Bike tires

sphelps

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Just had new Dunlop’s put on my bike . Wasn’t thinking much about it at the time but wanted to know how long they have been sitting in the shelf . Can y’all decipher how old these are . My guess is either 15 or 7 years ..
 

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Scott Danforth

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my guess 9 years. bicycle tires do not follow the same date code as DOT tires do.
 

sphelps

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Sorry Scott was referring to motorcycle tires .
 

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racerone

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I do not believe I would ride on a motorcycle with an 8 + year old tire.-----Well maybe just around town , not on the interstate.----Many years ago I worked at a tire factory ( quality control ) laboratory.-----I tell folks that tires are all black , but they are not all the same.
 

Bob_VT

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I think your tires are 2020 too........ I tend to inspect the tires regardless of the year just to make sure they are safe and not weather cracked or worn. I have 2 bikes in the garage (both somewhat high performance) and I am a stickler on tires and wear. I think you will be fine ;)............... now that it is currently 14 degrees and snowing I think my ability to do tire testing is limited! Come on May!
 

matt167

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14th week of 2020 so pretty fresh. Being Dunlops they are as good as it gets generally as far as rubber quality
 

lprizman

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Highly dought tires would last on a shelf and not sold for 15 years......or someone could be that irresponsible in selling them...
 

PITBoat

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I do not believe I would ride on a motorcycle with an 8 + year old tire.-----Well maybe just around town , not on the interstate.----Many years ago I worked at a tire factory ( quality control ) laboratory.-----I tell folks that tires are all black , but they are not all the same.
I bought a 22 year old 1-owner Suzuki motorcycle from the early 80s some years ago that had 3,xxx miles on it and the original Bridgestone tires. Bike was garage kept, and all the rubber looked really good - including the tires. I wore 'em out. I don't remember there being any cracking or the like in them. In fact, I've still got them, one of them holding down a tarp at the moment, heh.

I'm thinking the era stuff was manufactured in and/or where it came from might make a significant difference.
 

dolluper

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Ozone will break down anything rubber over time..When l was way younger and working on motorcycles. People looking for a helmet l used to say to them if you have a ten dollar head buy a ten dollar helmet ..So if tires are old Replace Them unless you have a ten dollar head don't bother
 

racerone

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I know that sunlight will damage rubber.-----Heat will harden rubber.-----Fluorescent lighting in say a 24 hour warehouse will damage / crack o-rings too.----Radioactivity will harden O-rings / rubber gaskets.
 

sphelps

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And rain will keep you from enjoying a nice bike ride down the coast ... ☹️ I did get out, me and my brother ,for a ride before the Super Bowl last weekend ..
I spent about 20 mins or so in a parking lot before the ride doing some slow swerves and leaning circles to break in the new off the tires .. Being a somewhat new rider I needed practice on slow turning anyway .
 

gm280

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And rain will keep you from enjoying a nice bike ride down the coast ... ☹️ I did get out, me and my brother ,for a ride before the Super Bowl last weekend ..
I spent about 20 mins or so in a parking lot before the ride doing some slow swerves and leaning circles to break in the new off the tires .. Being a somewhat new rider I needed practice on slow turning anyway .
You know on some of the smaller ATV's, usually bought for kids, they have a engine speed limiter. Maybe you need one... lol
 
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