I'm more concerned with old tires getting hard and slippery than blowouts, have had that happen on a few vehicles, plenty of tread left but low traction and they would cut loose without warning in a turn or under acceleration, skid too easily when braking etc.
I need to buy a hardness tester (durometer) to test my older tires, they are not expensive.

 

well said @hattitude

We have 2 bikes in the stable. I don't care about opinions, dates codes and or mileage, both bikes get new tires every 3 years. We travel a lot, so the safety and security factor means a lot to me. People may say I'm throwing my money away on good tires for new, but remember, we only have 2, not 4, a blowout or another form of tire failure can be catastrophic at highways speeds.

What's your life worth?

 

It's worth checking the date codes on the tires.
I've had them try to sell me tires that are already two or three years old.
It's worth that.

 

Adam, 2 year old rubber is still fully usable. Don't worry, ride!.

 

So are 5 year olds - but why start at 2 or 3 years old?
No one else checks the date codes on the tires they buy?

 

To answer your two questions:
1. Generally speaking, new tires sitting for 2 years with at least the proper air pressure are not damaged in any way. I would not worry about flat spots.
2. Are they as good as new? No.

The separate issue of when to replace the tires is a contentious topic and depends on your comfort level. There will always be those who claim safety recommendations are a cash grab and that they are running ten year old tires or that they have never replaced their helmet, etc..

Rather than rely on anectodal evidence and/or opinion, my decision to replace my tire is based upon the combination of the manufacturer's recommendation and my independant research. My comfort level dictates that if I am still running a tire at the 5 year mark it gets replaced, period...

 

The tires in question have been on the bike for 2 years. You're not taking into account how long they were sitting around before they were put on the bike.

 

I can assure my Indy will not put tires on my bike older date codes, he knows exactly how I feel about new tires.

So I know what I'm getting.

 

I wouldn't trust my mother let alone a dealership or an indie, I look at the date code - batteries too.

 

Then you obviously go to the wrong Indy. Stick to what you believe, I know what I'm buying when I'm throwing money over the counter. I've
been dealing with the same guy for over 15 years. So he knows me, and what I want.