Bought a 2001 fxdx, with only 5,000 miles. BUT I'm pretty sure the tires are stock from 2001.

A. How do I tell how old they are? They show basically no wear, and look very new. No dry rot or anything.

B. If they are from 2001, do I need to replace them? Or just run them since theyre in good shape?

C. If you've gone this far, and I do need to replace them...what do you suggest? I hear very conflicting reports on the Metz's

Thanks!

 

If they are not dry rotted and look serviceable I would run them. As for what tires are good I'm sure that is the start of a long conversation.

 

Tires have a date code on them.

Look at the date code for the tire on the sidewall (Dunlop HD example):

DOT DATR M2AM XXYY

XX = Week of manufacture
YY = Year of manufacture

DOT DATR M2AM 1607 = 16th week of 2007

Different brands may have the location of the DOT code, but its required to be on the tire by US law.

Tires more than 4 years old area no-no. Personally, I would be wary of any tire that is more than 1 year old.

Discount tire places are notorious for selling old stock.

 

I think it is said by manufacturers that no tire that are 6 years or older should be used??? I would change them...i just bought a 02 FXDP and the front tire was a 2006... it only saw about 50 miles while the other one was ordered...I had a accident because of a old tire before that landed my OL in the Hosp for a bruised spleen and she reminds me about tires all the time..

 

I would change them too. Not that expensive and the piece of mind it will give you is worth every penny.

 

My neighbor had an accident a few years ago when he rejected the same kind of advise that is given here. The bike he bought was a 2001 and the tires were about 4-1/2 years old and no miles on them. Chose to ride on them anyway. Ended up blowing out a tire a week later. The damage to bike was minimal thank goodness.

 

i had the same tires on my truck for about 10 years. BFGoodrich all-terrains. were great till the day i changed them. if you buy good tires, they last longer. cheap tires go nowhere. personally, id change it since you only have 2 tires and if either one blows out you got problems. but thats just my personal opinion.

 

Like everybody else said, 5 years max and you only hve two tires under you. My elite III's were $300 for the set and I changed them myself. Even if you pay $200 to have them mounted, is your life/bike worth $500, even if it's just piece of mind?

 

My bike was like yours when I got it, a 2000 with around 6k. Original tires, I bought it in 2010 and I changed tires. I have Metzeler ME880 and have no complaints. People also like the Michelin Commander IIs and they are cheaper.

 

Dunlop says to change tires if over 6 years. I run stock Dunlops.