General tire age question.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
I replaced my tires on my '03, when I bought it in '11 with 2k miles on it. Dunlop recommended replacing over 6 years old, and that sounded reasonable.
Check your date codes:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
Check your date codes:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=11
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
From: Palm Coast Florida
I bought an '07 SG in December with 7k miles on it. The tires looked pretty much like yours do. I replaced the rear when it wore down (roughly at 11k). Never had any issues. The front is still on there and going strong. Had it inspected during service and everything is ok. no issues. Same style tires you are looking at there. If you're paranoid about tires, then replace them, if you ride dangerously aggressively then I would probably replace also. Otherwise I think you would be ok.
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 252
Likes: 2
From: Ontario, Canada
When I was vintage bike racing there was a guy using tires from 10 years prior - he was fast as heck; the tires on my 73 vette were 15 years old and were fine... they seem to lose their wet grip sooner than dry grip so be careful in the rain. so even if the lawyers say replace after 5 years, if you know your bike you will know when they aren't performing well.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
If you are thinking your tires are maybe not in very good condition by all means buy a new set. This is not something to think.... (maybe I can get that next trip out of them). You only have 2 and and why worry about it. Replace and RIDE!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Tires start to lose grip 2 years after date of mfg. I'd never go more than 4 years on a tire from date of mfg on a cruiser, 2 years on a sport bike.
You'll find the the date stamp on the side wall. it's a 4 digit stamp. First 2 numbers are the week, second 2 are the year. So a code 1012 would be the 10th week of 2012.
You'll find the the date stamp on the side wall. it's a 4 digit stamp. First 2 numbers are the week, second 2 are the year. So a code 1012 would be the 10th week of 2012.
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 992
Likes: 2
From: TN
lol OK OK point taken gentlemen.
No bike inspection required around these parts.
Took some pictures, don't look so bad to me but understood the rubber won't be nearly as quality now. Unless I can't read tires very well?
Will likely ride out the rest of the season carefully then pick up some new rubber in the spring.
Thanks!
No bike inspection required around these parts.
Took some pictures, don't look so bad to me but understood the rubber won't be nearly as quality now. Unless I can't read tires very well?
Will likely ride out the rest of the season carefully then pick up some new rubber in the spring.
Thanks!
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 3
From: RI
There are too many variables that can't realistically be summed up to come up with one answer to how many years is a tire good for. There are some rough guidelines from the mfg but the tires on a bike that lives outdoors in the desert heat will have a very different lifespan than a bike stored inside in a more moderate environment.
Me personally, I would base my decision on a visual inspection, your usage and the value for the piece of mind.
Me personally, I would base my decision on a visual inspection, your usage and the value for the piece of mind.
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Banned
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,036
Likes: 67
Pretty good advice!
