Modern Vespa

New member 2004 GT200

I have original tires with 2000 miles.
Tread is good on both front and rear.

Being tires ate 14 years old, should I replace them.

Thanks

Welcome to MV!

Hint, we love scooter pics and ride reports.

Tires start to break down and become brittle over time, even if you can't see the evidence. When I got my '13 GTS 300ie in March, she received a new set less than 24 hours after bringing her home.

2000 miles in 14 years? I think you need to ride more!

Ride on down to Atlantic Cycle in Melbourne and buy a pair of Michelin City Grips or Power Pures. Then ride 50 miles a week!

Absolutely

Ummmmm definitely change them...

If it was my bike, I wouldn't.

In general, tire manufacturers suggest a 10-year lifespan for tires regardless of miles.
Other than that, it sort of depends on your risk tolerance.

Most of us here would say yes, you should change the tires.

Some folks are rather more risk tolerant. They go on long, coast to coast rides about once every couple years or so. Ask them how many spare parts (including tires) they bring along.

In addition to wearing a helmet, body armor, and gloves, good tires
might be your best option. The earlier mentioned items are for after
the crash. Good tires are before the crash.

Hey, spend the money - you are worth it.

Be safe and enjoy the thrill of these great machines.

Bob Copeland
Minnesota

Thanks for all the replies.
Recently retired - so that's the reason for such little use I've rrhe years.
Living in Florida now, more rides for sure.
Taking to shop for new tires and whatever.
Till next time.

Atlantic Cycle... ask for John!

It's a Vespa, Retired person, Florida... Now if you change that to Hayabusa, Squid and the Dragon, my answer is going to be different. There's just nothing about that scenerio that said to me these tires are going to be a problem.
The way I've seen the gotta get rid of the old tires right away story end with an accident is that the new bike owner trailers the bike down to the shop to get the old tires of death off the bike ASAP, gets brand new tires, and the bike slides out from under him turning out of the parking lot of the dealership, because he didn't know new tires are a bit slick until you get the mold release off. I've seen at least three variations of this story that I remember, including one that didn't even make it out of the parking lot, and I can't remember an old tire blown story except for the time in the 1970s my cousin got hold of some used tires that were so old they were cracked and bubbles formed on the sides when you aired them up, so he set out to see if he could make them blow out. We were teenagers and we did a lot of dumb things.
So based solely on my observations at various dealerships and seeing people do a lot of really dumb things, I think the odds are greater that you will have an accident if you change the tires right away than if you ride the bike until you need new tires. Unless it's an R-1 and you're going to a track day. But that doesn't sound likely here.

Good point about new tires. When I picked up my BV 350, the dealer made a point of reminding me that the tires were new and would be a bit "slick" until I put some miles on them. Needless to say, I didn't try to push any limits on my ride home.

its become clear to me about why dealerships caution riders with new tires...lol.

On the opposite end of the spectrum... fast racers typically "scrub" new tires with a single lap between races. Usually to wear the labels/glue off. Cause the tire warmers will smoke the adhesive if you remove the stickers prior to heating them. If you ask a tire vendor for one that can run more laps without wearing... the funny ones will wrap your new tire in duct tape telling you to take it easy breaking the tires in.

when I install new tires for customers, they don't get a choice I always road test for 10 miles or so and scrub them before they ride it.

I'm not one to fret and certainly don't expend any undue brainpower worrying about things I can't control, but this scares the hell out of me. I am very much of the opinion that as a PTW rider, tires are one of my most important pieces of safety gear. Maybe it's just where I live, but having a flat is bad enough in a 70+ MPH three-lane one-way highway enclosed on both sides by concrete jersey wall (very few places to safely pull-off/wait). That 3 lane stretch of road is then sandwiched between 10 more high-speed lanes (5 on each side). It is ZERO fun being an immobile squishy object hugging a waist-high jersey wall by a disabled two-wheeler trying not to get dead with 70+MPH distracted-cagers zooming both directions all around you.

I show my tires respect for the job they do...keeping my fat arse moving with traffic instead of making me an obstacle to be avoided.

Very glad to read you are changing your tires. At best, a flat will annoy and cost money for a tow. At worst? I know I'd rather not be the guy who finds out just how bad things can get...and how quickly.

I'm anal about my tires. IMHO we only have 2 of them and having them in good order is paramount. Front tire never wears out, so i change it every 4--5yrs. I also put good quality tires on him. Heidenau or Michelins. At 14yrs your WAY past due and your lucky that haven't gone flat. Nothing worse than having a tire go at speed.

Look at the date code as the tires may be more than 14 yrs old. Tires do degrade over time as the rubber is exposed UV, pollution, etc. and the issues may not be clearly evident. I had some travel trailer tires that were 5 years old with about 10-15k miles on them and when I had them changed they had some blistering on the inside of the tire.

Appreciate all the responses.
New tires are being put on at shop this week.

Very smart move. After all it's only your life!

As this is the ONLY thing touching the road, it's smart! Safe riding.

Well dont you think it would even more life preserving to keep it parked with the old tires and not ride at all?

cue: Must gingerly break in new tires crowd in 3, 2, 1...lol