Out dated tires? Toss em or Use em?

[Tufbusa]

This may help you make a decision on running or tossing those outdated tires you may have laying around.

I have had a Dunlop 208 GP 180/55/17 tire with a date of manufacture being 2001 stored in a cool dark place for years. I finally decided to toss it out since it is now 11 years young. But then, I changed my mind and thought WTH, I'll mount that puppy up on my gixxer and see how it works. Well, I took it out for the first time today for some much needed wheelie practice.

I pulled out of my neighborhood onto the main road (About three blocks) and wacked the throttle. That puppy lit up like it was greased. I thought to myself, this could be a very interesting day. Then after a quarter mile I did a repeat and this time the front tire lifted skyward with no issues. I spent all afternoon with my friend GregBob playing on the rear tire and not once did it ever slip again. Maybe it broke loose the first time because it was cold or maybe had a little mold release on the tread. After all, it was made over a decade ago.

By days end I had lots of confidence that a properly stored tire will remain useable and perform quite well for a very long time. While I'm not sure every tire will hold it's useful life this long but this particular dunlop did. I would have no issues with dragging my knee in every corner on this tire once it's warmed up a bit. It's still too cold here to get excited about spanking a tire. However, I will pick up the pace on this old dog once the summer sun warms the asphalt and I'll let you guys know if the grip becomes an issue.

I'm not recommending anyone run decade old tires but this info may be good to file away in your memory bank for possible future reference!

SteveO

 

[red1100cc]

:thumbs: sounds like a fun experiment.

 

[dadofthree]

Well just a few comments 1) I don't have the coin to have tires laying around; so that's not an issue. Mine arrive about a week after I need them 2) If I had an old tire it wouldn't appear to be an issue because I probably only ride about a third as hard as you ride. So again not an issue 3) and lastly, if you have another tire laying around you could always ship it to my addy for independent or a second analysis

 

[Tufbusa]

I'll be happy to help you out Robert, I have some old shagged race tires I could easily ship!

I was just totally impressed with how much grip that tire had after laying around for more than a decade and thought I'd share my findings!

 

[dadofthree]

I'll be happy to help you out Robert, I have some old shagged race tires I could easily ship!

I was just totally impressed with how much grip that tire had after laying around for more than a decade and thought I'd share my findings!

The locals brag on my chicken strips, oh yea ship those puppies, especially if they have boogers. Oh the tails I can tell

 

[Hayabusa4life]

Well just a few comments 1) I don't have the coin to have tires laying around; so that's not an issue. Mine arrive about a week after I need them 2) If I had an old tire it wouldn't appear to be an issue because I probably only ride about a third as hard as you ride. So again not an issue 3) and lastly, if you have another tire laying around you could always ship it to my addy for independent or a second analysis

Im on the same boat

 

[Hayabusa4life]

The locals brag on my chicken strips, oh yea ship those puppies, especially if they have boogers. Oh the tails I can tell

 

[2Wheels2Live]

I've never thrown a set of tires away because of age, always stored them inside with no problems
Like a couple others though I'm not a super aggressive street carver. If their not dryed out and weather cracked I'll run'em.

 

[Sketchy_Camel]

im kinda in the same boat but not like a decade on tires though- he we go- i bought a 2005 Busa back in Sept of last year. It only had 2086 miles at the time. I asked the owner how old the tires were- he said he never changed them. So Im thinking to my self they are 7 years old- 8 tops because of manufacturing of the vehicle. They are Bridgestones but I don't feel comfortable on them or at least have the confidence to tack a corner like i usually do with Continental-Attacks or Pilot Powers. Like dadofthree & Hayabusa4life said, don't really have the coin to just switch out tires but with some reassurance, I just might try and run them out... after a proper warm up of course

 

[2Wheels2Live]

im kinda in the same boat but not like a decade on tires though- he we go- i bought a 2005 Busa back in Sept of last year. It only had 2086 miles at the time. I asked the owner how old the tires were- he said he never changed them. So Im thinking to my self they are 7 years old- 8 tops because of manufacturing of the vehicle. They are Bridgestones but I don't feel comfortable on them or at least have the confidence to tack a corner like i usually do with Continental-Attacks or Pilot Powers. Like dadofthree & Hayabusa4life said, don't really have the coin to just switch out tires but with some reassurance, I just might try and run them out... after a proper warm up of course

I did a little corner carving on my 03 with the stock BT56's, and lots of hard acceleration, I never got them to slide or even spin much under power. I liked them personally. But I prefer other brands more like continentals and mostly PR2's for my style of riding. As long as they're not dryed out, weather cracked or brick hard they should be fine. Test them out a little before you push them hard.

 

[Sketchy_Camel]

I did a little corner carving on my 03 with the stock BT56's, and lots of hard acceleration, I never got them to slide or even spin much under power. I liked them personally. But I prefer other brands more like continentals and mostly PR2's for my style of riding. As long as they're not dryed out, weather cracked or brick hard they should be fine. Test them out a little before you push them hard.

Thanks for the push and advice- really needed to heaar that thank you

 

[RussellJ]

So, what you are saying is I should go buy some Shinkos?

Good to know that tires can still be good after so long if treated properly

 

[VIPER]

I have been running my powers since they came out. love them on everything i ride. my last pair was old i had em for 7 years i think maybe longer. i put them on the 02 busa and rode the crap out of them with no issues. sold the bike with themon it

 

[AJAY]

Tuff, I was expecting you to throw some ominous warning to all of us with this post. Thanks for doing the experiment and coming back with a good report.

FWIW, oxygen, ultraviolet light and heat are the major killer of tires. Wrapping them in plastic and storing them somewhere dark and cool is the best practice.

 

[fallenarch]

I sort of figured this. Who knows how long some new tires sit in hot warehouses before they sell them? I just figured that the tire guys figure this sort of thing into mix on the tire compound. Although 11 years is pretty impressive.

I do have an old 3 year old Pilot Power I was planning on putting on to practice burnouts though.

 

[RedBusarider]

After reading this thread I may just run my tires a little longer. At least start this season with them and then decide if I need new shoes.

 

[dadofthree]

You guys I'm good for two or three sets a year, wish I had more time to ride

 

[The Big Red One]

I have bought a few quiet old bikes with very low mileage and original tires that had been garage kept and covered. One of them was a 1983 Seca 650 turbo with 4500 miles on the bike and stock bias-ply rubber. Bought it in 93-94 I believe...the tires were fine, and as soon as I got it I cranked the boost way up and ran those tires hard, no problems. I also picked up a 1974-75 RD250 converted to a 350 with DG heads, pipes, bigger carbs etc with 3000 miles on the stock rubber in 91, ran those tires out as well. Did similiar things with other stock tires on older machines. It really depends on how the tires are stored almost as much as how long. I've seen bikes left out in our harsh weather uncovered for a few years and the tires as well as the rest of the bike are falling apart.