Tire manufactured date code
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 903
Likes: 8
From: California
Tire manufactured date code
This information has been posted before, however, it is worth repeating. Dealers still are selling old tires as new, the results of which can be deadly to all of us. So, before you allow tires to be placed on your bike, check the manufactured date of that tire to make sure you are getting a fresh new tire and not one that is many years old.
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Ever wonder just how long that tire you bought for your motorcycle sat on the shelf before you bought it? Or, maybe you're wondering just how old the tires are on the motorcycle you just bought.
Here's how to tell:
Look on the sidewall of the tire for the DOT symbol. Follow the line of text and numbers after the DOT symbol until you reach the end. If the tire was manufactured in the year 2000 or later, the last 4 digits give the age. The last 2 digits give the year and the preceding 2 digits give the week of manufacture. For example, the code 3606 means that the tire was manufactured in the 36th week of the year 2006.
If the tire was manufactured before the year 2000, the code is 3 digits long. Thus 366 would indicate the 36th week of the 6th year of the decade. Thus, before 2000, you had to make a judgement on which decade was intended. For example, 366 could mean the 36th week of 1996 or 1986.
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Ever wonder just how long that tire you bought for your motorcycle sat on the shelf before you bought it? Or, maybe you're wondering just how old the tires are on the motorcycle you just bought.
Here's how to tell:
Look on the sidewall of the tire for the DOT symbol. Follow the line of text and numbers after the DOT symbol until you reach the end. If the tire was manufactured in the year 2000 or later, the last 4 digits give the age. The last 2 digits give the year and the preceding 2 digits give the week of manufacture. For example, the code 3606 means that the tire was manufactured in the 36th week of the year 2006.
If the tire was manufactured before the year 2000, the code is 3 digits long. Thus 366 would indicate the 36th week of the 6th year of the decade. Thus, before 2000, you had to make a judgement on which decade was intended. For example, 366 could mean the 36th week of 1996 or 1986.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,916
Likes: 31
From: earth
This information has been posted before, however, it is worth repeating. Dealers still are selling old tires as new, the results of which can be deadly to all of us. So, before you allow tires to be placed on your bike, check the manufactured date of that tire to make sure you are getting a fresh new tire and not one that is many years old.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever wonder just how long that tire you bought for your motorcycle sat on the shelf before you bought it? Or, maybe you're wondering just how old the tires are on the motorcycle you just bought.
Here's how to tell:
Look on the sidewall of the tire for the DOT symbol. Follow the line of text and numbers after the DOT symbol until you reach the end. If the tire was manufactured in the year 2000 or later, the last 4 digits give the age. The last 2 digits give the year and the preceding 2 digits give the week of manufacture. For example, the code 3606 means that the tire was manufactured in the 36th week of the year 2006.
If the tire was manufactured before the year 2000, the code is 3 digits long. Thus 366 would indicate the 36th week of the 6th year of the decade. Thus, before 2000, you had to make a judgement on which decade was intended. For example, 366 could mean the 36th week of 1996 or 1986.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ever wonder just how long that tire you bought for your motorcycle sat on the shelf before you bought it? Or, maybe you're wondering just how old the tires are on the motorcycle you just bought.
Here's how to tell:
Look on the sidewall of the tire for the DOT symbol. Follow the line of text and numbers after the DOT symbol until you reach the end. If the tire was manufactured in the year 2000 or later, the last 4 digits give the age. The last 2 digits give the year and the preceding 2 digits give the week of manufacture. For example, the code 3606 means that the tire was manufactured in the 36th week of the year 2006.
If the tire was manufactured before the year 2000, the code is 3 digits long. Thus 366 would indicate the 36th week of the 6th year of the decade. Thus, before 2000, you had to make a judgement on which decade was intended. For example, 366 could mean the 36th week of 1996 or 1986.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 372
Likes: 1
From: Denver Colorado
good data. For those of you buying off of Ebay - remember to look for it or ask for it. Rarely if ever do they post that data. I ran across some good purchase prices but after they provided the manufacture dates, which they never posted, I found the tires were over four years old. No thanks to that - unfortunately some unknowing buyer got took.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 17,684
Likes: 6,061
From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
This is a good post, but am I missing something? How long is a tire good for? If I bought one that was manufactured 4 years ago, does it have a shelf life? I've read tires are only good for 6 years, is that after install, or after manufacture date?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
Thanks for the reminder. I had both tires replaced today and forgot to check that at the dealer. I just went and looked. Front is 18/14 and rear is 48/13 so I'm good.
I got the last front tire online and found out later that it was 3 or 4 years old when I bought it. It was cracking and splitting so ESP didn't cover it, but it was worn down to 3/32" and was about due for replacement. I normally run them down to 2/32 or even 1/32 but I wasn't comfortable with the cracks and splits.
In the morning I'll check the air pressure and bring it up to my preferred pressure.
I got the last front tire online and found out later that it was 3 or 4 years old when I bought it. It was cracking and splitting so ESP didn't cover it, but it was worn down to 3/32" and was about due for replacement. I normally run them down to 2/32 or even 1/32 but I wasn't comfortable with the cracks and splits.
In the morning I'll check the air pressure and bring it up to my preferred pressure.
Last edited by smithbrl; Jul 17, 2014 at 08:52 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 22
From: Denham Springs, La
I'd go by the "Born On" date because I don't know the conditions under which they were stored.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 290
Likes: 3
From: Copperas Cove, TX
Will tires made in other countries bear the DOT stamp & MFG info, I run Avons on my scoot and can't seem to find these markings on my tires??
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