Quick Opinions Needed

[hiro]

Evaluating a bike for purchase. One thing I noticed was a high pitch metallic "tinking" at idle. Anything to be concerned about? (I've been reading about cam chain tensioners.) Sounds similar to this: https://soundcloud.com/heath-taylor-4/2007-ninja-650r-odd-metallic

Also, should I get new tires immediately even if they have very low miles on them if they are 5-6 years old?

[flashesbuck]

Hard to tell from the audio, I have a newer ninja 650, and it sound similar I would say. I wouldn't be to concerned about it.... Check valve clearance and ride on. 

[hiro]

The tinking is steady at warm idle, unlike in the video. Same sound though. But then, the bike does have an extended warranty.

[Wandering Soul]

Don't know about noise issues, but google "tire date codes".  Look on your sidewalls and see when they were made.  More than two years old, replace them.  Any cracks in the sidewalls, replace them.

[hiro]

3 minutes ago, Wandering Soul said:

Don't know about noise issues, but google "tire date codes".  Look on your sidewalls and see when they were made.  More than two years old, replace them.  Any cracks in the sidewalls, replace them.

Two years? They're definitely older than that! The side walls look good. Tread is good. Rear is a little flattened in the middle at 1700 miles. Always kept in garage, so maybe that helps. I've felt the loss of traction of my car tires when they had a few years on them. Don't want that to be my only front tires losing grip!

[Wandering Soul]

Tread life is squat, read up on tires dry rotting.  What; $350 for new rubber?  What's your hide worth?

[hiro]

Just now, Isaac's Papa said:

It's a Kawasaki. It's supposed to sound like it's coming apart at idle.  

The other thing was, it was warm before I got there. I'd have to hear it start cold, I guess.

[hiro]

8 minutes ago, Wandering Soul said:

Tread life is squat, read up on tires dry rotting.  What; $350 for new rubber?  What's your hide worth?

True! I know the recommendation is to replace tires when they're approaching 6 years old, at least for cars. I replaced tires on my Ninja 300 much sooner because I didn't like the feel. I priced out a set for $227. The rear is only a 160-60-17.

[whaler]

Kawasaki air injection uses reed valves and they tick at idle, its pretty common.  The sound should go away as soon as you rev the bike. Cam chain rattle usually only makes a sound when coming off a rev when the chain unloads briefly. 

[Killer_kaw]

I would defiantly replace tires with that much age on them. There's nothing like the feel of fresh tires anyhow. In my experience with Kawasaki inline motors a little noise at idle isn't a bad thing. When they get quite its most likely in desperate need of valve adjustment. Reed valves do have a tick at idle and if it bothers you can easily be blocked off. As mentioned by Whaler cam chain noise should come in to play after spooling it up and cutting the throttle. 

[Tonik]

30 minutes ago, whaler said:

Kawasaki air injection uses reed valves and they tick at idle, its pretty common.  The sound should go away as soon as you rev the bike. Cam chain rattle usually only makes a sound when coming off a rev when the chain unloads briefly. 

This is the correct diagnosis.

[hiro]

Finally found what look like date codes. 4611 rear and 4811 front, so late November 2011. 5 1/3 years old. At least the front is 2 weeks newer??

[hiro]

This is interesting, but the road is not a track, of course.

Test results: old tyres versus new tyres

The tyre manufacturer METZELER has tested a set of motorcycle tyres aged five years and a brand new set of motorcycle tyres in racing conditions and has then compared the results. The five-year-old tyres had been stored properly. The old and the new sets of tyres were driven over a distance of 200 km and tested for 5 laps with the same motorcycle on the test run Vizola. The differences between the lap times between the old and new tyres were so minimal that there was no clear winner and that the quality difference could practically not be determined.
[Source: METZELER technology seminar 2004]

[Wandering Soul]

Lap times are secondary to the rate bones heal and skin grows back for my money.  Rubber ages; over time it dries out, and will fail.  But it's your bike and hide.  5 plus years will never be on my bikes.

[motocat12]

That test was 5 year old/stock new un-heat cycled tires.  Almost as good as new, better than old used. Different compounds would shelf age differently.

When were zzr tires first mounted on the bike.

[Fin]

The "tink" sound sounds like something is cracked or loose, not a valve clearance issue.  
At different vibration frequencies you'll notice different sounds.

As for tires,  personally, I never risk it.
Tire pressure, tread, and fluids, three things I never take for granted.
I've heard of too many people taking a high end or low end on a corner because they didn't check pressure and tread.

And with Spring rain on built up oil and gravel from the Winter is a bitch on bad tires.

[Fin]

Revzilla is running some deals on tires and shipping for what you'll be spending is free.
I went from Metzeler to Shinko on my bike.
I saved a lot of coin and am very saticfied with the quality.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle-tires

Edited March 27, 2017 by Fin

[2talltim]

3 hours ago, Fin said:

Revzilla is running some deals on tires and shipping for what you'll be spending is free.
I went from Metzeler to Shinko on my bike.
I saved a lot of coin and am very saticfied with the quality.
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle-tires

Shinko makes absolute garbage sporty tires.

[Gixxus Christ!]

yeah i switched from steak to generic cat food sandwiches for dinner and saved a lot of coin too....

[JustinNck1]

If you get the bike, I would ride it with those tires and see how they feel. If they stick and feel great, try to get some miles out of them. I just wouldn't push them first time out. 

[Fin]

23 minutes ago, CrazySkullCrusher said:

yeah i switched from steak to generic cat food sandwiches for dinner and saved a lot of coin too....

LMAO!   True that.

[Fin]

4 hours ago, 2talltim said:

Shinko makes absolute garbage sporty tires.

LOL! You make a good point about sport tires... but touring is not bad.

[JustinNck1]

I wouldn't own a Shinko for any kind of riding above cruiser pace on pavement. Maybe for a dual sport or something of that nature. I've seen enough of their street tires to know their junk. Just to save 50 or 60 bucks? No thanks, I'll take a Bridgestone, Dunlop, Pirelli, or Michelin. I have also seen enough delaminating Metzlers to stay away.

Edited March 27, 2017 by JustinNck1

[Fin]

Just now, Isaac's Papa said:

I mean...the only tire I can think of that sucks more than Shinko is Metzler. So I can see his point. 

 

[motocat12]

I went from q2 to shinko sport touring and wasn't disappointed. heavy but they last

pirelli owns metzter