How old is too old
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
How old is too old
Money's pretty tight these days and the rear tire on the sporty was showing thread where there used to be tread. It's the standard Dunlop (sorry don't know how many miles were on it). Anyway a buddy gives me a used one (same standard Dunlop) with good tread, no cracks or other obvious signs of severe aging and I happily mounted it to my rim and am back in the saddle again.
First thing I notice on the first ride is that it is pretty slick going around corners but luckily having well-honed dirt biking skills I manage to keep it in control. Told myself a few more miles will skuff it in nicely & eveything will be ok. Then I find out they put born-on dates on tires. OK I just use tires I don't read 'em. So I get myself educated about tire dates & it turns out this tire was born in the 33rd week of 2001! OMG!
Well guys, do I hang up the helmet again and save up for new rubber or am I ok for while as long as I stay off the highway?
First thing I notice on the first ride is that it is pretty slick going around corners but luckily having well-honed dirt biking skills I manage to keep it in control. Told myself a few more miles will skuff it in nicely & eveything will be ok. Then I find out they put born-on dates on tires. OK I just use tires I don't read 'em. So I get myself educated about tire dates & it turns out this tire was born in the 33rd week of 2001! OMG!
Well guys, do I hang up the helmet again and save up for new rubber or am I ok for while as long as I stay off the highway?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 492
Likes: 139
From: Bel Air, MD
While you're saving, you could choose to ride less aggressively and enjoy some gentle cruising to satisfy the riding itch. It's a compromise between parking it and risking a crash. Definitely get a new tire.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
From: Vernon, BC
Ive got good rubber on mine, hit a patch of fine gravel at the bottom of the driveway. I was down in a 1/2 second. Fortunately the only damage was a little rash on the bottom of the pipes. Your situation is different, but you go down hard who knows the damage to you or your bike. Think about it.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
The only thing your going to skuff with a tire that old is your @$$
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 687
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
5 years... IMO, never risk your life and bike over a tire...decent rubber isn't that expensive...
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Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: SW Missouri
Once upon a time I was young and very poor. Didn't have the cash for a back tire and thought I could handle it for awhile. Got caught in the rain coming home one night and hit a light that changed at just the wrong time, started to run it and then saw a cop sitting at the light! Hit the bake break light and went for a ride.... I kept it up all the way to the stop but lost it just as I got it shut down. My wife was on the back and we both fell over. Thankfully the only thing that was hurt was a skin on the pipe and my pride when the cop hit his lights to check on us. He was cool and just helped me get the bike up and told me I needed a new read tire. 
Take an old fools advice, let it sit until you can get some rubber under you. Road rash sucks and if you cant afford the tire you sure cant afford the doctor bills.
Stick your gas money in a can until you have enough for the tire.
Take an old fools advice, let it sit until you can get some rubber under you. Road rash sucks and if you cant afford the tire you sure cant afford the doctor bills.
Stick your gas money in a can until you have enough for the tire.
