New tires on the way...

[CowboyBob]

I ordered new tires, tubes, rimstrips and front brake pads today from Dennis Kirk. I was checkin around online and couldn't believe they had the best price! I usually go with JC Whitney, but they were $238 for everything including shipping and Dennis Kirk was 208 for the same thing. I even had a 10 % coupon from JP but it was not applicable on the tires. I am going with D404 Dunlops. Stock size in front and the 150/80-16 on the rear instead of the 140. Can't wait for the big brown truck........

[BamaMike]

Got a new front a couple weeks ago and DK was the cheapest. Good shipping rate and the tire was here in 3 days with regular ground shipping.

[CowboyBob]

Thats why I went with them, I was looking at all the different places and wanted to get all the stuff I needed at one time. What kind of front did you get? I went with Dunlops...always had good luck with them in the past and I had a hard time finding a set that in another brand that had both sizes I needed.

[bamavulcandave]

Dennis Kirk and motorcyclesuperstore.com both have good prices.

[CowboyBob]

Dennis Kirk and motorcyclesuperstore.com both have good prices.

I never checked out motorcyclesuperstore.com-thanks, I am gonna add them to my links for parts and accesories. They look pretty good.

[Saleenguy]

I ordered new tires, tubes, rimstrips and front brake pads today from Dennis Kirk. I was checkin around online and couldn't believe they had the best price! I usually go with JC Whitney, but they were $238 for everything including shipping and Dennis Kirk was 208 for the same thing. I even had a 10 % coupon from JP but it was not applicable on the tires. I am going with D404 Dunlops. Stock size in front and the 150/80-16 on the rear instead of the 140. Can't wait for the big brown truck........

Cool, and I am guessing you do not have a big tire changing machine.

So a new gizmo I found is the item called a bead buddy, and it sure makes it easier changing tires.

With it and 2 spoons, its very easy to swap them over.

Have fun and ride safe.

[CowboyBob]

No, I don't, but a guy who I know has a tire machine and a Snap On balancer. He is gonna do the changing for me. I pull the wheels, bring them to him and get them back a few days later. I have done dirt bike and street tires and worked at a place and done car tires in the past. I hate doing tube type tires and its well worth it to pay someone else...as it saves me from buying multiple tubes!!!!

[bamavulcandave]

I never checked out motorcyclesuperstore.com-thanks, I am gonna add them to my links for parts and accesories. They look pretty good.

Here's my list of saved tire link's and info.
- American Motorcycle Tire
Good shipping rates, and FAST delivery (2-3 days to SoCal).
Bike Bandit
Motorcycle Parts, Motorcycle Accessories by BikeBandit.com
Chapparral
Dunlop Street Tires - Chaparral Motorsports
Dennis Kirk- Dunlop -Kaw 900
DennisKirk.com - Dunlop D404 Cruiser Rear Tires
Dennis Kirk- Metzlers-Kaw 900
Dennis Kirk | Metric Bikes Main Page
Discount motorcycle parts
motorcycle tires cheap tires discount tires
Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse (MAW)
Dunlop tire, agv helmets, bridgestone motorcycle tires, avon motorcycle tires, tourmaster
Motorcycle Pro Shop
MOTORCYCLE PRO SHOP- Compare Motorcycle Exhaust, Motorcycle Tire, and Motorcycle Accessories
Motorcycle Super Store (free shipping)
Dunlop D404 Metric Cruiser Rear Tire - Motorcycle Superstore
Phat Performance Parts Good price I could find and free shipping.
Phat Performance Parts - Great Parts, Great Prices, Great Service, Great Website
Rhino Motorcycle Tires
YouTube - Crazy motorcycle tires
Ron Ayers
Tire Express
Tire Express: Motorcycle, ATV, Tires, Tubes, Wheels, Suspension, Exhaust, Acessories
Tires Unlimited
Dunlop D404 Metric Cruiser Rear Tire - Motorcycle Superstore
Note:
On sizing, it is exactly like a car tire...
130/90-16
130 = section width
90 = aspect ratio
16 = rim size

The additional numbers are the load rating and the speed rating.

YouTube - When to Change Your Motorcycle Tires

Very important news about tires age, please view and drive safely.
ABC News

Tire Pressure
More temperature sensitive than you might think
________________________________________
In the colder months post a reminder about tire pressures and the effect of temperature on same.
On the outside of your tires is a recommended tire pressure range. (At least an upper limit.) For longest tire life it is my recommendation that you strive to keep them at the higher limit of those recommendations (regardless of what your motorcycle owner's manual might say to the contrary.) This pressure should be determined while the tires are cold - meaning, have not been used for a couple of hours.

Time/outside temperature affect the pressure within your tires. It is NORMAL for a tire to lose about 1 pound per square inch (psi) per month. Outside temperatures affect your tire pressure. A tire's pressure can change by 1 psi for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change. As temperature goes, so goes pressure.

If a tire has 38 psi on an 80-degree day, it could lose enough air to have an inflation pressure of 26 psi on a 20-degree day 6 mths. later. That’s a loss of 6 psi over 6 mths. and an additional loss of 6 psi due to the 60 degree temperature reduction. At 26 psi, your tire is severely under inflated and dangerous!


You MUST check your tire pressure on a regular basis (about once a week is reasonable) and to be particularly aware of it on cold days.

[CowboyBob]

Thanks for all the info Bamavulcandave! The tire pressure and age reminders are especially good. I never saw the special report on the age, and it is definately something to know about. The pressure i am prety good about checking...My dad ingrained that in me when I started driving! i keep a gauge in every vehicle,and one in my tool box and one on the compressor! I tend to run my tires for the maximum load unless I think I need less PSI for some reason.

[Z-In-Jax]

No, I don't, but a guy who I know has a tire machine and a Snap On balancer. He is gonna do the changing for me. I pull the wheels, bring them to him and get them back a few days later.

A few DAYS later, it takes about 15 min with the equipment you mentioned, why does he take so long? That's a lot of lost riding time....

[CowboyBob]

Unfortunately its a side thing for him after work, even the dealers here won't do them same day, they told me I have to drop them off and they would get them done "generally in two days" even with an appointment!!!! I will do some other maintenance too and I timed it for when we were having my sons B-day party so I knew I wouldn't ride anyway.

[BamaMike]

Thats why I went with them, I was looking at all the different places and wanted to get all the stuff I needed at one time. What kind of front did you get? I went with Dunlops...always had good luck with them in the past and I had a hard time finding a set that in another brand that had both sizes I needed.

ME880 for me. I have a ME880 on the back with 9000 miles on it and it looks like it still has another 5000 in it (stock 'Stone only made it 6,000). I got 15000 out of the stock front and expect to get over 20,000 from the new ME. I also put a motorcross tube in the front. It has 3mm thick rubber and was a pain for the mechanic, but he got it in.

It is amazing how much better handling a new tire gives. I hadn't really noticed how much I had to push to get the bike leaned with the old front. With this new front the bike flicks around real quick and is supper stable in turns.

[Saleenguy]

A few DAYS later, it takes about 15 min with the equipment you mentioned, why does he take so long? That's a lot of lost riding time....

Thats what I was thinking to....its a 10 minute job, just stop and do it.
Or if doing another bike that very moment thats a rush job, it still should be no more than an hour or so.

Maybe I am just too impatient, but no way I would days to have a tire mounted.

Besides its nicer to do my own, than risk someone else screwing it up.

[CowboyBob]

Unfortunately, he is an HVAC tech and does this as a favor on the side. Now that winter is coming everyone is gettin busy gettin heat ready...he is busy. THe shop around the corner from my work said to make an appointment and it will be probably 2 days before they get to it(ridiculous). Cycle gear is my other choice and they will take 24 hrs minimum. I could bire tire tools, but then I still gotta get it balanced.

[CowboyBob]

I got my new tires today!!! Now I gotta get the wheels off and then the new ones on!!! As soon as the wife gets home or the kids are in bed...I will get crackin with the tools!!!

[CowboyBob]

BikePics - 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 800
BikePics - 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 800

[gvrider]

What size are you running on the rear?
How much did Dennis Kirk charge you for shipping?

[CowboyBob]

What size are you running on the rear?
How much did Dennis Kirk charge you for shipping?

The rear is a 150/80-16 and it cost $88.99 the front is a 80/90-21 and it was $55.99 the shipping was $5 bucks per tire which came to a total of $154.98. It was the best deal I could find! I would highly recommend them!

[CowboyBob]

BTW the stock was a 140 on the rear.

[SeanMTX]

I notice a lot of you guys just order your tires....do you end up putting them on yourselves?

I can't see myself putting a new tire on a rim myself...can do so at Discount Tire for hardly any money and a heckuva lot easier.