Low miles
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 911
Likes: 647
From: west coast
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.
I need to buy a hardness tester (durometer) to test my older tires, they are not expensive.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,124
From: USA
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?
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?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
I've had them try to sell me tires that are already two or three years old.
It's worth that.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 658
From: Eastpointe, MI
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?
No one else checks the date codes on the tires they buy?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2023
Posts: 980
Likes: 1,367
From: South of Heaven
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...
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...
Last edited by Addicted to Chaos; Dec 21, 2025 at 02:25 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,105
Likes: 13,048
From: Texas, USA
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.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,124
From: USA
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.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,124
From: USA
been dealing with the same guy for over 15 years. So he knows me, and what I want.
Last edited by 04FXDI; Dec 21, 2025 at 05:22 PM.
