My husband and I are currently in Dakar, Senegal right now and we are working our way down the West Coast of Africa to South Africa. A couple of weeks ago we noticed a few large splits in the tire, a Michelin XZL, and need to replace it as soon as possible, as we do not feel comfortable patching it and using it for a spare for the type of conditions that we will soon encounter. Does anyone know where we can purchase this tire in West Africa? We asked the Michelin dealer in Dakar but they do not carry this tire. Any advice would be appreciated!

Firstly how bad are the cuts and where are they on the tyre ? also how old is the tyre and how much tread is left on it ?

Are they on the sidewall or tread and how long are they ? - if it is sidewall then yes maybe worth finding a new one - if they are not too long and on the tread, patch them, plug them, keep it as a spare and run it only on the rear of the vehicle.

I would have suggested Nouakchott to try and find a Michelin - but a bit too far North- I doubt you will find an XZL though in the size you require -Mainly only trucks use them in WA.



My suggestions would be:

1) Patch it up and keep as spare as mentioned.

2) to find a Bridgestone equivilant - Dueler MT 673

Bridgestone are much better represented in WA than Michelin, if you cant find what you are looking for from the locals then try:

http://www.cfaogroup.com/uk/index.htm

They MIGHT be able to help you out - and you could ask them if you could pick it up in Accra if it needs to be ordered.

2) failing that just keep an eye out for another 4x4 with a similar tyre and ask him where he got it - or buy it off him.

3) depending on how much you want an XZL - contact the Michelin dealer in Algeceras or Morocco and ask him to ship you one - rather expensive though.

Hope this helps
Grif

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

TwoTravellers....
Hi, Did you guys get anywhere with finding a tyre ? - if so let us all know!!!

Cheers
Grif

__________________
Cheers
Grif

'11 KTM 450 EXC
'09 Suzuki DR650
'00 Discovery Series 2 V8
'95 Defender 90 300 Tdi Overlander
http://gipperstravels.blogspot.ca

Gripper is correct. The tear in the side wall can be stichted and patched. Take it to a bush tyre man i.e. a local tyre man not a dealer. They will work wonders. I wouldn't worry to much. We had 3 inch gashes in our Michelin XZY but they still got us home with 80,000 km and 2 years later.

Your road speeds will be relatively low in this part of the world and as Gripper states keep thm on the rear in case of a blow out.

You can check in Accra Ghana.

www.duksjourney.net