Does being older than 3 years automatically mean a tire needs replacing? A google search pulled up a few articles saying yes, but not overwhelmingly so. I had my stock 2000 GS500 tire looked at by a tire salesman and he said it had some life left in it, which seemed odd to me, since his job is to sell me tires. The tread is okay (only 6000ish miles on the bike), but there is some cracking (dryrotting?).

Depends on the cracking. Can you dig a fingernail into the tread, and how long does the mark stay (anything longer than 30 seconds is good)? Where's those pictures of someone's tires with cracking...

Here: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=16479.0

Found 4 threads, search using: cracks picture tires

new tires would be a good thing even if you have tread. if they're old they might be prone to being brittle and slip more easily than new.

cheap insurance...

So ostensibly the tire salesman is full of shaZam!?

They could be good, but it's hard to tell what the "inside" of the tire ismaterial is like...that's what's going to cause damage.

Rule of thumb:  If you suspect for any reason they may need replacing, replace them.  Tires are a big thing.  You can't approach them with the same frame of mind you used when you decided to stack an extra 5000 miles on the fuel filter change (example).

Quote from: pantablo on January 11, 2006, 06:21:52 PM
cheap insurance...

I donno... I spent 250 for new tires, and only 150 for insurance.. Maybe I'm the one messed up..

There is no time scale. The salesman is probably assuming the worst conditions like the bike is out in the elements. (sun, snow) Also probably assuming that you ride often. A tire won't last 3 years if that is the case. Take the previous advise. If they are dry rotting, cracking deep, and such, than buy new. If they look and feel good, why waist the cash.

  -Anti 

yup .. if the dryrotting is not to bad keep at it .. well ... i cant say that .. i dont like dryrotting .. tires are tubless . whats to say it dont expand as it heats and boom? i relize this is probly to a possiblity unless its deep but .. my grandfather bought a 1999 kaw. vaulcan 1500 classic .. we just replaced the factory tires on it ... about  sep. of 2005 so that makes them what .. 6 years ? and he only has 11k on it now .