How old is too old for tires?

[justasquid]

I just recently got a set of wheels and tires. I checked the date on the tires and they were manufactured in 06. I'm happy they are as new as they are, since I originally thought they were much older. But, they are still going on 5 years old.

I've read different opinions, but wanted to get some input here.

thanks,

[fbody_mike]

The first question should be about where they were stored, inside, outside, climate control? Any cracks in the sidewalls?

[77thor]

IMO: I would not use any tire 10 Years or older....

[NOT A TA]

Regular tires 6-7 years. Depending as mentioned previously on exposure to heat and sunlight. High performance tires loose their grip after a couple years. The softer the tire the quicker they loose their sticky qualities. Hard core drag guys have known this for a long time and so thats why you always see slicks for sale with "only XX passes". They didn't go to the track often enough to wear the tires out and know they know they won't grip well any more so they sell them off to people who don't know about how tires dry out.

Here's a vid about regular street tire life and danger associated with using old tires. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24390155/

[justasquid]

The first question should be about where they were stored, inside, outside, climate control? Any cracks in the sidewalls?

The tires look brand new. there is hardly any sign of tread wear. I actually measured it and all 4 tires show depths of a new tire. The sidewalls are spotless as well. I know the car they were on he was driving in 07 and 08. He put about 300 miles on the car in those 2 years. I know not many, but he only drove it a few times then sold it. In late summer 08, he sold the car and they have been in storage since then. There were stored in his under house garage, which is heated. So I don't think they ever had any temperature extremes. He didn't buy the car until 07, so what the tires saw their first year of life I have no idea as they were on the car when he bought it, and it was stated that they were new. But the car only had 18,000 original miles on it, and it was an 87. I think thats the main reason he sold the car. He didn't want to rack up the miles, but also didn't want have a car he couldn't drive.

The main reason Im asking is tire age is a pretty big concern with sportbikes, and I assume it is also with automotive tires. typically, I would change out my tires on my bike if they were more than 5 years old. but Honestly, sportbike tires usually only last 6,000 miles, so they never make it that long anyway. I didn't know if the super soft compounds in sportbike tires was in some way different than automotive tires.

IMO: I would not use any tire 10 Years or older

I've heard ranges of 5 years max to 10 years max. Do you think the type of tire and manufacturer make any difference?

Also, I just checked and the warranty from goodyear is 6 years from sale date. So it would stand to reason the first year of the tires life could be spent on the shelf, then that would put the warranty of the tire 7 years out from manufacturer date if that was the case.

If the manufacturer is willing to cover their tires that far out, It would lead to believe in what 77thor was stating. 10 years would be about the max..anyone agree?

[justasquid]

NOT A TA
Regular tires 6-7 years. Depending as mentioned previously on exposure to heat and sunlight. High performance tires loose their grip after a couple years. The softer the tire the quicker they loose their sticky qualities. Hard core drag guys have known this for a long time and so thats why you always see slicks for sale with "only XX passes". They didn't go to the track often enough to wear the tires out and know they know they won't grip well any more so they sell them off to people who don't know about how tires dry out.

Here's a vid about regular street tire life and danger associated with using old tires. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24390155/

thanks for posting. very informative.