Older Avon, To Mount Or Not To Mount?

[Valkorado]

I've got an older Avon Cobra Chrome front tire.  I snatched it up years ago when Wally World sold a lot of 'em for something like $79 bucks apiece, even though I had other unmounted tires a the time.  Ruby needs to be reshod again, and I figured I'd go ahead and slap it on.



Looks like it was manufactured during week 12 of 2019 (between March 18, 2019 and March 24, 2019).  Would you guys have any qualms about slapping it on?

[hubcapsc]

Does it look good? I was checking my records and they say I last changed
my front on the 1500 in 2019. Sure enough, I checked my front tire on my 1500
and found it was made at the end of 2018. There's such a thing as too old, I'm not sure
what it is... I'm going to run the 2018 tire a little longer, it looks good.

For five or six years after I first got my Valkyrie I got a couple of rears and
a front every year  ...

-Mike

[RNFWP]

I imagine you've taken good care of it. As long as it hasn't sat in the sun or been stored squished or something I'd slap it on there and wear it out.  

[rug_burn]

I'd do a simple hardness check with my thumbnail, and if it feels like rubber, not some more ceramic material, I'd use it, sure.   

[mello dude]

2019?   I'd say use it..

[Glaserbeam]

As others have said, if it passes the fingernail test (feels spongy, not hard like plastic) and hasn't been in direct sunlight, a tire made 5 or so years ago could be OK.  At 10 years old, even if it was spongy, I'd hesitate to use it.

As part of my job at Motorcycle Safety Foundation and Motorcycle Industry Council, I wrote a Tire Guide with input from the major tire manufacturers.

You can download it free here:  https://mic.org/Downloads/Tire_Guide.pdf

Ken

[Valkorado]

Money is an object, and it's bought and paid for.  It still looks and feels like a tire, so on it'll go.

[Swinborg]

From what I remember, it's more about oxidation and storage,  tyres tend to be ok for like 10 years in storage.  There is quite a cool video on poo tube with the revzilla guys on exactly this subject.  Worth a watch!!!

[Valkorado]

From what I remember, it's more about oxidation and storage,  tyres tend to be ok for like 10 years in storage.  There is quite a cool video on poo tube with the revzilla guys on exactly this subject.  Worth a watch!!!

I did read something somewhere about 24/7 battery chargers, or more specifically the fumes omitted from their use, being detrimental to tire rubber.  My garage is pretty well vented year round, so I don't worry about that much.

[Swinborg]

Ha I found it!


https://youtu.be/WwbLt8vZH5w

[Knapdog]

I'd have no qualms about fitting it at all.

[cookiedough]

4-6 years old still new no problems, but 10 years old might be a different story? 

[Led]

I used to sell tires for cars.  They kept talking about "dates" and stuff.  I am old, and never heard of all that before......

Tires are NOT, a loaf of Bread!!  They don't rot in 5 years.  My bikes tires are still original!!!  20 years old or so!!  The tread looks good, and the sidewalls are not cracked.  But they always have been kept indoors in the garage......

Beats me!!   I air them up and away we go!!

Sure, I won't do 120 mph on them (maybe?).......but I can at least go for a ride!!

Personally, I believe this "date" crap on tires, is just another way to sell more new tires!!

[old2soon]

        THE main thing to rekemember is the FACT the feds got involved with traction data life data and speed data and maybe some data I'm not listing. RIDE SAFE.

[Skinhead]

Tire manufacturers say tires 10 years old are no good, why?  Because they sell tires.  If properly stored, they are fine.

[h13man]

I had to replace 12 yr. old Firestones on my GMC with good tread left because they were cracking on the side walls thus I'd say being stored outside was the main issue. Michigan and Indiana weather is a tad harsh in the winter as the truck was a landscaper business vehicle before I purchased it with 39,000 mi./11yrs. on it. I'd say if properly stored you should be good.