Tire age

[mine88]

How important is the age of tires on scooter? Does the 10 year built date mean much if the tires are original on my 2013 500 Xciting RI in good shape with only have 16000 km. The scooter has been in heated storage every winter.

[john grinsel]

Throw them away-----used/stored tires probably have 5 year safe life----on bike that goes fast very important.

[Stig / Major Tom]

On a 50cc scoot running around on a college campus.....maybe, sure.
On a very heavy, very fast 500 scooter. NO. Not safe.
Keeping fresh, safe tires is an expected expense which goes with ownership of a 500cc scooter.
Stig

[Kansas kymco]

Have to agree with others time to replace.  I don't run tires over 7 years old.  Just replaced tires on two scooters with low miles because of age. First a Yamaha Majesty with 1300 miles the tires looked like new tread wise but if you looked closely at the sidewall you could see it starting to crack.  Second a Kymco Xciting  with less then 2k miles for the same reason.

[Iahawk]

I think Stig started a thread about this, recently. Asking if anyone had ever had an 'age related' tire failure. I think the answer for most is no, we've never had an age related failure. But why chance it on a 2 wheeled vehicle where your life may depend on your tires?

Will they fail? Probably not...but maybe? So why take a chance...replace them!

I have older tires on my scoot, 2014 and 2015. Planning on swapping them out this year even though they have virtually no miles on them.

[mousejunks]

Tyres/tires won't necessary 'fail' from age, but they will develop cracks and lose elasticity/flexibility which greatly affects handling, grip and comfort. They can become unbalanced which adds vibration.

Get a new set of tyres and you will notice a world of difference. I personally recommend Pirelli Diablo although they are expensive.

[Neil955i]

Well Mine88, these guys have said it all and I’d wholeheartedly endorse the advice.  My scooter gets new rubber every 3 years or sooner if worn.  My 2012 Triumph has just had new tyres mainly because I suspect it was still on OEM tyres.

In any event, you can’t beat the handling feel you get with scrubbed in new tyres!

[Kansas kymco]

I know on my 500 Xicting it's easy to be doing 80 mph (128kph)  before you know it .   At those speeds you definitely want good rubber .

[mine88]

New michelin city grip 2 tires on order should be here in two weeks. Hope weather will be warmer then. Dealer will install and balance tires on scooter for 150 dollars or I can remove and bring wheels in and he will install for 60.00 dollars . I have never had wheels off front tire looks similar to any motorcycle but rear looks to be more complicated.

[Kansas kymco]

That's about what my dealer charges as well. 

[mine88]

Update dealer can not get michelins said there is a shortage because of covid. He can get me a pair of Heidenau tires I have never tried this brand are there any problems with them?

[CROSSBOLT]

Update dealer can not get michelins said there is a shortage because of covid. He can get me a pair of Heidenau tires I have never tried this brand are there any problems with them?

Yes! Do it! And what everyone else said, too!

[john grinsel]

Heidenau wonderful tires.   Have matched set on my 2019 XTown 300i.   They work well.

[Neil955i]

As my old boss was fond of advising, JFDI