Storing New Tires

[roadie]

I'd like to get new tires so I have when I need.  Is there a rule of thumb for how long you can store before they start to deteriorate from storage?  What's the best way to store?

[VirginiaJim]

I put mine in garbage bags in the basement.  Every once in awhile I go down and give them a sniff to make sure they're still fresh, though.

[roadie]

ah the old sniff test. :-)

I'll need some soon, probably about 3 to 5k left (will put me at 12K to 14K on my PR3s).  So the next set I buy next week won't be stored too long...but thinking about just buying two sets right away.  never know when I can pass through Congress the next purchase, so gotta strike when iron is hot.

[Spanky]

I have been told by people who are knowledgeable about tires that you can store them for at least a year before it is a concern. I claim no expertise in this area, just passing on what I have been told. I was told most of the time degredation becomes a factor is on leftover stock that has been sitting in a warehouse for a couple of years. The pr3's are too new for that to be an issue.

[Jeremy Mitchell]

As long as they aren't exposed to extreme tempuratures or UV rays they should last a lot longer.........at least that makes sense to me.     

[T Cro ®]

I'll look to see if I still got the email from Met. Stating that if stored in a cool dry location that is protected from the sun with stable low humidity that storage life can easily be considered to be several years with absolutely no issues. 

[Rhino]

I stored an Avon Venom for my Valkyrie in a completely dark storage shed for about 2 1/2 years. It then went on the Valk and went 18,000 miles no problem. I just bought another set of PR3's and will store them until spring.

[B.D.F.]

I think he is asking how to store NEW tires Jim, not the ones you would put in a garbage bag....

Funny thing about tire age is that some motorcyclists worry about it and yet I have never, ever seen anyone scrap the tires on a car just because they were old. All rubber compounds deteriorate with age and it is accelerated by exposure to ozone (O3), light, especially ultraviolet light (sunlight is especially bad in that regard) and higher temperatures. So as others have said, storing any rubber product in a cool, dark and dry environment is best and the deterioration will be significantly slowed but not stopped altogether. Still, for anyone who rides more than a couple of thousand miles a year it is doubtful that properly stored motorcycle tires will deteriorate enough to notice in a year or two.

By the way, a lot of the deterioration is really just the continuation of the curing process that all rubber goes through (vulcanization). Different tires are cured to different levels depending on where and how they are going to be used. So sport bike tires being the least cured will probably store the longest while touring type tires are already cured somewhat more when they were made and will probably deteriorate faster.

Brian

I put mine in garbage bags in the basement.  Every once in awhile I go down and give them a sniff to make sure they're still fresh, though.

[MAN OF BLUES]

I put mine in garbage bags in the basement.  Every once in awhile I go down and give them a sniff to make sure they're still fresh, though.

Like that "new tire smell' eh Jim? 

Just want to add a little clarity on something Brian touched on, Ozone...
Basement storage in a sealed trash bag is almost perfect, but make sure you store them "above" the floor, I have hung them up in the rafters before, just to prevent Ozone damage.
ozone sinks to the floor level, and is generated by any electric motrs in the basement...sump pump, air handler for heatpump, electric or gas furnace blower, or even the fridge or freezer down there.

Of course it's been a long time since I had enough extra money to buy tires and store them....being a frugal COG'r....

[roadie]

appreciate ya'll.

[Bagger]

I generally buy tires from the Motorcycle Super Store ... they do some pretty good sales several times a year.  I typically buy a set for the Wing and a set for whatever else I ride over 7K / year.  Now, it's my 2010 Connie.  I have a set about 6 months old for the Connie, now.  Wing coming after 1st of the year.

I never like to ride my sneakers until they are toast.  I have enough problems riding other than worrying about my boots.  So, I change them out about once a year or so.  Most last me 7500-9000 miles.  Give or take.

I've never worried about storing the tires.  Yeah, I know all about the garbage bags, nitrogen infused stuff, controlled temperatures and humidity, no sunlight and such.  But, I don't worry that much. 

I've stored many tires for a year or so ... not longer cuz I only buy what I'll ride on in a few months or so.  But, think about it.  We have cars that sit outside ... in the sunlight ... in temps from -5 to +100* (F) ... in the O3 stuff ... under inflated half the time.  Do we change them out?  I don't.  I run 'em until I need new rubber .. but, never compromising traction or safety.  Sometimes 3 years or so.

My point ?  I don't think we should buy several sets of tires in order to save $30 a set, or whatever.  New models come out every year or so.  Most better than what we have on our bikes ... or in the garbage bags.  Buy on sale, buy when you need them .... buy Online where there is no sales tax (so far) and less than at the dealer.  Yeah, I have the dealer install 'em.  I gladly pay, too, for the installation.  Some can mount their own ... I can't, or don't want to.

Just my opinion.  Others will vary.

[wally_games]

Ozone, temperature, and UV are the bad guys. If you really think you need to buy early, just store them in the back of your hall closet. 

And RV companies recommend that you change the tires every five years (I believe), no matter if you've put any miles on them or not.

[ZG]

I put mine in garbage bags in the basement.  Every once in awhile I go down and give them a sniff to make sure they're still fresh, though.

 
 
Love it, awesome Jim!!

[cablebandit]

I have been told by people who are knowledgeable about tires that you can store them for at least a year before it is a concern. I claim no expertise in this area, just passing on what I have been told. I was told most of the time degredation becomes a factor is on leftover stock that has been sitting in a warehouse for a couple of years. The pr3's are too new for that to be an issue.

I could buy 4 rears at a time and not worry about storing them more a year.   

[Jeremy Mitchell]

I could buy 4 rears at a time and not worry about storing them more a year.   

Same here, I have my fifth rear this year on my bike now.

[wally_games]

Same here, I have my fifth rear this year on my bike now.

How many miles are you guys putting on each year?? 

[roadie]

How many miles are you guys putting on each year?? 

I know right!  I'm starting to think I drive like a lil ole lady.

[Jeremy Mitchell]

How many miles are you guys putting on each year?? 

I have ridden about 25,000 miles this year, the most I have gotten out of one tire is 6,400 miles (PR2).  They usually only last around 4,500-5,000. 

[Bagger]

I have ridden about 25,000 miles this year, the most I have gotten out of one tire is 6,400 miles (PR2).  They usually only last around 4,500-5,000.

You obviously are not just riding back and forth to work on the slab, eh.  More like twisty city.

I usually ride 12K or so a year ... but, on several bikes.  So, I change mine out at 7500 - 9000 per year ... depending on which bike, which sneakers and how the tires look.

[wally_games]

My CFO would have something to say if I were buying five sets of tires a year!