Shopping for tyres in Ontario

[jimbonaut]

Need me some new rubber - anyone got the skinny on where I can buy (online) the cheapest, ideally in Ontario? I bought from Pete's Superbike in Quebec when I lived in Montreal, but they don't have the sizes I need. FortNine is my other go-to...a little more expensive but they do have the tyre (Avon Roadrider Mk II) and size available. Any better suggestions most welcome. Cheers gents.

Edit - also on the lookout for a left brake caliper if anyone has a spare knocking around

[flyin900]

No info on your location presently, or the bike your inquiring about. Brake caliper needs that info for informed choices.

[jimbonaut]

Good point - it’s a ‘76. I’m in Ontario, but shopping online for tyres is ideal.

[5speed]

fortnine is my go to. they have a much better selection than anyone local

[Rat]

Second Fort Nine … but I try to buy tires in the States when I’m down there, specifically Iron Pony in Columbus OH … much cheaper, they do sell online but the shipping negates the savings. A good excuse for a Road Trip !

Gord

[jimbonaut]

Any excuse for a road trip is a good excuse for a road trip, amen brother.

FortNine has served me well over the years and is certainly hard to beat. I have a bit of a shopping list with them so I'll add the tyres - may pivot to Shinko 230 Tourmasters instead. For a low cost tyre guys speak highly of them here.

[Sidecar Bob]

I usually prefer to order tires through my local Honda dealer, if only because their parts guy helped me figure out which tires would work best for me during my years of experimentation.

But the last time I needed tires the pandemic had just hit and they were closed until further notice so I had to shop online:
Fortnine is the first place I look when shopping for bike stuff online but they didn't have the tires I needed.
Royal Distributing had my rear tire so I ordered it on Friday and it arrived on Wednesday (pretty good at the height of the pandemic when everything was really slow).
I ended up getting the front from GP Bikes because they were the only place in Canada that said they had what I wanted. It turned out their supplier had it in stock so it had to be shipped to them and then mailed to me and it took almost a month to arrive. I would hope this would happen faster if I ordered now.

[jimbonaut]

Thanks for the reminder, I'd forgotten about GP Bikes. They're about 2 hours from me - I've been there a couple of times on my Bonneville (they have a pretty solid service dept) and always enjoyed the visit. Didn't think about them for tyres - checked out the prices and they're not a million miles off FortNine. The only place I've found that beats FN for tyres is Pete's Superbike just outside of Montreal, but now that I'm not just round the corner from them I'm not sure how much shipping would be. Plus they don't have the sizes I need this time.

[Sandy]

I order my Tires through a local PowerSport shop in Barrie.
They are just around the corner, are always priced right and order in any brand I ask for.
I also get them to squeeze tires off the rims, on and balance for a fair price, to save my back and shoulders.

[Jonesz]

My buddy uses Royal Distributing and has had good luck and service from them. Competitive pricing.

[Sidecar Bob]

FWIW, I'll probably go back to the local dealer the next time (assuming we are allowed to shop for non essentials in person at that time).

[Crazzy450z]

Another online place to check is revco.ca..

I'm currently shopping for a set of tires for my combo of parts. I have a stock '83a with a GL1200 swing arm and final drive and wheel.. So the stock size front tire at 120/90-18 and possibly a 160/80-16 rear.. its finding the front tire I'm having issues finding..