Topic: Would you run these tires?

[andy750]

Date mark on tires says 2011. They have been on a bike till 2016 then removed and stored in an unheated garage. Safe to run them on an XR650L dual sport?






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[madmtnmotors]

The level of allowable risk is a personal decision, i.e. how much risk are you willing to accept? I rode 3,000 miles from Florida to Ohio and back on twelve year old tires because I did not bother to check the date code on the tires until I returned. I promptly changed those tires and discovered that the front tube had a fold/crease in it as well...

I consider myself lucky (and slightly insane). 

Most recommendations I've seen for tire life is around six or seven years.

[Prospect]

If there are no cracks on the sidewall I'd run them - especially off road where you don't usually get high speeds.

[754]

 Officially ..not..
 Reality. I have ridden a lot on old tires, worse than those. But you have to decide.
 A lot depends on how you ride, and how hard you want to corner..

[Alan F.]

Yes I would.

[RAFster122s]

Rubber condition is really the determining factor and it is a legal loophole created to sell tires and limit liability.
If the tire is not checking and showing signs of failure due to ozone and heat then you can run them. Insurance company are likely to use anything and everything to keep from paying claims these days.

[andy750]

Wow great responses so thank you for the quick replies. Based on your replies I’m going to err on side the cautious side (I’m older now and take longer to heal and for less than $200 for tires hopefully I can save a lot of medical bills).

AlanF (he is near me) - come get these tires if you want them - I have more worn tires if you need any more!

Much appreciated
Andy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[PeWe]

Different if tire has been stored in a dark room, not  that warm than mounted on a vehicle parked on a place with sunshine and high temperatures. When used, lots of sunshine too. 6 years is long time then, probably cracks.

That type of tires not used as road tires for higher speeds and a different way of riding.

No cracks and rubber still has a sticky rubber feeling must be ok with the age in mind when riding.

Old tires feels hard and like a skinlike outer layer.

[Alan F.]

I'm all set thanks, but it would be nice to get the group out for pints again.

[Stev-o]

I draw the line at 10 years...

[Alan F.]

If it were off-road only would we even be discussing it?

[BenelliSEI]

If it were off-road only would we even be discussing it?

Agreed. But for dual sport use, change ‘em.

[seanbarney41]

Thing is...all you have to do is look at them and you can see your basically taking a huge chance running highway speeds on pavement even when those were fresh out of the mold.  Only thing unsafe about them in the dirt is they gonna slip and slide more.

You just have to ask yourself how you intend to use your XR650?  How fast does it really go on pavement?  And for how far?  Dirt bikes are way different guys.  I have ridden my CRF450r for dozens of miles with 0 psi in the front and honestly did not even know.

Does your XR have beadlocks?

[andy750]

Thank you for all the responses I really appreciate it. I am not an experienced dirt rider - at least not at 30+mph. Last weekend I rode the Trans Mass Trail with 2 guys - one on a Triumph  800 XCx with new 80/20 tires and the other guy had a Beta 390 with knobbies. I was riding my XR650 with Avon Trailriders (80/20 tire). I was sitting for all of it while they stood for most of it. My bars are not too high and I am 6`4. Conditions were dry, dusty, grade 3 tracks with sand and a bit of mud. I could feel the front slip out a few times on the sand and I wasnt super confident. I came home and looked in the garage and found the original tires that came with the bike bought in 2015. Hence the question.

The XR650L was bought from an experienced rider who set it up nicely with new jetting, new throttle tube, new piston etc so it rides very well and on Sunday I was cruising on the highway back home at 70mph with no issue. The Avons are good for the road but this summer I plan a few more trails - grade 3 and 4 most likely. Seanbarney - I dont need to go too fast on pavement but I live in Boston and have a 1-2 hr ride to get to trails (MA, NH, VT, ME, RI). No beadlocks on this bike.

I just bought a Pirelli MT-21 front and a Dunlop D606 rear based on other XR recommendations so new rubber it is. I also got a set of risers to see if this is more comfortable standing up. Now just to get the rider in shape  

Thanks
Andy

[seanbarney41]

See, this is the problem...any tire that is safe at 70mph on pavement is gonna be trouble in any dirt condition more extreme than a slightly washboarded dirt road.

Beadlocks will keep the tire on the rim with very low air pressure.

[Alan F.]

See, this is the problem...any tire that is safe at 70mph on pavement is gonna be trouble in any dirt condition more extreme than a slightly washboarded dirt road.

Beadlocks will keep the tire on the rim with very low air pressure.

Don't they also help keep the tire from rotating on the rim and ripping out the valve stem?

[seanbarney41]

See, this is the problem...any tire that is safe at 70mph on pavement is gonna be trouble in any dirt condition more extreme than a slightly washboarded dirt road.

Beadlocks will keep the tire on the rim with very low air pressure.

Don't they also help keep the tire from rotating on the rim and ripping out the valve stem?

sure

[Terry in Australia]

I rode the same tyres on my Triumph Rocket III for 14 years from new, and 9000 miles (that's a lot for an 800 pound beast, plus rider) and my last ride I saw 120 MPH on several occasions. Rocket III tyres cost over $600 USD per set and owning 2 x Rocket III's, I've had to buy two sets this year. Fcuking expensive, but how much are you worth? One night in the ICU makes a set of Rocket III tyres look cheaper than Stinko's........

[andy750]

Fcuking expensive, but how much are you worth? One night in the ICU makes a set of Rocket III tyres look cheaper than Stinko's........

Having been in the ICU I totally agree!

[Terry in Australia]

Fcuking expensive, but how much are you worth? One night in the ICU makes a set of Rocket III tyres look cheaper than Stinko's........

Having been in the ICU I totally agree!

Me too mate, one Army doctor once told me that I'd broken more bones than Evel Kneivel, which I was pretty proud of. (I've never been a deep thinker....) I'm going in for back surgery next month, that'll be my 5th major surgery (plus 8 minors) since 2018, but I'm just paying for all the fun I had when I was much younger. Anyway, buy some new Tyres Andy, the older you get, the more it hurts, and the longer it takes to heal.

[PeWe]

Fcuking expensive, but how much are you worth? One night in the ICU makes a set of Rocket III tyres look cheaper than Stinko's........

Having been in the ICU I totally agree!

Me too mate, one Army doctor once told me that I'd broken more bones than Evel Kneivel, which I was pretty proud of. (I've never been a deep thinker....) I'm going in for back surgery next month, that'll be my 5th major surgery (plus 8 minors) since 2018, but I'm just paying for all the fun I had when I was much younger. Anyway, buy some new Tyres Andy, the older you get, the more it hurts, and the longer it takes to heal.

Time for a Terry rebuild thread?

[Terry in Australia]

Fcuking expensive, but how much are you worth? One night in the ICU makes a set of Rocket III tyres look cheaper than Stinko's........

Having been in the ICU I totally agree!

Me too mate, one Army doctor once told me that I'd broken more bones than Evel Kneivel, which I was pretty proud of. (I've never been a deep thinker....) I'm going in for back surgery next month, that'll be my 5th major surgery (plus 8 minors) since 2018, but I'm just paying for all the fun I had when I was much younger. Anyway, buy some new Tyres Andy, the older you get, the more it hurts, and the longer it takes to heal.

Time for a Terry rebuild thread?

Ha ha, sadly I'm past rebuildable Per, but that's OK, I've still got plenty more rides and a few more (motorcycle) rebuilds left in me.........

[Don R]

 Right after I got here (sohc4) I put a set of Dunlops on my Lester mags. They are still there. Since then, my truck and trailer have gotten over 20 new tires. Racecar probably, 8 slicks and 6 fronts. No wonder my bike has old tires. (new Conti twins are on the shelf)

[andy750]

New rear showed up today




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[HondaMan]

That's a big knobby for an SOHC4 bike!
I rode my last (real) TT100 front tire 54000 miles and 21 years. They don't make then that good today, though.