Tyre aging?

[ruddlad]

Not sure if this has been covered but after opinions on tyre age.

Is anyone riding on tyres that "should" have been changed due to age but condition and tread are ok.

I have been offered a bike with METZELERS fitted that are old, but as new.

Is it something that manufacturers use as a ploy?

The bike is an older bike so replacing the rubber makes it less financially viable when you add in the cost of new rubber.

I won't say the age of the tyres, but they aren't the originals on a 98 bike.

If, or when would YOU replace them due to their age?

They have NO cracks, minimal wear and if there was no markings, you would believe they were almost new.

[Biker Biggles]

Depends on your riding style and demands.If you want weekend warrior performance and like a bit of sporty riding I would say get new rubber as it does go off a bit with age.If you want cheap transport the old ones will be fine until you have worn them out.

[Matt-EUC]

I'd be changing them for peace of mind.

The chances that they're suitable are minimal at best. Rubber does some weird and wonderful things when it's been are pond for a while.

The odds are high that when you ask for grip, all you'll get is a hedge. Or worse, a face check from a lorry.


Sent via the medium of interpretive dance.

[Red Herring]

If it was me and I was just using the bike for commuting and such like I wouldn't bother replacing them just for the sake of it, however I'm reasonably confident with what I am doing and would like to think I'm not going to get caught out with anything unexpected.

The fact that you're asking tells me you're not that confident so for the cost of a set of tyres perhaps it's worth giving yourself the peace of mind?

[Matt-EUC]

Holy ****... Did you just agree with me?! I think I need to go and lay down...


Sent via the medium of interpretive dance.

[Red Herring]

Actually Matt what I'm saying is that he's probably as dodgy on a motorbike as you are and needs all the help he can get.....:D

[patslegg]

The actual age of a tyre can be checked by looking at the Date Stamp on the sidewall. It is a four number code with first two being the week of the year, eg, 14 being fourteenth week. The second two numbers being the manufacture year. This is on tyres made after the year 2000.
Pat

[wideguy]

I've ridden on quite a few tires like you describe. How they have been stored has a lot to do with how long they will last in storage. Do they feel like hard plastic if you push on the tread with a thumbnail? Sometimes even these will come back after a ride. Manufacturers want to avoid liability at any cost. Ultimately, traction depends on other factors besides just the tires, and any time/place you ride, if you're riding near the limits of traction for the pavement and conditions and tires, it's up to you to discover how much traction is available then and there.
Yes, it's a judgement call on your part, but if they aren't dried out and cracked, they will be safe to ride. If they started life as sport tires, they might now work like single compound sport touring tires. That's no problem for me, I've ridden sport touring tires on the track.