Do I need new tires?

[Jim Bronson]

I recently bought a 2013 Dyna with 2800 miles. It was a one-owner bike, and the tires look fine to me. They are Michelin Scorchers branded HD with lots of tread left. Should I change them anyway just due to their age?

[Ohio HD]

I wouldn't ride it much with them.
Just my 2 cents, you only have two tires under you.

[Coyote]

I wouldn't.  I won't ride tires over 3 years old.

[smoserx1]

Deleted

[fbn ent]

They probably look fine but you will find that they are hard as a rock and won't handle well. They will probably be more prone to cracking. I'd change them out or at least ride easy on them until I do.

[Jim Bronson]

Sounds like a unanimous decision. I'll go with Commander IIs. They are working fine on my RK.
Thanks.

[tomcat64]

I guess it depends a little bit on how they have been stored, if the bike was inside and had very little sun exposure I wouldn't be too concerned about them, especially if you ride it often, they will probably be worn out in a few thousand miles anyway. Hell the tires on my 66FL are over 40 years old and still are fine, although I don't ride it much..

[hattitude]

I recently bought a 2013 Dyna with 2800 miles. It was a one-owner bike, and the tires look fine to me. They are Michelin Scorchers branded HD with lots of tread left. Should I change them anyway just due to their age?

Maybe I missed it, but what do the date codes on the tires say....?? 

I wasn't aware that Michelin Scorchers were OEM in 2013...  I would check the date codes just to make sure they weren't replaced in the last 6 years or so...

Personally, I change them out at 7 years, or sooner if the tread gets to the wear bars and/or the tire develops sidewall cracks or bulges....

From the Dunlop tire website:

"Tires are composed of various types of material and rubber compounds, having performance properties essential to the proper functioning of the tire itself. These component properties change over time. For each tire, this change depends upon many factors such as weather, storage conditions, and conditions of use (load, speed, inflation pressure, maintenance etc.) to which the tire is subjected throughout its life. This service-related evolution varies widely so that accurately predicting the serviceable life of any specific tire in advance is not possible. Tires which have been in use for 5 years or more should continue to be inspected by a specialist at least annually. It is recommended that any tires 10 years or older from the date of manufacture, including spare tires, be replaced with new tires as a precaution even if such tires appear serviceable and even if they have not reached the legal wear out limit."


From the Michelin tire website:

"After five years or more in use, your tires should be thoroughly inspected at least once per year by a professional. If the tires haven't been replaced 10 years after their date of manufacture, as a precaution, Michelin recommends replacing them with new tires. Even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator."

[Jim Bronson]

Thanks for following up guys. It looks like they were manufactured in 2012 (date code is 5112). I think it was stored inside, but I can't be sure except that there isn't a spot of rust or any excessive corrosion anywhere. If I use the Michelin guidelines, they should be replaced. I appreciate the research.

[kd]

That's actually 1 week from this day in 2013.

[Jim Bronson]

That's actually 1 week from this day in 2013.

I'm not sure how you get that date from the code, but I'll take your word for it.

[Coyote]

It's the 51st week in 2012  (5112)

Too old for my tastes.

[Jim Bronson]

Mine too. Thanks for the clarification.

[RKRuss]

I just replaced the rear on my 1977 CB750K7. The Bridgestone I took off was manufactured in 2000! At just nine years old I'd be ridin' those Scorchers down to the cords - but the again I'm a bit of a tightazz!

[smoserx1]

This issue came up in the news long ago (I think it was when Ford Explorer was having all the issues) relating to running low PSI, but they also found it was more prevalent the older the tires were and recommended 6 years maximum age from manufacture.  And yes XXYY is the date code (last 4 numbers in the DOT code) with XX being the week and YY being the year.  I originally thought your tires might have been replaced till I read about the low mileage on your 2013 bike.  Replace your tires and you will sleep a lot better.

[Hossamania]

A friend of mine just sold his '07 RoadKing, he had the original tires on it with 13,000 miles. I'd been telling him for at least 5 years that he needs new tires. "But they look fine!" He basically rode it once a year on our "guys" trip, so why bother with new tires? Until last year, riding in light rain, braking for a turn the front end slid out from under him, low speed dump. I don't think he really thought the tires caused that one either, but it may have spooked him enough to sell it. It's too bad, he's had a bike far longer than I have, but I passed him in total mileage ridden in my first three years of riding.
Wish I knew someone at the time that needed a bike, it was a sweetheart. Needed tires...

[Deye76]

"But they look fine!"

99-3/4% of the time I replace tires as a pair. My friends say, but your front still looks good. When I show them what the tread gauge reads they are surprised. Never go by looks.

[BJB]

I have a friend who has an Evo motored RK with OEM tires. Had a front blow out on a state highway 90 degree curve. He came out of it looking rough only because of being lucky in so far as he just missed a sign post. This happened last fall.
He no longer rides and his bike  was totalled.
Tires are cheap in comparison
 

[Jim Bronson]

I just don't want to risk tire failure. I ride SoCal freeways a lot, and I don't need a tire failure at 80 between a couple of semis.

I just need to decide between Scorchers, C2 or C3. The dealer stocks them all.

[Hossamania]

I have a friend who has an Evo motored RK with OEM tires. Had a front blow out on a state highway 90 degree curve. He came out of it looking rough only because of being lucky in so far as he just missed a sign post. This happened last fall.
He no longer rides and his bike  was totalled.
Tires are cheap in comparison
 

That's what I tried to explain to my friend as well, but all decisions with him are economic, not safety related.

[Rockout Rocker Products]

I just helped a neighbor replace fork seals on his dual sport bike. When putting things back together he commented that one wheel bearing felt fine, the other was kinda notchy.

"I'll replace that next time I put on a new front tire".

[Fugawee]

Kind of makes You wonder, doesn't it?

[Hossamania]

It'll be fine, what could go wrong?

[rigidthumper]

Ya, money is important...until it isn't.

[JW113]

You guys will probably puke when you read this, but I've had the same tires on my Indian since 1995!
 

Yeah yeah, I know. They have about 5000 miles on them. Yes, they look "fine". They hold air. The bike hardly gets ridden, and when it does, it's on nice sunny dry days around town, not on the highway. And yes, I do plan to replace them here one of these days, it's on the list. I need to pull the whole bike apart and re-do the frame geometry, and will replace the tires in the process. Also want to paint the rims black. But until then, fingers crossed...
 

-JW