TIRES - AGE?

[francoblay1]

From http://www.bigdogbiker.com/forums/general/54028-metz-sidewall-cracking.html#post582526

Just a quick question...

What shelf age (or age in general considering it is not yet worn out) an Avon tire should have?

My rear (venom) tire says 0805 (2005) and my front (cobra) 1109. they look new though

Franco,

Time for a new rear tire for sure! 7 Years is considered to be a 'dry-rotted' tire and is not safe for cars, bikes, trailers, etc.
I have witnessed a lot of blow-outs in my time, and the constant factor is that the tires are over 7 years old.

Franco,

I am thinking at 8 years old even though the tire looks good, the environment has worked its magical destructive capabilities on the rubber. I would watch it close and be ready to replace it. Since your bike has been inside, the sun has not been attacking the rubber, so at least you have that going for you. I believe it is the ozone in the atmosphere that attacks the rubber. But, I am going off of a believe from 30 years ago and there may be more info on the internet. I know you are awesome with Google searches, etc.

Huw

If it holds air and not showing too much cord, run it. I land 420.000 lbs airplanes on tires that has been rethreaded several times, and has layers of cord showing (not the norm but fully legal and safe). Works fine, last long time.... 10 landings in our case. :2thumbs:

Good Lord, that gives me a warm and comfortable feeling

What do you think? they are, almost, new

Front tire

 

[francoblay1]

No worries, keep running them. This craziness about tires only lasting 5 years is a myth that must have been started by someone selling tires. Your tires are good and there are no safety issues running them.

 

[Mickeetwo]

Franco that rear tire is 8 years old.....I would replace it or I would check it for cracking before each ride. This was my answer to another post and I will copy and post it here.

If you think tires last forever you are sadly mistaken. Tires are made up of natural rubber and synthetic rubber compounds and each one deteriorates over time. To pick a time frame for all tires is impossible. There is to many variables to lump them into one statistic. Car tires, motorcycle tires, airplane tires, and trailer tires are different. Then you take into effect heat, storage, and conditions of use. If you take 8 car tires and store 4 inside in a controlled environment and then put 4 outside in the weather common sense tells you that after 6 years the tires that were outside will not last as long as the tires stored inside. Trailer tires should be replaced every 4 to 5 years regardless of tread wear. They set long periods of time and usually are in the elements and tread wear is not a problem. Car tires usually have the tread wear out before the tire deteriorates. A good rule of thumb is to replace your tires if you see cracking in the rubber. This means the rubber has started to break down and its not going to last very much longer. Motorcycle tires have a life expectancy of 6 years. This is what tire manufactures have agreed is the average. For me I would replace any tire that was showing cracking in the rubber regardless of age, and replace any motorcycle tire after 5 years regardless of tread wear. :zz2cents::zz2cents:

 

[woodbutcher]

in case anybody doesn't know, Alan's been building tires for the last 25+ years. i think he has the advantage when it comes to knowing the life expectancy of a tire.

It's nice having our own group of experts here on the site. we should take advantage of their expertise as often as we can and say "thank you" whenever we do so.

here's a big THANKS to all who help us out.

 

[Mickeetwo]

Thanks for the props Tom, but I'm no expert.....the engineers are. But after 35 years of building them you pick up a thing or two. :2thumbs:

 

[pknowles]

thanks for the tips Alan, looks like I might be changing out some tires this winter.

 

[francoblay1]

thanks for the tips Alan, looks like I might be changing out some tires this winter.

in case anybody doesn't know, Alan's been building tires for the last 25+ years. i think he has the advantage when it comes to knowing the life expectancy of a tire.

It's nice having our own group of experts here on the site. we should take advantage of their expertise as often as we can and say "thank you" whenever we do so.

here's a big THANKS to all who help us out.

:iagree: X2. Thanks Alan :2thumbs:

 

[BWG56]

I have tires on my sports car that are the original tires from 99', car is kept inside, heated and cooled, tires sitting on 1" rubber and there are no signs of cracking. However that being said I do not push the car when I have it out because of their age. With my bike, I replace the rear tire about every 3 yrs anyway because its worn out, and the front one every other rear tire change.
I would just keep an eye out for any changes before riding and have fun, no worries.

 

[francoblay1]

Definitely I will be running these tires for a bit longer... they show no cracks at all and look new.

 

[francoblay1]

bump--

it might be interesting for the "newbies"

 

[TapioK]

Did not have time to replace the tires of my 03 before riding it home. Unused original tires, bike has been in the lobby of Big Dog since new....
Was pretty nervous about those, checked them every time I stopped... 2500 miles, They worked well -on the dry road, and I did ride pretty easy -breaking the engine in...
Would not want to test those rubbers on wet surface!


--------------
Tapio

 

[Sven]

1. Are you losing air? No
2. Are there chunks coming off the tire? No
3. Are there bubbles out of the sidewall or surface contact as if the internal carcass is separating? No
4. Are you seeing anything in these photos as if there is danger, call warranty? No.

If all the answers to these questions are no... Takes a Man to ride on tires like this till they come apart and it ain't about to happen... You are free to move among the traffic.

About the design and composition of MICHELIN tires - FAQ | MICHELIN Motorcycle - United States

 

[francoblay1]

1. Are you losing air? No
2. Are there chunks coming off the tire? No
3. Are there bubbles out of the sidewall or surface contact as if the internal carcass is separating? No
4. Are you seeing anything in these photos as if there is danger, call warranty? No.

If all the answers to these questions are no... Takes a Man to ride on tires like this till they come apart and it ain't about to happen... You are free to move among the traffic.

About the design and composition of MICHELIN tires - FAQ | MICHELIN Motorcycle - United States

:2thumbs: yup.... these tires are still on my bike.... no worries.

Did not have time to replace the tires of my 03 before riding it home. Unused original tires, bike has been in the lobby of Big Dog since new....
Was pretty nervous about those, checked them every time I stopped... 2500 miles, They worked well -on the dry road, and I did ride pretty easy -breaking the engine in...
Would not want to test those rubbers on wet surface!


--------------
Tapio

On the wet surface.... that´s a different matter.... but even new tires do slip on the wet! it all depends on how you do control your right wrist

 

[Brew]

:2thumbs: yup.... these tires are still on my bike.... no worries.




On the wet surface.... that´s a different matter.... but even new tires do slip on the wet! it all depends on how you do control your right wrist

I had the original front tire on my Mastiff and finally changed it this year. I noticed it started developing side wall cracks. This tire came with the scoot off the show room floor. I bought the scoot in the summer of 2008. I sure did love them venoms, my rear tire lasted for 10,000 miles before i had to change it...:2thumbs:

 

[JeffM]

After almost 12 months to the day and 8,000 klm (Not Miles) my rear is almost shagged. You members in the States claim to get 10,000 MILES out of a rear, how is this possible?
I don't have a back seat, so no fat assed woman weighing it down, when i go on a trip with a swag and small bag total weight would be 40 LB, pressures are 40 psi, alignment is spot on. I do ride it fairly hard, but the center area is worn and the sides are roughed and a feathered edge has appeared on the leading edge of the groves. This has happened on both Avon and Metz tryes, i am on my 3rd rear in 3 years and 25,000 KLM. At over $500 AU/Tyre this is outragous.

 

[TapioK]

After almost 12 months to the day and 8,000 klm (Not Miles) my rear is almost shagged. You members in the States claim to get 10,000 MILES out of a rear, how is this possible?
I don't have a back seat, so no fat assed woman weighing it down, when i go on a trip with a swag and small bag total weight would be 40 LB, pressures are 40 psi, alignment is spot on. I do ride it fairly hard, but the center area is worn and the sides are roughed and a feathered edge has appeared on the leading edge of the groves. This has happened on both Avon and Metz tryes, i am on my 3rd rear in 3 years and 25,000 KLM. At over $500 AU/Tyre this is outragous.

I don’t think anybody gets close to 10.00 miles these new tires… Old Venom was way harder compound. My 03 Venom looks after 2500 miles just like new, when Metzeler on K9 with about 3000 miles looks pretty worn….. Your mileage feels about normal to me. Yes, it sucks!

 

[JWScarab]

I think my 03 has the originals on it. Its got about 5500 miles on her now. I just replaced the front. It had sidewall cracks. Old was Avon Venom. New is Avon Cobra. I added Dyna Beads.

My rear sill looks great and I see no sidewall cracks. But I do have all winter to think about it......

 

[JeffM]

I think my 03 has the originals on it. Its got about 5500 miles on her now. I just replaced the front. It had sidewall cracks. Old was Avon Venom. New is Avon Cobra. I added Dyna Beads.

My rear sill looks great and I see no sidewall cracks. But I do have all winter to think about it......

You lucky, i think alot has to do with our road condition and surface. You could not ride a hard tail here unless you lived in one ot the capital cities and never ventured into areas where real people live.
As for winter ................ whats that We ride all year up here, a bit chilly for a couple of months (gets freezing cold in July avg day temp 70deg F)

 

[JWScarab]

I'd kill for a 12-month riding season. :2thumbs:

 

[pknowles]

After almost 12 months to the day and 8,000 klm (Not Miles) my rear is almost shagged. You members in the States claim to get 10,000 MILES out of a rear, how is this possible?
I don't have a back seat, so no fat assed woman weighing it down, when i go on a trip with a swag and small bag total weight would be 40 LB, pressures are 40 psi, alignment is spot on. I do ride it fairly hard, but the center area is worn and the sides are roughed and a feathered edge has appeared on the leading edge of the groves. This has happened on both Avon and Metz tryes, i am on my 3rd rear in 3 years and 25,000 KLM. At over $500 AU/Tyre this is outragous.

Sounds like you are riding on sandpaper.