Heya all,

I bought my first - a 2005 Sporty 1200 Custom. 5200 miles on her.

I haven't checked the tire dates yet, but I have checked the tread/etc, and all looks fine, definitely a while to go before I come close to the wearbars.

However I have read a few threads here that speak of older bikes, the possibility of factory tires, and how they should be immediately replaced if they're originals.

My question is why? Assuming no deformities, bulges, or other damage, why not continue to run them? I'm curious

Thanks!

 

Because tires dry rot with age and while they might look OK on the outside, the rot can be on the inside. Think of a new tire as a wet sponge and a 6-7 YO tire as a sponge that's been left to dry out.

 

Thanks for the fast response! Much appreciated

 

My general rule is that any tire over 5 years old should be regularly inspected for age cracking. Any tire 10 years old should be replaced regardless of whether close inspection reveals any cracking or not.

Rubber hardens with age and loses its elasticity (think of an old, dried out rubber band) so you lose a lot of grip with old tires.

 

+1 for the previous posts. Depending on source, tires should be replaced after 6-8 years, as they lose the necessary flexibility and grip due to oxidation. Every tire does, even if unused or the tread is still looking fine. As you ride, you constantly entrust your life on two inch-sized areas of rubber, and I bet you want your tires to serve you well.

Don't go stupid cheap here.

 

The main concern is that the rubber loses flexibility and grip while riding. To be blunt the stock tyres didn't have much of the last of those when new! I personally would check the dates asap and if they are original, which seems very likely, plan on replacing them pdq! This is an opportunity to buy aftermarket and get a superior ride and grip over stock tyres.

 

Thanks again everyone. I'll check the dates this weekend & replace them if they're still factory.

 

Bike tire manufacturers typically claim a 7 year shelf life. A lot has to do with how the tire was stored. Outdoors, for 7 years, is a tough life.

 

Stock wheel on an '05 Custom is a tubed spoke; change that tube, too! They're not that expensive, and I'd get the heavy duty ones with metal valve stems - got mine at the local Harley dealer, less than 5 bucks more than cheapies on the internet. If you have someone else do it, ask them to change the rub strip (like a big rubber band that covers the top of the spokes inside the rim) and check for rust and cracks - my '04 1200C's was cracking in the weld area inside the rim (that didn't get another tire on it!) - I do my own tires, doubt most shops would check for that if you don't ask.

With an OEM tread style Dunlop on the front, my skinny 21" front wandered and wiggled on every little road irregularity; the Avon Cobra on it now tracks over all those tar snakes and cracks like they weren't there; from what I've read, just about every major manufacturer tracks better. Way better traction, too. The newer tread design Dunlops are probably better, too. Some folks have said those thin 21" wheels are squirrely; it's not the wheel, that's the tire.

Your back wheel (stock original) is cast, tubeless, should already have a metal valve stem; if it has a rubber one, I'd get metal. I had a rubber one break off while trying to put air in it - they get brittle, too.

My 883 had "new" - no noticeable wear - 10 year old tires on it when I got it. Was scary how easy it would break the rear wheel loose on corners. I've hit it hard with the Avon Venoms on it now, and never broke it loose. That wasn't normal Dunlop handling though, that was dried out, hard old rubber; and any brand will get that way with age.