Just want some opinions on this. Would you buy 3 year old race tires assuming they were stored in proper condition, they are barely used (still have 80% or more life), and they're cheap (like 50% of brand new or less)?
Now you are just being a negative Nancy. Lol. Granted, they are used and I hope he would get them for very cheap. There is nothing wrong with running 3 year old tires period. I mean unless the things are coming apart already. Then that is just lame. But without pictures and the op is pretty smart, I would venture to say the the tires are decent enough for him to ask about it in the first place. I've never seen someone crash at the track because of tire failure, I have seen tons of crashes due to rider error though. However,most inexperienced will always blame the tires first. Poor tires, they don't even have a voice and can not even defend them selfs. #blacktiresmatter, #tracktiresmatter, #usedtracktiresmatter, #3yearoldtracktiresneedlovetooI too love missing sessions because someone wrecked their shit around a turn and it takes them 30 minuets to clear the track. :bigthumb:
That's the thing. How are you to know where they've been stored for 3 years? I will say that yes, if they're stored somewhere they don't get direct sunlight and stay at a consistent 70 degrees 100% of the time I'd consider it.I was told the shelf life of most race tires is 4-5 years if stored in a proper environment, without ever being used. But not really sure what happens if they're used a bit.
I guess it comes down to your pace, and how comfortable you are at it. In your case, you know how the tire was stored and used. That is not a given when buying older tires from someone else.Out of curiosity, I just went out to the trailer and looked at the date of manufacturing for the current front tire I have on my CBR500....Feb 2014. So I've been riding on a 2 and a half year old tire, and last month when I ran it, I shaved 2 seconds off my best time at my local track lol. That tire was on my zx6r before, and it's the same tire that my zx6r came with when I bought it early this year, so I know that tire has had some days on it and a solid 10-12 heat cycles I bet by now.
This makes me really want to work for a tire company now to find out some scientific facts about some of this stuff. Damn you Michelin for not hiring me 2 years ago when I interviewed there!!!
That is what would concern me, not necessarily the age of the tires. I know someone who uses their spare wheels with rains mounted to hold down his ez up. All day those rains sit out there and bake in the sun... if you are buying take offs from some random person you are putting a lot of trust in them telling the truth about the history of those tires. Incidentally that same person went down because of running takeoffs that apparently at one point got soaked in oil, probably from a filter blowing out or a crash.In your case, you know how the tire was stored and used. That is not a given when buying older tires from someone else.
lMAOI would buy them and sell them on craigslist as new![]()
Two years with proper storage. One year is optimal for racing. Source: suspension guy JPH suspensionI was told the shelf life of most race tires is 4-5 years if stored in a proper environment, without ever being used. But not really sure what happens if they're used a bit.
I wouldn't even worry about heat cycles unless you are running MOTOGP record timesI'd be more concerned about if the tires are out of heat cycles. I would check with the manufacturer to see if those tires have a limited number of heat cycles before they degrade.
LOL, if you're running MotoGP lap times, you sure as shit don't have to worry about heat cycles. The tires will only last you about 20 laps at that point anyway.I wouldn't even worry about heat cycles unless you are running MOTOGP record times
Not sure what CMSP is but I doubt they know better than the manufacturers. Keep in mind, like with most things, degradation occurs over time. In other words, whether they say it's 2 years or 5 years, it doesn't mean that up to that point everything is fine, and then as soon as it goes over it's crap. A 1-day old tire is better than a 1 year old, which is better than a 2-year old, which is better than 3, and 4 and so on. I've talked to some really fast guys who have ridden on race tires that are 3-4 years old and they said it's fine but don't expect to get the most grip. They won't be like a brand new tire. If you want to be competitive in a MotoAmerica race, an old tire isn't going to get you there, but for track days, they might be fine depending on your pace. There is a reason why some of the really fast guys that fight for wins in national races change out their tires after 1 race. Even though it might still have 80% life, they're not getting the same amount of grip of a new one and that might cost them half a second a lap. For most of us, that's not a big deal, but when you're trying to win races, that could be the difference between winning and getting 3rd or 4th.Maybe. Even the CMSP safety program teaches 2 years for Sportbike tires.