Tire Replacement - Alternatives to a BMW shop

[Caol]

I'm on a long ride - basically on US-2 heading east and the rear tire is going away a little faster than anticipated. I may need to get it replaced prior to my arrival in Ottawa, ON where I'd have my favourite tech handle the job. So the question is; Is there a preferred "other" dealer that will know how to handle the rear wheel of my '07 R1200R? Is a Honda dealer preferred over a Yamaha dealer (or vice versa)?

I'm currently in Grand Forks, North Dakota...

Kyle

[BigEasy]

I think that's a total crap shoot. Having said that, as long as the dealership and particularly the service area looks well kept I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Changing the tire isn't that complicated. You may even want to check if there's a Harley dealer along your route that still supports the Buell brand. The Uly and Lightnings use the same size rear tire as the RR and they might have a Scorpion in stock.

Good luck have a fun ride.

[Caol]

Thanks!

Now that the rain has moved on, it's time for me to saddle up.

Kyle

[hjsbmw]

Anybody can change the tire, but anybody could do it half-assed also. As has been stated, it's a crap shot. I think that the problem with a non BMW shop may be the balancing, not the tire change itself. They may not have the needed adapter for the BMW rear wheel.

[roger l]

My local Honda, Yamaha , Ducati dealer could not balance my rear wheel. They did not have the adapter to put it on the balancer. I had to take the tire wheel assembly to the local BMW dealer to get it balanced.

Roger L

[Lost Rider]

I have also found it hard to find a non-BMW shop that can balance the rear wheel in my travels, though my local yamaha/KTM dealer does balance it somehow.

With that said it won't be the end of the world to finish your ride on a non-balanced rear wheel, then get it balanced by your favorite tech. I've ran more than one non-balanced rear wheel when in similar situations, never even felt it.
Fresh rubber is more important and safer than a perfect balanced rear wheel IMHO, especially on the rear where it won't transmit the imbalance through the handlebars.

Good luck!

[Caol]

Thanks all!

Hoping to get some sort of replacement in Duluth.


Kyle

[waynemathews]

I have also found it hard to find a non-BMW shop that can balance the rear wheel in my travels, though my local yamaha/KTM dealer does balance it somehow.

With that said it won't be the end of the world to finish your ride on a non-balanced rear wheel, then get it balanced by your favorite tech. I've ran more than one non-balanced rear wheel when in similar situations, never even felt it.
Fresh rubber is more important and safer than a perfect balanced rear wheel IMHO, especially on the rear where it won't transmit the imbalance through the handlebars.

Good luck!

The last 2 times I replaced my rear tire my independent BMW shop mounted the tire and then took it across the road to an auto tire dealer where they used they dynamically balanced the wheel. Its good to have good relationships with the neighbors.

[Caol]

Thanks everybody!

Going to be dealt with at Moon Motors (BMW dealer) in Monticello, MN.

No one on the route was willing to swap a tire on a make/model they didn't sell.....

Fortunately, time is not of the essence!


TTFN

Kyle

[MTBeemer]

While it may not have made a difference in this particular instance, there are several good reasons mentioned here to do your own tire work. Even a relatively high end tire changer will pay for itself in short order. Consider getting together a few other riders you trust and buying a No-Mar for instance. You'll make the cost per person equal to what one tire change at a dealer will cost you; you'll find you are more knowledgeable and attentive to your tires; and, you'll know it was done correctly. It is not hard to do with good gear.

[Caol]

Well, it took a side track to Monticello, MN but the fine folks at Moon Motorsports had me in/out in 40min on Friday morning.

But what's a sidetrack here and there?!?

Then I wandered off and went too far north and had a good time in the middle of Minnesota! Wheeeeee!!!!

[fleuger99]

Well, it took a side track to Monticello, MN but the fine folks at Moon Motorsports had me in/out in 40min on Friday morning.

But what's a sidetrack here and there?!?

Then I wandered off and went too far north and had a good time in the middle of Minnesota! Wheeeeee!!!!

Glad you got it sorted and sounds like some good came of it