6 year old tires
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 7
From: Boston, MA
6 year old tires
I bought a used Ultra this January at a dealer. The other day I was putting on some accessories and noticed that the tires had a date of 2209. I'm guessing this means they were manufactured the 22nd week of 2009. Which makes sense since the bike is a 2010.
The tires have 10k miles on them, show good tread life left and show no signs what so ever of dry rot.
Would you guys still replace them if it were you?
The tires have 10k miles on them, show good tread life left and show no signs what so ever of dry rot.
Would you guys still replace them if it were you?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 27,097
Likes: 4,676
From: Frozelandia, Minnysota
If they're the usual Dunlops, they're probably sturdy enough, one of the toughest tires, but they're getting into the hardening stage and traction is going to degrade, eventually getting to the point where the rear end will break loose on corners easy. I don't like to run tires over 5 years old on a street bike, feel like good rubber is kind of like insurance, gives you just a bit more advantage. Every bike I have had way too old tires on them when I got them, one even had a 20 year old tire on front; as long as there's tread, some folks will ride them.
A pair of the Dunlops in this pic had less than 1000 miles on them, but were 10 years old. Not the one on the bottom...
Just remembered - if you have spoke wheels, you probably won't know when the tubes were changed; they're fairly cheap, even heavy duty ones from a Harley dealer. I always change tubes with tires, and always get tubes with steel stems. If you have tubeless, I really recommend getting steel valve stems if the bike doesn't already have them. I had an old rubber stem snap off once when I tried to put air in it - in my garage, fortunately. Their rubber gets age hardened, too.
A pair of the Dunlops in this pic had less than 1000 miles on them, but were 10 years old. Not the one on the bottom...
Just remembered - if you have spoke wheels, you probably won't know when the tubes were changed; they're fairly cheap, even heavy duty ones from a Harley dealer. I always change tubes with tires, and always get tubes with steel stems. If you have tubeless, I really recommend getting steel valve stems if the bike doesn't already have them. I had an old rubber stem snap off once when I tried to put air in it - in my garage, fortunately. Their rubber gets age hardened, too.
Last edited by Imold; Apr 2, 2015 at 10:07 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Doesn't seem yesterday when the '09s were new! The 6 years you mention happens to be one of the rules of thumb for changing tyres. I came across it with reference to trailers, which often don't get high mileage use, but changing yours seems wise.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 216
Likes: 2
From: Pennsylvania
Thank you for the post and replies. I have tires that are five years old based on the age of the bike not looking at production date and had concerns of potential dry rot regardless of tread depth. I will be replacing them once weather is appropriate.
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