Motorcycle Tires

Let the good times roll with motorcycle tires

By John Williams, Business Writing and Research
Motorcycle tires are more important to motorcycles than automotive tires are to cars and trucks for the simple reason that there are half as many wheels involved. The wheel/tire combination helps with suspension and locomotion, just as with a car, but the gyroscopic effect also keeps the motorbike upright. These tires also have to do all this work on a much narrower contact patch than a car tire.

Replacing tires are best left to you the professional. Be well-prepared to give the best advice and selection when helping your customers replace or upgrade their tires once the old set wears down. Three opportunities to provide assistance include:

1. Installing new motorcycle tires;

2. Providing specialty tires for a custom look; and

3. Helping with emergency tire repair or replacement.

 

Stock a virtual warehouse with wholesale motorcycle tires

Since manufacturers' dimensions, rubber compounds and tread patterns vary so widely, show your customers they can trust you by providing expertise in selling the right tires for their motorcycle. Manufacturers' research and development provide the easiest upgrade to handling and comfort for your customers' rides. Buy motorcycle tires online, so you can keep a wide variety of tires at your fingertips without committing your physical space to all that rubber.
Try: Motorcycle Accessory Warehouse carries major brands of road bike tire such as Dunlop, Michelin and Metzeler. MotoSport lets you search for off-road motorcycle tires by brand or tire size to narrow the selection to what fits your customers’ bike and riding style best.

Install motorcycle tires that provide instant customization

One of the most effective ways your customers can obtain a custom look for their ride is to install oversized rear tire kits that can cover the tire, the wheel even the fender to ensure everything fits together properly on the first try. Or, dress up your customers' bikes with color motorcycle tires: blue, green, yellow, red, orange, silver or even camouflage.
Try: Desser Tire and Rubber produces the only color tires on the market: Innova ATV and off road motorcycle tires, and Tomahawk road and race tires. MeanCycles.com distributes oversize motorcycle tire kits from 210 mm to 280 mm.

Offer motorcycle tire tools for motorcycle tire repair

Rolling on two wheels makes a flat tire even more dangerous. Offering quick, effective repair and replacement even on the road can convert drive-bys into loyal customers.
Try: Wikco.com markets a manual motorcycle tire changer compact enough to work with a fixed hitch on the back of a truck or SUV–perfect for pit crews or chase vehicles on race day, or if you have a booth at a rally event. They also sell wheel balancers and accessories for the tire changer to work on ATVs and motorcycles with shaft drive. Stop & Go International offers on-the-road tire repair kits to limp a bike to the nearest shop–preferably yours.

 

  • Take advantage of online distributors with quick-ship options to hold inventory for you, letting you stock up on a wider variety motorcycle tires and accessories. Then while your customer's bike is in your shop you can demonstrate those other products on their bike: upgraded wheel/tire combinations, brakes and fork/shock suspension systems.

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