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Shelf life of tires
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 5:05 am
by bandit600
I bought an '03 SV1000S yesterday w/ 2600 miles. The bike is an '03 model year but was purchased by the previous owner in mid 2004. It's still wearing the original tires which have fine tread depth left (no surprise with only 2600 mi).
It was kept in a garage (less UV damage) on a swingarm stand but the air inside it is not nitrogen or anything so there's probably oxidative damage to the rubber from time.
Obviosuly if money was no concern I would get new tires without a doubt. Do you guys think I should suck it up and get new tires now or can I use it till it wears a little more? Not going on the track, or any aggressive riding...
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 6:26 am
by Gunslinger
I've heard every 3 to 5 years as a guideline for tire swaps. I think the overall condition of the tire is more important than the age to an extent. Look closely at the sidewalls. Are there any signs of cracking or dry rot? Do the tires hold air consistently? If they look good and there's decent tread put a couple more K miles on them. UV is what really kills tires and if it was stored in a garage that's a non-issue.
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 7:31 am
by Johnj
Old tires get hard. Like throw you on the ground hard. I'd put the best set of tires I could afford on it.
Re: Shelf life of tires
Posted: Wed Aug 19, 2009 10:45 am
by bountyhunter
bandit600 wrote: Do you guys think I should suck it up and get new tires now or can I use it till it wears a little more? Not going on the track, or any aggressive riding...
My guide is when you see any kind of cracking on the sidewall or signs of dry rot. My guess is that it is sunlight which does most of the damage, exposure to air in a garage is probably an order of magnitude less harmful.
Posted: Thu Aug 20, 2009 3:10 pm
by JC Viper
Not even looking for sidewall cracks, tires dry out and should be replaced every 2 - 3 years. Less if you keep the bike out in the elements.
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:32 am
by storysunfolding
I bought a set of tires from a dealer I trust without looking at the code on the side. 12,000 miles in with plenty of tread I had to change them out because the sidewalls had dry rotted less than 8 months later.
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:14 am
by bandit600
Storysunfolding was it Coleman's Powersports? I live in Fairfax.
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:17 am
by storysunfolding
Yes, but to their credit they replaced them for free.