Tires

[love2bike]

I just bought a 2003 ducati with only 1000miles on. The question is the tires are original and still look and feel good but are 6 years old. Would you be concerned with 6 years old rubber or should I cough up and pay for a new set of tires?

[CairnsDuc]

I would, Tyres harden as they get older, more so if they are exposed to the elements, They won't grip the road as well because of there age, I wouldn't risk it, ditch em.
If I ever am suspect about a tyres age or condition, I replace it, I'd rather spend $200 - $300 on a tyre than a few thousand dollars of repairs or medical bills.

[DirtyDuc]

Is up to you.  But, I say that if they still look new (inspect for tiny cracks in the rubber on the sides), and they still feel new (when you ride they don't feel hard, they feel they grip as they should, then why spend the coin to replace? 

I would replace ASAP if you find any cracking as that is a sign of rot and is potentially un-safe.

But, if you can't detect any aging, I wouldn't worry about structural integrity if that is what you are thinking about.

That is just 1 mans opinion though.  If you are conscerned you should consult a profesional (there should be several around here)

[Bun-bun]

I just went thru this on my '02. The rubber looked good, but I decided to replace 'em anyway. It definitely made a difference in the feel of the bike. I did it for safety reasons, but got the benefit of a better handling bike.

[Chchadder]

Interesting article from: http://www.moderntiredealer.com/Blog/Lori-s-Listening/Story/2008/12/500-penalty-for-selling-tires-older-than-six-years.aspx

December 10, 2008

$500 penalty for selling tires older than six years
By: Lori L. Mavrigian


Here's something of note, especially if you live in New York. According to the East Hampton Town News, the Suffolk County (N.Y.) legislature last week passed a bill that would forbid retailers from selling tires that are more than six years old. Any company caught doing it could face a $500 fine per each violation.

The bill was authored by a legislator on the grounds of an ABC television report on the issue! The bill was passed with one lone legislator voting against it, reasoning that the TV report could have been "sensationalism" and that he'd prefer a study done by a more authoritative source. You think?


The tire age bill is currently under further review before it has a chance to actually go into law. The legislator who voted against it feels that the issue calls for "federal and not county involvement."


And what exactly does the federal government say about tire aging? From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web site: "While tire life will ultimately depend on the tires' service conditions and the environment in which they operate, there are some general guidelines. Some vehicle manufacturers recommend that tires be replaced every six years regardless of use.  In addition, a number of tire manufacturers cite 10 years as the maximum service life for tires.  Check the owner's manual for specific recommendations for your vehicle. Remember, it is always wise to err on the side of caution if you suspect your vehicle has tires that are over six years of age."

[He Man]

dont tires have a date of manufacture stamp on them?

[pespina]

I would, Tyres harden as they get older, more so if they are exposed to the elements, They won't grip the road as well because of there age, I wouldn't risk it, ditch em.
If I ever am suspect about a tyres age or condition, I replace it, I'd rather spend $200 - $300 on a tyre than a few thousand dollars of repairs or medical bills.

Amen! Change them. The doubt is not worth the price of a pair of new tyres.

[ducpainter]

dont tires have a date of manufacture stamp on them?

Street tires do.

Right next to the DOT stamp

[ScottRNelson]

I would replace six year old tires even if they're totally new.

I know of one crash that can be blamed on old tires.  It was on one of the last local Monster rides that I participated in and was the leader of the fast group riding a 900SS/SP.  In one corner the front tire behaved as if it were on a bar of soap or something.  The bike had behaved fairly well up to that point, then the front end let go and the rider ended up in the hospital.  A new set of tires would have held the line just fine in that corner at that speed.

I don't want to take a chance, so I make sure that I don't have tires more than about three years old.  I'll be replacing a "perfectly good" front tire on my 888 soon because it's past the three year point.  I already had one experience with the rear slipping when it shouldn't have on that bike.

Get new tires on your Monster.

[scott_araujo]

I bought an '03 two years ago with the original tires.  The rubber was hard, wore down very quickly, and had little grip left.  The sidewalls get hard with age too and the ride was harsh.  Not only was the grip better when I replaced them but so was the ride.  As soon as I replaced them it felt more plush and had better grip.  You'll be amazed.

You're connected to the ground by two contact patches about the size of credit cards.  Replace your old tires.  They are done.

Scott

[love2bike]

Thanks for the info, I'll be putting new tires on the bike this week. The next question is, which ones should I put on? Currently the bike has pirelli dragons on.

[the_Journeyman]

I've had good luck with Pirelli Diablos on my M750, it's also hard to beat the Pilot Powers as well ~

JM

[AfroStar]

I got Pilot Powers 2CT, wow! another good purchase for my Black Betty (S4RS) the feel, the piece of mind, the confident (can't be too bad).

also depends on how you ride, where, and purpose. 
local commute in southern states, or New England weekend riding in the twisties. 
get cheap, as long as they are new, it really helps.