Old unused tyres

[Staffan]

I bought my motorcycle last week. The front tyre is an off road type, and I was planning on replacing this next week. With the bike was included two completely unused tyres that I planned to use.

However, I watched a video on youtube yesterday (MCrider), where he explained how to check the age of tyres. Four digits, week and year.

I have now checked all my tyres.

The new ones are:

1. Front, Michelin Anakee, 110/80 R19 M/C59H DOT EN3P VHC0507. Can this last number be the manufacturing week and year? If so, the tyre is 11 years old.

2. Back, Bridgestone Trail Wing, 150/70 R17 M/C 69H 488T 5205. So, week 52 2005? This would mean this tyre is older than the motorcycle (2007).

3. Back tyre mounted on the bike says 3308, which would mean 10 years, I.e. the newest of the three...

As you can see in the fourth photo, the back wheel that's in use now, has worn flat. But the tread can still be seen. Do you think this should be replaced as well?

Should I just throw the tyres away, or is it possible to use 10+ years old tyres if they have been stored well? How can I check if the rubber is too hard?

[Griff2]

Personally I would bin them because they are too old. They won't be great in the dry and lethal in the wet.

[Mr Nick]

I wouldn't use them myself either, but I know one of my local bike training outfits would for the instructors' bikes. The mileage some of them do means they're going through rubber at quite a rate & there's no heroic levels of grip needed for following CBT pupils...

[Staffan]

OK.. And I was so happy to have two completely unused tyres..

Well, good tyres means better traction. I'll buy new ones both front and back.

What would you recommend for general use (maybe some gravel roads, but mostly asphalt)?

[UK_Vstrom650]

Michelin Anakee 2s or 3s 

[Graham62]

Anakee 2. I've got 11 k out of mine and still going.

[Paz324]

Same from me, don't risk those old tyres as the rubber hardens over time which is why most say the grip won't be great or potentially dangerous in wet weather.

As for tyres I've used sport touring tyres on gravel roads round Wales before now without issue so I'd say as long as you aren't thinking about going on sand you'll be fine no matter what you choose to fit but the more road orientated the better as they will be less likely to cause vibration on tarmac.

I personally intend to try out the "Mitas TERRA FORCE-R" when its time to change my tyres mainly because I'm used to only seeing 5000 miles from the rear as I ride quite aggressively, so for me cheaper is better and when I asked my local fitter how much a pair would cost they quoted me £132, so even if they don't last 5000 miles that's a bargain.

[Staffan]

I have now ordered a pair of Michelin Anakee 3 tyres! 

[SimonW]

...there's no heroic levels of grip needed for following CBT pupils...

[Griff2]

As a replacement for the current OEM tyres on my Vee I will be using Dunlop TrailSmarts. Used them for three years on my former Explorer 1200 and they were excellent.

[vstroman]

I'd go for Roadtec 01's, and bin those old tyres, they have long passed their best before date.

[mr_diver]

I hated the Roadtec 01's on the Varabeast.
They got eaten in 6k miles and that the first pair of tyres I've had where the front was toast at the same rate as the rear.
I've got two rears to one front on every other tyre I've had.

[Loz]

I've used 8 year old supercorsa's on my track bike when I had it, (middle of fast group), with no issues, but I did know they had been stored OK.
For road Tyres, if they are not showing any cracking I'd use them if I was happy with the brand (I detest trailwings and wouldn't even use a new one ). But if in your head you don't feel OK with them then best to change them, nagging doubt and all that ;)

[wurzel]

Over 5 years old and tyres are scrap, that is stored at a constant temp and in dark.
That's from the continental tyres websites.
Bin them and get fresh would be my way.