London to Vladivostok - tyre advice please
 

At the end of May my wife and I are riding two old BMW's across Europe, approx 18000 km's. The big question is do I need to carry spare tyres or can I get some along the way.

Does anyone know that last place that I could confidently know where I could buy tyres after Germany? Also from the Lake Baykal area in Russia what tryes would be best for some heavily loaded BMW's (R80 GS and R100 GS)

Any help would be appreciated.

Ken
kenandtoni.com

I left Germany with Metzler Tourance on my R 100 GS last summer and would do it again: 90% tarmac, most of it good with few potholes. Very good gravel roads between Chita to Khabarovsk, so no need for knobbies.

If you stick to the speed limits (strongly advised because of speed traps), the tires will last very long: I changed tires in Ulan Bataar after > 22000 km (zigzagged around on my way to Mongolia): front tire was done, but rear tire still had around 2 mm.

Last opportunity to buy tires before Vladivostok is Novosibirsk, I posted the GPS-coordinates somewhere here on HUB. No choice of tires though, especially for 17" and 21" tires.

Cheers

Lars

PS: Should add that I did use knobbies (TKC 80) from Ulan Bataar to Vladivostok (so including on the Chita to Khabarovsk-part). But I still think you would not need them.

Tyre advice
 

Thanks Lars

I was just about to buy some TKC 80s to carry from London. I may take the chance and go without. If we break down it would only take FEDEX a few days to get us a set. Better than carrying all the way.

Ken
kenandtoni.com