How old is too old? - Tires that is.....
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 232
How old is too old? - Tires that is.....
Recently picked up a '01 Ducati 750ss with all of 300 miles on it.
Story is that the PO dumped it in the driveway and basically fired it up every now and then with a quick trip up and down his street.
Mechanically I got it back to where it should be = i.e. new belts, oil, etc. Fixed the rash on the plastics and in the process of painting.
Then it dawns on me the tires are 10+ years old........
What are your thoughts? They look good, feel okay....Safe, not safe?
Might need to make use of altosuperhawk's recommendation to pick up some new tires on the cheap....
Story is that the PO dumped it in the driveway and basically fired it up every now and then with a quick trip up and down his street.
Mechanically I got it back to where it should be = i.e. new belts, oil, etc. Fixed the rash on the plastics and in the process of painting.
Then it dawns on me the tires are 10+ years old........
What are your thoughts? They look good, feel okay....Safe, not safe?
Might need to make use of altosuperhawk's recommendation to pick up some new tires on the cheap....
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
From: thorold ontario
at that age id destroy them in a burnout and throw them out. i know car tires have a shelf life, i cant remember exactly what it is but its something like 5 years. for the bike. id say if you replace the tires every second year youre safe. just rmember that in a car a flat tire isnt a big deal, you get a front flat on the bike and you could be in a world of pain
Squid Poacher
Back Marker
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 116
From: Orange Park, Fl.
Tires should be replaced after 4-5 years. Unless they were stored in very particular conditions (highly unlikely) they need to be replaced. I have seen old radial blow out like bias plies when they get old.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 249
From: Utah
Not safe. Imagine how much better tires are now than 10 years ago, and how much the compounds in those have deteriorated. Even when buying new tires I check the born on date.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 344
From: Concord, NC
At first I was going to say it depends on how hard you ride them, but the more I think about it, the deterioration is probably not worth the risk. They are probably hardened and deteriorated from age. I can't imagine they don't have cracks on them to begin with. You'd be safer even if you picked up some ultra cheap tires than running on the old ones. Just my 2 cents worth. 
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
From: thorold ontario
Google petes superbike. He's based in montreal and I can guarantee his prices will beat anyones. Mind you we pay a bit more for rubber in canada but here's an example. Had a bike show a couple weeks back. Bt016's were 480. I paid 320 on a big sale the week before then. My buddy got a set shipped from petes for 285 taxes in. That's shipped. You can't beat that
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 805
From: Delmar NY
I recently read an article by the RMA (rubber manufactures) that said rubber continues to cure getting harder a slicker over time. Their position is that car tires maximum age should be no older than 7 years regardles of tread.
Based on that I think I would cut that in half for a tire on a sport bike
Based on that I think I would cut that in half for a tire on a sport bike
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
From: thorold ontario
exactly, especially if its been sitting on concrete and hasnt been off the ground. the concrete will literally rot the tires. for what a cheap set is worth youre better off with new ones
Probably just a tax to pay for your health care! 
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
Its a mute point now but I was going to say inspect them and how do they look? I don't think age is more important than condition. Depends on how you ride. Older tires without seeing much heat, or wide temperature shifts don't have to be junk vs. tires that have had innumerable heat cycles, sun, winter shifts in temps etc. You should be able to tell by their condition, hardness etc. I've ridden a lot of older bikes on tires that are past expiration date that still functioned fine.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
From: thorold ontario
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 442
From: Little Rock, AR
One company has Michelin Pilot Powers, including 2CTs, for sale right now.
You can get a set of either of those in 120/180s for under $200 shipped.
Do a quick search...and you'll find where.
You can get a set of either of those in 120/180s for under $200 shipped.
Do a quick search...and you'll find where.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 442
From: Little Rock, AR
www.jakewilson.com
Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs for under $200...bargain of the month. Use code "JW009" at checkout for lower price.
Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs for under $200...bargain of the month. Use code "JW009" at checkout for lower price.
Member
Squid
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 88
From: Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Bin there Done that ... ditch the 10 yr rubber, it will be hard and cracked and performs like absolute crap !!
We have been gouged for many years .. with the "Bend Over" and take it pricing !
Uchi mentioned Petes-Superbike check it out if you haven't already
as mentioned on a previous thread > Michelin PP 2CT's $260.00 shipped to my door !!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ClevelandSuperhawkRumble
General Discussion
8
Apr 21, 2007 06:20 AM
