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Tires- how old is too old?

2K views 13 replies 12 participants last post by  DaveT 
#1 ·
Bike is a 02 V92TC Deluxe. 40k on the odometer. Bought 4 months ago from family of deceased friend. Tread is good- front and back. Mfg date on front is 0307 (3rd week of 07). Rear is 2515 (25th week of 15). Bike stored inside. Left sitting for 1.5 years after guy died. No dry rot. Wheels have spokes, so tube is involved. So, how old is too old?
 
#2 ·
You'll get different answers here ranging from 5-8 years from some folks. Tires, in my humble opinion, are very easy to read when they get to where they should be changed from age. Spider cracks, usually developing along the wheel, are a good tell tale sign it's time to change the tire.

All plastics and rubber off-gas until there isn't anything left. They all dry out and dry rot over time. Use good judgement is my best advice. I've got a 21 year old car that the dash is still off-gassing. It leaves a film on the inside of my windshield over time. That's why I like to install dash pads. They prevent that and they help make the dash stay good longer. Just common sense really.
 
#6 ·
I would not go longer than 6 years but that is just me. Most motorcycles are kept inside and out of the elements so I am sure at 10 years old most tires would be alright but just not worth it to me. Rubber gets hard as it ages and I need all the grip I can get riding the curvy roads around ETN.
 
#9 ·
Definitely would change out that front tire!
As tires age, the rubber becomes 'hard' and the tire doesn't have the 'tack' (stickiness) and will lose traction far earlier than a fresh tire, (especially on wet/damp pavement) never mind increased chance of delamination!!


Dusty
 
#10 ·
Replace both. Bike been sitting. Tires are just a wear item. Replace oil, brake fluid, tires, everything in maintenance get it done. Then you have a fresh bike to enjoy and follow maintenance schedule.
 
#11 ·
5 yr max for me. With spokes defiantly a PIA tubes and all. But wouldnt be as big of pain in but a sliding down the highway because of a blow out. I usually see cracking in the tread area.
 
#13 ·
If you are going to be just putting around town you can run some mileage off those tires. Just remember the tips you have read here: Check the air pressure, look for cracks in the low spots of the tread as well as in the side walls, and remember the tread is hard. I'm guessing you are not intending to do any canyon carving by the model bike you have.

Also, it is not a bad idea to run both wheels all the way around, looking for flaws. I made a run, out and back 375 miles 1 way, and had hit a serious pothole on the way out. Couple days later, as I was walking in my garage, I noticed a bump in the middle of the tread. Hitting the pothole had busted the casing. A first for me, and a reminder to pay a little more attention.

My hard rubber story relates to an 05 Road King cop bike I bought used in 2010, or 2012. Headed out to CA from NM with what looked like a good front tire, and just barely made it. The tread flew off that tire like chalk off a black board.

Ride safe and have a ball.
 
#14 ·
Just changed out the set on the ole VV last week. 2 yr.s 'n 27.5kM on the front (with just a little checkering and spider webs) 1 1/5 yr.s on the rear at 14.5kM (still good but I'd just hit the wear bars).

In yer case I'd change both... but I'm a scaredie-cat having riden through 2 front Michie Pilots with goose eggs growin' on the front tire for 37M. Michie paid for 'em but I've never bought 'nother Michie after such experiences.
 
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