Look on the outer sidewall for the acronym DOT, which should be followed by a series of numbers. The last four digits are what you need to determine when the tire was manufactured. The first two numbers represent the week, and the second pair indicates the year.

Can you tell how old a tire is?

To determine the age of your tires, check the last four digits of the U.S. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) number stamped on the tires sidewall contains a date code that identifies the age of your tires.

When should a motorcycle tire be replaced for age?

Any tire that is more than six years old should be replaced regardless of its wear. Younger tires that are showing signs of oxidation or that have low tread depth should also be changed out so that you can stay as safe as possible while on the road.

How old can a tire be and still be safe?

It may be tentative, but tires do have an expiration date. There is a general consensus that most tires should be inspected, if not replaced, at about six years and should be absolutely be swapped out after 10 years, regardless of how much tread they have left.