Michelin City Grip new tires made 12 years ago

So I am new here . Hello!  I have a 2012 Goldwing and now proud owner of 2003 Silverwing. Going to commute on it instead of GW every day.

Bought two new City Grip tires off of Amazon. $135.00 total price.

Received them today. Born on dates are 2009 and 2019. Are these ok to mount or should I try to TRD turn them? Especially 2009 . One is a City Grip and other is a City Grip 2. Thanks for any advice. D

1st greeting from o-HI-o enjoy the site and the help. 2009 no way back it goes the 2019 could stay if you plan on riding a lot and using it up.

Yeah, looks like they shystered you the stale donuts. Shame on them.

BTW I move this first post of yours to the Introduction section.

Welcome! I would pass on the 2009 tire for sure. I just replaced a front tire that had tread but was 8 years old and had a few sidewall scuffs. Good luck.

Welcome aboard the board Dabutcher.  

The tire stamped 2019 should be fine and it would be within an acceptable age to be considered new.  However, the 2009 dated tire ... absolutely not!  
Contact the Seller immediately and demand a fresh tire be shipped to you.

Also, ask for a preauthorized return slip for the 2009 model that you'll return to them or offer to recycle it for them locally if they don't want to pay the return trip for it.  

Tire manufacturers typically recommend replacing tires that are 6+ years old regardless of mileage.  I'm guessing there might be a law or regulation prohibiting selling tires that are 10 years old.  If they give you any grief, you might want to suggest to them that you could contact the DOT, where they are based, and ask their expert opinion.  That should spur some action from the seller.  

If you pay for new ... you should get new unless they were advertised as NOS (new old stock) in which case, you may have a dispute on your hands.

Welcome aboard Dabutcher to the BEST SWing site on the net.
I wouldn't keep the older tire either. Amazon does have a pretty good return policy so you could also check with them if you don't get any satisfaction from the seller.

Contacted Amazon and the third party seller said they made a mistake and will refund me for that tire.
Thank you. D

Bottom is City Grip and top is City Grip 2

It's interesting reading about views on old tyres and changing them. It's also the first time I've read about someone buying a set of scooter tyres from Amazon, rather than dealerships or tyre specialists. 

I wonder how tyre replacement works for the Darksiders on here. They like to boast about the 40-45k they get from their Plong Fung or whatever obscure Asian brand car tyres they use on their rear wheel

Given that a lot of Darksiders only come out to play in the 'riding season, even if they're clocking up a quite respectable 5k in the dryer, warmer months, that tyre will be 8 to 9 years old before it's clocked up 40-45k and needs changing.

Dabutcher wrote:

Contacted Amazon and the third party seller said they made a mistake and will refund me for that tire. Thank you. D

Glad to hear they are going to make it right ... as they should.

My new to me 2003 Swing is rockin the original Dunlop’s as far as I can tell? I road it home over 120 miles with those old tires. 2009 new tire doesn’t seem so bad? Even topped it out at 120 mph.
Who does everyone buy from? I have a new rear City Grip 2 and am looking to buy a 130/70/14 City Grip 2 for the front? Thanks. Love yours. D

I would never order tires off the internet. Not saying its terrible because lots of people do it. But I know so many people who get blemish or old-stock tires, then have to mess around with the online seller and hope for the best. Last thing. Most shops will not honor the tire warranty when they install online tires because they didn't order them from their vendor of choice. I had a Dunlop on my old Helix have a issue. I ordered the tire thru the dealership and had them install it (wheel off scooter) and they stood behind it 100%. If it was a tire from someone else I would have been on my own. Hope the vendor doesn't give you a hard time.

I've always found it far simpler to order tyres from a trusted dealership, ride the scooter to the workshop and let them do the job. I always mention that there's sealant in the tyres when I check the scooter in, and a hour or so later I ride away on fresh balanced tyres. It's then up to me toThe fitting charge is minimal.

I order OEM tires from Honda (IRC's) my parts manager at the selling dealer suggested that. Price is fantastic and they install and everyone is happy. Of course if you are not a fan of IRC (I am) that won't work. My new front tire installed last week was $67 bucks USD.

BTW my SWing has never had anything but IRC tires on it.

Meldrew wrote:

I've always found it far simpler to order tyres from a trusted dealership, ride the scooter to the workshop and let them do the job. I always mention that there's sealant in the tyres when I check the scooter in, and a hour or so later I ride away on fresh balanced tyres. It's then up to me toThe fitting charge is minimal.

Trusted dealership is the catch, when you find it don't let it go. My tires are done by a private one man show guy, buy from him mounting and balancing included. When I was doing my own on my G'Wing I bought from a area dealer, never had a problem with getting old tires from them.

What can happen using the 11 year old tire? The tires I am replacing are 18 years old with no dry rot.
Thanks. D

As tyres age they harden and loose grip.
At only £100 a pair (what's that? $140) I wouldn't even consider running old tyres, but that's just me and I do too many miles for tyre age to ever become a problem.
Its like helmets I guess, what price do you put on your own safety?

What this thread has made me think about though is the spare wheel in my car. How old is that?

What this thread has made me think about though is the spare wheel in my car. How old is that?

I know how old mine is, at least since 1999 or more, never put into use. I took it down ( mounted under the truck ) cleaned the rim and aired it back up, it' probably will be there when the truck finds a new home.

Dabutcher wrote:

My new to me 2003 Swing is rockin the original Dunlop’s as far as I can tell? I road it home over 120 miles with those old tires. 2009 new tire doesn’t seem so bad? Even topped it out at 120 mph.
Who does everyone buy from? I have a new rear City Grip 2 and am looking to buy a 130/70/14 City Grip 2 for the front? Thanks. Love yours. D

Come on man. SW tops out at 105 MPH. You must have the fastest SW on the planet. Engine is pegged at 105- 8500 RPM. Enjoy new ride.

Come on man. SW tops out at 105 MPH. You must have the fastest SW on the planet. Engine is pegged at 105- 8500 RPM. Enjoy new ride.


Just trying to stir the pot.

Thanks for all the help. D

Dabutcher wrote:

My new to me 2003 Swing is rockin the original Dunlop’s as far as I can tell? I road it home over 120 miles with those old tires. 2009 new tire doesn’t seem so bad? Even topped it out at 120 mph.

Yes mate of course you did, very impressive, first time out on a Silver Wing, and in winter too.

Meldrew wrote:

Dabutcher wrote:

My new to me 2003 Swing is rockin the original Dunlop’s as far as I can tell? I road it home over 120 miles with those old tires. 2009 new tire doesn’t seem so bad? Even topped it out at 120 mph.

Yes mate of course you did, very impressive, first time out on a Silver Wing, and in winter too.

Haha! I wondered about that one as mine is governed at 105!

Dabutcher wrote:

My new to me 2003 Swing is rockin the original Dunlop’s as far as I can tell? I road it home over 120 miles with those old tires. 2009 new tire doesn’t seem so bad? Even topped it out at 120 mph. (Snip)

We’ll try not to hold that first post against you.

I've seen RV owners put covers on their tires - prevents dry rot while they sit around unused for years.
However, they also have 4 tires and support at the hitch so if one blows they have a chance of pulling over. If a tire blows on a scooter....
I've always heard 6 years is the safety limit but also watch for dry rot if you have lots of UV. It's good they refunded your $$. The tires tread look good to me.