How much $$ to change rear tire (2010 RT-S SE5)

[Madison Sully]

I recently bought a new rear tire for my Spyder, and amidst several other summer projects thought I'd have it installed by a dealer instead of doing it myself. The quote I got back was 2 hours of shop time billed out at $150/hour, so $300 for labor only. :shocked:

I have changed a couple dozen motorcycle and scooter tires over the last several years, so the exchanging of the rubber bits don't make me nervous. I even did the fronts on my Spyder maybe a month ago; fortunately the balancing equipment I have fit. That was a nice surprise.

Anyway, on to the point. Two questions; First, is $300 a realistic, typical charge for changing the rear tire (assuming here I ride the Spyder to wherever the service is to be done, not just bring a wheel in). If it's deemed high I may continue to search for a place to do it for less, but $300.... Yikes.

Second, the process. As I understand it, to get the rear wheel off you can jack the vehicle up and detach the rear shock so that the belt gets slack. Slide the belt off, and the rear wheel comes off by removal of the axle, like a typical motorcycle. Main thing to keep in mind is the belt adjustment stuff; screw that up and I'll be out a $300 belt.... But if that is left undisturbed, and the wheel replaced in the same position as it is now, all should be fine.

Thoughts? Any tricks I should know going in?

Thanks,
Sully

 

[PW2013STL]

I do my own and yes if you remove the shock bolt that will allow you to lower the tire enough to slide the belt off. If you have the level arm on yours make sure you disconnect that so you do not bend it.

Also make sure you remove the speed sensor from the rear wheel, and make note of any spacers to ensure you replace them in the same way.

Loosen the axel nut, and remove the rear brake before removing the shock bolt. Once you have that bolt removed than remove the axel and lift the Spyder to lower the tire, slip the belt off and continue to raise the Spyder until the wheel can be pulled out.

Reverse to install.

As long as you do not touch the adjusters you should have the same belt alignment and tension.

 

[Raprider]

Local dealer in PA has the following listed on their Service Menu:
Replace Rear Tire - $374.49
Replace Front Tire (each, 14" or 15") - $139.49

 

[Madison Sully]

Local dealer in PA has the following listed on their Service Menu:
Replace Rear Tire - $374.49
Replace Front Tire (each, 14" or 15") - $139.49

:yikes:
Wow... $139.49 to lift a wheel, remove three nuts, swap a tire, and put the wheel back on.
Dayum….
Makes me wonder how tire places make any money when WalMart charges, what, $25 for install on a car tire?

 

[Raprider]

Probably due to the high cost of all that crystal clean air :dontknow:

 

[teninospyder]

My local (national chain) tire shop removed old fronts from rims and installed 2 Quadtrac5 tires I brought in, and machine balanced for $10 each !:clap:
My local Spyder Dealer removed old rear tire and installed new Quadtrac5 I brought in, for $150. Included checking belt and adjusting tensions, etc.
(which is what he would have charged even if it was a Kenda bought from him. ) :yes::yes:

 

[wallburl]

Yikes--My dealer charge $183 for all tires to remove the old &remount car tires--wallburl

 

[Madison Sully]

Probably due to the high cost of all that crystal clean air :dontknow:

Not sure how Walmart could install a car tire for so much less if this is the case.

 

[Madison Sully]

My local (national chain) tire shop removed old fronts from rims and installed 2 Quadtrac5 tires I brought in, and machine balanced for $10 each !:clap:
My local Spyder Dealer removed old rear tire and installed new Quadtrac5 I brought in, for $150. Included checking belt and adjusting tensions, etc.
(which is what he would have charged even if it was a Kenda bought from him. ) :yes::yes:

Well now that seems downright reasonable.

 

[Madison Sully]

Yikes--My dealer charge $183 for all tires to remove the old &remount car tires--wallburl

There may be a ride to Kansas in my near future....

 

[lstayner]

I took a car tire in and had the dealer pull the tire off the bike and change it. He quoted $110.00 and ended up charging $90. It took the tech less than an hour to change out the tire.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

Is that in Madison or Johnson Creek? Might check the two dealerships.

 

[Madison Sully]

Is that in Madison or Johnson Creek? Might check the two dealerships.

Engelhardt in Madison. I'll check out Johnson Creek, thanks.

 

[missouriboy]

My dealer quotes two hours to replace rear tire. But their rate is only $95 (plus the ubiquitous 5% "shop supplies" addon), so about $200 labor.
I expect new fronts to be delivered Friday, but I'm taking them to an independent shop for mounting and balancing. Will report charge later (if I don't forget).

 

[Dennis in Lodi]

Lodi WI shell station. Dan puts my tires on for $20. You bring the tire and wheel.
This is 20 minutes north of you. 608-592-3722. Only the owner Dan will do this service?
Otherwise Cycle World in Madison WI installs tires YOU bring in for $50.
Dennis

 

[manxman]

order the tire online (discount tire) about $82 , take the wheel to any tire shop and they will charge maybe $15 to change it. If you buy the tire from discount (if you have one available locally) they wont charge to swap them out.

 

[Madison Sully]

Thanks guys. I already have the tire.
As far as taking the wheel in to have just the tire removed and the new on put on the rim, I can do that myself faster than going to a shop.
No, for me the hump I need to get over is wheel removal and installation; if I can do that in a couple hours total, so let's say three hours for the whole job, I'll do it myself.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

Thanks for the heads up with Engelhardt. Not sure what Rob's will be like, but very Spyder friendly dealership... Wisconsin Spyder group called SOAR sponsored through them (Spyder Owners and Ryders ... joinsoar.com).

 

[canamjhb]

Dealers quoting and actually charging 2 hours labor for changing a rear Spyder tire are fostering the bad service/repair costs so many of us are experiencing. There are exceptions. I had to have a rear tire replaced while on the road in New Mexico. My charge was $213.00 which included tax and the new Kenda tire. (They only had Kendas in stock and I needed to get back on the road). Unfortunately, dealers charging a reasonable rate seem to be rare in the Spyder world..... Jim

 

[missouriboy]

My dealer quotes two hours to replace rear tire. But their rate is only $95 (plus the ubiquitous 5% "shop supplies" addon), so about $200 labor.
I expect new fronts to be delivered Friday, but I'm taking them to an independent shop for mounting and balancing. Will report charge later (if I don't forget).

$10 each for new valves, mount & balance. Mexican open-air used tire dealer with many outdoor "stalls" to service customers, while you watch and advise, like the good old days before insurance lawyers. They even had the little flat balance weights like OEM. I told them "15 psi, and 1/2lb tolerance" and the guy meticulously brought each tire to exactly 15 with his electronic gauge. And used a torque wrench on the lug nuts. Great service!