Ordering tyres from America?

[argada]

Have my eyes on a set of Dunlop Q3's that we can't get in NZ yet.
Even with shipping cost of 160USD added - the total cost seems acceptable.
Wildcard being customs, seems borderline - but could potentially add another hundred or so to the price.

Wondering if anyone has done this before?

[nodrog]

Yes i have done this (also with some dunlop qualifiers) but my total cost with shipping was $nz430 so customs left me alone.

[Danzano]

Will come down to the cost with shipping $500+ and it's a 50/50 yet pinged

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[AllanB]

Got some a couple years back - under $400 landed so no GST or customs. Used www.jakewilson.com bloody quick service!

[Gremlin]

Some places will only ground ship tyres, yet it's airfreight to NZ. This gets confusing for them, and thrown in the too hard basket. Several wouldn't ship to me.

As above, Jake Wilson was the only place I found at the time (with the tyres, at a reasonable price) that would ship.

[nzspokes]

Have been reading up about fitting tyres and balancing using beads. Could mean its a complete DIY job. Seems common in the US.

[Mike.Gayner]

It's highly probably they'll get caught at customs - someone above mentioned 50/50, but with tyres it's much more likely they'll get stopped than not. You need to account for the GST at the border, and the extra few days it'll take between them arriving and customs receiving your payment and releasing them. All this assuming the total NZD$ cost after shipping is above the limit ($450 now I think?).

[Gremlin]

Have been reading up about fitting tyres and balancing using beads. Could mean its a complete DIY job. Seems common in the US.
And read the extensive reports on using beads. Majority hated them (at least for regular road use).

[Banditbandit]

And tyres are build for different roads and conditions - not sure I would trust US tyres on New Zealand roads ..

[argada]

Thanks for all the replies, will take everything into consideration.


And tyres are build for different roads and conditions - not sure I would trust US tyres on New Zealand roads ..

Wha? Are you saying Michelin/Dunlop/Bridgestone/Pirelli/etc., build slightly different variants of their tyres for NZ road conditions??

[Tazz]

And tyres are build for different roads and conditions - not sure I would trust US tyres on New Zealand roads ..

Look mate, I'm not angry, just disappointed. We really need to talk to you about advertising and how much of it is true =P

[AllanB]

Balancer here or make your own if you have the ability. Plenty of examples on U tube how to use - simple stuff just take your time.

http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/products/T7TO4N0WB/title/torpedo7-motorcycle-wheel-balancer?gclid=COuOk5yWm7sCFYUzpAodRw8AMw

Removing the tyre is the shitty bit - breaking the bead, again you can get tools for this or I have seen some inventive home made units on the net. Will make on one day just for the hell of it.

As for getting the tyre on - watch this, I've not done it but it looks like a excellent idea!
http://www.customfighters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45433

[malcy25]

And tyres are build for different roads and conditions - not sure I would trust US tyres on New Zealand roads ..

Funnily enough, the Q2 that the Q3 replaces has a very good rep around the world. I'm on my second set of Q2's after doing 2 seasons of track day instructing on the first set. That set went on to then be raced at wangas last year by a mate. Cal Superbike School in NZ and Aussie use/used them as their staple tyre. NZ CSS have only just moved to Pirelli, but I assume that is a sponsorship deal.