When do you replace a tire?
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
When do you replace a tire?
Before I get the response of "When it's worn down, duh!", do you take into consideration how OLD the tire is? Here's my situation:
Bought a used '98 RKC from a good friend, it had only 7200 miles on the bike. He replaced the rear at ~7000 miles 5 years ago with another Dunlop but did not replace the front. There's a good amount of tread on both after another 2K miles so that part I'm not too concerned. However, the age part has me concerned. I'm in Phoenix, it's hot, and I've been told by so-called experts in the tire biz that tires tend to expire naturally after 6-7 years (heat, UV, etc). It was an issue on a 10 year old car that I inherited (very low miles but dry rot on the tires & hoses) which I could see cracks and tread separation. Bike has been garaged when not riding it, but I don't have covered parking at work so it's getting the full elements.
Now I'm half-tempted to replace both as a set. Are the tire guys right or are they just pushing product? Am I being paranoid? What would you do?
Bought a used '98 RKC from a good friend, it had only 7200 miles on the bike. He replaced the rear at ~7000 miles 5 years ago with another Dunlop but did not replace the front. There's a good amount of tread on both after another 2K miles so that part I'm not too concerned. However, the age part has me concerned. I'm in Phoenix, it's hot, and I've been told by so-called experts in the tire biz that tires tend to expire naturally after 6-7 years (heat, UV, etc). It was an issue on a 10 year old car that I inherited (very low miles but dry rot on the tires & hoses) which I could see cracks and tread separation. Bike has been garaged when not riding it, but I don't have covered parking at work so it's getting the full elements.
Now I'm half-tempted to replace both as a set. Are the tire guys right or are they just pushing product? Am I being paranoid? What would you do?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 6
RE: When do you replace a tire?
I don't think you can ever go wrong replacing them, except for wasting money 
As you said with your car, the age factor was apparent...you could see issues with the tires. How do these look?
As you said with your car, the age factor was apparent...you could see issues with the tires. How do these look?
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
RE: When do you replace a tire?
I bit the bullet and replaced them both. Front was down below 4/32, back had a bit more tread but I went with Metzlers as a set. Got rid of the white sidewall and went to a 140 in the rear. Should be a better ride, I hope.
-Thanks!
-Thanks!
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 213
Likes: 2
From: Port Orchard, Washington
RE: When do you replace a tire?
What value do you put on piece of mind? I'd replace both, then you'd a have piece of mind while riding, and a defined starting point for future reference.
Gregm
Gregm
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