Balancing act

Called around to find a place to get my tires balanced. This is for balancing two wheels with tires already mounted and off the bike. First place I called said $18.50 each if they don't have to turn the tire.
Next place I called is one of the larger shops in the area, I explain what I need and the guy nonchalantly replies....$35. After a shocked pause, I say $35 for both tires. He says no per tire.
I always try to be professional on the phone, as I often make business calls with work, or for our rental properties. This time I couldn't help myself , not only was this guy wanting to charge me nearly $100 for balancing two tires (after taxes and inevitable fees) , but he really expects that I believe this is reasonable. I ended up laughing at the guy as I told him he had to be a f*cking idiot, then hung up the phone.
Finally I call Griffith Cycle (KTM / Attic Cat dealer) a long standing community business, who used to be Honda/ Suzuki dealers they quote me ten dollars per tire for balancing and it took them all of ten minutes.

While I was there checked out KTM 's Duke line the single cylinder 390 Duke, and the V2 1190 (180hp) and 1290 super Dukes, as well as 1190 and 1290 adventure versions detuned to 150 hp.

The street versions of the super Duke remind me alot of the VFR bikes as the have a similar stance and riding position(s). I am not sure what features the newer model VFRs have but I was amazed to see what's available on today's bikes. Throttle by wire, cruise digitally adjusted suspension, engine and slipper clutch management.
Going to Honda website now to see what the newest VFR models offer and at what price range.

I know one place I won't go to buy a new Honda, $70+ fees to balance a set of tires, they probably want $45K for a new VFR.

later
db

 

Well, I don't see the need to call him an F*cking idiot, as you could just say that is much higher than the norm. Everybody needs to make a living, and some charge higher prices than we want, and if we don't like that, we buy elsewhere.

That said, $35 a tire (mounting, balancing, new valve stem, and tax) is pretty common out west. Try looking at a No-Mar tire changer.

 

Took my rear wheel & new PR4 to a local MC mechanic and he mounted the tire for $20, apologized he didn't have the right hub for his balancing machine, so I took it to Cycle Gear near my place and they balanced it for free! (bought the tire on line).

 

The price quoted wasn't for an entire tire change and balance, it was for balancing only of two wheels , the tires were already mounted , extras were stripped and ready to throw on the balancer. The entire job takes 5-10 minutes total, even if say you had to break the beads and turn the tire on the rim.

Not exactly proud of my comment to this guy, not even sure why I said that as I tend to be much more reserved and professional. I guess maybe I was insulted a little myself , something in his tone made me feel like he really believed that I wouldnt know any better. Like he had a sucker on the hook.

Either way I found it hard to believe that the cost of something so basic ranged from $20 cash out the door or even free to $70 for labor plus shop fees and taxes. 400-500% difference.t

It's always nice to catch the guys at the shop when there not busy. Sometimes I have seen them give a bike a good look over, fluids, tires, chain, etc. just for the conversation , knowing if they find something (a leak or a worn sprocket) they will likely get the job.

Then there are those places that won't even acknowledge your existence unless your having hourly labor done with parts provided by the shop, and an open Credit Card to cover what ever else they may find. These are the places that once you go there the first time you end up constantly having little (or not so little) things go wrong requiring frequent high dollar visits to the shop.


My father in law had a mechanic like the above , for years he bragged on what good care they took of him and his bike.
Until one day I replaced a water pump for him and noted the condition of the old pump indicated it had likely not been changed for years if ever , the shaft seal and main gasket were both leaking.
He showed me records of three different visits in the course of a year for cooling related issues. Almost $1000 worth of parts and labor including two water pumps, hoses, etc. None of which showed any sign of being replaced anytime remotely recent.
He was I total disbelief and took his work their two of three more times, before going in for an engine miss, guy charged him for all new plugs and wires. He noticed one wire looked different than the others. This caused him to have it looked at by a different certified professional who verified that much of the work billed had not been done, including the plugs which weren't replaced at all , and wires, only one which had been replaced with a used wire.
This mechanic was both Honda and previously BMW certified and operating independently. It just goes to show how people often can't be trusted, especially with a bike where a botched brake job ,or a half a$$ bearing job can cost you your life.

 

This. That's a pretty common price for tire balancing per wheel on a bike.

I bought all the tools to change and balance my own tires. They paid for themselves in only a couple of tire changes.

 

Sounds like HD pricing.

i can't imagine taking the wheels off the bike yourself and taking them to a shop and paying $70 just to get them balanced unless they are using pure silver or gold ingots for the weights.

 

Pretty standard amongst almost all dealers.

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Well. I don't know if I would have called him a f*cking idiot.. Then again, maybe I would have at that. Around here, the going rate to install and balance a tire purchased elsewhere is about $25 - 30. So I suppose 35 for just a bllance is kinda high. Sounds like he did not want your business. I would oblige him.

I have used dyna beads on a couple sets of tires now. Presently running them in the rear, and when I do the front, will use them there as well. There are mixed opinions here on the beads but I have no problem with them. Also with the beads, you don't have those fugly weights on your wheels.

Dyna beads are put into the tire through the valve stem. Remove the valve and pour them in. But if you have a 90* stem on your wheels, that way will not work. You will need to break a bead and put the dyna beads in through the broken tire bead and reset the bead. This is what I had to do. When you order the beads, they send you the amount you need for each tire. I am thinking of looking into putting them on my 3/4 ton if I can.

 

If you were near me the job would have cost you a beer or a decent lunch! Although the initial outset cost of buying a tire changer and a balancer is a little much, like Jeff found out, it pays for itself very quickly. Although you can change your tires without a changer, it will require a bit of effort, but it can be done. The balancing part is a little more difficult without the right tools but these can be bought rather cheaply, if look good enough. Most can be bought for the price the one guy was trying to get from you ~$70.

The gist I'm getting from your post is not whether you could DIY or not but the actual cost someone is charging for the service. Not sure if you described the task to them or not when you got quoted $35/ea. But this is usually the cost when bringing in the bike wheels attached. Most shops will be $15-$20 less, if off the bike. Some shops will charge a little more if you don't buy from them, sort of a reverse incentive to shop with them first. Others have a flat rate regardless of the purchase point. Anyway, dead topic.

If you plan on doing your own maintenance and/or adding to your bike collection, think about buying a changer and/or balancer. If you're lucky, your friends and local riders will come to you and you can make a little money on the side, or get drunk and fat from it!

 

My take on Dynabeads.

I used to be a HUGE proponent for them ... until I switched from Michelin PR2's to Bridgstone T30 EVOs.

With the PR2s, they worked beautifully both front and back at all speeds. When I switched to the T30's the front would constantly have an up/down shake until I removed the beads and manually balanced. Twice I tested the beads with the T30's and both times they failed.

I now put beads in the rear and manually balance the front - nothing smoother than a manual balance on the front wheel IMHO.

I still think Dynabeads are good and work well, but I suspect that they don't like certain compounds on certain tires. So, if you use them and find that you're getting vibes, remove them and manually balance from that point forward with that brand / model of tire.

 

Dynabeads? Oh, you mean snake oil! :wink:


I kid, I know this topic is as broad as tires and motor oil. I use wheel weights and will continue to do so until they cause me problems. So far having a good track record with them,

 

Ya know, after reading this and the mention of the beads, my last PR4 lasted half the mileage with the beads instead of Weights. First and only time I used them. And didn't even notice nor was told until I brought the wheel home to mount.
JMTC


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Interesting .... on my next rear tire change I will try a manual balance for comparison. My current rear is lasting nicely though and running beads in it.

 

The makers of dyna beads also sell dyna goo. I assume that is some sort of liquefied product.

 

Yeah, there's a few balancing slimes out there as well. Ride On is one of the more popular ones. Lots of ADV guys like it.

http://www.ride-on.com/

Personally, I don't want the mess when changing tires, and many ADV guys run tubes vs. tubeless.

 

When I worked in an independent ATV shop, a lot of our work was tire changes. Many guys use to repair their punctures with 'Slime'. We called it Gorilla snot! One of the first questions out of our mouths when someone brought in a tire..."Did you use Gorilla snot in this?" The confused look was always priceless. We hated the stuff as it was messy when it came to changing the tires.

 

http://www.marcparnes.com/

http://www.harborfreight.com/1-4-quarter-oz-wheel-weights-67225.html

:unsure: