Tire question
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From: Colorado
Tire question
I have posted this in other forums but the more opinions the better. I have a 2003 RK and the front tire has the code 03 and the back says 09. It has 10,000 original miles on it and has never been left out in the elements. They are not weather checked and have a lot of tread left on them. So what are opinions as far as using these tires?
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Vermont
I asked a similar question here. Everyone has an opinion so I went directly to Dunlop. The response I received was that they cannot quote a life expectancy because there are too many variables. However, the guidelines the guy gave me are that they warrant their motorcycle tires for a period of 4 years from original purchase against checking cracking and drying out. By this statement, one can assume the tires would still be good at least to that point provided they had good tread and were not damaged. At 10 years, no matter how the bike is stored, the rubber is going to deteriorate and likely get harder. Replace them!
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From: Colorado
Lots of tread on both, granted I will replace the 03 now, but the 09 is still ok so I shouldn't have to do BOTH at this time, right?
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
With an '09 tire, must have been changed that year or later. Front tires are often original, seen originals on 20+ year old bikes, 20-30,000 mile on them. If the front's an '03 tire, you want to change that as soon as possible, even if it's appears solid, the rubber will be real hard and have a lot less traction than it should. I wonder if the rear has the original tube in it, they don't last forever, either. I always put new tubes in with new tires - and new strips to cover the spoke heads, they're cheap. I know it's expensive if you're having a dealer take the wheels off, but tires, wheel bearings and brakes are something I consider too important to go cheap on - although it's not so bad for me because I do all that at home.
Just curious, is the bike handling ok with those tires? My 883 had "brand new" tires put on just before I got it, but they were 10 years old, guy really got ripped off by somebody. Couldn't give it much gas at all on corners without breaking the back end loose. New tires cured that. I've bought a few bikes that just didn't handle right, but new tires cured every one of them.
Just curious, is the bike handling ok with those tires? My 883 had "brand new" tires put on just before I got it, but they were 10 years old, guy really got ripped off by somebody. Couldn't give it much gas at all on corners without breaking the back end loose. New tires cured that. I've bought a few bikes that just didn't handle right, but new tires cured every one of them.
Last edited by Imold; Jan 16, 2014 at 03:31 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2014
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From: Colorado
I know the owner said that he made a 500 mile trip to Sturgis in 2010 so the rear was replaced just prior and he kept it garaged and covered most of the time...never just out and exposed to the elements. Feel ok til next year on the rear but should replace the front orig tire.....