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I am preparing for new tires at 10,400 miles.
The originals may last for another month or two, but I want to be prepared.
I intend to use scrambler type tires:
Pirelli MT60 RS 110/80-18 mfg # 2402500 List $221.95, $141.88 from Dennis Kirk or $149.91 from Bike Bandit or $168.19 from Cycle Gear.
MT90 150/70-18 mfg # 1421900 List 228.95, $128.88 from Dennis Kirk, or $152.71 from Bike Bandit or $174.15 from Cycle Gear.
I do not ride much in the dirt, but oft pull off the asphalt for photos, etc., onto dirt, gravel, sand, etc.
Plan is to remove wheels and bring to nearest Honda dealer or independent shop or Cycle Gear for mount and balance. Cycle Gear did a poor job of balancing on my Triumph...so that is questionable
The question is concerning tire removal. The owner's manual advises removing the calipers. Is that essential?
I can see that in the rear, as non-removal may be a support issue.
However, in the front, it appears that the wheel can be pulled forward, leaving calipers mounted.
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If you just take one off it is a LOT easier to put the wheel back on.
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I removed both calipers when replacing my front tire and it was a snap. I don't recall if it was necessary, however.
During the process I discovered that the hex butt end of a Honda oil filter cup wrench makes a perfect hand tool for loosening and unwinding the front axle.
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Do whatever works for you, but I remove the calipers and support them with a bit of string.
I find it much easier to deal with the front wheel with them out of the way.
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It's easier to pull the caliper off first than pull the wheel through the caliper. Less possibility of damage as well. Just hang them from the handle bars with string or bungie cords.
I recommend pulling the disks off as well so some knuckle head in the shop doesn't damage them.
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Thank you, all, for your responses.
Local Honda dealer charges $30 if I bring in a wheel and $62.50 if I bring in the bike.
Think I may just bring in the bike.
Was not particularly concerned with cost...just did not want to be there all day.
Service dept assured me it would only be a couple hours.
While I was there (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha dealer), I looked at/sat on a Kawasaki 900.
Decent bike, but very happy with my CB1100.
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When I did it I removed one caliper and it went just fine. The thing you need to be aware of is to NOT squeeze the front brake while the wheel is off or you could have a problem on your hands.
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I always take them both off and suspend them from the bars so there's no weight on the hose.
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Found a helpful size comparison calculator:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tir...-150-70r18
I went back to the dealer to order a rear tire (MT90 150/70-18) and saw a CB1100 Deluxe (was not there this morning): $9,995.
Also a used BMW R9T. Already sat on their Kawasaki 900.
Nice bikes, but I like the CB much better.
Dennis Kirk had the front tire, which I ordered and it should arrive Monday.
Rear was backordered at Dennis Kirk, so I did not order. I was thinking of getting both and keeping their rear as a spare.
Dealer $318.92 for rear, with "free" mounting, including mounting of front from Dennis Kirk.
Dennis Kirk: $141.88 for front
Total: $460.82...not exactly a bargain, but the last time I had a dealer involved in tires it was 2005 and about $325 ($300-350???) for F & R on a Sportster.
If inflation has been ~3% per year, then 1.39 x $325 = $451,so not out of line.
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(07-17-2018, 10:21 AM)SportsterDoc_imp Wrote: Found a helpful size comparison calculator:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/tirecalc?tir...-150-70r18
I went back to the dealer to order a rear tire (MT90 150/70-18) and saw a CB1100 Deluxe (was not there this morning): $9,995.
Also a used BMW R9T. Already sat on their Kawasaki 900.
Nice bikes, but I like the CB much better.
Dennis Kirk had the front tire, which I ordered and it should arrive Monday.
Rear was backordered at Dennis Kirk, so I did not order. I was thinking of getting both and keeping their rear as a spare.
Dealer $318.92 for rear, with "free" mounting, including mounting of front from Dennis Kirk.
Dennis Kirk: $141.88 for front
Total: $460.82...not exactly a bargain, but the last time I had a dealer involved in tires it was 2005 and about $325 ($300-350???) for F & R on a Sportster.
If inflation has been ~3% per year, then 1.39 x $325 = $451,so not out of line. Ah, don't forget about compounding, and I'm not talking rubber or pharmaceuticals. Your assumption of 3% inflation/year over 13 years = 1.468 factor, not 1.39. Remember, everything that goes up by 3% the first year goes up by another 3% the second year, and so on. It's not simply 3% x 13 years. The magic of compounding.
$325 x 1.468 factor = $477 inflated price today
If you paid $460.82, you beat inflation! 
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