what did you do with your fazer today ?

[coffee]

After all of your posts I had a look at the tyre [I kept it because I thought it might come in handy for an emergency] and it's 18 years old according to the digits on the wall so whether or not it's a dunlop I wouldn't feel happy using it, it's such a long time to sit there doing nothing but I did use it for the best part of 2years in ignorance and did also take a few liberties in the dry without any problems so I don't know.

[Trebus]

Just lobbed a 2010 Michelin off the front of mine. Never gave me a problem and actually wasn’t worn out, needed a new rear and went to a different brand.

Bike spends most of its time under a cover in the garage so minimal UV exposure.

Just for information rather than an endorsement for 11 year old tyres ?

[Trebus]

Oh, and I do always keep the bike on the centre stand and rotate the front wheel from time to time when it’s not being used.

[Grahamm]

As stated tyres are supplied that could well be at least 3 or 4 years old, are you going to bin them just because they reach 5yrs old and only half worn? 

You seem to have misunderstood what I am saying.

If someone puts a "new" tyre on which is *already* five years old or more and it's going to stay on your bike for another three years plus, by the end of that period, especially if your bike is kept out doors, you have no idea what state it is going to be in.

It may still look fine, it may still work fine, or it may suddenly give way when you least expect it.

If you're happy with that, feel free to keep doing it.

[agricola]

I've had the fazer 6 years and Im on my third set. I wouldn't keep a set on the machine for more than 3 years max, and ask my suppliers to ensure that the date stamp is either the current year or the previous year. My usage is pleasure rides and trackdays, but i'm conscious of the condition of the road surfaces these days (dreadful), the salt, the chemicals, and any abuse that i dish out to them. And I've seen perfectly fine looking ten year old tyres give way on track without any other obvious cause. The on site tyre specialist put it down to age

[fazersharp]

My tyres are old before they are worn as I don't do enough miles so this time my research lead me to the softest I could find which were Mezler z7 RR
Trouble is its impossible to find a manufacturer that says their tyres wear down quick.  :lol 

[fazerscotty]

[quote author=Grahamm link=topic=6412.msg325015#msg325015 date=1620424482]
If the tyre is more than 5 years old, don't use it!

Why not? 

The make and then condition of a tyre are far more important than just age as a factor not you use it.  UK law as of Feb 21 tyres more than 10yrs old can't be used on the front steered axles of HGVs, buses, coaches or all single wheels fitted to a minibus (9 to 16 passenger seats).

This doesn't apply to cars or bikes etc, this has all come about due to the market being flooded with cheap/crap Far East budget tyres.  They're cheap for a reason, the compounds they use are unstable and will be effected by atmospheric conditions alone, UV etc even when just stored.  They either split or go hard, so hard they no longer grip although the tyre looks to be in good condition. 

Yes most tyre manufactures and some bigger tyre fitting companies Kwik Fit for one :rolleyes will advise not more than 5, why to sell more tyres!  I've just had tyres replaced for a customer, that were dated 02 fitted to a GSX-R1000, they were fine, in all respects (dry & wet) just worn to legal limit. The new tyres fitted ae date 15, tyres can be in the system for over 5yrs before they're fitted, especially bikes tyres and not so common sizes of other tyres, hence why the government limit is 10yrs, which allows for that.       

If this tyre is 20yrs old, but if made by a quality brand, stored properly and unused, the condition of the tyre is the most important factor not it's age.         
[/quote]


The reason behind this legislation for HGV's, PSV's is quite simple. When the tyres used on these vehicles get to (or below) the legal tread depth, they are "re-cut" usually in the owners own workshop, with no other inspection to the condition of the carcass.
It's straightforward really - rubber degrades (you wouldn't want to ride on a 20 year old Durex would you?  :eek [size=78%] ). [/size]
In the aviation industry, there are regulations up the ying yang for the storage of the little beasts. Maybe the same should be applied to bike tyres as well.
Personally, I change mine, irrespective of wear, every two years at the very most. Takes into account the delay in getting from the mould to the rim.

[fazersharp]

Personally, I change mine, irrespective of wear, every two years at the very most. Takes into account the delay in getting from the mould to the rim.

Flippin Eck. That's a bit extreme. And you don't need to "take into account" any time difference as its written on the trye.

[fazersharp]

and ask my suppliers to ensure that the date stamp is either the current year or the previous year.

I made that mistake with the last ones I had. I didn't think to ask - I was just happy that they had them in my size as it wasn't the usual - normal - popular choice. Probably why they were left on the shelf longer than normal. They were not old but were older than I was expecting them to be.

[Gnasher]

The reason behind this legislation for HGV's, PSV's is quite simple.

I don't think so. 

Retread tyres are still legal and I don't know of anyone who recuts their own lorry/bus/car tyres.   
https://movingon.blog.gov.uk/2020/12/09/...-minibuses

To recut a tread you need something to cut into, i.e. compound has to be applied, to do that you need not only the compound but a lot of heat and machinery, the cost alone of which makes it unviable for anybody smaller than the likes of big transport companies, say TFL or such like.  Even those it just wouldn't be worth it, they just buy from specialist companies.  I don't doubt there's some arse out there who will try and dig a tyre a bit deeper than it is, but the time and effort involved, very very few, cheaper just to by part worn.    It's hard enough to cut a racing slick which is a soft compound let alone a lorry or Bus tyre!             

This legislation as a direct result of https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23320526  &  https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2021-0...-in-surrey 

It also brings us more into line with what the EU been doing for some time. 

[coffee]

mmm, it seems the general opinion is change them fairly regularly but if you're a sort of fair weather rider and don't clock up the miles as such I for one am reluctant to junk 2 perfectly good tyres because they're getting on a bit,you wouldn't mind if they wasn't so FUCKING expensive!! :finger

[fazerscotty]

[quote author=fazerscotty link=topic=6412.msg325061#msg325061 date=1620555946]
The reason behind this legislation for HGV's, PSV's is quite simple.

I don't think so. 

Retread tyres are still legal and I don't know of anyone who recuts their own lorry/bus/car tyres.   
https://movingon.blog.gov.uk/2020/12/09/...-minibuses

To recut a tread you need something to cut into, i.e. compound has to be applied, to do that you need not only the compound but a lot of heat and machinery, the cost alone of which makes it unviable for anybody smaller than the likes of big transport companies, say TFL or such like.  Even those it just wouldn't be worth it, they just buy from specialist companies.  I don't doubt there's some arse out there who will try and dig a tyre a bit deeper than it is, but the time and effort involved, very very few, cheaper just to by part worn.    It's hard enough to cut a racing slick which is a soft compound let alone a lorry or Bus tyre!             

This legislation as a direct result of https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23320526  &  https://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2021-0...-in-surrey 

It also brings us more into line with what the EU been doing for some time.
[/quote]


Unfortunately, your wrong.
The amount of rubber laid onto a commercial vehicle tyre carcass is far more than you think. Having worked in the tyre industry a few years ago and re-cut commercial tyres myself I can assure you that even the smallest of operators will have the equipment. The cutting tool is similar in operation to a hot knife and to re-cut a tyre usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. Over the last twenty years or so there have been many accidents caused by "blow outs" on both HGV & PSV vehicles - why do you think there's so much rubber left in piles on the edges of our motorway network. Commercial operators will (and I don't blame them) will cut whatever cost there is to maximise whatever profit there is. :eek
I personally change my tyres every two years - UV works in mysterious ways and I have no desire to end in a heap on the side of the road. I had experiences with my Father who would only ever buy remoulds and that kind of explains why I make that choice - cost is still a factor, but as I am lucky enough to be able to fit my own tyres, there's some savings to be had.

[fazerscotty]

And getting back to the subject, took mine out for a 50 mile bimble. Following a winter spruce up which included new progressive fork springs, a bit of paint here and there, oil & filters, new throttle and clutch cables and some polishing (not to mention an operation on my leg) and everything fell into place. Just a minor tweak to the fork adjustment is required (possibly).
Happy Days.  un

[robbo]

With a distinct temperature increase, it was nice to get out today leaving the heated gloves and winter suit behind. Took the opportunity to break in a new pair of Five gloves, not that they take much breaking in. Had a good whizz around Kent and Sussex, calling in on a pal who’s just out of hospital, following a crash a couple of weeks ago. Managed to fit in a pint when nearer home, racking up 193 of our lovely English miles on the trip meter. I think the new Metz must certainly be scrubbed in now. :lol

[Red Ceri]

Got the might GEN1  MoTd today, slightly embarrassed with the mileage since the last one , only managed 550 miles on her in the last 18 months :eek .

[robbo]

Got the might GEN1  MoTd today, slightly embarrassed with the mileage since the last one , only managed 550 miles on her in the last 18 months :eek .

That’s the problem with a garage full of bikes :lol . Mind you, a nice problem to have. :thumbup

[Mike-FZS]

New tyres fitted (Bridgestone t31) new discs, lines, pads, titanium disc bolts Calipers stripped cleaned and put back together


Next month I’ll start buying stainless/titanium bolts to try tidy the bike up a bit. One little bit at a time.


Fender extender still to fit and a Unsiezed exup set of downpipes    may even resleeve the scorpion can to
Tidy they up and shorten to 380mm will see










Mike

[fazerscotty]

Not today, but Saturday. MOT'd the Thou. 78K and going strong.

[red98]

insurance time for the mighty thou, received the renewal notice last week for £140.96, Phoned Hastings up last night as i do every year and got it down too £87.83...there are some advantages to being an old foccer 

[b1k3rdude]

received the renewal notice last week for £140.96

off-topic - I wish there was a law that blocked insurances co.s from pulling this annual nonsense, I have bounced between the same 4 ins. co,s for the last 10 yrs - they just never learn and/or don't give a shit.

Now its sunny today, so myself and a couple other MAG members will be off down to The White Horse in Shenley, herts today for 7pm if any nearby foccer want to join.