I'm in the market for a new front tire for my 99 Fatboy. I'm curious about the "born on", or manufacturing date on the tires. I found a used Dunlop tire for $50.00 with only 300 miles on it with a "born on" date of 4003,(October of 2003). When is a tire too old to be safe? Has anybody on here recently bought a new tire, or tires, and if so, what was the "born on" date on them? It's usually next to the U.S. DOT tire I.D. number in a raised block & has four digits. The first 2 digits are the week of manufacturing, & the last 2 digits are the year. Thanks
Frank

 

I've read that 6 years old is about it. It also depends on how the tire was stored which can age it faster then normal or add a few years too it. You can probably pick up a new one for around $100 so the deal doesn't sound too good for a 6 year old tire. I'd pass.

 

Ya, I wasn't so much interested in the used tire as I was curious about what people are seeing on the new tires they have purchased recently.

 

I'd pass over three... That tire is old stock and already been mounted/unmounted and soaped. jmho

 

5 yrs and its past prime....

 

The 6 year rule isn't a rule at all. In fact, no manufacturer has ever said when their tires "expire". I researched Dunlop, Metzeler, Michelin, Avon and Pirelli and they all pretty much stand by the "It's out of warranty after 6 years" policy. Out of warranty? So? It's pretty gray. Our shop will not install our own inventory after it's 4 years old and will not install a customer owned [bought elsewhere and brought in] tire past 6 years.
Right or wrong, I don't know.

Great question though. Both of my Avons are fresh. Less than 3 years old since manufacture.

 

Tires are like wine the older the better.....Just chitten ya...
after 4yrs I would get new ones... with the miles I ride they last one yr....

 

Trashrat, I bought 2 tires for the wifes bike and 1 for my bike, all within the last 4 months, all from the same indy, and all Dunlops, all were only like 3 months old when purchased. So, I think they were fairly fresh tires.

There was a thread on the forum a few months ago about the age of tires that were being sold.

 

Great googely moogely. My front tire was made the 26th week of 98!! I bought the bike a little over a year ago with 7200 miles on it & never gave the age of the tires a thought. I put a new rear tire on it this spring, but the front still looked good. I started noticing some cracks in the rubber at the end of this years riding season & decided I'd better get a new one. I guess I've had some guardian angels ridin with me. Thank you Dave "The Doctor" Dillon & Littleman for watching over me. R.I.P. brothers.
Thanks to everyone for the replies & may you all have a Merry Christmas and a safe 2010.
Frank

 

+1 New tires I've purchased have always been within a year of manufacture...