how old can motorcycle tires be
What happens to old motorcycle tyres?
brake pads and other rubber products. Old tyres are a potentially valuable resource with various re-use, recycling and waste to energy options. Stockpiles of tyres present a fire danger, which, if burnt, can release toxic gases. These stockpiles are a further health risk, as they provide ideal breeding habitats for mosquitoes and vermin.
What is the best tire for a motorcycle?
The Best Motorcycle TireMichelin Commander II Front Tire. We start out with a tire from Michelin. …Pirelli Diablo Rosso III Set. This pair of Pirelli tires is from a heavyweight tire manufacturer with a worldwide reputation for producing high-quality equipment.Continental Motion Tire Set. …Shinko 712 Front Motorcycle Tire. …Shinko 712 Rear Motorcycle Tire. …More items…
How to change a motorcycle tire yourself?
Steps To Follow For Changing Tires of Motorcycle Yourself:Removing Tire This is the first step where you generally need to elevate your bike off the ground. …Deflating Tire Once the tire is removed then you need to deflate it completely. …Breaking the Bead The next step in line is to break the bead,which is holding the tire with the rim. …More items…
Are your motorcycle tires worn out?
Your motorcycle tires connect you to the road—which is why it’s dangerous to try and get the last possible mile out of your tires. When the tread nears the wear marks or looks like it’s wearing unevenly, or your tires are showing signs of aging, it’s time for a new set. You have many choices of motorcycle tires.
What does it mean when your tires crack?
Cracking along the sidewalls of the tire, also called a dry lot, is one of the indications that your tires need to be replaced. If your tires have a worn out and square profile, you’ll experience lower ride comfort, as the contact patch on the tire edges is small.
What is the date code for motorcycle tires?
All motorcycle tires come with a date code imprinted into the sidewall. This code is a 4-digit number. For example, 1322 stands for the 13th week of 2022. For sports bikes, front tires have a maximum range of 3700 miles, with back wheels at 1800 miles.
How long do motorcycle tires last?
While most motorcycle tires are designed to last up to 5 years, many factors determine how long your tires will last. For instance, road hazards, improper inflation pressure, improper use of tires, overloading, tire chain damage, tire spinning, negligence, misuse, tire alteration, and improper or insufficient maintenance may cause tire damage.
Where are the grooves on motorcycle tires?
Check for one of the tire grooves, normally located off the center of your motorcycle tires, and pick one with a raised segment of rubber. This raised rubber is the manufacturer’s lowest point of tire tread you can have to ensure safety when riding your motorcycle. An old trick to answering the “how old can motorcycle tires be …
Can you use motorcycle tires?
If not, then you can still use your motorcycle tires for some time before you consider buying replacements. Although you may be tempted to judge the usability and safety of your tires by the tread, this is not the only factor to consider and is highly discouraged by industry key players, including biking experts, motorbike mechanics, and even manufacturers.
What happens to tires when they disintegrate?
Rubber—the primary ingredient for tire manufacturing—oxidizes when exposed to the elements. When this happens, the tire begins stiffening from the inside out.
What does the tire identification number tell you?
This tire identification number tells you the week and year that any given tire was produced. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mandates that all tires include an identification number.
Why do you need to check the tire number?
Checking for the tire identification number to verify the manufacture year ensures that you know exactly what you are buying. Even if the tread looks great, these “new” tires could have been in storage for a long time since they were made. Remember, oxidation impacts the internal structure of the tire first.
How old should a tire be to be replaced?
Any tire that is more than six years old should be replaced regardless of its wear. Younger tires that are showing signs of oxidation or that have low tread depth should also be changed out so that you can stay as safe as possible while on the road.
What happens when you drive a motorcycle with old tires?
As tires age, they undergo a process called oxidation that damages their structural integrity. To prevent this from affecting you and your motorcycle, it is important to learn how to read tire markings …
How old should you replace a motorcycle tire?
If one tire is bald while the other still has tread on it and is six years or younger, just replace the bald tire.
Why are tires so durable?
In general, tires need to be both rigid and malleable. Their ability to adjust to various types of terrain without crumbling is what makes them so durable. Exposure to the air causes the stiffened rubber to crack and disintegrate. This process compromises a tire’s overall functionality and makes it less safe to use.
What is the wisdom of motorcycle tires?
When it comes to motorcycle tires, the wisdom used to be “cheap, sticky, long-lasting: pick two.” Tire technology has come a really long way in just the last ten or so years, though, and that old adage isn’t a slam dunk anymore. So how much of the “old wisdom” still applies? When it comes to tires that still have a bunch of tread life, how old is too old?
What to do if you buy tires that you don’t want to mount?
If you buy tires that you’re not going to mount immediately, keep those tires inside. Make sure they aren’t in direct sunlight, subject to temperature extremes, or exposed to chemical residue or vapors. All of these things can age your new tire prematurely. Make it a habit to check your own tires at every oil change.
How old do tires have to be to be sold?
Most tire manufacturers try not to sell a tire that’s more than five years old. Few of us buy our tires directly from the manufacturer, and an unscrupulous distributor might sell you their new-old stock. The date code is stamped into the tire near the “DOT” stamp.
Is it better to replace tires or replace them?
Sometimes the better part of valor is replacing that tire that has slipped out on you or is cracking, before you’ve worn the tread to the wear bars. Hardened rubber has lost a lot of its grip, and trying to make them last is a false economy. A new set of tires will cost way less than a crash. Besides, fresh new tires feel so good!
Where is the date code on a tire?
The date code is stamped into the tire near the “DOT” stamp. It is a four-digit code which indicates the week and year of production. This tire’s four-digit date code tells you it was made in the twentieth week of 2019. This tire’s date code tells you it was made in the tenth week of 2017.
Should I change tire stems with every tire change?
Common wisdom says these stems, especially the friction-fit rubber style, should be swapped out with every tire change. I go through tires at least yearly, so I swap the stem with every other tire change. A broken stem is an easy way to end a trip, so keep them fresh; they are very cheap insurance.
What happens to tires as they age?
Here’s what happens as tires age. Tires are subject to a process called oxidation, whereby oxygen interacts with compounds in the rubber causing them to harden and eventually become brittle. As the rubber oxidization increases over time, tire performance decreases.
How long does it take for a tire to be fresh?
A one-year-old tire is considered very, very fresh. In fact, most tire companies put the "sell by" date somewhere out around five years from the date of manufacture. So unless you don’t expect to wear the tire out within five years from the date that’s stamped on the sidewall, don’t sweat it.
How old should a tire be to replace it?
Again, most tire manufacturers advise replacing a tire after it’s around five years old. You might not be able to tell the age by glancing at it, but if you notice cracks along the carcass of the tire, it needs to be replaced immediately. Too bad the ole sniff test doesn’t work here as it does with that carton of milk.
Do tires have a use by date?
Tires don’t have a “use by” date stamped on them like perishable foodstuffs because there are a lot of variables that determine the rate at which a tire degrades. However, tires do have a four-digit number stamped on the sidewalls indicating the week and year they were manufactured.
Where to find the date code on a Dunlop Q3?
Look for the date code in an oval stamp on your tire’s sidewall. The numbers represent the week and year of manufacture. Minted in the 13th week of 2017, this Dunlop Q3+ is as fresh as they come. Photo: Julia LaPalme
Do motorcycle tires expire?
Motorcycle tires wear out from use, but they can also expire from age. Keeping tabs on the age of your tires is important, but if you think your tires need to be as fresh as the contents of your fridge, we’d like to disabuse you of that myth.
Is there milk in motorcycle tires?
While it’s good to be cautious when it comes to the condition of your motorcycle tires, let’s be clear: Tires aren’t milk, and it seems some consumers are obsessed with only buying tires that have a very recent date code.
How long do motorcycle tires last?
Most motorcycle tire manufacturers will warranty their newly purchased tires up to around six years after the manufacture date (give or take a year or two). If you have bought your tires from a reputable dealer, it should be safe to install your tire if it falls within that warranty period.
What does 0415 mean?
The first two digits represent the week it was manufactured, while the last two represent the year. An example would be 0415, which would mean that tire was manufactured in the 4th week of 2015. The date codes for tires manufactured before the year 2000 are represented a bit differently.
How long are tires good after the date of manufacture?
More like your canned goods. Most manufacturers recommend that their tires are still good up to around six years from the manufacture date. That is if the tire has been sitting on a dry, climate-controlled shelf.
What causes a tire to deteriorate?
This includes long periods of time sitting on concrete and/or storage in extreme temperatures. Being in contact with chemicals, like gasoline and solvents , also deteriorate tires. Oxidation increases once air pressure is applied after the tire has been mounted and filled.
Is oxidation a tire’s worst enemy?
Oxidation and wear are a tire’s worst enemy, not necessarily time. According to Pirelli, “The mere passage of time (age) does not cause tires to deteriorate, but rather exposure to outside forces.”. While a tiny amount of oxidation does occur while a tire sits on a shelf, the amount is almost negligible. A tire is fine as long as it is in …
Do motorcycle tires have a sell by date?
Like your perishable groceries, your motorcycle tires have a “sell by” date. Fortunately, though, your tires won’t spoil as fast as produce and eggs. In fact, they can sit on a climate-controlled shelf for many years without a problem.
Who is Ryan from DK?
Ryan. Ryan is one of the lucky ones who gets to combine their passion with work. He has enjoyed powersports his whole life and now gets to write about it. Ryan has been around the industry since High School and continues to enjoy learning and sharing about powersports with others in his role at DK.
What is a tire warranty?
Most tire manufacturers warranty policies cover eligible tires that become unusable for any reason within the manufacturer’s control, such tire will be replaced with an equivalent new tire on the basis set forth in their Limited Warranty policy.
How long do tires last?
Now, how long do tires last? As with beer, a tire’s shelf life differs greatly depending on how it is stored. Left out in the sun and the elements, a beer might last a week and a tire is lucky to last a year without showing signs it is in need of replacement. On a pantry or warehouse shelf subject to temperature changes, a beer is good for several months and a tire for several years. Now, a beer stored in a refrigerator can stay fresh for years. Similarly, a tire stored in climate-controlled warehouse can stay fresh for up to 6 years.
How long is the warranty on Michelin tires?
All Michelin tires come with a limited warranty which covers defects in workmanship and materials for the life of the usable tread or 6 years from purchase date, whichever comes first. ** Note: Hold onto your receipt! If your tire born on date is 2 years old… and you misplace your receipt your warranty will revert back to the date code on the tire, not purchase date.
What is the date code for a tire?
The tire’s born-on-date, commonly known as a Date Code, is a standardized 4 digit number indicating the Week of and the Year of tire manufacture. In the case of the Shinko tire in this video, the tire was manufactured on Week 38 of 2016. This standardization was created and set into effect in the year 2000.
How many letters are in a tire number?
Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) require that tire Identification Numbers be a combination of the letters DOT followed by eight to thirteen letters and or numbers which identify manufacturer location, tire size, manufacturer’s code along with Week and Year the tire was produced.
How long do motorcycle tires last?
Motorcycle tires are covered for the life of the tire, 4 years from the manufacturer Date Code or until the tread depth reaches 1/32".
What are road hazards?
Road hazards, Improper use or operation, including, without limitation: Improper inflation pressure, overloading, tire/wheel spinning, use of an improper wheel, tire chain damage, misuse, misapplication, negligence, tire alteration, or use for racing or competition purposes, insufficient or improper maintenance are not considered manufacturer defects are not able to be covered by the manufacturer warranty.