I picked up a nail that wrote off a brand new £100 tyre after just ten miles.

Unfortunately these things happen. We just try to avoid them.

After speaking to Pirelli it turns out I have been sold a set of tires that are 5 years old. Possible degassed. Pirelli have offered to swap them over for new ones.

Not the cause of the slip in my opinion, but nevertheless.

Kind of makes me wonder about the guys and gals riding around on the original tires on their 1980's vintage scooters...

I guess it's all good as long as you can't see the air. (That was our safety philosophy when I was a broke kid, anyway)

It's odd, because in most countries there is no law that states how long a tire can be sat on the shelve, despite some manufacturers giving a life span of 5-6 years and others 10.

I guess when you buy a new set check the date on the sidewall. usually four numbers,the fist indicates the week on manufacture and the second two digits the year.