Tyres from the US? [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

geoffm

22nd July 2007, 09:16

The BMW is going to need some new tyres (tires) soon - the joys of commuting.
A new set at Cycletreads according to their website is around $550 for Diablo Strada or Pilot Road C2s. They don't list the MEZ6 which is what it is running at present, but the will be similar money.
Looking on Ebay, a set is less than $US250, so someone is making some money.
Anyone here brought in tyres from overseas? What was postage costs? One thing about tyres is that you know what you are getting and there are no issues with fit or colour, unlike helmets, etc. I will pay a bit more for local service and stock, but things are a bit tight at present, and it is a reasonable saving.
Being ripped off in NZ is nothing new, I know someone who used to import their race tyres from Oz and saved a fair bit, and this was 10 years ago.
Geoff

Titanium

22nd July 2007, 10:34

Freight from the USA (FEDEX, UPS or DHL) would be no change from $150 USD.

You would then most likely pay GST at this end based on the USD purchase price and freight.

I doubt they would ship US Mail.

Problem is that freight is charged in pounds dimensional, which means you get charged for the full area that the freight occupies and maximum weight they could fit in that area.

Just my 2 cents worth, found out by inporting stuff from the USA for about 6 years.

Hope this helps.

Fatjim

22nd July 2007, 10:40

You'll get some dealer on here explaining why you shouldn't use US tyres.

Like.

1. they're 110v not 230v
2. Northern hemisphere tyres rotate the other way.
3. The compounds different

kneescraper

22nd July 2007, 11:00

1. they're 110v not 230v

Classic, pure classic!!

Sanx

23rd July 2007, 15:06

1. they're 110v not 230v
2. Northern hemisphere tyres rotate the other way.
3. The compounds different

Jeezus - some people are really not very bright. The real reasons you shouldn't use US-spec tyres are:

They're speed-rated in miles-per-hour, not kilometres-per-hour
The tyres are designed for left-hand drive motorcycles, not the right-hand drive ones we have here.Sheesh. Any dealer could have told you that.

Cajun

23rd July 2007, 15:09

i know a few years back fathers in law's brother in law, imported some white walled tires for his kawasaki vulcan (since could not get any white walled tires here y) but he got stung for duty on them.

But really you should be able to get something here tire wise, worked same easy long term i would believe.