How Old Are These Tyre

[XSrunner]

HI I BOUGHT MY BIKE 3 WEEKS AGO .I HAVE
PIRELLI MT69 STRADA 100/90/19 ON FRONT
MICHELIN MACADAM 50 130/90/17 ON REAR DOES ANYONE HAVE A ROUGH IDEA HOLD OLD THESE TYRES MAYBE. THEY SEEM VERY HARD. AND I CAN'T FIND THEM ON THE MANUFACTURES WEBSITES. THE BIKE FEELS LIKE IT IS FLOPPING ABOUT ON THE FRONT RIM (A BIT LIKE A FLAT TYRE.)

[AlanB]

Hi XSrunner,

I only found this out recently!

There should be a number at the end of the "DOT" markings on the tyre..... most only have it marked on one side.

If it is four digits, it is this century, ie, 0204 would be made in the second week of 2004. If the number is three digit and a "triangle" shape, it dates from the nineties......... if it is older than that, just throw it away! LOL!

That all works in Europe; don't know if it identical in the US!

AlanB

[mro]

When I got my first XS I thought it was the crapiest handleing bike I'd ever rode. New tires resolved most issues. The XS is still not the best handling machine but very good with in it's limits.

date code is stamped on tire like Alan said


mro

[Miti-Babe]

John

Here's the info specific to the Pirelli: Click

And here's the same for the Michelin: Click

Same info, just different presentation... Not certain that there is an "international" standard yet...

Other than that, just like Alan said...

Miti

[TomB]

if it is older than that, just throw it away! LOL!

Nooooo!

If its older than that give it someone who rides a sidecar outfit...................like meeeee!!

[randy]

JOHN'O :

Besides the tyres, you might check the steering bearings. Worn steering bearings can cause the bike to 'hunt' for a straight line.

[mro]

like meeeee!!

You want to pay freight...
I got a few like new from the early 80's


mro

[TomB]

Thanks for the offer MRO

But if you know of anyone running an outfit.......pass them on, its better than scrapping good but old tyres. I always give stuff away before scrapping it, rather someone had use of stuff

I've been given a lot of tyres that are in good condition but gone a bit hard, they work good on the outfit.

[79XS11F]

I know I will take some heat for this .. BUT .. motorcycle tire manufacturers pretty much recommend that a tire not be used for more then 4 years regardless of it's condition/ appearance.
Rob

[Ken Talbot]

Originally posted by 79XS11F
.... motorcycle tire manufacturers pretty much recommend that a tire not be used for more then 4 years regardless of it's condition/ appearance...

That's pretty much the same advice SWMBO and got a few years back when we took the MSF Licenced Riders course.

[XSrunner]

I RANG PIRELLI TODAY AND FOUND OUT THE FRONT TYRE IS 11YRS OLD. I THINK I BETTER GET RID OF THEM.IT MIGHT NOT BE HELPING THE WONDERING .THEY ARE VERY HARD. I'VE NOTICED ON A FEW THREADS THAT THE DUNLOP D404 TYRES SEEM TO BE THE GO. ON THE XS1100E .ANY OTHER? WHAT ABOUT METZLER?.

[TomB]

I know I will take some heat for this .. BUT .. motorcycle tire manufacturers pretty much recommend that a tire not be used for more then 4 years regardless of it's condition/ appearance.

Totally agree, what worries me is, when going to a tyre fitting workshop/supplier for a 30 year old bike with rim widths and diameters that are well out of date, how long has the supplier had the tyre sat on the shelf if he doesn't shift many of em.

I always put new tyres on my solo bikes, my sidecar outfit is only used for low speed mucking about, I'm more likely to have a tyre deflate by a broken spoke being shoved back into the tube.

[AlanB]

Hi Tom,

Now you know how to tell how old your "New" tyres actually are!

AlanB

[TucmanXJ]

Kinda Kenda Tyres

I opted for less dear Kenda tires (approx. $48 USD ) on my XJ11. They worked well as long as it was dry pavement.

My old 404 Dunlops hunted every groove in the road and were hard as rocks. The softer compound Kendas got a bit stickier after they had some miles on them.