Who Has The Oldest Tires

[JPSpen]

Ok, When I bought the R65 I knew the tires looked a little old..But not too bad...

Today I decided to check the date code on them and see if they needed to be replaced...

X378 is what's on the front tire...Not too old eh ?
 [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]
Anybody running anything older than that ?

John

[nhmaf]

I certainly wouldn't!

When I bought my LS it had almost new-looking Metzlers on it, but they were 8  years old and hard as hockey pucks.    I carefully test rode the bike, but got new tires as soon as I could afterward.

[tvrla]

I've ridden on tires that old. No problems yet.

I also got a durometer to test them since I've got bikes I put new tires on six or more years ago but hardly rode. They've all been out of the heat and sunlight so haven't aged particularly, but it's nice to know just how hard or soft they are. So far, no problems - and I ride in the rain regularly. The last set on the RS were ten or twelve years old Metzelers and they finally wore out - but the last trip was 800 miles to Santa Cruz CA for a tech day. Not a problem, except for getting down to the wear bars sooner than expected.

[raymr]

The nicest thing about old tires is how good new tires feel once you replace them. I had 12 year old Korean tires on, and in a word they were "scary" when there was even a hint of dampness on the road.  

[Barry]

When I bought my bike it had done a genuine 6200 miles in 28 years and still had the genuine 28 year old original tires. The front was so hard that it retained it's shape when the air was let out and I had to cut it off to save damaging the rim. I did ride the bike for few miles on those tires but not above 30 mph.

The rear had so much tread left and was in so much better condition that I didn't initially realise it was the same age. Problem was the tire code didn't help as before the year 2000 it gave the year but didn't pin down the decade so the tire could have been a 79,  89 or a 99. When rubber gets old and hard the tire just won't wear out so tread depth is not necessarily a good indicator of age. I concluded that the rear was probably original as well and cut that off.

I'm reluctant to accept any one universal age limit for tires as climate and conditions of storage vary so much around the world. As I understand it the rate at which tires age will depend on temperature and exposure to sunlight. Regular use helps to keep  them flexible so they say you shouldn't mount a new tire that is already 6 years old but a tire that's been in use for 6 years might still be fit for use. I'd be happy to ride on tires up to 10 year old if I felt the rubber was still soft but I'm in a relatively cool climate and the bike is rarely left in the sun for long periods

[JPSpen]

Yea,  I think these are the 37th week of 1988 so that only makes them 24 years old.. They are some hard bastards..

So, This bring up the question.. What tires are good for the R-65..

I think I'd like some of those old school "all road" type tires..

Suggestions ?

Thanks

john

[Tzigane]

I bought my R65 with 10 year old tires, driving home was... adventurous!

First thing I did was replacing them, they were really far gone. Profile was still good, but the inner tires were like paper and the outside tires like concrete.

Love my BT45's now!

[k_enn]

On a side note, I once had some tires on the bike for about 9 years (during a time when I was not riding).  When I went to put new tires it, getting the wheels off of the bike was real bitch.  It was all stuck.  If I had gotten a flat on the road, I would have been really f'cked.  There was no way the wheels were going to come off without some big tools and a lot of muscle and time.  

k_enn

[badbmwbrad]

I submit my 1983 R65LS has THE oldest tries.  
The bike has <5000 miles.  
It was stored in a heated garage since Fall 1985 and never ridden again until I bought it in Fall, 2011.

I've ridden it on DRY pavement a few times but it hasn't been registered yet.

PS  The grease in the steering head bearing is so old that it has hardened/separated.  On a warm day in the sun, the steering will loosen up to nearly normal.  After the grease cools, it's pretty difficult to full lock turn the steering head.  

  

[Enertech]

Hey Brad - maybe I have older tires maybe not....  My R65 I just got was registered as an '84, but manufactured in '83 and had just 5003 km (genuine mileage) with the original tires!    Date code BLK103 rear and BLD442 front?

I replaced them with Avon Roadriders.  I have used these on many of my vintage bikes and I really like how they stick & wear.

I kept the old tires - if anyone wants them for a trailer queen restoration they are free (pick up only!)......

[trips]

Must be common with these bikes, when I found mine it was last registered in 84, too, LOL