old tires

My son-in-law needed a new tire for the front. He went to a local dealership with the front wheel to purchase a new tire and have it mounted & balanced. I went along to look at the new bikes, glad I went with him.
The guy at the parts counter said that they only had one 19" tire in stock because they don't sell many. He said the tire was old but in good shape. 8O
That's when I asked, just how old are we talking? Date code: 2003! By this time the manager had walked up and tried to assure us that the tire was in great shape. He said, This tire has been kept in a climate controlled building and wouldn't be the same as buying a tire of this age in a hot warehouse.

Are you kidding me! That's when I said no fricking way. I told him if he thought it was ok, then he could put it on his bike. Then told them to order us a new tire. The manager shut up and walked away. If I hadn't wasted some time and fuel and wanted to waste more, I would have gone somewhere else. We will never go there again. I just couldn't fathom a manager trying to push off a tire that was 9 years old as anew and trustworthy product.
So if your in the Olive Branch (Desoto County) area of Mississippi, Don't go to Olive Branch Yamaha/Suzuki. :evil:

 

He is correct in what he said "if" it was kept in a climate controlled building but It still wouldn't be as good as recently built tyre

 

I would expect that tire to start cracking in a month or two. I could see risking it on the rear maybe (although I wouldn't), but definitely not the front. The manager knew that he was doing wrong, that's why he left so soon after I spoke up.