I read the original date wrong. I changed my front tire frequently. As for your question, I would change them after this season
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Any motorcyclists here?
- Thread starter tomhenry
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From here: [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwbLt8vZH5w&ab_channel=RevZilla[/ame]
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A lot of this may depend on the original design purpose of the tires, as not all tires are of the same rubber compound. Last year bought a Fat boy with excellent looking tires on it, but in actually riding it the traction was limited in the just over 10 year old rear. They were the same touring tires that Harley puts on some of their bikes. While the sidewalls/tread looked in ex condition, a bright light shone directly into the tread grooves revealed cracking. The bike is now sitting waiting new rubber.
Am guessing that tires age out from the outside surface inward, and would be more comfortable with tires that were ridden on somewhat regularly to keep them "scrubbed in". Or a tire that was made with a softer rubber compound.
As others have stated, imo there is no definitive "5 year limit". Taking them for a ride should quickly demonstrate how good they are.
Am just another old guy that got back into several years ago. But up here the season is only about 6 months, and colder for 1/2 that. Bought stickier tires for the rural 2 lane highways, knowing they would wear out quicker. Bought the Fatboy to complement the sporty
Am guessing that tires age out from the outside surface inward, and would be more comfortable with tires that were ridden on somewhat regularly to keep them "scrubbed in". Or a tire that was made with a softer rubber compound.
As others have stated, imo there is no definitive "5 year limit". Taking them for a ride should quickly demonstrate how good they are.
Am just another old guy that got back into several years ago. But up here the season is only about 6 months, and colder for 1/2 that. Bought stickier tires for the rural 2 lane highways, knowing they would wear out quicker. Bought the Fatboy to complement the sporty
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I have ridden some 50-year-old Barums and Pneumants on Jawas and MZs. But not very far.
Of course, they are not a lot worse than when they were new.
Of course, they are not a lot worse than when they were new.
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Re the above utube vid. I couldn't find anything (to support his claim) on the Continental website. But Michelin puts this in their owner's manual: The “legal life of the tire” is six years from the date of purchase or the life of the “usable tread,”
"Legal life" makes me wonder if the DOT has issued some unilateral standard.
Dunlop: any tire that is more than six years old should be replaced regardless of wear.
As stated, I can't find anything about Continental's guidelines.
Bridgestone tires: Regardless of the tire’s condition or tread depth, it is recommended that tires more than 10 years old be taken out of service and replaced with new tires
Bridgestone's policy is the only one I can find that corresponds to the utuber's claim.
Edited to add: the utuber is connected to Revzilla, a popular motorcycle parts store. I used them often. He made this statement on a segment (that predates the utube vid): Avon is the closest with a recommendation of seven years, but Bridgestone, Michelin, Dunlop, Continental and others actually list 10 years as the allowable service life for a properly maintained set of tires, which I have to admit, was a shock.
The truth about tire age - RevZilla
Again, I can't substantiate his claim for any but Bridgestone.
"Legal life" makes me wonder if the DOT has issued some unilateral standard.
Dunlop: any tire that is more than six years old should be replaced regardless of wear.
As stated, I can't find anything about Continental's guidelines.
Bridgestone tires: Regardless of the tire’s condition or tread depth, it is recommended that tires more than 10 years old be taken out of service and replaced with new tires
Bridgestone's policy is the only one I can find that corresponds to the utuber's claim.
Edited to add: the utuber is connected to Revzilla, a popular motorcycle parts store. I used them often. He made this statement on a segment (that predates the utube vid): Avon is the closest with a recommendation of seven years, but Bridgestone, Michelin, Dunlop, Continental and others actually list 10 years as the allowable service life for a properly maintained set of tires, which I have to admit, was a shock.
The truth about tire age - RevZilla
Again, I can't substantiate his claim for any but Bridgestone.
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Do any of you follow this criterion? The tires look really good and have always been in my garage overnight. The rear tire is elevated via the center stand and the front tire rests on a carpet remnant (to prevent the cement from leeching the tire's oils).
Stored inside, little to no weight on them and lower air pressure, just check closely for any sidewall cracks, and the valve stems are not cracked , air 'em up to correct pressure and I'd think you should be good !
Stored inside, little to no weight on them and lower air pressure, just check closely for any sidewall cracks, and the valve stems are not cracked , air 'em up to correct pressure and I'd think you should be good !
oink
Member
In my experience Avons will wear out before age is of any concern.
They’re probably fine for putting around the neighborhood,but for pushing 100 new tires are cheap insurance
JohnHL
Member
I spent 40 years in the motorcycle business as a service and general manager of the largest dealership in my area.
We sold and serviced Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki.
I have seen thousands of tires in EVERY condition.
I have seen them with crater sized cracks in the sidewall.
I have seen CORD showing around the complete circumference.
I have seen completely bald tires.
Unless they were punctured, they all held air and were ridden in.
I would have NO CONCERN riding the OP's bike with the tires he mentioned.
That being said, I always advised my customers, "When you are screaming down the road at 100mph+, your 800lb. bike has less contact with the ground than you have standing here on your own two feet!"
I don't put much stock in tire age.
I can tell you that NEW tires are slick, and to scuff them off with some gentle miles before diving into any peg scraping turns.
John
We sold and serviced Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Suzuki.
I have seen thousands of tires in EVERY condition.
I have seen them with crater sized cracks in the sidewall.
I have seen CORD showing around the complete circumference.
I have seen completely bald tires.
Unless they were punctured, they all held air and were ridden in.
I would have NO CONCERN riding the OP's bike with the tires he mentioned.
That being said, I always advised my customers, "When you are screaming down the road at 100mph+, your 800lb. bike has less contact with the ground than you have standing here on your own two feet!"
I don't put much stock in tire age.
I can tell you that NEW tires are slick, and to scuff them off with some gentle miles before diving into any peg scraping turns.
John
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
I quit riding back in 1987 after 17 years of dodging white-haired old ladies in Buick Roadmasters. I was lucky to get 1300 miles on a set on my last motorcycle (1985 Kawasaki Ninja 900), and I quit riding because I was beginning to wonder if MY life expectancy was only going to be 5 years (more). I couldn't seem to only partially twist the grip on the right.
As long as the sidewalls don't show any cracks and you can leave a fingernail mark in the tread, you should be okay until they start getting slick in the middle. Normal riding, not dragging the footpegs stuff.
My last two bikes, both 900 Kawasaki's (the Ninja and before that a '74 Z-1B) were my daily riders and collected over 45K each within the time I owned them, about 5 years. Not a day goes by I don't miss riding, and I've been thinking about one of those Kawasaki W800's to putt around on. I started riding Triumph twins when I was 18 and this would be a reliable throwback to those machines. If the bike didn't kill me, my wife probably would.
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ZEKE, that’s not a Fat Boy???????
Buff52
Member
You may think this is sheer madness but i bought my used 2006 BMW R1200GS in 2010 at Daytona BMW, Ducati during bike week and put new tires on it. It’s 2024 and i still have the same tires on it.
I have also been known to regularly drink milk out of date and i have consumed Beer that was over a year out of date.
It’s amazing i’ved lived this long??
I have also been known to regularly drink milk out of date and i have consumed Beer that was over a year out of date.
It’s amazing i’ved lived this long??
JohnHL
Member
Sidewall (ozone) cracks DO NOT mean a tire has failed or is unsafe.
Just like motorcycles, tires have a "frame".
On a motorcycle, the frame is steel or aluminum.
On a tire, the frame is the fabric cording or plies.
As long as the "frame" of the tires is intact and the rubber is still attached, ride them until the tread bars show.
Sidewall (ozone) cracks/weather "checking" does not make a tire unsafe.
If you wish to replace tires because it makes you feel safer, knock yourself out.
Here's another suggestion:
Start using your front brake as your primary brake.
You'll crash less.
John
Just like motorcycles, tires have a "frame".
On a motorcycle, the frame is steel or aluminum.
On a tire, the frame is the fabric cording or plies.
As long as the "frame" of the tires is intact and the rubber is still attached, ride them until the tread bars show.
Sidewall (ozone) cracks/weather "checking" does not make a tire unsafe.
If you wish to replace tires because it makes you feel safer, knock yourself out.
Here's another suggestion:
Start using your front brake as your primary brake.
You'll crash less.
John
Good eyes, it's the sporty mentioned in last sentence. The Fatboy is partially dissembled.
Tires make a big difference, especially on the heavy touring bikes.
It is shocking going from an old set directly to a fresh set.
Smoother ride, better braking (esp. when wet out) improved corning and much safer!
With multiple bikes you will get more years, but when that rubber starts to harden up...best to replace.
I'm going to say 2-4 years if you ride THAT bike more and maybe 5-8 years if you don't.
Your contact patch is nothing like a car, so decent rubber is essential. Do it, your bike will ride better anyway.
It is shocking going from an old set directly to a fresh set.
Smoother ride, better braking (esp. when wet out) improved corning and much safer!
With multiple bikes you will get more years, but when that rubber starts to harden up...best to replace.
I'm going to say 2-4 years if you ride THAT bike more and maybe 5-8 years if you don't.
Your contact patch is nothing like a car, so decent rubber is essential. Do it, your bike will ride better anyway.
Faulkner
Member
Sounds like you figured it out tomhenry.
One additional bit of info I'd share is if the bike is going to sit for any period time I'd try to get the tires up off the ground. If it sits for long term park it on rubber mats, or even better, on a lift completely suspended. During riding season I park mine on rubber mats, but if I think it's going to sit more than a couple of days it goes up on the hydraulic bike lift. If nothing else it helps prevent flat spots and minimizes air seepage.
I've been riding for about 30 years and I ride enough that a set of tires rarely lasts me more than a couple of years, but I do what I can to take care of them. Motorcycle tires ain't cheap.
One additional bit of info I'd share is if the bike is going to sit for any period time I'd try to get the tires up off the ground. If it sits for long term park it on rubber mats, or even better, on a lift completely suspended. During riding season I park mine on rubber mats, but if I think it's going to sit more than a couple of days it goes up on the hydraulic bike lift. If nothing else it helps prevent flat spots and minimizes air seepage.
I've been riding for about 30 years and I ride enough that a set of tires rarely lasts me more than a couple of years, but I do what I can to take care of them. Motorcycle tires ain't cheap.
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