So I took the bike for an inspection....

And the guy looked at the tires and told me the rear would not pass, it was too worn.   These are the original hoops, and the bike is a 2009.   Local dealer wants about 400+ to put new tires on it, probably the same hoops, since he said they priced out bridgestones.  I think the price on each tire alone was around 120-130 bucks.  Ouch.

Looking online, I see what is involved in removing the front and rear wheels.  Nothing impossible, though I can't say I'm gung ho to start tearing into it with a bunch of other projects as well as a sore back from a pulled muscle.  But, its gotta be done, right?

So that begs a couple of questions.  For starters, and I know this is a well hashed topic, what are the current recommendations on tires and where to buy them in the US.  I see several different brands on sites like revzilla and motorcycle superstore  such as michelin, pirelli, shinko and avon.  I dont plan on riding this bike probably more than a couple thousand miles a year, nor do I plan on taking it on long drives and hopefully not too much wet weather.   Previous experience lends me to want to get a matched set (same manufacturer/tire model) for both front and rear,  but again reading leads me to think that it may not be totally necessary on this scoot.

And the other question has to do with getting this bike off the ground to do the work.  A full sized lift table is not in the cards, my garage is packed with woodworking and metalworking machinery.  I do see that there are some smaller lifts that pick the bike up in the middle under the engine, but I'm not sure if that would work due to the plastic parts underneath.  As always, standing by for enlightenment.

Bob

The same lift I used on my Gold Wing now on my Silver Wing, for the latter I used a piece of 1/2 inch plywood sized for the lift. I used ratchet tie downs and completed the tire change with no problems. A torque wrench along with other proper tools and you should be good to go. I used a private shop and took the tires to him seeing he was a friend, he included mounting and balancing in the tire price.

Use the mainstand and do one wheel at a time, that's what I always do cos it worries me seen a wheel-less bike!
The back end is the longest job so do that first, but neither is difficult.
At 8 years old both tyres are due a change regardless of remaing tread, but I guess you've figgered that out.
Over here tyres are about £50 each plus about £10 for the man with the spoons to fit them. $400 is outrageous, who have you gone too? The Dick Turpin Tyre Emporium???
You will get caught out in the rain at some time so put something decent on.

You certainly don't need a lift to remove the wheels.

After loosening the big 27mm rear axle nut and the front 22 mm axle nut along with the two 10 mm hex pinch bolts while the scoot is still on the ground, I put the scoot on the center stand. Once I have removed the right swing arm and the rear wheel I use a Honda/Toyota car jack and a piece of 1/2" plywood (to spread the load) under the fuel tank area to raise the front enough to allow removing front wheel.

The new tires and wheels then go into the car and off to my friendly private shop for them to mount and balance the new tires.

I've never heard positive reports about Avon tires. Shinko tires dont have much of a positive reputation either. Given your projected minimal use, Pirelli Diablos would seem to be very cost effective for you.

$400 for tires? You are dealing with a pirate.

Tim

Thanks for the replies. The 400 dollar quote was from a local honda dealer. If the bike was jacked up under the metal frame beneath the motor, would it balance fore and aft at that point?

That plywood support piece can go forward closer to the radiator. There is a sub frame running along both sides to which the lower cover and the side skirts attach. It protects the fuel tank bottom. So, yes, the scoot will be supported/raised at three points. Of course I wouldn't allow the grand kids to be playing in that vicinity though.

My dealer is not a pirate. Costs me about 120 each installed (for IRC's). And since I don't have the tools or drive I take it in...

Here in Ocala Florida, our local Honda dealership installs the tires for free, if you buy them there....The bonus is they will price match on the internet, so Motorcycle Superstore, Revzilla or whichever online store/supplier has the best price (no ebay), plus taxes and disposal fees etc, will be your price!

I paid about $210 for a pair of Power Pure ...Installed, and my Shinkos were about $120 out the door!

You go in, order your tire at the parts dept (bring a website link) and when the tires arrive show-up at 9am in the service dept, about 2 hours later you ride out on new tires!

No fuss, no muss and no dirty hands!

Takes 20 min to remove the rear wheel do that end first on its centre stand, I use a trolly jack to lift the front just enough to remove the front wheel its easy to remove front wheel 5 min tops

As others have pointed out you do not need any kind of lift to remove the wheels (apart from raising the front to lift wheel off the ground). If you are used to bikes it is straight forward. As for tyres I have tried a few different makes , Bridge stone hoops are the recommended tyre and do the job well. I change tyres, usually once a year, as I average 10000 mls a year. I usually get 8000 mls from a rear tyre and 11000 mls from the front. Price wise each tyre is usually 60-65 pounds when the wheel is taken to the tyre fitter, who fits new valve and balances wheel.

Ordered a set of pirelli Diablo's off Revzilla.  Got them to pricematch.   I'll have to look more closely at the videos on taking both wheels off.

I just ordered a rear Pirelli Diablo for my 08 SWing. Should be here Saturday. It's getting a little flat in the center so I don't take it for any long rides for now. I'll take it to Larson Cycle in Cambridge, MN for mount and balance, then put in a bottle of Ride On when I get it home, put it on the SWing and be all set for another 4 years. I paid $75.34 for the rear from Bike Bandit. Also got the Ride On from them too which pushed me over the minimum for free shipping.

Both new tires finally came in this week, a pair of Pirelli Diablos from Revzilla.   Tonight I started taking the wheels off.  I used this video of the 7 minute Italian mechanic as a guide.    

The rear came off with about 20 minutes work.  I'll start on the front tomorrow after work, then Friday I'll take them to get changed out.

I run Pirelli Diablos, front and rear, its what Im used to and they are grippy. I put high-miles on my bike.

I just removed both tires to have the rims powder coated and this whole bike is undergoing new paint and fluid and maintenance.
Bike is on center stand, rear tire removed first, then used a trolley jack with a 1x4 to disperse the weight under the near front, just behind the radiator area.

Both wheels are off the bike in the second photo

Two thumbs up and I like your " support " box.

Dale N. wrote:

I just ordered a rear Pirelli Diablo for my 08 SWing. Should be here Saturday. It's getting a little flat in the center so I don't take it for any long rides for now. I'll take it to Larson Cycle in Cambridge, MN for mount and balance, then put in a bottle of Ride On when I get it home, put it on the SWing and be all set for another 4 years. I paid $75.34 for the rear from Bike Bandit. Also got the Ride On from them too which pushed me over the minimum for free shipping.

Just a heads up that it may not be the best way to develop rapport with one's local dealer. Kind of like bringing one's own CocaCola or steak into a restaurant and expecting a glass of ice and for them to prepare the steak. Not much profit in that.

Thats a cool yellow on that bike.   For sure that wasn't original.  

Front is off, very easy job.  The 22mm nut was very loose, glad I caught that.  Jacked it up with a piece of plywood protecting the plastic, loosened the allen bolts and tapped the axle out.  Taking both to a local shop to do the tire change.  I did look at a bunch of you tube videos and contemplated trying to change the tires myself, but with some lower back pain and arthritic joints,  I'll just pay to do it this time.  As it is I've got to do brakes on my car including bleeding all 4 corners this weekend,  so I'll save the body part wear for that.

I replaced my original tires with same tire and they were about 70 each plus installation. I got 11500 mile on the set. The 12000 mile service and valve adj. was a buxx kicker though.

Wheels are done, will put them back on after work today. Quick question, what are the torque specs for the nuts for either axle, and whatever else might be critical, such as the allen head bolts on the front fork, bolts that hold the rear swingarm on, bolts for calipers.

Thanks in Advance,

Bob

EvilTwin wrote:

Wheels are done,  will put them back on after work today.  Quick question, what are the torque specs for the nuts for either axle, and whatever else might be critical, such as the allen head bolts on the front fork, bolts that hold the rear swingarm on, bolts for calipers.  

Thanks in Advance,

Bob

Did you receive an answer to your question in one shape or form,Bob? If not, I'm putting my front tire on this upcoming week and need to look all that up myself. I have a service manual. I could certainly look it up this weekend.

dekare wrote:

EvilTwin wrote:

Wheels are done,  will put them back on after work today.  Quick question, what are the torque specs for the nuts for either axle, and whatever else might be critical, such as the allen head bolts on the front fork, bolts that hold the rear swingarm on, bolts for calipers.  

Thanks in Advance,

Bob

Did you receive an answer to your question in one shape or form,Bob? If not, I'm putting my front tire on this upcoming week and need to look all that up myself. I have a service manual. I could certainly look it up this weekend.

I did some online searching.  From what I found the rear is 101 ft lbs and the swing axle bolts were 36 ft lbs.  I torqued the front axle to 100 ft lbs. and the allen head bolts to somewhere around 40-50 lbs.  Its all put back together now,  finished right before a line of thunderstorms rolled through here tonight.

All figures are lb/ft. Front wheel: Axle 43/ Pinch bolt 16/ Brake Caliper 22. Rear: Axle 102/ Swinging arm 36/ Park and Normal Brake Calipers 22.

So I took the bike in for an inspection....

And it passed.....





Now to put some miles on it.