Cape Town to Shanghai
 

We are currently riding from Cape Town to Shanghai on two KTM 990 Adventure and raising funds for Autism Research Trust & Half the Sky charities.
Our website is www.bigbiketrip.net

Now in Lusaka, Zambia.

We have a couple of issues and welcome advice from members.

We are looking for tyres in Kenya and have been seeking any supplier in Nairobi. We presently have Pirelli Scorpions on but want more off road orientated tyres for Kenya to Egypt and then we'll probably change back to Pirellis in Europe. Any ideas?

Also, we are looking for a route from Egypt to Turkey, but we are advised about riding through Syria from both our foreign offices (UK and PR China). Any ideas of routes or ferrys.

Many thanks

Rupert & Fanny:mchappy:

Pirelli Scorpions?
 

Cant help your specific questions but for your guide, you may need to be more specific about tyres. If you call a dealer in Europe and ask him for pirelli scorpions, you can get any of the below varieties of Pirelli Scorpions. All very different tyres, all called Pirelli Scorpions:

Pirelli Scorpion Sync
http://images.motorcycle-superstore....rpSyncRear.jpg

Pirelli Scorpion Trail
http://www.gmo1.com/v/vspfiles/photo...-0182pu-2T.jpg

Pirelli Scorpion MT90
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photo...MT90STRear.gif

Pirelli Scorpion MT60
https://www.ktm-parts.com/mm5/graphi...relli_MT60.jpg

Pirelli Scorpion Rally
http://www.oponeo.co.uk/img/temp/pir...-rally-2-3.PNG

Pirelli Scorpion Pro
http://www.bits4motorbikes.co.uk/Tyr...orpion-PRO.gif

Pirelli Scorpion Pro FIM
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photo...PROFIMRear.gif

Pirelli Scorpion MX
http://www.dirtbikebitz.com/images/p...FT410_tyre.jpg

There are probably a lot more too

There is a KTM dealer in Nairobi so you will be able to buy some tires that fit there. From memory, prices are high and as you can imagine selection is going to be somewhat limited. Jungle Junction also has some tires, I'd try both and see what options you have and go from there.

One thing that you may want to consider is running a knobbie tire on your front at all times. Works fine on highway and naturally offers much better traction off road. You can swap back and forth on the rear between a 50/50 tire (eg. TKC80) and a 90/10 (eg. Tourance). Or you can go with a long lasting knobbie rear which works fairly well for all conditions such as a Heindeau K60. Don't think they would have it available in Nairobi, you'd have to order from a dealer in South Africa.

Hello guys
I just put a set of Mefo tires on my 990 adventure. I think they have much better traction than the Pirelli´s
You might have a problem finding a set of those in Africa but if you do I highly recommend them.

Here is a link to a sellers page: TwistedThrottle.com : Tire: Mefo Super Explorer - rear. DOT dual-sport (150/70-18), LC8 950/990 Adventure & others - MEFO.MED23

Greetings from Iceland

Enjoy your trip

Johann