Motorcycle tires need to be changed after some time due to wear and tear. Therefore, a good number of new riders wonder how much they will incur when they want to change their motorcycle tires.
So, how much does it cost to change motorcycle tires? It costs between $30 and $125 to change one motorcycle tire. If you bring in the new wheels for your motorcycle and the mechanic’s task is to only change them, it will cost you between $20 and $50 per tire. Remember that the costs are influenced by a wide range of factors, including the make and size of your motorcycle tires.
If you are a motorcycle rider, you know its tires cannot be in good condition forever. No matter how well you take care of them, they will still need replacement at some point. Knowing the cost of tire replacement will help you prepare in advance.
The cost of changing motorcycle tires is between $20 and $125 per tire. However, this cost may vary depending on several factors. For instance, if you bring in a tire (carry-in service) and only need the mechanic to change it, it will cost between $20 and $50.
Factors like the size and make of your motorcycle tires could also influence the cost. However, there are several things you need to know about the cost of changing motorcycle tires. This section discusses them in detail.
The total cost of changing motorcycle tires varies a lot, depending on whether the wheels are on the motorcycle. If the tires are still on the motorcycle, it will cost more to change them. In some cases, ride-in services could cost between $40 and $80 per tire, even though the reasonable price is capped at $50. On the other hand, if the motorcycle does not have wheels, the cost of placing the tires will be significantly lower.
In such cases, the cost of replacing them will be between $20 and $50 per tire. Generally, the cost of replacing motorcycle tires varies significantly. Therefore, it is a good idea to shop around and get various quotes before deciding.
Many of the new riders might not realize how costly it can be to replace motorcycle tires. They might also not know how tedious and time-consuming it can be to change a motorcycle tire.
Given the demands of this process, most dealerships and shops charge between half an hour to one hour per tire for labor costs. The cost also depends on the motorcycle. For example, dealerships may charge around $100 per hour for labor costs or a flat rate of $70 per tire.
Similarly, your location could also influence the cost of a tire change. If you live in bigger cities, the cost of changing motorcycle tires is significantly higher than that in small towns. In addition, if the tires have tubes that might also need replacement, the total cost could go up. Tire tubes could cost between $20 and $80 per tube, depending on their make.
The cost varies depending on what dealership or shop you buy them — dealerships tend to be more than shops. This means that at a dealership, changing both of your motorcycle tires, plus tubes, and including labor costs can cost anywhere between $550 and $1,000.
Local mechanics and independents usually charge the least amount for a motorcycle tire change. However, they might not sell tires at the lowest possible price. If you want new tires on your motorcycle, it will cost between $250 and $1,000 — this includes the cost of labor.
Remember that the cost depends on the type of motorcycle and tires, the tires’ quality, and where you change them. On average, getting a new motorcycle tire, which has been bought from the same shop, should cost between $450 and $550. On the other hand, if you put in new tires by yourself, it will cost you between $150 and $300. This will also depend on the type of tire and quality.
For instance, retreaded tires are aged tires that have been used before. You can think of these tires as secondhand tires that have been redesigned and refurbished. They receive new treads and are often resold.
While the efforts to improve these tires are massive, they still receive a lot of bad reviews. Luckily, the authorities have not found these tires to be dangerous or increased the chances of accidents. However, their performance is not as reliable as that of regular new tires.
From various online reviews, everyone that has used retreaded tires has experienced problems on the highway. The main problem with these tires is that they expose you to a higher lateral force than other vehicles. Any kind of failure in one of the tires could result in severe consequences. Even though treaded tires are way cheaper than standard ones, you need to handle them very carefully.
Experts advise that only skilled riders should use treaded tires because they can handle the various inconveniences on the road. If you want to replace a treaded tire, you should go for a standard new tire. You should also avoid having treaded tires as both the front and back tires. This could increase the risk of instability and accidents.
Taking good care of motorcycle tires is very important. You should ensure that you take it to your mechanic regularly for checks. This goes a long way in elongating its lifespan. It is also a good idea to use tires interchangeably to get the most out of them.
Even though front and rare motorcycle tires are designed differently, changing them will help maintain good quality. By doing so, you will not only keep your motorcycle safe but also you and other road users.
Do You Have To Change Both Motorcycle Tires at the Same Time?
Motorcycle tires are vital for their operations. If the tires are not in good condition, you will experience challenges riding your motorcycle. When tires wear down, you can replace them with better ones: however, most riders wonder if you have to change both tires at the same time.
You don’t have to change both motorcycle tires at the same time. This is because the function of one does not affect the function of the other. According to experts, the rear tire gets worn out twice as fast as the front tire. The reason behind this is that rear tires are exposed to excessive wear and tear. Therefore, you don’t have to change both motorcycles tires at the same time.
However, you can change both tires of your motorcycle at the same time if you notice that both tires are five years past their manufacture date. This should prompt you into taking action because old tires can be problematic.
Old tires are indeed prone to damage — but it is hard to notice without thorough analysis. If you notice that both tires are five years past their manufacture date, you should replace both of them. This is because they were both built around the same time and have endured equal wear and tear.
There are a few more instances where you might want to replace both of your motorcycle tires at once. For instance, if you want to switch to a new motorcycle tire brand, you will have to change both of them.
Different brands produce a different road feel that suits a specific style of driving. This means that if you mix the brands, you might have problems handling the motorcycle. Given that different tire brands have varying handling feels, they might also have different durability and braking characteristics.
Some tires will wear down faster, while others might not be ideal in wet conditions. Therefore, you should be cautious when changing tire brands: go for one with the most suitable characteristics.
Undoubtedly, checking and changing your motorcycle tires is one of the most essential regular maintenance tasks you can do as a bike owner. You understand your motorcycle better and no one can make your ride smoother apart from yourself. Checking motorcycle tires will not only make your ride more comfortable but also enhance safety.
Remember that motorcycle tires can be damaged in many ways but it might be hard to spot them. However, if you notice any tire problem, then you will have to change it or have it checked by a professional.
One of the common problems that affect motorcycle tires is treads wearing off. Evaluating the tire treads is as important as checking car tires. Thankfully, the process is simple for motorcycle tires.
You can check the treads by grabbing a penny and putting it into your motorcycle’s tire tread. If you can see Abraham Lincoln’s hair or head, then you need to change your motorcycle tires. This is because they have become too old and treads are worn down.
Apart from using a penny, you can also use a ruler to measure the thickness of your tire tread, but they may be too thin for you to see. If the treads are ⅛ inches in thickness, they will be at a dangerous tread level.
At this point, if you don’t change your motorcycle tires, they will perform very poorly. This is likely to be the case, especially in wet conditions. Besides, tires with poor treads will increase the time it takes for you to brake. Such cases are dangerous because they increase the risk of accidents.
Motorcycle tires can also get damaged through physical objects. For example, if you run over a nail, then you may have to replace your tire. Any physical damage to your motorcycle tire can be repaired by experts.
This can be done through patching or tube replacement. However, if the physical damage is too severe, you will have to replace the tires. Doing so helps keep your motorcycle in excellent condition.
What Is the Difference Between Front and Rear Motorcycle Tires?
Some motorcycle owners use front and rear tires with the assumption that they work the same. While this might seem logical, it is not the case. There are several differences between the front and rear tires that make it impossible to use them interchangeably.
The main difference between front and rear motorcycle tires is how they are optimized for their tasks. The front tire is used mostly for steering and braking while driving. For that reason, its internal ply is biased to withstand the braking forces that could otherwise wear it down faster. The front tire profile is also sharper to aid in exiting and entering corners.
On the other hand, the rear tire provides acceleration and is braced internally for this task. It also has a flatter profile that helps keep the bike stable. The rear tire also has more treads, as it is exposed to more abrasion.
Generally speaking, there are two main differences between the rear and front motorcycle tires. In terms of shape, the rear tire is flatter while the front tire is more triangular. The triangular shape of the front tire helps you enter and exit turns with ease. The flat rear tire gives you the stability you need while riding.
The second difference revolves around the forces generated: the front tire and rear tire generate reversed forces. The front tire absorbs most of the braking forces while the rear tire absorbs the accelerations forces. Therefore, the inner lacing of these tires is set up in a reversed manner.
With that in mind, you can run a rear tire on the front if you reverse it so the rotational arrow points backward. However, you are strongly warned against using the front tire on the rear. This is dangerous because you will lose the stability effects of the rear tire. Besides, the front tire will wear out much faster since it doesn’t have the characteristics of a typical rear tire.
Finally
Motorcycle tires play a crucial role in their functioning. When motorcycle tires get damaged, you will have to change them. The cost of changing a motorcycle tire varies between $20 and $125 per tire.
However, this depends on several factors, including the size and quality of the motorcycle. Also, you do not have to replace both tires at the same time because motorcycle tires age differently. With the rear tires exposed to more abrasion, they are likely to wear down faster.
