I recently purchased new motorcycle tires online and I just received them and they were manufactured the end of 22 being we are nearing our way to the end of 26 the tires are almost four years old from the date of manufacture would you trust them on your bike or would you contact the dealer and ask for a new one?
Bridgestone s22 - 4 year old tires
- Thread starter ninja3
- Start date
Relax
Well-known member
Two separate issues:
1. Are 4-year-old tires safe or noticeably degraded compared to new? Watch this:
2. Should you accept 4-year-old-tires as a new order?
Personally I wouldn't if they weren't clearance-priced (assuming the S22's are still in production). But not because I don't trust them at that age, it's more for the principle. I've ridden on 10+ year old tires on the street with no problems at a sane pace. Track would be a different story. GP Bikes surprised me when a friend told me he complained about an 8-month old tire and they sent him a replacement that was within 3.
1. Are 4-year-old tires safe or noticeably degraded compared to new? Watch this:
2. Should you accept 4-year-old-tires as a new order?
Personally I wouldn't if they weren't clearance-priced (assuming the S22's are still in production). But not because I don't trust them at that age, it's more for the principle. I've ridden on 10+ year old tires on the street with no problems at a sane pace. Track would be a different story. GP Bikes surprised me when a friend told me he complained about an 8-month old tire and they sent him a replacement that was within 3.
Claire's Cycle mounted "NEW" tires on a bike I bought from them earlier this year.
Used bike, naturally needed a safety, so they mounted tires with date codes "4313" and "2613".
THESE TIRES PASSED A SAFETY INSPECTION AT CLAIRE'S CYCLE IN FENWICK, and I don't know how.
I know I'll NEVER deal with CLAIRE'S CYCLE IN FENWICK again, as long as I live.
Used bike, naturally needed a safety, so they mounted tires with date codes "4313" and "2613".
THESE TIRES PASSED A SAFETY INSPECTION AT CLAIRE'S CYCLE IN FENWICK, and I don't know how.
I know I'll NEVER deal with CLAIRE'S CYCLE IN FENWICK again, as long as I live.
I bought them from GP bikes
I bought them only because I knew they were still in Production or else I would have gone with the S23 and no I definitely did not get a clearance discount. The rear tire was manufactured last year and I was ok with that. But I appreciate your advice and I will definitely be calling GP tomorrow
Official Ontario safety regulations do not specify a maximum tire age as an automatic failure.
Kinda sad, when you think about it.
guzzirider
Well-known member
So is a 4 year old tire that has sat in a cool dark controlled environment safer than the one
that is on a bike that has sat out on the curb uncovered in the sun, heat, cold, rain & snow for 4 years?
that is on a bike that has sat out on the curb uncovered in the sun, heat, cold, rain & snow for 4 years?
I'd be upset if I paid full price for new tires and they were 4 years old. 4 year old tires are still safe, but it's more the principle of the thing than the safety concern. You should contact them and ask for a discount.
According to Michelin, motorcycle tires are good for 10 years: When Should I Change my Motorcycle Tires? | Michelin Help
According to Michelin, motorcycle tires are good for 10 years: When Should I Change my Motorcycle Tires? | Michelin Help
Nope, other inspection points keep unsafe tires off the road.
guzzirider
Well-known member
If you’re just riding on the road I would just let it go and move on. They will be more than adequate for any kind of riding you will be doing on the street. If your doing track days that’s a different story(I believe those are sport tires) , I would just go back to who installed them and see if they will give you some kind of credit down the road on a new set of tires, no reason to waste those ones.
guzzirider
Well-known member
Bizarre assumption that manufacturers make every size and style every year.
S22s are not a boutique tire. I don't think Bridgestone does a quadannual production run of those.
Update: I called GP Bikes and explained the issue. Initially, I was told that a tire’s age “doesn’t start” until it is installed. They did agree to an exchange and reasonably asked me to return the tire first.
Two days after receiving it, they shipped the replacement except they sent me back the exact same tire I had returned. I also received a call asking why I was exchanging it and was again told that the clock does not start until the tire is installed.
After several calls and follow-ups on my part, I eventually reached Sean. He was genuinely one of the nicest and most helpful people I have dealt with at GP Bikes, and the first person who actually followed up when he said he would.
Sean explained that the only other S22 available was older than the one I already had. Before I initially ordered them I did make sure they were still in production For context, the matching rear tire they had sent me was manufactured in 2025, which I was completely happy with. He offered to order another S22 from a different supplier, but understandably could not guarantee its manufacture date and agreed such an old tire should have never been sent out.
We discussed returning both tires and upgrading to the newer S23. With GP’s price match against Pete’s, the difference was only a few dollars. I probably should have researched that option from the beginning, but I have liked the S22 and have already gone through several sets.
They had a 2025 front S23 in stock but needed to order the rear. I asked Sean what he recommended and whether switching to the S23 would simply save time for everyone. After speaking with his supervisors, GP Bikes agreed to upgrade me to the S23 at no additional cost. I truly do have to thank Sean for going above and beyond because I’ve had so many different experiences with GP……but Sean really went above and beyond.
I’m shocked there is no provincial standard for the age of a tire when going for a safety specially on a motorcycle that’s the most important piece of the bike.
Two days after receiving it, they shipped the replacement except they sent me back the exact same tire I had returned. I also received a call asking why I was exchanging it and was again told that the clock does not start until the tire is installed.
After several calls and follow-ups on my part, I eventually reached Sean. He was genuinely one of the nicest and most helpful people I have dealt with at GP Bikes, and the first person who actually followed up when he said he would.
Sean explained that the only other S22 available was older than the one I already had. Before I initially ordered them I did make sure they were still in production For context, the matching rear tire they had sent me was manufactured in 2025, which I was completely happy with. He offered to order another S22 from a different supplier, but understandably could not guarantee its manufacture date and agreed such an old tire should have never been sent out.
We discussed returning both tires and upgrading to the newer S23. With GP’s price match against Pete’s, the difference was only a few dollars. I probably should have researched that option from the beginning, but I have liked the S22 and have already gone through several sets.
They had a 2025 front S23 in stock but needed to order the rear. I asked Sean what he recommended and whether switching to the S23 would simply save time for everyone. After speaking with his supervisors, GP Bikes agreed to upgrade me to the S23 at no additional cost. I truly do have to thank Sean for going above and beyond because I’ve had so many different experiences with GP……but Sean really went above and beyond.
I’m shocked there is no provincial standard for the age of a tire when going for a safety specially on a motorcycle that’s the most important piece of the bike.
