I was working on my 97 RK today - replaced a defective fuel gauge, checked battery cables etc. Anyway; I finally took at look at the manufacturing date - on the front and rear tires.
The Tires are both Dunlop D402 white walls. Both were born on January of 2007. The tires look fine to the eye, but going on 7 years, I suspect they need to be replaced? How long do you all at the Evo forum, go on a set of tires? I know a lot depends on miles ridden per year, as well as how aggressive you ride etc. I was always told; that 5 years should be the longest a set of tires should be on the bike, no matter how good they looked? So; I guess I need to start shopping for a new set of tires.

 

At 7 years I would replace them.
None of mine ever last longer than 2 years.

I definitely recommend you get anything else besides the 402's.

 

Cheer up, it means you can buy a decent set!

I never tire of recommending other brands of tyre! My own favourites are Avon, who have recently introduced nice new Cobras just for us.

 

5 Years is a good Rule of thumb although that only works for me with my old truck that only run about 5-6K a year.. Never had a set of tires on any Bike owned last a year don't let them sit that much, one of the Joys being Retired .. I just put a set of Michelin Commander II's on the FXR4 and Love them ..

 

I'm lucky to get two years from a set of tires. I ditched Dunlops long ago in favor of Continental Milestones.

 

I'm going to the michelin commander II my next purchase. Every one who's bought them liked them an they are around the same price as other premium tires an advertise double tread life.

 

While we are recommending tires.
When I changed from 402's to the 491 Elite 2's I noticed a remarkable improvement.
They last a lot longer and grip 100x's better than the 402's.

The Elite 3's are supposed to be like the 491's.

I will stay with the 491's as they are a great tire and I try to buy American when I can.

 

Two years on the front and one on the rear if I am lucky. I ride a quite a bit (600 miles to and back from work and then fun) and might have an aggressive style As already pointed out 402's are a ripoff just because the mc uses them dosn't mean they are good just expensive. If you feel your bike tracking on the lines, road snakes (tar) or are doing a dance over a graded bridge you probably are still running 402's.
As far as seven years well my life is worth more then a couple bucks even if the OL disagrees. Good excuse for an upgrade and he will thank you after the first ride.

 

BB, were did you get a fuel gauge? they are getting hard to find


Avon Venom is better then a Dunlopper on the rear although currently pulled a new Venom off the rear that is out of round, company I purchased it from is taking it back but the Venom is discontinued and going to try the new Cobra, we will see how it does.

Didn't like a Venom on the front, it was all over the road until it had couple hundred miles on it, unfortunatley I was in Sturgis and it danced all other the channeled highways until it broke in. If the new Cobra does ok will try a Cobra on the front next go around

 

Thanks again to all here for some great input! When I bought my 97 RK last April, I totally forgot to look at the manufacturing date on the tires. If I had; I would have talked the owner down a few hundred on his price - as I had cash on hand. Oh well : ( I have read a lot of positive input on forums - regarding Avon and Metzler (sp) tires. I had Continentals on my old Honda CB 350F, and loved them. I will probably go with Avon - just don't know which model yet? Unfortunately; I am doing a lot of home remodeling on my elderly parents home (as they don't have the $ to hire contractors), so I will probably have to have a local Indy take off and mount the tires. I normally do all my own wrenching, but will be on a time crunch this late spring and summer. Anyone know on the web, who would have the best deals on Avon - Amazon?