Tyre availability - 19" or 21"?
 

Hi All,
I've been reading posts on this forum for a few months now and find it a great help in planning my RTW trip.
I recently purchased a BMW F650GS for this trip but am unsure of the availability of 19" front tyres in Central/South America and Asia. I chose the GS over the Dakar as I am 5'4". Now is the time to fit a 21" front wheel if that is a better option.
Any advice?

Don't know about South America, but in Asia 19" tyres are easier to get hold of than 21". Even then, you'll probably only get them in western Turkey, Tehran (BMW bike dealer), Delhi/Mumbai (but you'll have to hunt them down) and Bangkok.

Harvey

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no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org

Hi Spangler,
Good planning is the secret. A set of new tires will last you from London to Singapore, or from London to Capetown, or from the US to Venezuela, and from there to Buenos Aires or Santiago. So forget about putting 21" on the front, unless you want to do extensive Sahara touring. Michelin Desserts only come in 21" front, but you can improvise, use a 19" rear and shave it down to fit between the fork. I advise against carrying a spare. It's a pain in the butt loading and unloading it every day. If you're really in bad trouble, e.g. total write-off, you can have one shipped to anywhere in the world by DHL, expensive, but at least possible. Have fun with the logistics!

Thanks for your replies guys. I think We'll leave home on part worn tyres and pick up a new set in Turkey. We're planning on a big loop of India so this new set should last us to Bangkok.I'll leave the 19" wheel in the front which means I now have a final list of mods for the bikes. http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Cheers