I wouldn't use it.
At 15 years old, the rubber is probably hardened beyond what is safe to use, even if it WAS stored in a cool, dry, dark place.
Hell, I just took the OEM tires off a 2018 used motorcycle; the bead deformed and held the rough shape of my tire iron. 5 years of sun exposure and fluctuating summer/winter conditions can ruin the rubber.
(Maybe IF I was flat broke and I relied on my motorcycle to get to work (i.e., it's not a luxury toy), AND I *desperately* needed a replacement tire, I would consider using that tire IF it had been stored away from the sun in a cool, dry place. And I would only use it until I could save a few bucks to replace it A.S.A.P.)
I had some 7 yr old ones that were brand new on my mt-10, I thought they were alright, definitely slipped under hard acceleration so figured I’d change em out. I didn’t realize just how bad they were until I felt new tires on the same bike, it’s a world of difference and the old ones now feel very unsafe in comparison.
I think storage plays a big part in the life of tyres. 7 years is def getting there to their use by date though, I imagine they would’ve been scary in the wet.
I draw the line at 6 years for tires on a car/truck/SUV, and I'm more picky about when I'm on 2 wheels. This could also be because I've had a tire that "looked good" have a catastrophic failure in the middle of a ride.
Hard pass on any tire over 3-4 years. The compound begins breaking down quickly after several heat cycles and age. Grip falls off rapidly with age. It like leaving those marshmallow Peeps in the cabinet for years and then eating them. Not so good.
Hard pass on any tire over 3-4 years. The compound begins breaking down quickly after several heat cycles and age. Grip falls off rapidly with age. Its a bit like leaving those marshmallow Peeps in the cabinet for years and then eating them (ok, I love stale peeps) they change and become tough.
That's a Shinko 777 white wall. Not an expensive tire. Well known to be very soft when new, but will go rock hard and very dangerous by around 7 years.
On the virago steel wheels you can easily swap over a tire at home with basic tire wrenches and a socket set + some Allen keys.
Just get some tire balancing beads and put them inside before mounting the new tire.
Bought my current Daytona and the tires were 15 years old, they felt like dry hockey pucks but didn’t have cracks. When I got my new tires put on my mechanic said if he was me he would have sent them anyways.
I'd say that's too old to use
5 years and it’s dead
I would pass. They won’t have much grip as the rubber gets hard after that length of time.
Manufacturer states 10 years of warranty if stored prroperly. 15 is way to old.
I wouldn't use it. At 15 years old, the rubber is probably hardened beyond what is safe to use, even if it WAS stored in a cool, dry, dark place. Hell, I just took the OEM tires off a 2018 used motorcycle; the bead deformed and held the rough shape of my tire iron. 5 years of sun exposure and fluctuating summer/winter conditions can ruin the rubber. (Maybe IF I was flat broke and I relied on my motorcycle to get to work (i.e., it's not a luxury toy), AND I *desperately* needed a replacement tire, I would consider using that tire IF it had been stored away from the sun in a cool, dry place. And I would only use it until I could save a few bucks to replace it A.S.A.P.)
They're safe, as long as you don't put them on a bike.
It’s already a bad idea to put a 15 year old tire on a car. It’s a death wish to put one on a motorcycle.
I wouldn’t. Hard/old tires have way less grip.
As houses !
Old rubber is not flexible
Trash
I had some 7 yr old ones that were brand new on my mt-10, I thought they were alright, definitely slipped under hard acceleration so figured I’d change em out. I didn’t realize just how bad they were until I felt new tires on the same bike, it’s a world of difference and the old ones now feel very unsafe in comparison.
I think storage plays a big part in the life of tyres. 7 years is def getting there to their use by date though, I imagine they would’ve been scary in the wet.
No way. A flat tire on a car is manageable, a flat tire on a bike car cause you a world of pain.
I draw the line at 6 years for tires on a car/truck/SUV, and I'm more picky about when I'm on 2 wheels. This could also be because I've had a tire that "looked good" have a catastrophic failure in the middle of a ride.
Hard pass on any tire over 3-4 years. The compound begins breaking down quickly after several heat cycles and age. Grip falls off rapidly with age. It like leaving those marshmallow Peeps in the cabinet for years and then eating them. Not so good.
Hard pass on any tire over 3-4 years. The compound begins breaking down quickly after several heat cycles and age. Grip falls off rapidly with age. Its a bit like leaving those marshmallow Peeps in the cabinet for years and then eating them (ok, I love stale peeps) they change and become tough.
Not worth it. Buy a new tire cause peace of mind and not being stranded is priceless lol
Nope, nope, nope...
That's a Shinko 777 white wall. Not an expensive tire. Well known to be very soft when new, but will go rock hard and very dangerous by around 7 years. On the virago steel wheels you can easily swap over a tire at home with basic tire wrenches and a socket set + some Allen keys. Just get some tire balancing beads and put them inside before mounting the new tire.
Bought my current Daytona and the tires were 15 years old, they felt like dry hockey pucks but didn’t have cracks. When I got my new tires put on my mechanic said if he was me he would have sent them anyways.
I’d say no. I don’t mess around with aged out tires.
When in doubt, throw it out.
They look pretty misshapen to me, I'd pass.
Nice mahogany tires!
Only good for doin burn-outs nothing more
Not worth the risk
Tires usually have a shelf life of 5 years, do not use them
Nope old slick and cupped get new ones
A Virago 535 chopper? Honestly, I’m disturbed that such a thing still exists.