We've beaten the tire thing relentlessly...but here's more.
I'm right at 50k miles on my 2009 R3T. I've gone through a couple sets of Metzler 880s, and a couple Dunlop Elite 3s. I have a Michelin Commander II on the rear just because the shop had it in stock and I was replacing an E3 with a nail in it at only 3k miles.
So, with the front E3 cupping at over 10k miles, I started shopping for a new set. I read through all of the tire threads (or is it treads?) to see what's working for my fellow R3T riders.
I'd pretty much narrowed it down to Avon Cobras, Dunlop Elite 4s, Bridgestone Exedras or even the Shinko Tour Master. I won't go into the sizing availability issues...but I settled on the Exedra Max. In the San Diego area, it's about $500 for the tires, install and balance. And there's almost no way of getting around that unless you buy them online and install them yourself. And I won't.
The tire shops have countered the online prices by adding a premium if you bring in your own tires. For example: I used to buy the E3s online for $275 a set delivered. I'd then have them installed and balanced locally for $65. Then it went to $75. Today, that same shop charges $115 plus tax plus a disposal fee.
There's a 15% discount if I buy the tires from the shop. And many are doing that now. Basically, they're gonna get your money one way or the other.
I found a local guy who installs and balances tires for $100 out the door. He also offered me online (eBay) prices for the Exedras. I ended up paying a total of $465 for the two tires, installation, balance and tax.
Not entirely pleased, but that's just the cost of riding, I suppose. And it's only a once in 10k mile event, so there's that....
OK, rant over. Ride safe, everyone.