Should I replace my tyres? - SV650.org

Tigerrrr....... · 08-04-25, 08:28 PM

Hello, all.

I have a 2003 SV650S, bought from new and currently with 9,600 miles on the clock. I don't use the bike much, perhaps a weekend trip once a year and the odd run down the coast.

I replaced the original tyres in 2009 with Bridgestone BT-021. They're still on the bike and have plenty of tread.

The bike is garaged, tyres pumped up a few extra pounds, on an ABBA stand with a cover and an Optimate.

I'm going away for a few days on the bike in a couple of months. The question is.... should I replace the tyres?

Although they look to be in good condition, they're 15 years old.

Will be replacing with Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 or similar.

What do you think? Any advice or opinions appreciated.

Thank you.

admin · 09-04-25, 12:11 PM

I'd say replace. Rubber degrades over time, it dries out and cracks appear. Better safe than sorry.

garynortheast · 09-04-25, 08:22 PM

Definitely time to replace them.

Sir Trev · 09-04-25, 08:42 PM

As above. Do you want to trust your life to something that old that will not work anything like as well as fresh tyres? Same with the brake pads - replace them with fresh. It's not worth the risk.

08-04-25, 08:28 PM	#1
Tigerrrr....... Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 155	Should I replace my tyres? Hello, all. I have a 2003 SV650S, bought from new and currently with 9,600 miles on the clock. I don't use the bike much, perhaps a weekend trip once a year and the odd run down the coast. I replaced the original tyres in 2009 with Bridgestone BT-021. They're still on the bike and have plenty of tread. The bike is garaged, tyres pumped up a few extra pounds, on an ABBA stand with a cover and an Optimate. I'm going away for a few days on the bike in a couple of months. The question is.... should I replace the tyres? Although they look to be in good condition, they're 15 years old. Will be replacing with Bridgestone Battlax BT-023 or similar. What do you think? Any advice or opinions appreciated. Thank you. __________________ Be safe, be seen.

09-04-25, 12:11 PM	#2
admin John T Mega Poster Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shrewsbury, Shrops, UK Posts: 2,518	Re: Should I replace my tyres? I'd say replace. Rubber degrades over time, it dries out and cracks appear. Better safe than sorry. __________________ Admin for this forum and the main site. John@sv650.org

09-04-25, 08:22 PM	#3
garynortheast Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mid Wales Posts: 2,658	Re: Should I replace my tyres? Definitely time to replace them. __________________ https://teulu.bandcamp.com/releases Blue Curvy S with nearly 110,000 miles and still going strong.

09-04-25, 08:42 PM	#4
Sir Trev Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: High Wycombe, where the chair factories used to be Posts: 1,478	Re: Should I replace my tyres? As above. Do you want to trust your life to something that old that will not work anything like as well as fresh tyres? Same with the brake pads - replace them with fresh. It's not worth the risk. __________________ We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town, BEEP BEEP!

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