This one is a bit different. Most of the threads are about people looking for a changer for at home, doing a couple tires a year, and mainly for our STs.
I'm looking for suggestions for a quality unit that will do ANY motorcycle tire (so a wide range of wheel sizes), is durable/quality enough to do a fair number of tires, but isn't too costly for a small shop starting out. I've seen the ones for $125-$190 that are the suggested ones for home use, and that is what I was going to get for myself...but now that I hope to pick up some customers, I want something that will have the widest range of fitment, and hold up to more tires.
With that said...also keep in mind, in my area, there just aren't that many motorcycles...and I won't be a MC-specific shop, so I will have a limited number of customers. The several thousand dollar, air-operated, professional level changers are out. Even the dealers don't have those here!
I have checked out the professional-level machines, and have to say...they look nearly identical to a regular automotive rim-clamp tire machine. With that said...who has changed motorcycle tires with an automotive machine (other than darkside...which is what I already do)? How do they work? The shop already has a rim clamp tire machine there. If that will do MC tires, then the problem is solved!
Local shops get $60+ to change a tire, and nobody in the area has a MC wheel balancer. I plan to offer the same service...WITH balancing...at a reduced rate, hoping to cut into some of the larger dealer's tire changing business. There is always the possibility of starting out with a basic changer, then upgrading if the volume picks up enough to make it worthwhile.
I'm looking for suggestions for a quality unit that will do ANY motorcycle tire (so a wide range of wheel sizes), is durable/quality enough to do a fair number of tires, but isn't too costly for a small shop starting out. I've seen the ones for $125-$190 that are the suggested ones for home use, and that is what I was going to get for myself...but now that I hope to pick up some customers, I want something that will have the widest range of fitment, and hold up to more tires.
With that said...also keep in mind, in my area, there just aren't that many motorcycles...and I won't be a MC-specific shop, so I will have a limited number of customers. The several thousand dollar, air-operated, professional level changers are out. Even the dealers don't have those here!
I have checked out the professional-level machines, and have to say...they look nearly identical to a regular automotive rim-clamp tire machine. With that said...who has changed motorcycle tires with an automotive machine (other than darkside...which is what I already do)? How do they work? The shop already has a rim clamp tire machine there. If that will do MC tires, then the problem is solved!
Local shops get $60+ to change a tire, and nobody in the area has a MC wheel balancer. I plan to offer the same service...WITH balancing...at a reduced rate, hoping to cut into some of the larger dealer's tire changing business. There is always the possibility of starting out with a basic changer, then upgrading if the volume picks up enough to make it worthwhile.