Topic: Would you run a new but 11yr old BT45?

[Garage_guy_chris]

Ok so I have a New BT45 front that came with my 750 project. Only problem is its 11 years old manufactured (1004, 10th week of 04) Its been stored indoors out of sunlight, its still soft and supple and doesn't show any signs of problems. Would you:
1. Run it and not worry
2. Run it and keep a close eye on it
3. Throw it out and avoid

[78whiteorbs]

4) sell it to whiteorbs for shipping fee and let him be the guinea pig

[Rgconner]

Hell no.

Tire may not be worn out, but it is used up.

[xnoahx]

I would run it and keep an eye on it. Your risk though. It would suck if it caused a crash. I have ridden bikes with older tires than that

[madmtnmotors]

Normally, common sense would tell me no, I would not use it. But I recently discovered that the tires I used to go round trip from Central Florida to Northwest Ohio (3000 miles) last summer were 8 years old (front) and 10 years old (rear). 

I promptly installed new tires once this realization was made. Although I had no issues, I would not do it again...

At least not on purpose! 

I would never sell a bike with tires that old either.

[faux fiddy]

I would run it and keep an eye on it. Your risk though. It would suck if it caused a crash. I have ridden bikes with older tires than that

Yeah, it just depend$. I get free ones sometimes, I know that the 19's off a sportster fit a scrambler okay, 3k on it now.  Nobody at the shop would put it on for me or anything, but I was glad to have it.

I'm replacing it with a tire I picked up at Barber for cheap, I'm pretty sure it's at least six or ten years old, but it looks very lightly used.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

No.

[Retro Rocket]

No

[flatlander]

no.
i'm sure it has been done and could be done, but not worth the risk for the cost of a new tire.

[chewbacca5000]

As tires age the rubber tends to harden.  Hard rubber has much less wet traction.  So it you live in a place with rain I would get new tires.

[calj737]

The most expensive tire you can buy is still a fraction of the cost of a trip to the ER. You decide.

Tires are the only part of your bike in contact with the road surface, making them perhaps, the single most important piece of safety gear. It's inly worth the risk if your body or bike has little worth.

[Wobbly]

Tires are the only part of your bike in contact with the road surface

And I like to keep it that way. The contact surface tire to road is about the size of a credit card.
I never try to save on tires, but I might value my motorcycle (lots) and my health (not so much) more than others.

[solo 2]

Do whatever you're comfortable with, I have a set of BT45s that are 10 years old now, never been run, inflated and on bike, no cracks and stored in a heated garage and they are still soft. I wouldn't even consider not using them, I probably wouldn't run them at triple digits for a long period of time. If I were doing a lot of high speed riding I would probably replace them just to make myself feel better.

Everything I've read says it depends on storage and usage. Tire manufacturers usually say between 6-10 years in storage but there are no tests I could find and they even state there are way to many variables. I have 1 bike that has 10 year old tires and they are noticeably harder, it only goes out to cycle the oil and then goes back. If I were going to ride this bike often, the tires would get replaced immediately.

[strynboen]

tires get hard
..cracks are not the problem..i have just pulled a ser stone hard rear tie of my 400 four..it have absulut no grib..specily as kold.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I cannot justify the risk when I can afford the price of a new tire, and don't want an unneeded trip to the ER.

This discussion is similar to one about cheap helmets or other riding gear.

[Retro Rocket]

Do whatever you're comfortable with, I have a set of BT45s that are 10 years old now, never been run, inflated and on bike, no cracks and stored in a heated garage and they are still soft. I wouldn't even consider not using them, I probably wouldn't run them at triple digits for a long period of time. If I were doing a lot of high speed riding I would probably replace them just to make myself feel better.

Everything I've read says it depends on storage and usage. Tire manufacturers usually say between 6-10 years in storage but there are no tests I could find and they even state there are way to many variables. I have 1 bike that has 10 year old tires and they are noticeably harder, it only goes out to cycle the oil and then goes back. If I were going to ride this bike often, the tires would get replaced immediately.

It really has nothing to do with "what he's comfortable with", it's more about being smart and making an informed decision. Tires aren't made to last that long, if used as the manufacturers expect, they wear out in around 3-5000 miles of use, this should only take about a year or two at the most. Any rubber part "out gasses" and changes the tires chemical balance, thats why they harden, this effects both traction and suspension.  You really don't want to find all this out half way round a corner, sliding down the road because your out dated tire just doesn't work like it used to, is that a chance you like taking on a motorcycle..? I sure as hell don't... 

[Whaleman]

I would not. I really like the feel of new quality tires. Dan

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

FYI -- I originally ran Bridgestone Spitfires on my 750.  They were 4-5 years old when I finally gave the bike a proper shakedown, and they felt like rubber pucks.  I don't know if that was the true "feel" of the tires or because they were old, or a combination of both -- but I think that the age of the rubber may have factored into the equation.  If the manufacturer has a shelf life for the tire, it's probably for a good reason.  Will the tire fail?  Not likely, but it will likely loose its "prime" traction characteristics.

[Don R]

Mine seem to crack before they wear out. I had a nice looking older set on my F1, the back would try to come around once in a while. That did it for me.
 

[socal1200r]

A tire that's 11 years old isn't "new", no matter how one wants to describe it.  I'd toss it and buy a real "new" tire, especially for the front. 

[LesterPiglet]

I put my Cheng Shin Maxxis tyres from 2003 on the bike a couple of years ago. I have got around 5k on them so far. Sidewalls are starting to crack now though. Done the ton. Longest stint 160 miles.

[jaguar]

I have the original tires on my '74 CL125
Never had an issue.

[strynboen]

tire problems start first at 60mph or 90 kmt..but you have lost some performance even at lov  speed

[jaguar]

falling a 50 sucks too.
I think that condition is very important.  But tires are not like milk.

Have seen some tires that were 5 years old that were done and hard as a rock.  Others lasted just fine on a bike for years.

[vorhese]

I think it should be just fine, 10 years isn't that long.  I ride a few of my vintage bikes that have perfectly fine 10+ year old tires.  If it has cracks, no. If it's soft and has good tread, yes.

[calj737]

Dissenting opinions on nearly every topic on this forum. 

Manufacturer warranties and advisement so should always be heeded where safety is involved. Those are facts, not opinions from the manufacturer. Disregard if you choose, but how many times have we all said, "The dope didn't even read the directions and is now complaining about..."

Facts are the world's greatest umpire-

[JimJamerino]

I wouldn't. It'd be one heck of a gamble to run an old tire. Play it safe... buy brand new tires.

[Muckinfuss]

UV is the destroyer of tire chemistry.  How the tire was stored matters.  The actual compound may not be an equivalent to today's version of the same tire due to manufacturer recipe mods as well.

[mkoski]

SHould have made a poll! That would have been fun!

I'm with most guys here, why save ~150$ on a tire and worry about it?

Money is nothing when your life is on the line. I'm cheap as hell but still bought new, quality rubber. 

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I guess I might stick with the tire if I were on a starving student budget.  But, if you can afford a new tire, why gamble with your safety.  My Bridgestone that sat did not "feel" hard to the touch, but it handled like a plastic puck.  Age and sunlight are not only unkind to skin, but rubber as well.

[lrutt]

The tires I have on my K6 are a older than that. If you only ride sedately and they are not weather check / cracking. why not.

Matter of fact the tires on a lot of my classics are older than that. But they are just ride on Sunday bikes to go to breakfast basically.

The bikes that get ridden with authority, my XR, my Duc, my HD, all have newer tires.

[oldhatt45]

Dissenting opinions on nearly every topic on this forum. 

Manufacturer warranties and advisement so should always be heeded where safety is involved. Those are facts, not opinions from the manufacturer. Disregard if you choose, but how many times have we all said, "The dope didn't even read the directions and is now complaining about..."

Facts are the world's greatest umpire-

calj737,

I agree with you.
Sounds like this is one of those situations where the old saying
"Just take the Warning Labels off everything and let the problem sort itself out"
could apply.  But trust me, I am not wishing anyone any ill will.

Not worth even thinking about the risk.
Also, if something should happen, and the insurance company has to pay out for the damage, they could make an issue of the age of the tires, but who knows.

Charlie

[Retro Rocket]

I think it should be just fine, 10 years isn't that long.  I ride a few of my vintage bikes that have perfectly fine 10+ year old tires.  If it has cracks, no. If it's soft and has good tread, yes.

Thats poor advice, you ride with what you want but telling someone what you "think", as far as tires go is irresponsible. How hard do you ride, how do you ride, where do you ride, do you realize that age, heat cycles and UV all effect a tire. Rubber out gases, meaning it loses some of the chemical bond it had at new, your 10 year old tire is not the same as a new one, nor does it still have the same characteristics. When it comes to suspension and tires, compromises are your own choice, understand the consequences, but NEVER tell anyone is is ok to compromise unless you also explain the consequences. We have riders from learners to advanced racers here, a racer will know what I've explained here, a novice wouldn't.  Here's a bit of a read for those interested in facts..

In Europe and Asia, tire manufacturers inform customers about the dangers of old tires, and the very real dangers of driving on ‘new’ tires that are actually six years old, or even older. But here in Uncle Sam, we’re being kept in the dark. And that’s hardly surprising, because tires are a billion dollar business, and no company wants to destroy tires and see profits literally go up in smoke. They look new. They smell new. They are new, right?

In February 2008, the owner of a 1998 Ford Explorer in Georgia needed a new tire for his SUV and ended up buying a used one. When he was driving two weeks later, the tread suddenly separated from the tire. The Explorer went out of control and hit a motorcycle, killing its rider. An analysis of the used tire revealed that it was nearly 10 years old.

More recently, an investigation into the cause of the accident that killed the actor Paul Walker revealed that the Porsche Carrera GT in which he was riding had nine-year-old tires. The California Highway Patrol noted that the tires' age might have compromised their drivability and handling characteristics, according to the Los Angeles Times.

These incidents illustrate not only the potential danger of buying used tires but also the perils of driving on aging tires — including those that have never spent a day on the road.

For years, people have relied on a tire's tread depth to determine its condition. But the rubber compounds in a tire deteriorate with time, regardless of the condition of the tread. An old tire poses a safety hazard.

For some people, old tires might never be an issue. If you drive a typical number of miles, somewhere around 12,000-15,000 miles annually, a tire's tread will wear out in three to four years, long before the rubber compound does. But if you only drive 6,000 miles a year, or have a car that you only drive on weekends, aging tires could be an issue. The age warning also applies to spare tires and "new" tires that have never been used but are old.

What Happens to a Tire as It Ages?
Sean Kane, president of Safety Research & Strategies, Inc., compares an aging tire to an old rubber band. "If you take a rubber band that's been sitting around a long time and stretch it, you will start to see cracks in the rubber," says Kane, whose organization is involved in research, analysis and advocacy on safety matters for the public and clients including attorneys, engineering firms, supplier companies, media and government.

That's essentially what happens to a tire that's put on a vehicle and driven. Cracks in the rubber begin to develop over time. They may appear on the surface and inside the tire as well. This cracking can eventually cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tire. An animation on the Safety Research & Strategies Web site shows how this happens. Improper maintenance and heat accelerate the process.

Every tire that's on the road long enough will succumb to age. Tires that are rated for higher mileage have "anti-ozinant" chemical compounds built into the rubber that will slow the aging process, but nothing stops the effects of time on rubber, says Doug Gervin, Michelin's director of product marketing for passenger cars and light trucks.

How Long Does a Tire Last?
Carmakers, tire makers and rubber manufacturers differ in their opinions about the lifespan of a tire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has no specific guidelines on tire aging and defers to the recommendations of carmakers and tire manufacturers. Carmakers such as Nissan and Mercedes-Benz tell consumers to replace tires six years after their production date, regardless of tread life. Tire manufacturers such as Continental and Michelin say a tire can last up to 10 years, provided you get annual tire inspections after the fifth year.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association says there is no way to put a date on when a tire "expires," because such factors as heat, storage and conditions of use can dramatically reduce the life of a tire. Here's more on each of these factors.

Heat: NHTSA research has found that tires age more quickly in warmer climates. NHTSA also found that environmental conditions like exposure to sunlight and coastal climates can hasten the aging process. People who live in warm weather and coastal states should keep this in mind when deciding whether they should retire a tire.

Storage: This applies to spare tires and tires that are sitting in a garage or shop. Consider how a spare tire lives its life. If you own a truck, the spare may be mounted underneath the vehicle, exposed to dirt and the elements.

If your spare is in the trunk, it's as if it is "baking in a miniature oven," says Dan Zielinski, senior vice president of public affairs for the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Most often, the spare never sees the light of day. But if the tire has been inflated and mounted on a wheel, it is technically "in service," even if it's never been used, Gervin says.

A tire that has not been mounted and is just sitting in a tire shop or your garage will age more slowly than one that has been put into service on a car. But it ages nonetheless.

Conditions of use: This refers to how the tire is treated. Is it properly inflated? Has it hit the curb too many times? Has it ever been repaired for a puncture? Tires on a car that's only driven on the weekends will have a different aging pattern than those on a car that's driven daily on the highway. All these factors contribute to how quickly or slowly a tire wears out.

Proper maintenance is the best thing a person can do to ensure a long tire life. Gervin recommends that you maintain proper air pressure in tires, have them rotated regularly and have them routinely inspected.

[Garage_guy_chris]

I think the consensus is to not use this 11 yr old tire. It might be fine but it also may not be. for the $130 cost for a new tire Im better off just spending the money and not taking the chance.

The other thing Im thinking of is the BT45 front on the bike now has been on there for 5 years. If i was to get the same mileage on this 11 year old one by the time its worn out should it even last that long would make it 16 years old. And that is definitely pushing the age limit to the extreme.

[madmtnmotors]

I bought a set of used wheels for my Suburban from craigslist back in February. They still had the tires mounted on them, but I was not planning on using them. Good thing too. I was carrying the wheels around in the rear cargo area of the Suburban, and just as I was leaving work one afternoon (on my way to pick up the replacement tires incidentally) one of those tires burst inside the passenger compartment! Now it was not a particularly hot that day (I had not even rolled the windows down yet!) and I don't know how it didn't blow a window out. My first thought was that I had pulled out in front of a semi and got hit by a truck... then I thought maybe a tree fell on the truck, so I'm looking up at the roof to see if it were caved in... then I smell the old stale "tire air" and I slowly realized what had happened. My ears were ringing for two days!

The oldest tire was eight or nine years old.

[Deltarider]

If it has been stored out of UV light, I don't see a problem. I once had a 3.50 RB2 Conti fronttire that just would not wear (it was on the bike when I bought it). By the time I replaced the tire, it must have been 10 years old.

[strynboen]

if they not vear aut...they are to hard ..i have some too..they grov old
..but,, it are the few km i ride vho are the problem..but vhen you thange them ..the driving gets so moutch better..new are like glue..and small bumbs are just be eaten in the tire..and give a nice roling drive..but yes i have also some bikes vith old tires..most of us have

[faux fiddy]

but yes i have also some bikes vith old tires..most of us have

I just installed a ten year old tire with like new tread, had the nubs around the side tread. It replaced something that was much worse, and I feel better about running it than the newer  one with wear indicators showing.

[70CB750]

My K3F has like new tires - made in 2004; makes it 11 years old too, but these are Dunlop 404s.

Only put 65 miles on her so far - not much, but I run her round the block with a borrowed license plate  .  The tires were hard on touch and felt like riding on hard black plastic but now the surface is freshly scraped from the road and tires feel much better.   

That said, after I am done tweaking and convince the HQ the bike is ready for a license plate of it's own I will get new set of tires.  This old set is good enough for now, but I would not ride it far.