Question for you tire experts?

[CP]

I’m helping a friend with a motorcycle project and the bike has a pair of low mileage Michelin tires.  They look to be in good shape, plenty of tread left.  However, the date code appears to be 4712 (Nov. 2012) or almost 10 years old. 

I guess the only question is, use them or change them?  How old is too old for tires?

[pianoman9701]

Replace them after 6 years, especially on a bike. A blowout on a bike is often catastrophic.

[Jingles]

Not a tire expert but have to say the saying for something that old on a bike applies, "When in doubt throw them out"

[Special T]

I've run 28 year old tires on my run around town truck. I'd be more selective  on a high speed 2 wheel cycle. Now to be fair, a tire that is 10 years old that has been parked inside it whole life, out of the sun and cold isn't  the same as you car you leave parked outside. Also when you buy new, they likely are a year or more old.

[pianoman9701]

I've run 28 year old tires on my run around town truck. I'd be more selective  on a high speed 2 wheel cycle. Now to be fair, a tire that is 10 years old that has been parked inside it whole life, out of the sun and cold in the same as you car you leave parked outside. Also when you buy new, they likely are a year or more old.

This guy knows tires like no one else on the forum. 

[Boss .300 winmag]

How do you get November out of 4712?

[CP]

How do you get November out of 4712?

47th week of 2012.  Am I interpreting that incorrectly?

[Boss .300 winmag]

How do you get November out of 4712?

47th week of 2012.  Am I interpreting that incorrectly?

That’s what I was thinking.

[Special T]

How do you get November out of 4712?

47th week of 2012.  Am I interpreting that incorrectly?

Correct

[CP]

After weighing the risks vs rewards - new set of tires ordered.

[MR5x5]

How do you get November out of 4712?

47th week of 2012.  Am I interpreting that incorrectly?

Nah.  4+7 = 11 = November 

[wadu1]

The tire date code, also known as the DOT code is four digits giving you first the week number and then the year(in two digits) of manufacture.

[jackelope]

The tire date code, also known as the DOT code is four digits giving you first the week number and then the year(in two digits) of manufacture.

The date code is only part of the DOT code on a tire.

I'm not a motorcycle guy, but I do sell tires(by no  means am I a tire expert of any sort).I think 10 year old tires on a bike is risky.

[Westside88]

Old tires don’t usually bother me if they seem to be good. 10 years doesn’t seem that old to me, but on a street bike your margin’s are so low I say if in doubt throw em out.