How old are your tyres?

[Big Phil]

So the articles I have read recommend between 5 and 7 years before you should change your tyres irrespective of apparent condition. Personally I'm running tyres older than that as both my 14 and SRAD have been stored for quite long periods, either by me or the previous owner. I haven't noticed any handling or grip problems and the tyres look perfectly fine. I am however a little concerned about hidden degradation.

Anyone else running tyres older than 5 to 7 years of age and had problems?

[gsxbarmy]

I'm not running older tyres, but will say that whilst tyres can look ok, they do degrade - typically the rubber hardens over time, which in turn means less grip for cornering and braking. Often slight cracks in the walls can give an early indication that tyres are starting to degrade.

Personally if tyres were that old on my machine, I'd change them for peace of mind. That small area of contact is all that is between you and staying upright on a powerful machine with bags of torque, that costs a heck of a lot more than the price of replacing 2 tyres. Cars I think could probably take the 5-7 years age or at least manage it better than a motorcycle where the rubber initially is softer and used in a completely different way.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

I had a 9y.o front tyre that started to show cracks in the sidewall and was worn assymetrically.    Definitely replace them, not worth the risk.

[Kiwifruit]

Yep tyres are the cheap bit. Keep them fresh. 

[steve porter]

Heat cycles and UV exposure play a big part as well, a 10 year old tyre with not much use or UV exposure will more than likely be in better nick than a 2 year old one that is used every day and spends all day in the sun, I use the fingernail test to determine the softness of the rubber rather than purely going by age

[Hooli]

I'm struggling with the concept of tyres lasting 5-7 years on a bike, 5-7 months would be good in my experience.

Having said that, the tyres that came off my Jag recently were 10-13 years old. They still worked but were covered in tiny surface cracks & compared to the new ones had a lot less grip (although they felt ok to drive on most of the time).

[Stepdoug]

I think mine were about 8/9 years old. Believe me you don't want them to go at 80 ISH mph on the M20 this was what my rear ended up like last summer.
Mine looked ok when I left and still plenty of tread.
Don't be fooled thinking they are good.

[grog]

Tyres should have use by dates. 5 to 6 yrs is the life. Rubber perishes, glue that holds them together fails. Have you ever wondered why you see so many tyre carcass on the roads. Must be worse in hot climates, they just get cooked around here. Our roads, now, so bloody hot you cant walk on them in bare feet.

[Hooli]

I think mine were about 8/9 years old. Believe me you don't want them to go at 80 ISH mph on the M20 this was what my rear ended up like last summer.
Mine looked ok when I left and still plenty of tread.
Don't be fooled thinking they are good.

I had this happen on a tyre that'd been fitted six weeks, hence I don't buy Michelin anymore. About 10-12" of rubber along the 'medium' strip had completely detacted from the carcass, so it nearly went as well as yours. I was doing 90-100 down an Italian motorway after dark in the rain, still it's better than it going earlier that day up the Alps where it had been feeling funny turning right.

[Batkwaka]

Until about June it was wearing some softer Bridgestone tyres I had fitted for a Track Day in 2016.
I returned to my tried and trusted Pirelli's.

[Milts]

Rear tyre on my 6,400 mile K3 is 11years old! ........I know l know!   

[GSXKING]

So the articles I have read recommend between 5 and 7 years before you should change your tyres irrespective of apparent condition. Personally I'm running tyres older than that as both my 14 and SRAD have been stored for quite long periods, either by me or the previous owner. I haven't noticed any handling or grip problems and the tyres look perfectly fine. I am however a little concerned about hidden degradation.

Anyone else running tyres older than 5 to 7 years of age and had problems?

SERIOUSLY  I'll have a "rant" here guys. The cost $$$$ of new tyres versus repairing your cherished motorcycle or your body is minimal. A close friend of mine passed away after going too hard on very old tyres. Excuse me for being a tad touchy about OLD TYRES. 

RANT OVER 

[DP1400]

It takes a very long time for your tyres to degrade to the point of being dangerous. The given advice, backed by the industry generally, is that motorcycle tyres are good for at least 5 years and given that most of us will wear them out within that period, there`s not much to worry about provided we visually check them for damage and pressure regularly. If we have a good tyre go bad, I guess that`s just really bad luck!

NB. All bike tyres carry an oval shaped date stamp on the sidewall showing week number/year of manufacture, ie. 11/20 represents the 11th week of 2020. If you`re concerned at all, its worth a look to check yours.

[Eric GSX1400K3]

It takes a very long time for your tyres to degrade to the point of being dangerous. The given advice, backed by the industry generally, is that motorcycle tyres are good for at least 5 years and given that most of us will wear them out within that period, there`s not much to worry about provided we visually check them for damage and pressure regularly. If we have a good tyre go bad, I guess that`s just really bad luck!

NB. All bike tyres carry an oval shaped date stamp on the sidewall showing week number/year of manufacture, ie. 11/20 represents the 11th week of 2020. If you`re concerned at all, its worth a look to check yours.

In fact ALL tyres carry the same week/year code, pays to check your car too, same issues re degrading rubber.

[grog]

I was told just recently, my trusted bike shop blokes, tyres are getting harder to purchase.All held up in shipping ports, Covid. Had similar story trying to get a starter motor for VW Touareg. Just unavailable in Oz until further notice. Just how it is i guess.