucks is "normal".

And yes, I agree. It is an outrageous charge. And just one more reason to learn to do as much of your own service work as possible --and use the dealer as a last resort.

If you are lucky you can find an independent shop that will charge you less.

Pretty much sums up the arrangement in my part of the UK too.

I source the tyre myself, arrange a time for the local tyre fitter to do the job, take in the wheel and re-fit myself.

Many £'s or $'s the better for the experience too.

I have been a doityourself'er most of my life...theres not much i cant do, but im trying to quit accumulating so many tools and belongings(dont want to buy a tire changer). I know how to change a tire with pry bars but i can pay to have a tire changed which don t cost much and then i dont need to do it. I refuse to let a dealer touch my bike let alone leave my bike with them..."aint gonna happen"

I am very cheerful about supporting businesses that deserve it, but i always get a switft kick in the groin when i deal with a dealer is why i hardly ever use motorcycle dealerships to make repairs for me.

We have a small dealer in my neighborhood and I have found that building a relationship with the mechanic is helpful. The same guy does all my work and he charges me for real time rather then the book rate. Being familiar with my bike helps him get right at it. When I talked to an independent shop he wanted me to buy a shop manual and bring it in with the bike.

I have owned several businesses over the years and have an understanding what it takes to attract customers, but those guys always act like they are doing me a favor by even talking to me, whats more there are other people that are more hungry than dealerships so i give the work to them.

If you bought your tire from the online Motorcycle Superstore they will ship the tire to one of their "preferred installers". The preferred installer I use only charges me $30.00 per tire to install and balance. Here is a link:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/5/32/404/1/0/0/DEPARTMENT/Scooter-On-Road-Tires-Tires.aspx#&&Back=320-0

thanks for the Motorcycle superstore info....i did actually buy my front tire at the MS and it was delivered to my house. I know of a guy that will do it for $25...but if he goes out of business or something it is good to know that info is available.