Tyres, how old is too old?

[Stevemr]

The 2003 Bonneville, I gave just bought has tyres on it that are 10 years old, my inclination is to change them, but they have only done 1400 miles, bikes been garaged, and they look and feel as new!
So change them or not?

[Tonberry]

Check overall condition. Providing no cracks or signs of deterioration keep using them.

16 year old tyres on one bike and they're fine.

[Rubin215]

You're gonna die.



It probably won't be because of those tyre though, but I give a rock-solid guarantee that sooner or later you're gonna die.

[Stevemr]

Killed by death!

[V8 Animal]

That age they will be tired.

[Wombat3]

Very likely micro cracking in the tread grooves & they will be as hard as a rock.

10 year old tyres also not going to hold a candle to new ones in terms of tech/compounds etc.

The inner tubes may not be in great shape either.

Change the lot.

[Biker9090]

It's ten year old tech as much as anything else. Why not change then?

[Bairn]

Only thing touching the road while on a flying machine. Change the tyres.

[Hustle_]

Change ‘em. Even if stored perfectly, the rubber continues to go off and harden.

[hiccy18]

Just chucked 15 yo brand new, unused tyres. They looked fine, but why risk it?

[airsafari87]

Bairn said:

Only thing touching the road while on a flying machine.

A 2003 Bonnevile??

[Bairn]

airsafari87 said:

Bairn said:

Only thing touching the road while on a flying machine.

A 2003 Bonnevile??

Any motorbike to me is yes.
Dangerous as feck and worth new rubber imo.

[Hustle_]

airsafari87 said:

Bairn said:

Only thing touching the road while on a flying machine.

A 2003 Bonnevile??

I’ve seen a TR6 fly

[scorcher]

Hustle_ said:

I’ve seen a TR6 fly

How about an elephant?

[Rubin215]

Hustle_ said:

airsafari87 said:

Bairn said:

Only thing touching the road while on a flying machine.

A 2003 Bonnevile??

I’ve seen a TR6 fly

I've seen a needle that winked its eye!

[marcella]

I bought a Ducati 749 recently which had 14 year old tyres on it, they looked fine but I did not trust them after finding out their age.

Michelin recommend to replace tyres over 10 years old, I fully agree with this as I work in a company that tests and qualifies different rubber compounds. It's amazing how badly certain compound perform that are older but visually look fine.

Don't take the risk would be my recommendation.

[KTMsm]

It's a Bonneville not a Fireblade - personally I'd ride it and see what it feels like

10yr old mostly garaged, tyres are likely to be comparable to 5 yr old tyres on a bike that's left on the street

[Mezzanine]

Given how little it cost to change tyres compared to replacing a bike/the NHS fixing you up, just change the damn things.

I always change my tyres if they get to 5 years old.

[Wombat3]

KTMsm said:

It's a Bonneville not a Fireblade - personally I'd ride it and see what it feels like

10yr old mostly garaged, tyres are likely to be comparable to 5 yr old tyres on a bike that's left on the street

I'd still change those as well!

[Pica-Pica]

Stevemr said:

Killed by death!

No. Death by being born.