I am pulling the front wheel tomorrow and dropping it off Monday at a local bike shop to have a new tire installed. Do I need to remove the rotors too ??? They look pretty delicate compared to other bikes I have owned. I probably can guess the answer but just asking.

No.

You don't have to....I never had a problem getting rotors back damaged....and I know the shop I used to go to rushed on tires. I personally saw a guy throw my rear wheel on the ground....rotor side down...guess I'm glad he knew nothing would touch but rubber on that side.....but I couldn't bring the wheels back after seeing that ...not without removing rotors and sprocket.

If you bring the wheels in without rotors and sprocket, they are impossible to balance. So that is the downside....upside is that balancing a motorcycle wheel is not really necessary.

So pick your poison: Possible warped rotors from abusive shop grunts or unbalanced wheels.

I just do my own tires now.

I left the rotors on and personally got an "I will be very careful" from the tire man ! Put the wheel back on today, took it for a 30 mile ride and everything is fine. But OMG what a difference a new front tire can make. I practically killed myself getting out of the back alley and on to the road. The new tire is so quick to respond compared to my worn out, flat and cupped stocker. Took it out to the twisties and had a ball. Its like a different bike. It leans so easily and corners like it used to. I put a Shinko Raven on the front and when the rear tire is worn out I have a Shinko Raven rear tire sitting here ready to go on. I tried some panic stops and it has good traction. No skidding and no lock ups. Seems to be a great tire !!! $75 for the tire, $25 to have it mounted and I have new bike handling. I am a happy camper....a little cold but happy !

No, it's not necessary to remove the rotors but they can be damaged by idiots. So please don't take your wheels to a shop staffed by idiots!

I just took mine back to my dealer (new haven power sports, New Haven CT). They did an excellent job. Tho they have a really good report and reviews. Guess I'm lucky there. But they installed a new front and rear for me. No issues at all. Like you said streetracer, what a difference in New rubber. Ya don't realize what you lose with a worn set of rubber.

* Last updated by: smatlock42 on 1/6/2014 @ 10:25 AM *