Kootenay Dealers

[ST1300Rider]

I need a bit of help gang. There's quite a contingent of ST1300 riders descending on Nelson in late June. Some of these folks are doing some big miles just to get here (South Florida kind of miles) and plan on touring a bit once they arrive. They're going to need tires, maybe oil changes etc. Any dealers to avoid? Any that would install tires that they didn't sell. We're trying to get a drop shipment from Pete's Superbike if we can work something out. Open to all ideas. TIA

[Kootenanny]

Not a whole lotta dealers in the area.  In fact, I can think of three: Main Jet Motorsports in Nelson, Playmor Power Products in South Slocan, and Barrett Honda Yamaha in Fruitvale (sorry, no website that I can find...).

Year before last, one of the Borscht Burn guests needed a front tire on the Saturday afternoon.  I called Main Jet, and didn't get much help (it was, after all, abouit 4:30 Saturday afternoon). I then called Playmor Power (which was closer, anyway) and Rob was able to get a new tire installed right away (we rode over, he removed the wheel in the parking lot, and they installed the new one he bought from them--their stock was limited, though!).

I can suggest Bruce up at Westside Small Engines, about a half-hour from Nelson just up the Slocan Valley.  He has a motorcycle tire change machine (I know, because I sold it to him) and although he's not a motorcycle dealer per se, he rides himself (and, indeed, is a member of this forum, although not very active) and so has a good understanding of your requirements.  His shop hours are limited, though, so call ahead...

Or, you can contact Bubba...he just might have some ideas.  Guys would be welcome to use my garage if required, as long as I'm around (I won't be during the last part of June/early July), but I have no specialized tools, no lift, nothing but a concrete floor under cover and basic hand tools.

BTW, we used to have another dealer in Nelson (Kootenay Sleds and Wheels), but the business burned down a couple of years ago (on New Years Eve, under suspicious circumstances) and it has never re-opened.

Keep in mind, there are a lot more dealers over in the Okanagan, and the ride there can be very good, so if someone wants to make an overnight trip to, say, Vernon or Kelowna for service, that might be a plan, too.

[birdrunner]

On one of the Banff Runs VFRJOE purchased a tire at the Harley/Honda dealer in Cranbrook.  They're easy to find as they're next to Tim Horton's on the main highway.

[alphabet man]

On one of the Banff Runs VFRJOE purchased a tire at the Harley/Honda dealer in Cranbrook.  They're easy to find as they're next to Tim Horton's on the main highway.

 The Kawi dealer, also on the strip has been pretty good to me, full service, ask for Mark, he is a great mechanic
http://www.allseasonsmotorsports.ca/

[ST1300Rider]

Thanks guys. It's appreciated. I've got to get an idea on numbers first, but now I've got someplace to start.

[ST1300Rider]

On one of the Banff Runs VFRJOE purchased a tire at the Harley/Honda dealer in Cranbrook.

I remember him, big over the head left hand wave to anything on two wheels.   That could have been the run I met you guys at the Sask. River Crossing.

[bubba zanetti]

Barrett's Honda has closed so the only local options are Playmor and MainJet.  My own suggestion would be to get tires in Cranbrook and call ahead. The local guys prices are astronomical. What are the dates when you are here ?

[birdrunner]

Barrett's Honda has closed so the only local options are Playmor and MainJet.  My own suggestion would be to get tires in Cranbrook and call ahead. The local guys prices are astronomical. What are the dates when you are here ?

Anything to stop you from getting it done on the USA side of the border.

I'm just wondering what the big deal is,  I've ridden my tire eating XX to W.Virginia, Ottawa, Bubba's and home on one tire (two up , pulling trailer, loaded ),  does the ST eat tires that bad?

[Kootenanny]

Yes, as Bubba says, call ahead...the local shops are not only expensive, but their stock is limited, and I dunno how happy they'd be to mount tires bought elsewhere.  I've never asked 'em, as I purchase my tires elsewhere and mount 'em myself...guess I'm part of the problem.  But not all of it--one of the partners at Playmor Power told me once that his wholesale cost on tires is higher than what some US online sites retail for.  That's a problem with the Canadian cycle wholesale system...

Bird brings up a good point, we're about 3-4 hours from Spokane here, if anyone feels like heading south of the line for service.   I didn't mention Cranbrook, as you specifically said Nelson.  I would check with Aaron at Main Jet in Nelson to see if he'd pass you guys some kind of group rate, first--there might be some interest there.

[ST1300Rider]

Barrett's Honda has closed so the only local options are Playmor and MainJet.  My own suggestion would be to get tires in Cranbrook and call ahead. The local guys prices are astronomical. What are the dates when you are here ?

I'm in Kelowna June 15 to 17th and then will meet the main bunch in Nelson on the 19th, staying until the 24th. I'm just the middle man. I'm passing all this stuff on the the main organizer who, (I hope) is following up. Cranbrook is an option. There's a rider from Kentucky meeting me in Kelowna. Is the Kelowna Honda dealer still around? I've dealt with them in the past, expensive, but they did get me back on the road in a day.

[ST1300Rider]

Anything to stop you from getting it done on the USA side of the border.

Not really, it's just in the wrong direction. There's a bunch headed to Alaska after ripping up BC for a week.  

I'm just wondering what the big deal is,  I've ridden my tire eating XX to W.Virginia, Ottawa, Bubba's and home on one tire (two up , pulling trailer, loaded ),  does the ST eat tires that bad?

With a light throttle hand, 2up, I average about 10K klicks on a rear, half again as much on a front. Remember, fully loaded 2 up that pig weighs close to 1000 lbs. Solo, running hard in the Sierras say, less. Last year in Idaho, solo, I used up a front and a rear in 5K on the fresh chip seal we kept hitting around Moscow.

Some of these riders are planning on 15K for the trip and aren't starting with virgin rubber. The problem is even at full load the bike can be thrown around pretty good, generating a lot of heat. I've seen guys get the front so hot the rubber was starting to bubble.  

[Kootenanny]

Is the Kelowna Honda dealer still around? I've dealt with them in the past, expensive, but they did get me back on the road in a day.

Hmmm...I just googled their site, and they don't list Honda specifically anymore--looks like the dealership was bought out last year, though, so who can say?  There are several other motorcycle dealers in Kelowna as well, though: http://www.kelownayamaha.ca/, http://www.bentleymotorrad.com/, http://www.valleymotosport.com/, http://www.kanesharleydavidson.net/, http://www.bannerrec.com/index.htm, and I'm sure there are others.  There are a few in Vernon, also.

[auggius]

I live up the lake in Kaslo and purchased my last 2 sets of tires online from Pete's Superbikes and Bayside Performance.  Mainjet's tire pricing was high but they had no issues with mounting the tires I bought elsewhere.  They charged me $30 per tire IIRC with wheels off the bike.  But I had to schedule the appointment ahead of time.  I think they will mount tires on a first-come first-served basis on Saturdays.

Call them to see if they can help you out.  You are riding Hondas after all.  I think they provided some swag (caps & t-shirts) for the VFRD Kootenay Hootenanny a coupe of years ago.

[ST1300Rider]

I live up the lake in Kaslo and purchased my last 2 sets of tires online from Pete's Superbikes and Bayside Performance.  Mainjet's tire pricing was high but they had no issues with mounting the tires I bought elsewhere.  They charged me $30 per tire IIRC with wheels off the bike.  But I had to schedule the appointment ahead of time.  I think they will mount tires on a first-come first-served basis on Saturdays.

Call them to see if they can help you out.  You are riding Hondas after all.  I think they provided some swag (caps & t-shirts) for the VFRD Kootenay Hootenanny a coupe of years ago.

Thanks for the info. This is the kind of service we're looking for.

[ST1300Rider]

Just a close out on this thread. Big   to Main Jet in Nelson. Couldn't have asked for better service. They had tires in stock for both ST11/13 and did the job right. Price was reasonable for a dealer who has mouths to feed. As a bonus, they had a small Honda demo fleet in house when we were there and gave our group first shot at a full day of demo slots. I got to ride both flavors of VFR1200 back to back but that's another story.   Thank for the advice guys.

[Kootenanny]

Glad it all went well.  Too bad I missed you guys--I'm in California just now...

And yeah, I got the chance to ride the VFR1200 last year at Main Jet...Aaron just threw me the keys.  There was only one "flavour" then...

[Thunderbox]

Yes, as Bubba says, call ahead...the local shops are not only expensive, but their stock is limited, and I dunno how happy they'd be to mount tires bought elsewhere.  I've never asked 'em, as I purchase my tires elsewhere and mount 'em myself...guess I'm part of the problem.  But not all of it--one of the partners at Playmor Power told me once that his wholesale cost on tires is higher than what some US online sites retail for.  That's a problem with the Canadian cycle wholesale system...

Bird brings up a good point, we're about 3-4 hours from Spokane here, if anyone feels like heading south of the line for service.   I didn't mention Cranbrook, as you specifically said Nelson.  I would check with Aaron at Main Jet in Nelson to see if he'd pass you guys some kind of group rate, first--there might be some interest there.

So why doesn't he buy from an online place and be able to sell at a lower price.  Sounds like a little bit of BS is being used, maybe more than a little.

[birdrunner]

So why doesn't he buy from an online place and be able to sell at a lower price.  Sounds like a little bit of BS is being used, maybe more than a little.

I had e-mailed the Nelson place (Main Jet) for a price installed,  he was only $20.00 more than Alberta Cycle, which has the best prices in the west.   So,  for a place kinda out of the way, I thought his price and service were quite good.