Posted: 7/8/2026 8:50:16 AM EDT
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When I bought my Boulevard two months ago, I knew it was going to need tires before the end of the year was out. Depending on the miles I ride, of course. Should I take it to the Harley place and let them change the tires? Buy them from Cycle Gear (or somewhere) and change them myself? I'm a handy guy, but i lack wheel balancing equipment, and I'd never use it often enough for it to pay for itself. All advice is welcome. |
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If you have a way to lift the bike, ie a harbor freight bike lift, you can pull the wheels and take them to the bike shop for mount and balance to save some money. It's easy if you can lift the bike, plus you can service brakes, etc with the wheels off. Those thick side wall tires with a pretty low profile get to be a pain in the ass to hand mount and balance. Carrying in the wheels saves some money, however tires are often sold cheap at bike shops to drive service work. I'd call around a little to see before I dove into pulling off wheels. You may be looking a a pretty small difference at the end price for just taking to a bike shop and having it done while you wait vs the work of pulling the wheels and ordering tires online. Tires also do have a manufacturing date, and since motorcycle tires often dry rot before you wear the tread out buying a 5 year old online discount tire can be a bad move. |
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Take them off yourself and take them to an independent bike shop to have them mounted. Depending on the shops around you, you may need/want to order the tires online. Shops don’t tend to keep a bunch of tires in stock. Service the bike while you have them off. Also, get metal 90degree tire valve stems. Remember that the slickest those tires will ever be is right after you put the new ones on so go easy as you wear in the sides. Congratulations on the purchase. |
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I’d say for this? Save a few bucks and take the wheels off yourself and take them in to be done. It’ll cost more but you’re less likely to fuck up your wheels, they’ll be balanced, etc. If you plan on doing more tires, a set of spoons, a cheap balancer and some YouTube will get you where you want to be. If you really plan on doing a lot, then a machine like a No-Mar will eventually pay itself off. |
You should move to the right lane, where the rule of vehicle and traffic law still exists. You will not survive here. You are not a wolf, and the left lane is the land of wolves now.
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Originally Posted By fttam: I’d say for this? Save a few bucks and take the wheels off yourself and take them in to be done. It’ll cost more but you’re less likely to fuck up your wheels, they’ll be balanced, etc. If you plan on doing more tires, a set of spoons, a cheap balancer and some YouTube will get you where you want to be. If you really plan on doing a lot, then a machine like a No-Mar will eventually pay itself off. This right here. I ordered my own tires and brought them and the bike to a local indenpendent shop. I just didn't have the time to take the tires off. Also this shop doesn't stock very many tires so he was fine with me bringing my own. |
| Is there much difference between brands? I don't know what sizes the bike has, I seriously doubt they'd need to be speed-rated - the Boulevard is hardly a crotch rocket. What tires last longer vs. having better grip on the road? |
Don't piss off old people. The older we get, the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent.
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Originally Posted By ceetee: Is there much difference between brands? I don't know what sizes the bike has, I seriously doubt they'd need to be speed-rated - the Boulevard is hardly a crotch rocket. What tires last longer vs. having better grip on the road? Call In to motorsport.com during business hours, they have good reps, that can recommend based on your goals, and budget. They have always been good, but I've been ordering a lot of stuff recently, and when I needed help, they were on point, including tires . |
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Take the wheels and have the tires mounted elsewhere. Cycle gear will mount carry-on tires for like $25. Or at least last time I did it they did. Dealers will rape you if you ride in.  Edit: I'm a Michelin guy. Go with the Michelin Commander. |
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Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu: Take the wheels and have the tires mounted elsewhere. Cycle gear will mount carry-on tires for like $25. Or at least last time I did it they did. Dealers will rape you if you ride in. Edit: I'm a Michelin guy. Go with the Michelin Commander. Good to know, there's a cycle gear right around the corner from my house. |
Don't piss off old people. The older we get, the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent.
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Originally Posted By INI: Call In to motorsport.com during business hours, they have good reps, that can recommend based on your goals, and budget. They have always been good, but I've been ordering a lot of stuff recently, and when I needed help, they were on point, including tires . Originally Posted By INI: Originally Posted By ceetee: Is there much difference between brands? I don't know what sizes the bike has, I seriously doubt they'd need to be speed-rated - the Boulevard is hardly a crotch rocket. What tires last longer vs. having better grip on the road? Call In to motorsport.com during business hours, they have good reps, that can recommend based on your goals, and budget. They have always been good, but I've been ordering a lot of stuff recently, and when I needed help, they were on point, including tires . Motorsport.com seems to be a racing magazine. |
Don't piss off old people. The older we get, the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent.
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Originally Posted By ceetee: Motorsport.com seems to be a racing magazine. Stupid autocorrect https://www.motosport.com/ https://www.motosport.com/streetbike/tires |
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For street, hard to go wrong with Michelin. With a cruiser you probably want whatever their touring tires are called. As far as mounting goes, depends on the tire. Street tires are usually not bad, adventure tires with super stiff carcasses are a bear, you need your technique perfect or it will either kick your butt, or you'll ruin it. |
| Motosport.com is a good company, I have purchased several sets of tires from them, the latest being last week. Pay attention to the "born on" date. One tire I bought was made a couple weeks ago, the other was made at the end of 2023, so there are some inconsistancies occasionally. They will let you return them if they are aged, but I've never been too annoyed with the dates as I wear them out before they age out. I always spoon my own tires, including the occasional darkside(car) tire. Spooning on tires is not for everyone. You can scratch your wheels, have trouble breaking or seating beads, it just depends on the tire/wheel combination you are trying to mount. I fabricated small clamps with pairs of roller bearings that go on top of some Jack stands. I can then balance my tires using gravity and spinning the tire on its axle, which sets on top of the roller bearings. I have run into many issues, but worked my way through them, however i often wonder why I dont take the wheels in to have them changed as sometimes it's a lot of work. |
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20 year + auto tech. I dropped my bike at a performance bike shop for tires. His price ontires was 6.00 off the best online price. Install was .5 hours labor per wheel. They cleaned the wheels. Cleaned the chain, adjusted it all. They are expensive. 175 an hour so for 175, mount balanced and r/i. |
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Originally Posted By SideCarGT: Take them off yourself and take them to an independent bike shop to have them mounted. Depending on the shops around you, you may need/want to order the tires online. Shops don’t tend to keep a bunch of tires in stock. Service the bike while you have them off. Also, get metal 90degree tire valve stems. Remember that the slickest those tires will ever be is right after you put the new ones on so go easy as you wear in the sides. Congratulations on the purchase. Cycle gear changes tires on wheels for like $40 each. That’s your best option. |
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"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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Everyone is offering solid advice here. I have always been of the belief that if you want something done right, then do it yourself. ScAmazon sent me a chineseium “tire machine” for $200; already had spoons and a small bucket of lube. It’s really a glorified bead breaker, still doing the spooning on a bucket by hand with spoons and rim protectors. At the current labor rates of most shops, it has paid for itself many times over. To be fair there are about 20 tires (non auto/truck) in the household; and the occasional friend bike shows up needing a tire swapped. So our case is not the same as yours. The Cycle Gear shop in your AO is where I would start. Ask them what they charge for the service, and for a recommendation on the tire choice. Most people will not need more than annual or longer service for tires. I don’t have a favorite brand, but the cheap tires tend to be muthafu**ers to mount and dismount; with street rubber the style of use will always determine the stiffness of the carcass. So spending top dollar on a legacy brand may or may not be a bargain. The rubber may crack and dry-rot before you wear it out, but it will certainly perform better than the typical china tire. |
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Originally Posted By 7mmStalker: The Cycle Gear shop in your AO is where I would start. Ask them what they charge for the service, and for a recommendation on the tire choice. Most people will not need more than annual or longer service for tires. There is a Cycle Gear not 5 minutes from my house. When the time comes, I'll give them a call. For me, this will likely be the only time I ever need tires, so for a one-time thing I can't see making the investment in the equipment to do it myself. Thanks for your insights Originally Posted By GTLandser: The most useful life information I have about motorcycle tires, is that a skid mark on the highway either leads to a cool story, or an organ donor. I already have lots of stories. Lol |
Don't piss off old people. The older we get, the less "Life in Prison" is a deterrent.
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Well this first bit of advice will not be useful to you, but maybe to others. Bikes with crash bars like Goldwings and Electra Glides, it's easy and proper to simply spread a heavy blanket or quilt on the garage floor and gently lay the bike down on it's side and let it rest on the bars to remove the wheels. Many, many motorcycles shops change these types of bikes' tires this way. Second, I'd advise you to consider an automotive tire. They are much cheaper and last 40,000 miles or longer on a motorcycle and they are much cheaper, maybe more than half the price. The motorcycle tires I've seen only seem to last about 5,000 miles. A friend I work with just last month did this exact thing with his Goldwing, laid it done, pulled the rear wheel off and took to a local tire shop that ordered the properly sized automotive tire and installed it. On the bars, the lean angle is not very much. |
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Originally Posted By PPCCFI: Well this first bit of advice will not be useful to you, but maybe to others. Bikes with crash bars like Goldwings and Electra Glides, it's easy and proper to simply spread a heavy blanket or quilt on the garage floor and gently lay the bike down on it's side and let it rest on the bars to remove the wheels. Many, many motorcycles shops change these types of bikes' tires this way. Second, I'd advise you to consider an automotive tire. They are much cheaper and last 40,000 miles or longer on a motorcycle and they are much cheaper, maybe more than half the price. The motorcycle tires I've seen only seem to last about 5,000 miles. A friend I work with just last month did this exact thing with his Goldwing, laid it done, pulled the rear wheel off and took to a local tire shop that ordered the properly sized automotive tire and installed it. On the bars, the lean angle is not very much. Please ignore this post. |
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Originally Posted By PPCCFI: Well this first bit of advice will not be useful to you, but maybe to others. Bikes with crash bars like Goldwings and Electra Glides, it's easy and proper to simply spread a heavy blanket or quilt on the garage floor and gently lay the bike down on it's side and let it rest on the bars to remove the wheels. Many, many motorcycles shops change these types of bikes' tires this way. Second, I'd advise you to consider an automotive tire. They are much cheaper and last 40,000 miles or longer on a motorcycle and they are much cheaper, maybe more than half the price. The motorcycle tires I've seen only seem to last about 5,000 miles. A friend I work with just last month did this exact thing with his Goldwing, laid it done, pulled the rear wheel off and took to a local tire shop that ordered the properly sized automotive tire and installed it. On the bars, the lean angle is not very much. F no. Maybe on a trike. The scariest ride of my life was on a bicycle that had the kind of the square profile tires that you see on the cars. Single track vehicles need to lean when turning unless you're going slower than walking speed (which was the intent of the company that rented the bikes out). With the square profile, first it refuses to lean, then it drops like a sack of bricks. |
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Originally Posted By PPCCFI: An obvious reaction to what you do not understand. I do understand, however, that literally no reputable shop would ever lay a bike onto its side to change tires. I would do it and have done it with my GSA. I would be livid if some amateur hour shop tried that shit. I also understand all about the Dark Side and arguments for and against. Dark Siders are the weirdo recumbent bicycle guys of the motorcycle world. Yes, it "works". No, you shouldn't recommend it to the OP. thatsrealretardedsir.gif |
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I recently changed the tires on my Ninja by ordering thru Cyclegear to my house. Once tires arrived, i put my bike on stands and removed front/back wheels, took wheels and new tires to Cyclegear where they mounted new ones. I took 'em home and put them back on the bike. Way cheaper than taking your bike to the dealership and rolling out with 'em mounted. |
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Originally Posted By PewPewPew1212: I recently changed the tires on my Ninja by ordering thru Cyclegear to my house. Once tires arrived, i put my bike on stands and removed front/back wheels, took wheels and new tires to Cyclegear where they mounted new ones. I took 'em home and put them back on the bike. Way cheaper than taking your bike to the dealership and rolling out with 'em mounted. This is the way. It's a good time to lube the chain and clean the swingarm, too. |
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Originally Posted By PPCCFI: An obvious reaction to what you do not understand. Originally Posted By PPCCFI: Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu: Please ignore this post. An obvious reaction to what you do not understand. In fairness, before I met her, my wife “went to the dark side” on her VTX1300 and put 40,000 miles on a Michelin car tire and it looked new when she sold it. She followed internet advise and almost gave it up because she had too much air in the tire and it was fighting the crown in the road. Once that was fixed it was great for her. Now, today? One a Street Triple 765RS? Not a fucking chance. Being honest, I’d rather ride a cruiser with a car tire around a corner than another KTM1290 Super Adventure with a barely DOT legal knobby that was worn flat… THAT was sketchy. |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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Speaking of tires, I mistakenly got a new rear SuperCorsa for my Speed Triple that was the wrong size. I didn’t notice it, the guy who mounted the tire did-somehow I ended up with a 180 series rear instead of the 190 that was coming off of it….. I thought: “I need to burn this tire up pretty soon because the front doesnt have half of it’s life left and I doubt I’ll ever try putting a 180 on a big bike otherwise…” so I went for it anyway and, well, it Doesn’t Suck…. That’s for sure. The bike doesn’t feel as ‘nosy’ on the front end, but as expected it steers lighter/faster and I did my normal riding loop with my buddies today and just rode the bike without thinking about it. Most of the ride was at a good clip but once I split off and rode home I went pretty ballistic and had a Grand Time. I came home to no chicken strips, no scares, and don’t dislike it at all. I do think it will wear faster than the 190 series that came off of it because the profile is more triangular than round, but it’s fine and I’m looking forward to comparing a fresh 190 to it. |
Never make another person a priority when they merely see you as an option...
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
"Some People Are Like Slinkies. They're Not Really Good For Anything, But They Bring a Smile To Your Face When Pushed Down The Stairs."
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Originally Posted By voyager3: F no. Maybe on a trike. The scariest ride of my life was on a bicycle that had the kind of the square profile tires that you see on the cars. Single track vehicles need to lean when turning unless you're going slower than walking speed (which was the intent of the company that rented the bikes out). With the square profile, first it refuses to lean, then it drops like a sack of bricks. Again, someone that doesn't understand what I am saying, or comprehend it. Never did I say install a square profile tire on a motorcycle, that would be suicide. Good grief! I suppose it is the nature of some people to think that they are always right and anything that is new to them is automatically wrong or incorrect. As at least one person has called it in this thread, it is called "dark siding". It is quite common. Dark siding is the practice of replacing a motorcycle tire with an automotive tire. And laying a goldwing or an electra glide on its side on top of a thick blanket or thick quilt or mat is also quite common. Even with a goldwing on the center stand you cannot get the rear tire and wheel off because there is not enough clearance between the fender and the ground. You guys should go into the service areas and see how motorcycle shops do it, or just look at some youtube videos, like this one.  Changing the rear wheel on a Goldwing GL1800 - READ THE DESCRIPTION!!!!! |
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you can buy a static balancer (which is fine for bikes) for under $100 on amazon. a rabaconda is a bit more expensive and with one bike it'll take a while to pay for itself. i'd just say go to cycle gear and let them do it. you'll pay a leeeeettle bit more for the tires than finding them elsewhere online, but they'll mount and balance pretty cheap. |
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Front and rear Pit Bull* stands and basic tools will pay for themselves within a few tire changes if you take the wheels/tires to Cycle Gear or a friendly dealer. Attached File If you're feeling froggy, add a Chinesium balancing stand, some tire spoons, tire lube, some sticky weights and a valve core tool and the ROI timeframe is the same if you do your own tires. You can use a small compressor or a bicycle pump. Get some 90 degree valve stems and thank me later. Add a Harbor Freight motorcycle lift and more basic tools you're generally self-sufficient for all maintenance. Add bike- and task- specific specialty tools and you can do everything yourself. Mission creep is a thing. Attached File *I hate the name (and the dogs) but Pit Bull stands are the gold standard. |
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Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu: No reputable shop is going to lay a bike on its side to change tires. Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu: Originally Posted By PPCCFI: You guys should go into the service areas and see how motorcycle shops do it, or just look at some youtube videos, like this one. This proves what I said a few posts above. "I suppose it is the nature of some people to think that they are always right and anything that is new to them is automatically wrong or incorrect." |
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Originally Posted By PPCCFI: This proves what I said a few posts above. "I suppose it is the nature of some people to think that they are always right and anything that is new to them is automatically wrong or incorrect." Originally Posted By PPCCFI: Originally Posted By PhuzzyGnu: Originally Posted By PPCCFI: You guys should go into the service areas and see how motorcycle shops do it, or just look at some youtube videos, like this one. This proves what I said a few posts above. "I suppose it is the nature of some people to think that they are always right and anything that is new to them is automatically wrong or incorrect." I’m sure that some shops do it. But he said “reputable” shops. And he’s correct, no reputable shop would ever do that. |
You should move to the right lane, where the rule of vehicle and traffic law still exists. You will not survive here. You are not a wolf, and the left lane is the land of wolves now.
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Originally Posted By PPCCFI: This proves what I said a few posts above. "I suppose it is the nature of some people to think that they are always right and anything that is new to them is automatically wrong or incorrect." Putting a GL1800 into repose to remove the rear wheel is a viable shortcut. ...but reputable shops don't take shortcuts. DIY people like the fat guy in the video will lay a Goldwing on its side to remove the wheel. A backyard shop will do it. They do it because they: 1) Do not own a capable motorcycle lift. And/or 2) Don't want to disassemble the rear fender/tow bar area and just roll the wheel out. Reputable shops will refuse to do all sorts of things because of liability. Laying a Goldwing or other large bike on its side is one of these things. I helped a friend change the rear tire on a GL1800. It was probably 20 years ago. We used a lift with a drop-out panel. He had also laid the big bitch on its side at a rest area to plug a tire. But, sure, let the class know what I don't understand. Attached File |
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Originally Posted By PPCCFI: Well this first bit of advice................... Second, I'd advise you to consider an automotive tire. They are much cheaper and last 40,000 miles or longer on a motorcycle and they are much cheaper, maybe more than half the price. The motorcycle tires I've seen only seem to last about 5,000 miles. A friend I work with just last month did this exact thing with his Goldwing, laid it done, pulled the rear wheel off and took to a local tire shop that ordered the properly sized automotive tire and installed it.  DO NOT take advice from the above poster EVER.
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