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Should I replace my front tire?

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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 04:10 PM
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Default Should I replace my front tire?
While I've been making minor mods to my bike, it occurred to me to check the age of the tires (should have done that when I bought it). The rear tire was manufactured in 2009, but the front was manufactured in 2006. I don't see any signs of dry rot, but ain't that getting kind of old for a tire? Would you replace a tire that's 6 years old?

Both tires are Dunlop, btw.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 04:15 PM
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I'm interested too. Mine are original on my '02 but appear to be roadworthy.
Bump up for ya
 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 04:31 PM
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How many miles, my front is from March 2007 and has 17,500 miles and still has a few thousand miles left on it. I replaced the rear at 14,650.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 04:32 PM
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Not to hijack the op here, but mine have a little over 6,300 on them. Just a little concerned due to the fact that they're 10 years old.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by 1200Cdriver
How many miles, my front is from March 2007 and has 17,500 miles and still has a few thousand miles left on it. I replaced the rear at 14,650.
My bike has just under 20,000 miles on it, but I bought it in October, so I have no way of knowing how many miles are on the tires. Neither tire needs to be replace due to tread wear. I'm just wondering if the front tire might be unsafe due to its age alone.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 04:46 PM
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5-6 years old would be the max I would be comfortable riding on. You only have 2 little pieces of rubber separating your face from the pavement.

But, if you have 10+yo tires with good rubber still left on them, I guess the bikes are garage ornaments anyway.

 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 04:50 PM
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So, I have a safety justification for replacing the front Dunlop.

 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 05:06 PM
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aslong as there is no cracks, bulges or chucks missing on the side wall and theres plenty of rubber left on it then it should be fine.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by WhiskeySierra
So, I have a safety justification for replacing the front Dunlop.

Yep, but if you're going to replace it, I'd recommend an Avon Venom or Metezler 880 over the POS Dunflops. They handle, track and stop much better than the stock tires, especially if you like running the twisties.
 
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Old Feb 9, 2012 | 05:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Benzo84
aslong as there is no cracks, bulges or chucks missing on the side wall and theres plenty of rubber left on it then it should be fine.
Except that you can't see what's going on inside the tire and what things like 10 years of accumulated moisture are doing on the inside of the tire or wheel.

Front tires are relatively cheap, skin grafts aren't.

 
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