
How old can motorcycle tires be and still be safe?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and official manufacturers suggest a tire is only 100% safe to use until it turns 5-6 years old. However, some admit that a tire can be operable up to 10 years if you check it for issues annually after the 5 th year.
Do motorcycle tires last longer than car tires?
Moto tires do not last very long compared to car tires, and the faster or more aggressively one rides, the tire life is shortened proportionally. Moto tires are sold according to the expected use. Touring tires are expected to last the longest, but are the least forgiving when it comes to traction, because the harder rubber tread doesn't stick to the road as well.
How many miles can you get on a motorcycle tire?
While the tires on our cars and trucks can last for 30, 40, or even 50,000 miles, the same can’t be said for motorcycles. Many motorcyclists would consider themselves lucky to get 15,000 miles out of a tire.
How long should tires last under normal wear?
How long do tires last? Experts agree that your tires can last at least 50,000 miles in normal driving conditions,but a lot depends on your driving style.

How often should you replace motorcycle tires?
every 5-6 yearsAs with most consumables, tires have a shelf life. Motorcycle tire manufacturers advise that even if a tire has lots of remaining treads, the drying out of the tire's multiple rubber compounds means it will need replacing every 5-6 years.
How long do street motorcycle tires last?
The average motorcycle tire lasts for five years. However, some motorcycle tires might last for less than five years because of constant wear and tear or changes in weather. Your motorcycle tire might not last long because of a puncture or because it has become damaged.
How do I know when my motorcycle tires need to be replaced?
0:242:28How To Tell If You Need To Replace Your Motorcycle Tires | MC GarageYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's mark on the sidewall by a little triangular symbol in the letters T WI. If that sucker is levelMoreIt's mark on the sidewall by a little triangular symbol in the letters T WI. If that sucker is level with the surrounding trend anywhere on the tire. It's time for some fresh rubber.
Are 14 year old motorcycle tires safe?
As a rule of thumb on age – we suggest tyres should be replaced after 6 years , regardless of how many miles they have done. After 10 years they could be so hard, they may be hazardous.
How many miles do Dunlop motorcycle tires last?
Dunlop Elite 4 motorcycle tires. According to Dunlop, the Elite 4 is for riders who like to cover miles. Lots of miles. The E4 is designed to cover as much as 15,000-18,000 miles on everything from open highway to twisting back roads, in fair weather or foul.
How long do sport touring motorcycle tires last?
6000-10,000 milesDifferent models prioritize different aspects of sport-touring also, so one tire may last a fraction of the distance of another, and that's completely normal. If we're giving ballpark answers though, 6000-10,000 miles should be reasonable.
How many miles on motorcycle is too many?
For small sports bikes, 20,000 to 30,000 is on the high side. For larger bikes, 50,000 miles and up is considered high motorcycle mileage. But before you write off any models, consider that a properly maintained bike can last well past 100,000 miles!
How long do Metzeler tires last?
4-yearMost Metzeler/Pirelli tyres are covered by a standard 4-year warranty, which is probably how long the tyres will last. Still, you shouldn't be worried because Metzeler tyres generally don't see too many manufacturing defects.
How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last?
To answer the “how long do motorcycle tires last?” question, you first need to understand the factors that affect the lifespan of bike tires. These factors are widely varied and include:
How long do front tires last on a bike?
On average, the front tires on a typical sports bike should last 3700 miles. Rear tires, on the other hand, will last for around 1800 before you need to change it. Of course, your tires will only last quite as long if you maintain them well and get them checked on a regular basis.
What are the factors that determine a motorcycle tire change?
These factors include the riders pace, the setup of the suspension, the tire pressures you use , and the level of care you provide to your tires. Additional factors include tire wear patterns. Although you will be tempted to judge your tires by the tread, ...
What does it mean when your motorcycle tires are cracked?
Although the required tread might be there, the sidewalls might have cracked. This cracking is typically referred to as dry rot, and it is a clear sign that the time is ripe for you to get a tire replacement.
How deep should a tire be?
1. Tread. First of all, you should check if your tires have tread. State and federal regulations dictate that your tires must have anywhere between 1/32 and 2/32 of tread depth. That said, the middle of your tire gets into the greatest contact with road surfaces. As such, this section tends to wear out before the rest of the tire.
What causes uneven tire wear?
Over and under-inflation leads to uneven tire wear. Check your tires to see if there is any excessive wear on the sides or in the center of the tire if they are not adequately aired up.
Why do my bike tires crack?
c) Cracking. Like other parts of your bike, tires are not completely immune to the ravages of constant exposure to sunlight. In fact, if your tires have seen a good amount of sunlight, you are likely to see some cracking along the sidewalls or on the tread.
How Many Miles Do Motorcycle Tires Last?
Still, to give you an average concept of the highest motorcycle miles, we’ve come up with an estimated mileage.
How long do tires last?
Most tire manufacturers produce tires with a maximum of 6 years of warranty. This is just an average year; most of the time, you may need to replace tires before this period. Moreover, using them more than this average lifetime can be risky.
What is the role of tire treads in motorcycles?
Treads play a vital role in your motorcycle tires. They are responsible for the grip your tires have, and push away water. Thus, having wear in the tire treads is a big threat to you and your motorcycle’s life.
Why do motorcycle tires wear out?
If you ride your bike on rough roads quite frequently than a smooth road, it increases the signs of wear on tires. Sometimes your motorbike tire can puncture due to hazardous roads; thus, the lifespan of the tires reduces.
What does it mean when a tire loses pressure?
If you realize that tires are losing pressure quicker than they should, it means the bead of the tire is worn out and you’ve to change it.
How deep should a bike tire be?
Make sure you keep inspecting the threads each time you go out with your bike. Generally, tires have a legal wear limit of 2/32” (0.8 millimeters) of depth, and when you reach this limit, you’ve to replace your bike’s tires immediately.
How does friction affect bike tires?
When you ride faster, the friction with rods increases the heat on the tire. And higher heat increases the chances of thread wear rate. Also, how far you ride affects the lifespan of your bike tires.
How Long Do Tires Last in Storage?
Motorcycle tires will last longer if they are stored in the right conditions. If you’re doing that, you can expect your tires to last six to seven years, even if you’re not using them.
How long does a front tire last?
Front tire: Since the front tire does not experience a great deal of load, it can generally last approx 3,700 miles (ca. 5,955 km).
How Do I Know When I Need New Motorcycle Tires?
Another sign that you need new tires is when they develop cracks along the sidewalls or the tread due to intense sunlight exposure.
How to tell how old a motorcycle tire is?
This date is when the lifespan of a motorcycle tire begins. To find out how old a tire is, check its Tire Identification Number (TIN). The last four digits indicate the week and year of the production. For example, 1020 represents the tenth week of 2020.
Why is proper tire inflation important?
Proper inflation is crucial because incorrect inflation can cause your tires to wear rapidly. Most manufacturers include inflation ratings on rear and front tires, just like the speed ratings. Following that, rating not only optimizes performance but also improves fuel economy.
How deep should tires be?
Federal and state regulations require that tires have tread depths of between 1/32 to 2/32 inches. If your tires have hit that limit, they have already worn out, and it’s time to replace them.
Why do tires need to be high speed?
At high speed, your tires tend to produce more friction with the road, generating more heat which softens the tire’s rubber. So, while you may like the thrill of riding at top speed, if you want your tires to last, ride within the standard range.
General Motorcycle Tire Overview
Every motorcycle tire comes with a recommended pressure from the manufacturer which is designed to give the optimal balance of performance and longevity.
Cruiser and Touring Motorcycle Tires
Wondering how long cruiser motorcycle tires last or touring tires? Tires built for use on big cruisers and touring bikes are intended to withstand both the heavy weight of these machines and the long miles they’re built to ride.
Dual-Sport and Off-Road Tires
Dual-sport tires can be a mixed bag in terms of longevity, depending on the compound of their rubber and how aggressive the knobs on the tire are.
Sport and Performance Tires
Without a doubt, sport and hyper-sport tires have the shortest lifespan of any tire on the market.
How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last in Storage?
Good news for folks with a set or two of tires living in their garage, motorcycle tires benefit from an exceptionally long shelf life.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a lot of factors that play into how long motorcycle tires last.
How Many Miles Do Motorcycle Tires Last?
There isn’t a particular mileage that most tires will achieve. Each individual tire is going to have a unique lifespan depending on a wide range of different factors.
When to Replace Your Motorcycle Tires & How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last?
Knowing when to replace your motorcycle tires will keep you safe and get you most out of each tire you’re using. Waiting too long can be dangerous as it would reduce traction, offer less braking resistance, and make it slippery in wet conditions.
What does it mean when a tire sidewall is cracked?
Both of these issues need to be mediated right away. For a cracked sidewall, this is known as dry rot and happens as the tires age. It’s also possible that the tire is worn out with a square profile.
Can you change your own motorcycle tires?
Alternatively, you could change your own motorcycle tires if you have a motorcycle tire changing tool and a decent workspace. In this post, we’ll be looking at when to change your motorcycle tires and the different factors to look out for.
Do motorcycle tires need to be changed?
Just like other consumables on your motorcycle, the tires are a component that need to be regularly inspected and changed. Once you start noticing wear beyond what’s reasonable you’ll have to book a time in to your mechanic and switch them out.
Where to find the age of a tire?
When it comes to the age of the tire, this information can be found on the sidewall. You’ll be able to see when the tire was manufactured and this will help you determine whether or not it needs to be replaced.
When is it time to replace a tire?
Once the indicator bars are flush with the rest of the tire, it’s time to replace it. You wouldn’t want to keep riding too much past this point as you’re giving up a lot of grip and stability on the road.
How to know when to replace motorcycle tires?
To know when to replace the motorcycle tires, simply put a penny head-first into one of the tread grooves on the tire. Provided that the tread covers Abraham Lincoln’s head, it is not too shallow. In the United States, the acceptable tread depth is usually 2/32 of an inch. If you insert the penny and see Lincoln’s head or face, you need to replace the motorcycle tires as soon as possible.
How to tell if motorcycle tires are worn?
Another sign of wear is cracking. When the rubber is dried out and begins rotting, it will appear as cracks on the surface. This is more common in hot, dry climates and it can be a major safety concern, causing dangerous tire blowouts while you are riding. If you see cracking , you should replace the motorcycle tires as soon as you can.
Why is it so hard to generalize tire timelines?
These issues create not only uneven wear but also accelerated wear. Motorcycle maintenance is necessary for extending the life of your tires, which explains why it is hard to generalize tire timelines—each set of circumstances has a different impact.
What is the most visible area of a tire?
The most visible area of the tire is its tread pattern. Located around the exterior of the tire, the textured pattern that sits on top of the tire carcass can tell you a lot about how many miles your tires have left.
What to do if you have a punctured motorcycle tire?
When you have a punctured tire, you should always use a patch or plug-patch to fix it . Cheap plugs do not require you to take the tire off the wheel, and it is important to assess the inside of the tire before you repair a puncture. Black shavings on the inside of the tire indicate that you have had significant low-pressure wear and that you need to replace the motorcycle tire altogether.
Why do bike tires wear out faster?
External factors such as weather patterns and road conditions also play a major role. If you frequently drive on smooth pavement, your tires are going to last longer than if you ride a very coarse road daily. Sport bike tires are made of softer compounds than say a sport touring or cruiser tires, so they will tend to wear out quicker in the same environment.
Why do my tires look angular?
If you notice that your tires have lost their round shape and look more angular, it is probably because they have seen many miles. In this situation, you might try re-inflating the tires to see if you notice any changes. It is possible that the tire pressure is low and causing your tires to appear misshapen.

Factors Affecting The Number of Miles Covered by Motorcycle Tires
- The number of miles covered by motorcycle tires given above is relative. Various factors will affect the outcome, as seen below:
Signs The Tires Have Attained Maximum Mileage
- Inspecting your tires should be part of your daily routine before taking a ride. Bike tires are vulnerable to abuse and wear from road surfaces. If you run over debris or hit a pothole, pull over first to check your tires. That said, it is crucial to know when your tire has run its maximum mileage based on the conditions mentioned above. Below are the telltale signs that your tires ar…
How Long Do Motorcycle Tires Last?
- Motorcycletire mileage and lifespan go hand in hand. One translates to the other. If you ride the tire in the right conditions, the lifespan in years depends on the miles covered per day. That said, motorcycle tires can last for about five years. Because rubber is prone to aging, manufacturers advise replacing both of them after five years. If you ...
Conclusion
- If you are lucky, you can get up to 15,000 miles on motorcycle tires, but you can also destroy it completely on a single track day or with some frazzle. This is because the number of miles it coversdepends on several factors like your riding style, quality and type of the tire, weight and performance of the bike, and weather and road conditions. The age of the tires is also a very cru…