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....

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

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.

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.

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. :)

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

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

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

Agreed....just ordered a set of Micheline PP from jakewilson.com for $160 for the set.
Thanks guys....

$160 for a pair of tires... fock that is cheap. we canadians are getting gouged. why am i not used to it yet??? :mad:

The word is Hosed :( Probably just a tax to pay for your health care! :eek:

;)

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.

bought a 1999 superhawk with 3000 miles on it and rode another 1500 before replacing stock tires. really noticed a difference in handling with new pirelli diablo stradas, as there was way more grip.

i went to the hospital for a band aid last week to offset the cost of everything else, lol

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.

www.jakewilson.com

Michelin Pilot Power 2CTs for under $200...bargain of the month. Use code "JW009" at checkout for lower price.

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 !! :winner:

Rubber is cheaper than plaster.