This only works for adventure motorcycles, definitely not Harleys, sport bikes, or motocross bikes. But if you really want to get into adventure riding and you don’t quite know how to open the dialogue with your wife, do this. Borrow or buy a copy of Long Way Round, a documentary about traveling the world on BMW motorcycles starring Ewan McGregor and his buddy Charley Boorman. Your wife will want to watch it because it stars Ewan McGregor. That’s the Trojan Horse. That’s what you use to wheel the conversation about getting a motorcycle within the gates of “categorical NO.” As you watch episode after episode, you will imagine yourself being the crafty Odysseus, on a seemingly never ending journey home. Home is when your wife gets to the end of the DVDs, and says, “that looks pretty cool, I bet you’d really enjoy that, honey.” Not exactly a “yes,” but sort of an implied OK. Home is that spot in your garage that you start clearing, long before you have made your purchase, where you will eventually wheel in your new ride. It also can work when you have already had the conversation without a definitive green light, and you are in a sense taking your own “Long Way Round” to seeking your wife’s approval. You waive the element of surprise, because if you bust out LWR at the very end, she will know what you are up to and be suspicious. But it stars Ewan McGregor, you keep telling her. At this point, you might as well be throwing a hail mary pass into the endzone, in which case, this is the only play you’ve got left. So what do you have to lose?

Alright, Spring is almost upon us and riding season is right around the corner. I need new tires and am looking for the best price on TKC80’s. I figured others out there may be doing the same and this might be the best way to find the best price. Online tires are super discounted and many places have free shipping. I have befriended a mechanic at the local Honda dealership who is willing to mount my tires for free so this all works out great. Anyway, I thought the following info might prove useful and if anyone knows of a cheaper or better vendor or wants to add their research on a favorite tire add it in a comment This is pricing on Continental TKC 80 based on a Google search for “Discount Motorcycle Tires” as of March 3, 2009 (for my R1100GS). Sizes are 110/80 R19 for the front, and 150/70 R17  for the rear.

tiresunlimited.com f:$116.77 r:$148.21 t:$165
motorcycletires.com f:$141.43 r$128.00 t:$269
swmototires.com f:$112.95 r:$151.95 t$265 (Free shipping!)
americanmototire.com f:$107.87 r:$152.82 t:$259
tireexpress.com (package deal on both) $268.99 (Free shipping)
revzilla.com f:$121.81 r:$157.00 t:$276 (Free shipping)
jcwhitney.com f:$127.99 r:$161.99 t:$290
smalltires.com f:$110.21 r:$152.00 t:$262
onoffroad.com f:$112.95 r:$144.99 t:$258
bikebandit.com f:$116.42 r:$164.93 t:$281
kgmotorcycletires.com f:$116.04 r:$138.89 t:$254 (Free shipping)
cheapcycleparts.com f:$92.43 r:$130.92 t:$223.35 These folks seem to have the best price but as of this posting they are out of stock on the rear tire and could not tell me when they would get it back in stock. Many of these retailers will match or beat their competitors prices. That’s all I have for now. Let me know if you find any better deals!

Sully | Sully’s Garage

My disclaimer. I in no way guarantee any of the pricing above nor do I endorce or have any responsibility for any transactions with any of the listed retailers. Just sayin’.