Need Tires - Want To Avoid The Dealer

[Carguz]

I need new tires on my '85 K100 RS (modified with standard 100 bars).

There appears to be a good deal on ebay for some Dunlops (93. for the pair - new)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300263051652#ht_560wt_948

What is the cheapest way to mount an avoid the dealer. (Is the rear a bear?). Willl a tire shop mount them if I bring the wheel in?

Is this a decent tire?

Thank you.

[kgadley01]

The tires are probley Ok, I don't know what kind of dunlop they are. some are better than others. as far as changing the tires go, I find the rear much more easy to change than the front. You can do this yourself...its not rocket science. go by the local Honda shop and buy two long ( 16" ) tire irons, they most always have them. Then stop by Harbor Freight and pick up a 6" to 8" C-clamp. after removeing the valve core use the C-Clamp to break the bead on both sides, then just peal it off using the tire irons. If this is more than you feel like getting into, most any shop will mount them for you.

[redhot]

We're pretty lucky in our area. Several members have their own tire changers and usually on Tech Days, there are several tires being mounted.

Mortons BMW here in VA will also mount them for at a discounted price if you bring them in already off the bike. They will change them on the bike but it saves a little money to carry them in.

That might be the best way to save some money, if you don't have friends with tire changers.

Good Luck!

[madcatdad]

Not a big deal breaking the bead and mounting the tires yourself...lots of tricks posted at the ibmw.org tech site.

I would only recommend using a dealer to mount/balance the tire to help avoid the low speed front end wobble these bikes are famous for...my local japanese dealer couldn't change out the rear tire because their machine did not have have the correct post size....

for my 2cents..I mounted bridgestone BT45's on my 85 k100rt and love them! very sporty feel and they seem to be wearing great! Bought them online and just brought my wheels to the dealer for the rest....

[tommcgee]

What is the cheapest way to mount an avoid the dealer. (Is the rear a bear?). Willl a tire shop mount them if I bring the wheel in?

The cheapest way is to do it yourself. If you can manage to pull the wheels by yourself, doing the tires isn't that much more work. Yeah, I'm not crazy about changing motorcycle tires either, but I did it once just to prove I could.

Any good bike shop should have posted prices for mounting your tires on your wheels. In my area, the going rate is about $35 each. That's usually the route I take.

[MotorradMike]

Hi Carguz

Here's a 5 star read for you. It sure helped me. The main things to remember are:

a) If you're sweating you're not doing it right.
b) Watch what's happening opposite where you're working the tire.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=15338&referrerid=31621

It's not supposed to be :banghead !

Good luck