Do I need to change them? They look like they are in great condition.

 

They are 9yrs old and the only thing that keeps you going down the road safely. Change them.

 

Change them. Old rubber is slippery, and slippery is dangerous!

 

Change them, tires are a critical safety component of your bike. Besides older tires becoming harder as they age, the improvements in tire technology over nine years is significant. The life you save may be your own....

 

Do a burnout on it before you change it

 

Shine a light in the fuel tank, make sure there is no rust floating around in there.. that could clog up your fuel pump, fuel regulator and injectors.

 

^

 

What do I do if there is rust? How do I get it out?

 

Change them man, it's not worth the risk honestly. You can find really good prices on tires on the web too. I picked up a set of continental contimotions for around $170 shipped to my door, should be as cheap if not cheaper for your bike since the rear tire isn't as wide.

 

Dump out whatever fuel is left in the tank, DO NOT run the engine until you get that rust taken care of.

Either you find a used tank that is not rusty inside, or take the tank off to get it sand/bead blasted and then coated with KREEM, 2 layers better than 1.