NOS Tyres, tires what do you think?

[1200ts]

The BT45's on my RGS were put on the bike in 2007. The rear has a tiny amount of the sidewall cracking. The tread area has no cracking at all. The front tire, no cracking anywhere. I realize the tires are old when I ride the bike and don't take turns like I would if they were new. The tire grip is still fine on the road.

In a year or two they will be worn out and time for new tires.

I would not hesitate to buy a set of BT45's that have been on the shelf for a few years. But I would not use them on the race track.

As I have about 30 motorcycles, I can't afford to be constantly changing tires just because they are a few years old.

 

[martymoose]

After my recent narrow escape from death with a delaminating front tyre, 75% worn, 18 months old, I would say inspect your tyres every time you ride. My personal rule is 7 years. Riding motorcycles is dangerous, don't make it more so.

 

[Dellortoman]

Old tyres can still be useful. A long time ago while on an off-road adventure (actually riding on a beach) I met a young bloke on a beat-up old pommy single (I don't remember what sort) that had tyres so old and hard that they didn't need inflating. He only rode it off road, and ran the tyres without air. The side walls were hard enough to support the weight of the bike without collapsing flat. The inner tubes had long since turned to dust. The funny thing about it was that when he dropped the clutch to take off, the rear wheel would do a little spin inside the tyre as he got going. I reckon with all the sand and shit between the tyre and rim, he would have eventually worn that tyre out from the inside.