Silly question about inspections

[Oldster]

Are dealers the only ones who can inspect the Spyders? I've been told by my dealer if I put a car tire on the Spyder they can't (or won't) inspect it. Can a regular motorcycle mechanic put a sticker on it? Thanks!

[JKMSPYDER]

​Find a new dealer! The BS meter is off the charts on this one!

[quasi]

I would think anyone with a state inspection license could put a sticker on it.

[Bfromla]

I would think anyone with a state inspection license could put a sticker on it.

Any MOTORCYCLE Inspection place HD dealers included.

[Snowbelt Spyder]

Are dealers the only ones who can inspect the Spyders? I've been told by my dealer if I put a car tire on the Spyder they can't (or won't) inspect it. Can a regular motorcycle mechanic put a sticker on it? Thanks!

If you're talking about the PennDot annual inspection, any Pa Inspection Station with a motorcycle authorization can do the inspection. Not all stations apply for and get training for motorcycles. It doesn't have to be your Spyder dealer. You can search for stations by county here and ask them if they are authorized for motorcycle:

https://www.dot3.state.pa.us/busines...n_stations.jsp

The Harley dealer suggestion is a great idea.

As for background information - the Kenda tire IS a car tire. Bead design and rim design is the same. The reason it says "For Motorcycle Use Only" on the sidewall is because the Load Index rating of the tire is too low to be safely used on a car. It is NOT because the tire is a special motorcycle tire, nor that the Spyder requires one.

[ARtraveler]

The car tire myths are usually supported by the dealers who play the Kenda only games.

Like the Gold Wing, There are probably more 's out there with car tires than not. I have not heard of a single incident where a got into a crash because of a car tire.

If the dealer plays the game, look around for someone else.

[Bob Denman]

​Find a new dealer! The BS meter is off the charts on this one!

BS Meter.jpg

[JayBros]

I would think anyone with a state inspection license could put a sticker on it.

It's legally that way in NC although some inspection stations that do cars/trucks may decline. The shop that does my minivan does my Spyder.

[bill51]

BS Meter.jpg

for sure

[Oldster]

Thanks everyone I just drove my F3T home from the dealer, about 40 miles, in the rain, at 42 degrees ! Had to sit on one hand every once in awhile, even with gloves. This dealer is definitely playing the game, so called another dealer who said to bring whatever tire fits and he will install for $69. Thanks again for all the help.
Sheila

[Charlottes Web]

Are dealers the only ones who can inspect the Spyders? I've been told by my dealer if I put a car tire on the Spyder they can't (or won't) inspect it. Can a regular motorcycle mechanic put a sticker on it? Thanks!

I just got my F3 inspected last week where I get my van inspected. No problem. Ask around to see who inspect motorcycle.
christine

[Brentc]

My understanding from a few friend that do inspections is they don’t really make any money on them so they could care less on doing them. It’s kind of one of those you almost have to get your inspection license in order to run any kind of automotive shop so they do it. But any dealer that tells you what yours did should be suspect for future business in my opinion

[SPYD3R]

​Find a new dealer! The BS meter is off the charts on this one!

unknown1.gif

[RinconRyder]

I am SO HAPPY we don't have that inspection nonsense here in AZ. When I lived in VA you had to get your vehicle inspected every six months and they ALWAYS found the headlights out of position. Then you had to put the inspection sticker, which was rather large, in the middle of the windshield right next to the county sticker - further obscuring your vision. BS+

[Bob Denman]

Thanks everyone I just drove my F3T home from the dealer, about 40 miles, in the rain, at 42 degrees ! Had to sit on one hand every once in awhile, even with gloves. This dealer is definitely playing the game, so called another dealer who said to bring whatever tire fits and he will install for $69. Thanks again for all the help.
Sheila

Glad to hear that you've found a plan that'll work!

[SPYD3R]

I am SO HAPPY we don't have that inspection nonsense here in AZ. When I lived in VA you had to get your vehicle inspected every six months and they ALWAYS found the headlights out of position. Then you had to put the inspection sticker, which was rather large, in the middle of the windshield right next to the county sticker - further obscuring your vision. BS+

SAME 'BS' IN MASSACHUSETTS & FLORIDA..... it's a money grab, that's all it is....
Dan P
SPYD3R
SoCar

[Mikey]

This tire BS is a PITA!! Wife and I took a ride to one of the local dealers to check the place out and drool on the new bikes on the show floor. Got to ask the sales person a few questions about the stores ability to service my trike. Said they could do all services needed, ask if they did laser alignment, oh no they don't need alignments per say, OK, what's your feeling on installing car tires, OH NO, there's to much Liability there to do that, OK!!! I know why there doing this crap but don't know where they think there liable for one thing, a person comes in with a tire wants it installed, what's the big deal!!

[Chupaca]

The only ones that could have an issue would be the car that had the motorcycle only tire on it. as long as we did inspections we never checked tire brands or specs only tread depth and off road type on a street bike...

[SteveLaoyster]

As for background information - the Kenda tire IS a car tire. Bead design and rim design is the same. The reason it says "For Motorcycle Use Only" on the sidewall is because the Load Index rating of the tire is too low to be safely used on a car. It is NOT because the tire is a special motorcycle tire, nor that the Spyder requires one.

I just had my spyder in for inspection and asked the tech at the dealer if they would mount and balance car tires. He said that he doesn't recommend car tires because they are not the same size as the Kenda tires used by BRP.

He also said that by putting car tires on would possibly cause undue wear and tear on parts and therefore void the warranty on those parts.

I think it's crazy what some of these dealers are coming up with to deter spyder owners from putting on car tires.

[davehirst]

I get mine inspected at the independent repair shop that worked on my Honda ST1100 before I got the Spyder. No problem. (he did tell me last inspection my brakes needed replaced, but he didn't do them and said they would be ok till the end of last riding season, but I got them replaced shortly thereafter.)

[Docster]

Not silly at all. The silly ones are those whose answers are found in the owner's manual

[Highwayman2013]

Are dealers the only ones who can inspect the Spyders? I've been told by my dealer if I put a car tire on the Spyder they can't (or won't) inspect it. Can a regular motorcycle mechanic put a sticker on it? Thanks!

I lived in PA until 2014 and had car tires on our 2012 RTL. Had it inspected and passed every time. Yes any shop that inspects motorcycles can do a spyder.

[Navvet]

It's legally that way in NC although some inspection stations that do cars/trucks may decline. The shop that does my minivan does my Spyder.

Same here, my tire shop inspects all my vehicles, including the Spyder and Goldwing (with a car tire on the back). NC just requires a basic safety inspection just like Diesel vehicles.