On my GSXR I noticed the tire stamp dates them as new in 2010. The tread is good and the overall tire condition doesn't lead me to believe there is anything wrong with them. They ride fine, look fine, etc... The bike/tires spent some time in Michigan before moving to the PNW. If there are no signs that indicate a 5+ year old tire is going bad, is there any reason I should replace it? I hate breaking in tires but also do not want one to explode at 100mph. Thoughts?
I'd say they're getting there. It depends on a few things. Has the bike spent most of it's life outside? Have they had a lot of temp changes with weather (i.e. spent a lot of time in the cold)? UV rays will break down the rubber drying it out and cause it to start dry rotting. The signs aren't always clearly seen until it's a bit late. Most often you'll start to see cracks in the rubber along the corners of the bottom of the tread grooves. The rubber will start to get hard too. Ever noticed the tire skirts people put on RV tires when they're parked, those are to prolong the life of the tires by keeping them out of the sun. Heat cycles from riding will also break down the rubber and make it hard. Most common street tires will wear out before the heat cycles have an effect. Race tires are really susceptible to heat cycles tho. To be honest, if I bought a bike that had 5+ year old tires on it I'd replace them no matter what they looked like. But that's just me.
Five years is getting near the time I'd be comfortable with them, especially if you do any "spirited" riding.
Thanks for the replies guys. I was pretty sure that was the case but this settles it, time to order new tires.
Look,at www.jakewilson.com if you're ordering online. They've been the cheapest I've found with consistency. I mount and balance tires so I shop for them a lot.
Ask yourself how comfortable you'd be on those tires braking into that decreasing radius downhill turn. Going a little too quick...
1st time you hit water, you'll know if they are too old or not. Do you want to take that risk? That is the question!
I think the basic rule is if your tires are 5 years old its time to swap them out. But if there 5 years old you might need to ride more.
The type of riding is usually the key. If you do any 'performance' type and 'actually' push them then you would be best served getting new ones. Easy going cruising, maybe not so much. Someone will want them if you do not.
In my experience, by the time they hit 5 years old, they have lost a bit of traction; the traction usually needed as an "emergency reserve". And that is with tires that were kept on a bike inside the garage.
As parilla125 said it also depends on riding style. The average rider doesn't go out and race or drag there knees. Most people I know that ride, ride enough that there tires would bald far before 5 years.
even if the tread on the tires are newer. Look at how the tread is. You have what's called cupping. The tread can be stepped out like a snake skin. This will cause road noise and poor handling.
What is your life worth? Seriously. Is a couple of hundred bucks worth riding on old tires? 3 years and that is it.
Based on what you're riding and how it's likely to be used, 5 year old tires are about the max you'd want to go. That being said I had a Ninja 250 with stock 10 year old tires that hadn't been used much and the only reason I changed them out is because the tires are known to grab every nook and cranny in the pavement which they did. They do this brand new and most folks change them out for a better performing tire. Otherwise I would have left them on for commuting purposes. There are bikes out there with much older tires that perform fine under gentle use.