How old a tire would you accept as being new and usable?

Joined
Sep 4, 2013
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I just received my new front Pirelli Angel GT in the mail. The tire has the DOT number with 2813 in an oval at the end of the string of characters (DOT EB 2R R172 "2813" - my quotes indicates numbers in oval). This tells me the tire was manufactured in the 28th week (Middle of July) of 2013 and is therefore 4 years old.

Would you accept this as new? The tire will probably last me two to 3+ years on my bike (4 to 5000 miles/year).
 

ToddC

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It has probably been in a warehouse, not in the sun and weather. I think you will be Okay.....

ToddC
 
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That is really personal, but...

If I buy a *new* tire, I expect it to be 2 years old or newer from the manufacturing date in the DOT code.

I've returned in the past a new tire that was 3 years old. My understanding is that if you are paying, you decide what is acceptable or not.

Of course, that really depends on how much you ride yearly. I know people that will go through a new tire in 3-4 months (therefore, a 4 years old tire would be ok).

If on the other hand you don't expect to ride over 6K miles this year, I would return it.

The recommended maximum age for a motorcycle tire is between 5-7 years.
 

thekaz

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if you send it to me I will mount it and use it to see if will explode ? It may take me 10000KM or so to a valid test though ?
 

SupraSabre

48 Years of SoCal Lane Splitting/Commuting-Retired
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I seldom have an issue with how old a tire is... On my 04#2, I bought a PR2 for $100 ($75 + $25 shipping) and so far it's doing well. I think I'll got a couple more K out of it, but it's starting to get down there. I have a set of PR4GTs sitting in my storage, along with some other tires that I'll probably wear out first before I get to them! ;)
 
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As long as you purchased it from a reputable source, no problem, as it would have been stored correctly.
If not, check for cracking in the base of the grooves and in the sidewalls.
If all good go and wear it out ASAP.
Upt'North.
 

the Ferret

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I go thru several sets of tires a year (25K average year, 10K average per tire) so anything with 6 months or so left in it's so called 5 year life expectancy works for me lol
 
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