New Un-mounted tire storage

[nukeguy]

I have a little over 11,000 miles on my original D402 Dunlop tires with some mileage to go on both. I'm going to go ahead and purchase new front and rear tires (sticking with the 402's) and have them mounted in the spring of 2009. Reason why is I have the money, and no telling if tires/parts go upward in price as of 2009.

How's the best way to store new tires? Hang them up, flat on top of one another, or standing up-right? I've heard that you can ruin a new un-mounted tires from improper storage. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[HarleyCruiser]

Originally Posted by nukeguy

I have a little over 11,000 miles on my original D402 Dunlop tires with some mileage to go on both. I'm going to go ahead and purchase new front and rear tires (sticking with the 402's) and have them mounted in the spring of 2009. Reason why is I have the money, and no telling if tires/parts go upward in price as of 2009.

How's the best way to store new tires? Hang them up, flat on top of one another, or standing up-right? I've heard that you can ruin a new un-mounted tires from improper storage. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

The reason for proper tire storage before mounting is so the tire seals easily.
If you hang the tire, it will have a area that is pulled or flattened depending if you run a rope through it or a hook on it, so no.
If you lay the tire flat then it will be squished flat, especially if you stack others on it, so no.
Best way is to stand the tire up, and rotate it every once in a while. This will spread the beads apart, and help seat the tire.
I have hear people who use sticks in between the beads to spread the beads while storing but never done that.
Think it would just cause high spots.
Also a good idea to put the tire in the sun for a day or so to soften it and relax the flat condition that it has been stored, shipped in.
So yes store the tire standing up.
Also want to use a good tire mounting lubrication, this will help seat the tire.

[Purple Springs]

Call Dunlop, They usually are pretty good about giving info.

[hardtimeharley]

One of the points of buying cycle tires that always seems to be important is age (date code). I always try to buy the "freshest" tires I can. Storing would negate that.

[shortride]

I've seen tires with serial number that indicate the tire were well over a year old before being mounted. I don't know about now but several years ago, the manufacturer would tell you how old a tire was if you gave them the serial numbers. The reason I say this because I bought a set of tire once and it was almost 9 months before I was ready to mount them when I notice cracks in the bead area of one tire.

I would imagine most warehouse facilities store their tires upright and side by side.