Tyres for BMWs - Lesson Learned -- Good Tyre Vendor

[Shep]

Thanks to Rusty. 
He explained to me as well as showed me why the 140/70 17 " would not be a good fit for the K100. He pointed out to me that the tyre is extremely close to the swing arm (on most BMWs) and I shouldn't stray away from the OEM specification for the rear tyre (130/90). Not only would it be too close to the swing arm and maybe rub but the overall diameter of the tyre was substantially less and the speedometer would not be reading correctly.
Now, I had bought the incorrect stickier tyre not for speed but better traction in wet weather. However I had purchased this spare tyre in October of 2011 as the rear tyre I was running at the time appeared to have a small leak. The leak healed and I ran this tyre to its replacement point. That is when I took my nice new stickier spare tyre to Rusty's shop to mount it.
I left Rusty's shop to go home to get my receipt for the tyre and later in the day went to NR Motors to see if I could exchange the 140/70 for a 130/90. Although when I get to NR Motors the receipt is nowhere to be found (left on the counter at home), they spend five minutes looking up the 18 month old purchase on their system and reimburse me the full value of the incorrect tyre. I had helped choose the incorrect tyre.
I then ordered the OEM recommended 130/90 and paid the difference in cost. They claimed that tyre prices have increased over the 18 months and the Metzler tyre is apparently a more expensive tyre.
Moral of the story is not just to keep receipts (and take them with you) but more importantly make your purchases where the business gives you quality service such as I received yesterday at NR Motors.
Shep
 

[madmac74]

Its nice to FINALLY hear a GOOD story from a local dealer ..

MAC

[fast1]

  Maxine has been a motorcycle parts person since I was a teenager. She originally worked at Interior Honda for ted and Helen. We worked together at Cycle North and she worked there up until about 5 years ago. Now NR. This lady may be a little brusque but she definitely knows her stuff. Donna has been at NR for along time as well. Talk to Max for motorcycle stuff. She is the one with short curly grey hair and large "square-ish" glasses. She gives me a deal but I worked with her for ten years. You could try dropping my name. I believe they deal with all the same aftermarket  distributors as everyone else. If your apprehensive about looking up your own part numbers at Excalibur then see Max. She rarely misses and fixes it when she does. CHEERS.

[Dennis]

Yes, it is good to hear something positive from the local dealerships. 

Despite the review, I just ordered tires from Canada's Motorcycle.  2 Kenda K657  130/90 - 16 and 110/90 - 19 for $128 Total (including taxes and free shipping).   I'll mount them myself.

Peace & Grease, Dennis