Started to look at buying some tyres from the US, in an effort to save a bit of money. I have discussed over the weekend with a few other Harley riders with a few questions raised?

 

Are US tyres differentto what is sold in Australia?

All grey imports must have new tyres fitted, apparently by law 

Car tyres sold in Australia also are different to suit local condidtions (Shit roads). Is anyone aware if motorcycle tyres are designed differently for different countries

Thanks Chopaweeza.Would you be aware if there are any issues using US compliant tyres, or any issues with having them fiitted because they are not Aus compliant.? I was planning on using Jake Wilson with an online price of about half of what the Australian prices are and $65 delivery. 

 

Iggy

To Chopa

A number of the RAWS Compliancers were not swapping tyres over and were busted for it . One had their Compliance Licence suspended for 3 months for that and several other issues . Several others had short term suspensions for mostly not swapping tyres over .

You're damn right about that mate , I have seen several "greys" here in Perth that in no way had BRAND NEW TYRES ON !

Someone was "at the dodge" for sure . One 2009 CVO Springer with "4,000 K's" had a SQUARE rear tyre FFsake

Now they were still "legal" for WA pits pass obviously, and all were the original OEM "Harley" Dunlops

Did they get new brake pads and fluid ??  Well whaddaya reckon like ???

These were earlier this year and all had been complied "in the east" as you know

There is now a compliancer in Perth, operating in Wangara in Perth's north. A long term Mustang etc importer.

Kiwi dude apparently, and a straight shooter. Is doing my mates 3,700 mile 2003 V-Rod , one owner from Las Vegas

Bike came out of a personal "museum" and is the last of the anodised V-Rods. Shipped here out of San Fransisco where my mate's daughter lives with her yank Husband. IT HAS BEEN A BIT OF A PROCESS I CAN TELL YOU !!

AND THE SHOP ARE CHANGING THE 3,700 MILE TYRES AND PUTTING (BORROWED) STOCK MUFFLERS ON IT !!

Not to steal this thread, but can anyone tell me of a good place to get tyres in Oz? I live in Sydney.

As an aside, I've purchased tyres from the US for my car in the past, and won't do it again. I bought them from Tirerack. Yes, their prices were much cheaper, but that's because they sell "old" stock. My tyres started to crack 4 months in. You also lose any warranty the tyres may have, as most manufacturers will not honour it when purchasing from out of country. So for piece of mind, I buy locally now.

 Kiwidave, I do agree with you. I also view that a good relationshipwith the local Harley shop is important, and I have disucssed the tyre options with them. They do not have an issue if I import them, and will still fit the tyres and support. They also know a good relationship is good for business. I am getting my services done there as well, and they let me bring in my own Mobil VTwin as part of the service, as I can buy it cheaper. 

You are correct with the warrenty issues, and this is the reason I am on the forum discussing it. I was also wondering about impacts on being legal, insurance not covering etc, but Chopweeza has answered these. 

The real issue is I do enjoy riding the bike and keep wearing out the tyres, second set this year.

 

Iggy

PM Fat Tim, he had a good experience bringing a set in

To Chopa

Everything with you is an angry shouting match mate . Doesn't have to be really .

What "shouting" mate ? Just AGREEING with your statement that some compliance places were/are not replacing all tyres by default . That was self evident to me on several Greys I have been asked to inspect on behalf of potential buyers . One of the many Harley related jobs I do here in Perth is to inspect bikes on a pre-purchase basis. Some ( a few !!) of the greys have been plum bikes but sadly the majority I have inspected have been wanting and that's no exagerration !

 The "official" reason for NOT replacing tyres as given the the purchasers here in WA is that the tyres were the originals that the bikes left the factory with and hence were AOK to proceed. The had to be "Harley branded Dunlops" to qualify for that.

As for buying tyres in from the US to use yourself on your Harley it can hardly be worth the bother . As mentioned by others you are better to have a good relationship with your selected LOCAL tyre supplier and fitter.

I personally have bought ALL my stuff from the US for years for my Harleys , as I do all my own fitting EXCEPT tyres.

Whole bikes well good to go. Seats / mudguards / exhausts etc etc why wouldn't you buy them ex-US ??

 Thanks for the feedback, have ordered some Michelinn through Jake Wilson. Will advise how it all goes

 

Iggy

 Perthhog, looks like the advantage of livin in a Capital city. It costs me over $700 for 2 Metz fitted. SO I wil lsave $250. My other option is to do a run to Brisbane and I am sure I would get some similar prices.

fair enuff you sure are getting raped if you can save $250.00 i would go that way too i use to buy 98%of my parts from the us but latley i am buying local from
places like harley haven +mcs + rollies as there prices are on par with the us as and example i brought a few bits from harley haven and thay where about $70. bucks cheaper than a dealer in perth to my door same as mcs $250.00 cheaper on an frame to my door so yes i am all up for savings

Working in t,he trade for many years I would avoid buying tyres o.s. there are enough issues with local tyres, many defects can happen and swapping a tyre which fails or gets damaged can be a problem locally at times. I would run tyres which are through local dealers. Shop around and find a keen salesman who needs to sell at all costs. Bad retail times. Even secondhand works, I get a couple second hand when in need. After all these barges we ride are no hayabusa track day death machine. I throw mine round as much as gravity permits but nothing like my old R1 .