When buying a motorcycle tyre or checking one already fitted, it helps to find the manufacture date. Continental explains that a four-digit date stamp appears on one sidewall, usually near the DOT marking, though not always immediately after it. The first two digits identify the production week and the last two the year. The code tells you how long it has been since manufacture, not how far the tyre has travelled or how it was stored.
According to the manufacturer, a properly stored, unused tyre up to five years old can enter normal service where local rules allow it. Continental recommends replacing tyres more than ten years old, measured from the production date. Between those points, there is no single calendar figure that captures condition: loading, inflation, impacts, sunlight and storage all affect a tyre’s working life.
The date stamp therefore belongs alongside a physical inspection. Cracks, cuts, bulges, unusual wear, air loss or a new vibration deserve attention whatever year appears on the sidewall. Continental advises inspecting tyres routinely, at least monthly, and consulting a tyre professional about suspected damage. The code helps frame the question; the tyre’s condition and service history are needed to answer it.