Every tire has a date code on it. A 3-digit code of 123 for example would mean the the tire was manufactured the 12th week of 1993. A 16 year old tire!
Tires manufactured after 2000 became 4-digit. 1203 for example would be the 12th week of 2003. A 6 year old tire.
Harley-Davidson's official position is that they do not require date checks before installation but they follow Dunlop's recommendation and will not EVER warranty any tire, regardless of actual miles or installation date if it's over 6 years old.
We had a customer buy a tire from an online retailer, let's just say that it rhymes with A&T and the tire was 10 years old. The tech refused to install it on the wheel and offered to sell a fresh one. Instead of acknowledging the attempt by the technician to install a trustworthy tire, the customer got mad at US! Um, how about getting mad at the assholes who sold the 10 year old tire as "new".
I just checked mine. My front is 2806 and my rear is 0807. Both were installed on 8-22-07. My front tire was a year old before it ever saw a road.
Check yours. You may be surprised to find that your "new" tire isn't so new.
-Art
A heart stained in anger grows weak and grows bitter, you'll become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there wrapped up in a trap of your very own chain of sorrow.
-John Prine
Mine are radials that came on my 08 RK. So, I expect they aren't very old.
How many miles are people getting out of radial anyway?
I have 7000 miles and assume I will be due sooner or later.
I almost cut my hair, it happened just the other day.
It was gettin' kinda long, I could've said it was in my way.
But I didn't and I wonder why, I feel like letting my freak flag fly
just opened the box I got a met 880 in....date 03 06....hmmm
"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter."
Most safety people would replace any tire that are 4 years old or more regardless of miles.
Ride it like you stole it
Just checked a "new" front tire I have yet to install and I've got "TKC 1306".
"Just gimme a Harley.......let's go for a ride......you'll never see a jap piece of shit between these thighs."
That's why I posted. Purchasing power is about volume. If a retailer is going to sell discounted tires and still have some hope of profit, they're going to have to buy in huge bulk quantities. We now carry over 40 different OFFICIAL H-D ISSUE tires. When did that happen? Never mind the after-market, I'm talking about always having a factory spec'd tire in stock for some damned size we may only sell one of every year.
Just be really careful. I'm more informed because I dug a little deeper and now you are too.
A heart stained in anger grows weak and grows bitter, you'll become your own prisoner as you watch yourself sit there wrapped up in a trap of your very own chain of sorrow.
-John Prine
I would guess the avon venom x I put on last year 8/15/08 and weather checked to hell this spring was an old friggen tire...wish I had a chance to check the date code on that one
"Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter."
Thanks for the information, I will check mine when I get a chance.
bb
There was never any good old days
They are today, they are tomorrow
Thanks Art, good information.
Wow,, Good thing to know were to you find those marking on the tire.
Mean what you say and say what you mean.
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