Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Sportbike Upgrade: 2007 GSXR 750 - AMAZING

Check out the new ride: 2007 GSXR 750:

Not a scratch on the bike:


I'll do a full post on the new bike, but here's a quick lap around Grizzly Peak and Centennial Dr. in the Berkeley Hills.

It's also a test of my new Vholdr helmet camera, way cool!! Stay tuned for more on the GSXR



Saturday, June 6, 2009

Buying tires in the Bay Area


Researching: Where to get the best deal on sportbike tires and installation in the San Francisco Bay Area

As of July 2009, the Verdict: Motorcycle Superstore + MotoTireGuy.com
Out the door price: $339.98, tires installed


The details:
Motorcycle Superstore - online motorcycle vendor (location: Oregon)
Most motorcyclists turn to the internet for great deals on parts (typically less expensive, sales tax can be avoided in some cases, and you can browse at your own leisure). However, most motorcycle riders don't have the proper tools to handle tire installation so it's not as easy as "add to cart" and "checkout"...or is it?

I was pleasantly surprised to find Motorcycle Superstore who had great deals on tires (Dunlop Qualifiers at the time were 25% off but I was too chicken to stray from my Michelin Pilot Powers this time). They also had a cool service I had never heard of before, "preferred installer program."
  • Preferred Installer program (link) - You order your tires online from Motorcycle Superstore, they ship to the "preferred installer," you take your bike or your wheels to the installer, and voila, you get new tires at the best price possible. My single compound, Michelin Pilot Powers came to a grand total of $273.98 with zero sales tax (buying from California) and FREE shipping (for orders over $75 or $100, I can't remember). Very cool and cost effective.
  • Choosing an installer - After selecting and purchasing the tires, I clicked the "preferred installer program" and started going through many tire installers. The highest rating and lowest price was the MotoTireGuy.com and being close to my new place in SF, I opted to Robbie's business near 10th and Lawton, SF, CA
  • Robbie, the MotoTireGuy in San Francisco seems to have the best installation prices: $(35+3)/tire for installation and disposal fee for wheels ON THE BIKE. For wheels off the bike: $(15+3)/tire. These were the best prices listed on the preferred installer program page.
Other dealers in the bay area charge about $100 to install new tires on top of the tire sale price.

Buying the tires online:
Ordering my tires online through the MotorCycleSuperStore.com was a very easy process. Select your tires, know the tire sizes for front and rear on your bike because they'll ask you to specify, submit your zip code to select your "preferred tire vendor" and purchase. Voila! Your discounted tires will be shipped to the preferred installer (for my order shipping was free and looks like it will take about 2 days to arrive).

The only feature of their website that I wish they had was to simply buy the "set" of tires. I picked up the Michelin Pilot Powers single compound and I had to select the front and rear tires separately. Maybe some people mix and match but I simply wanted the set. After talking to Robbie, he said mixing and matching wasn't a bad idea but no real advantages come to mind.

Don't forget to check the "closeouts" too before you buy. There was nothing I wanted at that time but they did have a Michelin Pilot Race rear tire and I thought about mixing and matching and then decided against it. Maybe they'll have some discount sets in the future that I'll pickup. Remember, race tires are NOT good for street riding as their warm up times are much different and wet-weather drivability is poor (information from Robbie).

They then gave me a survey which I didn't want to take but they offered me "$100" which ended up being $100 in magazine subscriptions. Which they then charged you $2/ea for the year subscription so if you're into magazines, maybe this is an option for you. It may also be a scam; hard to tell.

Installing the tires!
So after I submit my order, Robbie was informed of my purchase and that tires would soon be shipped to his business. Robbie was quick to update me when my tires arrived at his work and was very flexible with scheduling. This was the first time I had really conducted business via text message but it worked out just fine.

One note about Robbie's business: he doesn't carry tires or have any new tires in stock for you to just walk in and choose (he has some used tires which he'll sell you but he may not have your size; call to find out). He labels clearly on his website to order the tires from an online vendor and have them shipped to his business. Motorcycle Superstore was the best prices and did have fast service. Save Robbie the hassle by reading his website thoroughly before you call and ask him the same question the last 9 callers had asked, "what kinda tires do you have in stock?"

I arrived a few days later with my motorcycle (wheels on) near 10th and Lawton because I feared a miserable parking situation in the Sunset district. Not really the case. Anyhow, Robbie quickly takes my bike, puts it up on the stand, and gets to work. Meanwhile, he's offered me a seat and suggested I "grab a soda in the fridge." Some good ol' fashioned customer service.

After talking some, he finds my clutch lever is not adjusted properly (it was lacking the "nickel's" worth of space between the lever and the housing) and fixes the problem; no charge. He then suggests some tire pressures which were higher than track settings which was fine. He informed me that if you run your motorcycle at lower pressures on the street, you may feel strange performance and run the risk of bending / scratching your rims in a pothole.

He gravity balances my tires, ensuring he hasn't damaged my rims during the installation and wraps up the job.

It was no surprise Robbie was listed as the number one preferred installer at Motorcycle Superstore. He was very knowledgible about tires and had them on my bike in a little less than an hour (and I showed up late - I don't recommend this).

If you have any questions, he's happy to help, but just don't ask him if he has any tires in stock at his business for you; that's not the way the system works!

Using the tires:
Remember what every mechanic normally tells you after new tire installation: ride it like a Grandma for the first 50 or so miles; let the manufacturing chemicals burn / wear off, leaving you with fresh new grippy rubber. Don't be the guy that falls down in the driveway of the shop!

Thanks for everything Robbie - see you in 3 track days or 3000mi, whichever comes first!!