So I bought my first bike, a 2015 switchback from a Harley dealer in San Diego. A buddy was checking her out and noticed the tires are dated 2014. Is it common for a dealer to sell a bike with 8 year old tires on it. Their websites service department recommends to replace tires at the 5 year mark regardless of miles. There is small stress cracks in between the treads and now I’m hesitant to ride her. Do I notch it up as lesson learned and go buy tires or do I go raise hell. Sucks I’ve had the bike a month, made 1 payment and have to get new tires. Thanks for listening.

 

If you have cracking or dry rot its time to change the tires. 8 years old, its time to change the tires. Raising hell gets nothing accomplished but me, id be a gent until i dont have to be. You need a chat with your dealer..

 

How many miles are on the bike? Anytime you buy a garage queen, you're probably going to have to replace the tires. I bought a 2003 in 2011, that had 2k miles. I had the tires replaced before I even saw the bike. I bought a 2012 last year with 12k miles, I put new tires on.

Even if they were newer, you don't know if the previous owner kept those inflated properly. Just buy new tires and move on.

 

Doesn’t hurt to ask the dealer. How was it offered? As is or any 30 day warranty etc?

unfortunately the time to ask is before the sale

 

The dealer should have put new tires on that bike before selling it , however , if they had , you would have paid more than what you did . Wouldn't hurt to go back and ask , be nice , you never know , they won't do it for free , but you might get a discount .

 

if I bought a used car from a dealer that had bald tires, is it the "dealer's fault"?

If they made no specific claim that "this that and the other" was certified oakie doakie, I'm not sure I understand why a dealer is responsible to replace worn or old tires on a used bike

BTW, I'd change the oil in all three holes too

..L.T.A.

 

Did your paperwork say "as is"? If it did, well, that's what you got. New tires are on you.

 

As they say it never hurts to try, but I doubt you'll get anywhere with the dealer. Chalk this up as a lesson to look a bike over very carefully before buying.

For your own safety replace the tires as soon as possible, preferably at a good independent shop.

 

I’d go and explain your position to the dealer. As stated above, if you signed off on it as-is, well, that’s what you got. But it can’t hurt to have a respectful conversation and my bet would be they’d see the big picture and take care of you on the price. Good luck, and as already said, make it a priority to get those tires changed.

 

For me it depends on of course the mileage, the age and condition (looks) of the tire.

If a tire is under 10 years old and it has good threads and no sidewall "cracking" I would ride it locally but not at freeway speeds and not for long distances.

Got me to thinking.....I have three bikes in the garage that will soon need replacing if I decide to take a break from the trike.