Old tires.... never installed

kawabama · May 20th, 2014, 07:33 AM

So through a strange turn of events, I had a Kenda K671 I bought and never installed. It's about 6 years old. It was stored in a garage, not outdoors or anything. Looks good and even still had the UPS shipper tag.

Safe to use?

alex.s · May 20th, 2014, 07:35 AM

6 year old tires? i wouldn't use them. you can use your finger nail on the rubber to see how firm it is... go feel fresh rubber like from a car tire then feel those kendas. they will likely be very dry and probably wont make good traction

j98sprint · May 20th, 2014, 09:31 AM

I'd vote "use it". But then I'm cheap and I don't race like Alex.
By the way, did you read his tag line?

Klondike1020 · May 20th, 2014, 10:21 AM

I would check and see how stiff they are.

If they seem pliable I have used old tires before.

No big deal.

They are for street use?

I would tell you about the secret rubber restoring compound I am familiar with…. But think it would make people think the less of me for giving you dangerous and possibly insane advice……

How old and crumby do they seem?
They have not been in sunlight or heat?

crazymadbastard · May 20th, 2014, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klondike1020

I
I would tell you about the secret rubber restoring compound I am familiar with…. But think it would make people think the less of me for giving you dangerous and possibly insane advice……

KY?

kawabama · May 20th, 2014, 10:56 AM

Yeah, I read that tag

The thumbnail test showed good rebound and no oxidation that I could tell. Don't see weather cracking around the tread or bead.

crazymadbastard · May 20th, 2014, 11:01 AM

I would rock em if not dried/cracked. There is no real shelf life, yes they degrade. Some car companies say more than 5yrs, 6yrs even 10 years. Sure they degrade, so keep an eye on them.

Motofool · May 20th, 2014, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawabama

........Safe to use?

It will not explode or anything, the internal structure of that tire is much stronger than what the Ninjette needs.

The reduced grip may be problematic now or in the future, depending on your type of riding and roads, as well as how long it will take you to wear those.

Sirref · May 20th, 2014, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j98sprint

I'd vote "use it". But then I'm cheap and I don't race like Alex.
By the way, did you read his tag line?

no, he gives good advice from time to time
he's right about this one, 6 year old tires won't grip the road. Track or street.

EsrTek · May 20th, 2014, 04:56 PM

Personally, I'd trash a 6yr old tire...You only got 2 tires...is the risk really worth it?

dcj13 · May 20th, 2014, 05:04 PM

Kenda... Kept inside... Probably OK, but not great, for what you'll be doing. Don't worry about using them.

Singh2jz · May 20th, 2014, 05:22 PM

install em and do some fat burnouts. Then buy new tires.

CZroe · May 23rd, 2014, 06:07 AM

I'd use them for a cross-country ride or something to keep all that mileage off my good tires. They can take the flat spot!

Interstate riding doesn't typically require great tires.

N-m · May 23rd, 2014, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singh2jz

install em and do some fat burnouts. Then buy new tires.

Burn the thing off at the track or in your cul de sac, and then buy a brand new one for less than $100.00 to ride on the street.

kawabama · May 23rd, 2014, 07:24 PM

I hate when folks don't follow up on their questions, so here it is.

The manufacture date showed it was on the high side of 5 years, not 6 plus like I thought. I went ahead and mounted the tire. As I said earlier, it still had good rebound to the thumbnail test, no cracking anywhere, and the little whiskers all over it were still flexible and not brittle. A buddy of mine that works at BFGoodrich said the high surface area of the whiskers meant they would be the first to show loss of plasticizer and embrittlement. I'll give them lots of gentle scrub in miles and report back.

May 20th, 2014, 07:33 AM	#1
kawabama ninjette.org member Name: Mister Location: Alabama Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja EX250 Posts: 13	Old tires.... never installed So through a strange turn of events, I had a Kenda K671 I bought and never installed. It's about 6 years old. It was stored in a garage, not outdoors or anything. Looks good and even still had the UPS shipper tag. Safe to use?

May 20th, 2014, 07:35 AM	#2
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	6 year old tires? i wouldn't use them. you can use your finger nail on the rubber to see how firm it is... go feel fresh rubber like from a car tire then feel those kendas. they will likely be very dry and probably wont make good traction __________________________________________________

May 20th, 2014, 10:21 AM	#4
Klondike1020 Intrepid Adventurer Name: Josh Location: Rochester/Buffalo NY Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 GSXR 750 , 71 cb350streettracker, 07 Polaris Predator 500 Posts: A lot.	I would check and see how stiff they are. If they seem pliable I have used old tires before. No big deal. They are for street use? I would tell you about the secret rubber restoring compound I am familiar with…. But think it would make people think the less of me for giving you dangerous and possibly insane advice…… How old and crumby do they seem? They have not been in sunlight or heat? __________________________________________________ LIFE IS NOT FOR REGRETS OR EXCUSES. Breath deep, seek peace. Embrace the Madness. Life is good, let it be

May 20th, 2014, 11:01 AM	#7
crazymadbastard I'm crazy,your excuse is? Name: Winston Location: Connecticut Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 250 2007 ninja Posts: A lot.	I would rock em if not dried/cracked. There is no real shelf life, yes they degrade. Some car companies say more than 5yrs, 6yrs even 10 years. Sure they degrade, so keep an eye on them. __________________________________________________ My Cafe Racer Build My intro post

May 20th, 2014, 05:22 PM	#12
Singh2jz ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Inderveer Location: San Jose Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): '07 ex250-F/J Posts: A lot.	install em and do some fat burnouts. Then buy new tires. __________________________________________________ The Bike \| The Truck
	1 out of 1 members found this post helpful.

May 20th, 2014, 09:31 AM	#3
j98sprint ninjette.org member Name: John Location: Crossville, Tn. Join Date: Oct 2010 Motorcycle(s): '02 Ninja 250, '98 Triumph Sprint 900, '69 H-D Sportster XLCH 900 Posts: 80	I'd vote "use it". But then I'm cheap and I don't race like Alex. By the way, did you read his tag line?

May 20th, 2014, 10:56 AM	#6
kawabama ninjette.org member Name: Mister Location: Alabama Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja EX250 Posts: 13	Yeah, I read that tag The thumbnail test showed good rebound and no oxidation that I could tell. Don't see weather cracking around the tread or bead.

May 20th, 2014, 04:56 PM	#10
EsrTek ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Eric Location: Murfreesboro, TN Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): '13 300 Posts: A lot.	Personally, I'd trash a 6yr old tire...You only got 2 tires...is the risk really worth it?

May 20th, 2014, 05:04 PM	#11
dcj13 Participant Name: Dave Location: South of Seattle Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): '94 K75 std Posts: Too much. MOTM - Aug '15	Kenda... Kept inside... Probably OK, but not great, for what you'll be doing. Don't worry about using them.

May 23rd, 2014, 06:07 AM	#13
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I'd use them for a cross-country ride or something to keep all that mileage off my good tires. They can take the flat spot! Interstate riding doesn't typically require great tires.

May 23rd, 2014, 07:24 PM	#15
kawabama ninjette.org member Name: Mister Location: Alabama Join Date: Apr 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Ninja EX250 Posts: 13	I hate when folks don't follow up on their questions, so here it is. The manufacture date showed it was on the high side of 5 years, not 6 plus like I thought. I went ahead and mounted the tire. As I said earlier, it still had good rebound to the thumbnail test, no cracking anywhere, and the little whiskers all over it were still flexible and not brittle. A buddy of mine that works at BFGoodrich said the high surface area of the whiskers meant they would be the first to show loss of plasticizer and embrittlement. I'll give them lots of gentle scrub in miles and report back.

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