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WTF!! Wrong size tire mounted!!

Dubbington

Dubbington

Slamdunk Champion
Joined
Jul 15, 2007
Location
East Yay
Moto(s)
EX Street Triple ;(
Name
Dubs
I was changing the rear shock of my bike and glanced at the rear tire and noticed 160/60/17.

I got a flat in October and took it to Ace Motorsports to change it, they had the "Stock" tire in stock.

I just checked online and the stock tire is supposed to be a 180/55/17.

Am I screwed? Do I ride up there and show them and have them replace it with a 180? Being a semi-new rider, will I noticed any difference with the 180?

Before anyone says anything...I probably should I have checked before I drove off.....I assumed they knew what the correct size tire belonged on the bike, they do sell Triumphs there.

They put on the wrong size tire on. Problem is I just noticed and the rear has about 1200 miles on it.

Ace Motorsports is a great shop and showroom with extremely friendly staff. In no way am I bashing them, just wanted to see what fellow riders thought I should do.
 
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I dont think Im gonna have that....it was back in october. But their computer system probably has it down.
 
Your rim size?

4.5x17 or 5.0x17 or 5.5x17 ?
 
160/60/17 is the normal size for 4.5x17 rims.

170/60/17 is the normal size for 5.0x17 rims.

180/55/17 is the normal size for 5.5x17 rims.

Sounds like you have the wrong tire size.
 
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http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/2009%20Triumph%20Street%20Triple_10176.aspx

Cycle Parts

Frame
Aluminum beam twin spar
Swingarm
Braced, twin-sided, aluminum alloy
Front Wheel
Alloy 5-spoke, 17 x 3.5in
Rear Wheel
Alloy 5-spoke, 17 x 5.5in
Front Tyre
120/70 ZR 17
Rear Tyre
180/55 ZR 17
Front Suspension
41mm upside down forks
Rear Suspension
Monoshock with adjustable preload
Front Brakes
Twin 308mm floating discs, 2 piston sliding calipers
Rear Brakes
Single 220mm disc, single piston caliper
 
you might have a problem getting them to change it for free. Since you've been riding on it since Oct.
 
Go talk to them in person. At this point you and the shop share the blame. Maybe you can work out a deal where they give you a substantial discount on buying a new 180 rear from them. I wouldn't expect them to give you a brand new rear tire for free though.
 
Dubbington said:
So they shouldnt have mounted a 160 then right?
Click to expand...

Yeah riding around on it since 0ct is gonna be a tough sell, but they definitely shouldn't have mounted a 160.


Also, I saw you the other day riding around. You got the white Street Triple right?
 
So they mounted a 160 on a 5.5 rim? Wouldn't the sidewalls be flaring outward just to get into the rim?
 
Yeah I'd imagine that getting the bead to set was probably a pain in the ass... I wonder why the mechanic/tech didn't use his/her noggin' and realize what was wrong?
 
Eric in Davis said:
Yeah I'd imagine that getting the bead to set was probably a pain in the ass... I wonder why the mechanic/tech didn't use his/her noggin' and realize what was wrong?
Click to expand...


Unfortunately, often, that's a stretch.

Most likely, it was just a shop monkey - some kid either apprenticing to the mechanic, or otherwise just working their way through school. Often, a shop will have only one certified mechanic, and apprentice or journey-level techs under them with no formal training - even allowing the porters to do odd jobs like mounting tires, not unlike the retail clerks at CG.

OP - valuable lesson. It's your bike, so your life depends on you being intimiately familiar with it. Can't find the G-spot? Doesn't matter much, in the grand scheme of things - but you need to be able to find your tire pressures and fluid levels. :ride.



-Q!
 
True ^^^

I guess it's just "wishful thinking" that the people working on your bike actually know what they're doing, and understand that your life is on the line if they are negligent.

I know that isn't really the case, but I still wish that people in general were smarter :laughing
 
If you go in for a friendly discussion, I'm thinking it will hinge on whether there is written confirmation of the tire size (either on your receipt, or in their computer). If you can't provide a receipt with the 160 size on it, they're going to think you're a quack (because this mistake sounds so unlikely). Make a good search for the receipt before you appear at their door (and ask to speak to a manager). If you can't find it, go in anyway, and ask them to look for it in their computer. Once they see their mistake, I'd hope they'll do the right thing (e.g., offer you 50% off the right size tire, and put it on for free). If it turns out to be a case where all the paperwork says 180 (and the tech just pulled the wrong tire), it'll be a hard sell, requiring your best diplomacy. Good luck.
 
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^^ What he said.

I just had the tires replaced. As I started the bike, I checked them out to make sure they were what I paid for. Checked pressure before I rode off.

It's like when the wife's car needs an oil change. I drive across the street to fill the car up with gas and check the oil along with anything else the touch.

I doubt it was malicious, just someone not paying attention. Good luck with them. If they don't work with you try the old 'Well, I'm going to dispute the charges with the credit card company' as a little leverage. But, I doubt most businesses will let it come to that.
 
As far as the receipt goes, there are two scenarios:

(1) they sold you a 160 and installed it.
(2) they sold you a 180 and instead installed a 160.

Now if your receipt shows (1) then you have a pretty good case that they need to make some concessions to "make things right" since what they did is 100 % wrong.

If your receipt shows (2) it's going to be up to personal interaction. Hopefully they will recognize that you aren't trying to scam them, and they'll do the right thing. But they could always be assholes and accuse you of trying to pull one over on them.
 
If you can't find the receipt, perhaps you can check a credit card statement (if you used one) to see what the purchase price was. A 180 tire should be significantly more $$$ than a 160 tire, that might help to figure out what you were charged for. Not perfect, but better than nothing if you don't have the receipt.
 
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