Tires - how old is too old?

[number9]

I haven't spent any real time riding the VFR this year as it's had some electrical gremlins that I've been troubleshooting. I'm almost done with those, but I've got a nail in the rear tire to contend with. They're Pirelli Diablos, and judging by the date code (DOT EB PT E300 1009) I think they were made in 2009.

The rear tire has already been patched once (from the outside) so I'm probably better off just replacing the fucking thing.

[TheIglu]

I'd run it unless it's overly hard or cracking.

[number9]

I'd run it unless it's overly hard or cracking.

It doesn't seem to be hard or cracking. The thing I'm worried most about is having two plugs in the tire. I guess I could always have it internally patched if that's a better option.

I'd like to get this year out of it so I can focus on other stuff (suspension, ergonomics) as I don't think I'll put many more miles on it between now and the end of the year.

[xxaarraa]

My motard came with tires from 2006 and I ran it for 2 track days this season and it was fine. However, with your two patches, I'd vote to get a new tire. You'd feel awful if a bad tire was the cause of a mishap, especially while riding on the street with all the crazy dangers that go with street riding.

[number9]

My motard came with tires from 2006 and I ran it for 2 track days this season and it was fine. However, with your two patches, I'd vote to get a new tire. You'd feel awful if a bad tire was the cause of a mishap, especially while riding on the street with all the crazy dangers that go with street riding.

What if you just let me borrow the Aprilia for the rest of the year?

[xxaarraa]

What if you just let me borrow the Aprilia for the rest of the year?

Sure!

[csmutty]

I'm running a tire from 07 with cracks on the track and going pretty good on them with no slipping.

[number9]

Sure!

What time should I pick it up? I'll even pay for gas...

[Danz19899]

You're correct about being made in 09. When reading DOT's the last 4 digits are week made/ Year made. So it was made the 10th week of 09

[number9]

You're correct about being made in 09. When reading DOT's the last 4 digits are week made/ Year made. So it was made the 10th week of 09

Yeah, that's what I thought. Some manufacturers seem to offer different info, including what plant the tire was made in. I don't have a decoder ring for Pirelli though

[sedanman]

I have been told I'm nuts. That said, l wouldn't run a six year old tire with two plugs. Nor one with visible cracks. My opinion is that this should fail tech.

[scottieducati]

JettaJay came by to check out some take offs, I handed him two sets. Both within a few months of production date. One was shiny, glossy, and almost like a hard plastic to touch. The other had texture you'd expect from a tire, and was supple to the touch. Dates don't tell the whole story, exposure to exhaust fumes or sunlight are the issue. Properly stored tires are safe to ride on for quite some time. You just gotta know what to look for. Visible cracks in the sidewall = no bueno, a small cold-crack in the outer carcass does nothing more than act like extra siping. To each their own, but no one factor alone will help you decide.

[number9]

Went to see Aero Cycles this morning to see if they could patch the tire from the inside with the upside-down mushroom plug. Unfortunately they can't, as the hole in my tire is virtually parallel to the outside of the tire, meaning the mushroom won't "hold".

New tire it is, then. Scottie, I'll be taking you up on your offer...