Buying your bike tyres

[coolhands]

Hi. I was registered on this site before but can't seem to log in. Anyway, I'm thinking of starting a tyre-fitting business. It will be specific to motorcycles (ie not a car place that orders M/C tyres in specially). Before I leap in with both feet, I thought I'd get some feedback. BTW I am a biker myself of many years, but I usually post on therevcounter.com. This is not an advert as I don't even have a business yet and it could all be a pipe dream so I hope you don't think I'm out of order for asking for your thoughts. This would be in the North / West of London.

One of my main problems (as a biker) is that tyre shops are only ever open when I'm at work, thus always causing me to have to go on a Saturday when they're very busy during the summer. Also, Sunday opening would be helpful to me (as a customer) as I always tend to do my bike work at the weekends. Therefore I'm considering (if I do this) operating longer hours ie in the evening.

It would be helpful to me if you could fill in the following (very brief) survey to give me some of your thoughts.

All info (none of it is personal anyway) will only be seen by me, not shared with anyone. I'm actually thinking quite seriously of doing this. With the last box in the form you can write anything, so if you have any thoughts (like I should sell race tyres or something) can be put in there.

It's really very short!

Thanks and have a nice day

https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHVUUzJvaklacTZYLVM4TTZUSGx4bFE6MQ

[neatbik]

This is something i have dabbled with in the past (and still do occasionally)

I have found you need to sell and fit a hell of a lot of tyres to make it worth doing... but..
having said that, if you can get the business then its a decent enough job.

Getting the right supplier is pretty crucial too (not that there are many though)

Feel free to PM me if you want anymore info.

[Villers]

Im on my ipod at the moment so I cant take your survey but I like your idea so I will take it once on my laptop.

The evening idea is fantastic, I wish it would be employed by other buisnesses that the working man needs to use but cant get to, like the bank or the post office (we tried to deliver it while you were at work but couldnt so come pick it up, we only open office hours). Trouble is that round my way a bike tyre fitting only service wouldnt survive without mechanic work on the side.

Locally its simething like £10 a hoop fitted, to make a living you would need to buy v cheap and then shift and fit loads to make anything.

Best of luck either way mate!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[binge]

There is very little margin in motorbike tyres. Watling Tyres are the main Motorbike tyre supplier in the Fast Fit world, and they are still very restricted on discount.

Bike tyres ordered in through my place are usually capped at around £10/£15 discount per tyre. The money is made up in the fitting fee.
Our place, it works out around £16 for a bike tyre. (Valve, Balance, Disposal).
Car tyre fitting fee is £9.50 (Valve, Balance, Disposal)

The pricing is extra on a bike because of the extra work/time it takes to remove the bike wheel, re-fit it.


I say good luck to you sir.

90% of the bikers we provide a service for bring their wheels in loose, along with new tyres they want fitting to the loose wheels. They rarely buy the tyres from our place.




Cheers


Ben

[Ariel Badger]

Do not be specifically for bikes. In the present climate you do not want to turn any business away.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[chris-red]

I got so pissed off with tyre service places I bought my own kit, I rarely buy tyres from a shop as they are cheaper online. Places near me charge £25 per wheel ride in, plus getting there places near me are open half days on Saturday and during the week I work probably It takes me 1.5-2 hours to change a pair of tyres it would probably take me 40 mins to get to a tyre place and wait for them to be changed and I save £50 AND can change them when I want. The kit was £90 and I went halves with a mate, so I make my money back instantly.
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[0ddball]

[m0l0t0v]

[Paxovasa]

I use a local mobile fitter, he can get the tyre, fit it and balance the wheel for less than what I can buy a tyre for

Don't just specialise in motorbikes as I doubt you will get enough work to survive.
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[sickpup]

Don't bother. Mick at Essential has the market for tyres north of the River tied up and FWR have south of the river.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[gearboxkart]

at national tyres in redcar you take your bike in and you can take the wheel off yourself they have a biker tool box so you have all the tools and then fitting is free or they remove/refit wheel and charge £10 so you carnt go wrong, i just had a avon roadrider 120/90/18 i think it was fitted for £70 ! i couldnt even buy the tyre on line for that price never mind fitting aswell.

[2wheelsteve]

[TheDonUK]