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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 48
| Well after 16,400 mi it was time to get some new tires. I decided to stick with the Dulop Elite 3's that were original. I never felt I had a loss of performance, just the front was down to the wear strips and the rear was not far behind.....
Well, I noticed right away how much more nimble the MC felt. It really reacts faster than it did before (I never noticed a performance dip). Anyhow it was time to change due to wear.
Oh, I called my local Vic dealer and they were about $720 (before tax) installed. They wanted $264 for the front, $325 for the rear. I saw a post on line where guys were saying they could buy these tires for $164 and $225 respectively. I called a MC repair shop in Kenosha and they quoted me the same as the online price and 3 hours labor @ $50/hr to remove and replace (balance and mounting etc all included). So after about $520 plus tax I was out the door saving about $200..........
I was not surprised that particular Vic dealer was so high, they always are on everything.
Any of you ever notice a big change in handling after fresh tires. I guess I was just lulled into it and as I said, never noticed. I have always loved how nimble the VV is and it is even better right now.
Bill |
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Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Yeah thats the downside to this beast. Wish i had the money for fresh tires more often. |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | On my latest replacement, I was POSITIVE that the dealer 'messed' with my sidestand because the bike was leaned over WAY too far. Damned near got a hernia every time I got on the bike. I finally went back to the dealer, where we realized the new tires were 'taller' than the worn ones - causing the bike to lean more. I am getting older and creakier, so I really noticed the sudden change!!!
And yes - the bike handles like a dream after new rubber ...
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | i guess you dont notice the decline in performance because it is so gradual. My car was running great at 110,000 miles i decided to change plugs. Old plugs looked fine. i was shocked that there a noticable improvement. Just replaced my front tire on the Vision. Bike rides like new. Amazing what a 1/4 inch of rubber will do.
Edited by cw1115 2012-07-11 1:06 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 4278
| Guess Bill you might have to learn how to pull your tires and walk them in to save some money.
OMG the dealer wanted $325 for the rear he was bending you over really good. I would check out a different dealer. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| I buy mine online too, my dealer is ridiculously high. And some people still buy from him.
Edited by kris1956 2012-07-11 5:09 PM
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 49
| Just bought new front & rear elite 3 radials at www.chaparral-racing.com for $351.00, free shipping |
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Cruiser
Posts: 51
lakes region, NH | I just put on a set of metzler high mileage tires...we'll see, got 14k out of the dunlops it came with. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 35
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan | I just paid 1000.00 for the same set installed!! |
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Visionary
Posts: 2118
Pitt Meadows, BC Canada | vision-ary - 2012-07-11 7:14 PM I just paid 1000.00 for the same set installed!! I pay the same, Ken. Difference is, I have a nice ride across the border and down to the Everett WA dealership about 1 1/2 hours away. I get new tires, then ride on to the Olympic Peninsula, spend a night or two there, fine dining and wonderful riding. Back to Canada a few days later and about $1,000 lighter in the wallet. Beats just handing the $1,000 to the dealer and going home. 
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Cruiser
Posts: 231
Desert Hot Springs (Palm Springs area), CA | I purchase a set of E3s from Jake Wilson for $374. I had 13,500 on my original tires. I have a local shop that mounted and balanced the tires for a total of $43. I had fun taking them off and putting the new ones on. Yep, my experience was the same. The bike rides like a dream. Nothing like new skins! Ben |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 1109
| The_Visionary - 2012-07-11 8:49 PM I just put on a set of metzler high mileage tires...we'll see, got 14k out of the dunlops it came with. I've been thinking about switching to Metzler, let me know how you like yours. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 763
Anderson, IN (48mi NE of downtown Indianapolis) | I always notice a difference when replacing worn tires with new. The bike, truck, and van all ride better with fresh tires. Too often I hear people claim how much better their new brand x tires handle than the old ones they replaced. Of course the new brand handle better than the worn out ones. But, that does not mean they are better. My Vision's rubber is getting close to needing replaced. I can't wait to get that new tire handling back.
BTW, I read on this website about the left side of motorcycle tires wearing faster than the right. I can definately see that on the Vision. I'm on my second set and both wore more on the left side.
Edited by victoryvisiontour 2012-07-12 8:49 AM
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Iron Butt
Posts: 612
| victoryvisiontour - 2012-07-12 8:45 AM
I always notice a difference when replacing worn tires with new. The bike, truck, and van all ride better with fresh tires. Too often I hear people claim how much better their new brand x tires handle than the old ones they replaced. Of course the new brand handle better than the worn out ones. But, that does not mean they are better. .....
EXACTLY !!!! |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 48
| Johnny, I did not go to the Vic dealer. I went to Moto Riders and got it all for $520. I paid the same as online price and 3 hours labor at $50/hr. I thought it was worth it. I would not have the Vic dealer do my work unless it was a critical issue.
Bill |
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Tourer
Posts: 395
Moravia, IA | bfisherman11......your dealer was really high.
You ended up getting a good deal on the tires......and a labor rate of $50/hour is also pretty good.
I really dont know how in the hell it took them 3 hours to change the tires though.....wow.....they must have stopped for lunch. My independent mechanic does mine in about 45 mins.....might have taken him a full hour the very first time though.
I usually change 2 fronts to 1 rear......he usually doesnt even bother charging me for just changing the fronts......takes less than 15 mins. |
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Tourer
Posts: 499
Chattanooga, TN | victoryvisiontour - 2012-07-12 9:45 AM BTW, I read on this website about the left side of motorcycle tires wearing faster than the right. I can definately see that on the Vision. I'm on my second set and both wore more on the left side. My front E3 wears fastest on the right and left of center leaving about a 3/4 inch strip down the middle. I got a total of 20k miles out of 2 E3s so averaging 10k/tire and they both did the same way. Handling became unsteady in shallow turns but they still ate up the sharp ones! I've got a Bridgestone G709 I'm gonna try out and see how long it lasts. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 259
Land O Lakes, FL | I love the "Stones" great tire. I noticed they didn't cup nearly as bad as the Dunlops and handle amazing. I'm going with the Stones when my E3s wear out, all though the E3's have been really good as well. |
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New Tires on