Buy a new rear tire for a V-Strom 650 in Lima; or Cuzco, or La Paz Bolivia?
 

Hi folks:

Writing to you from Lima, Peru. I'm trying to decide whether to replace my rear tire here in Lima, Cuzco, or La Paz. There is a Shinko 705 for my Strom here for 326 soles = $125 available here in Lima.

Notes:
* I haven't hit the wear bars yet, but I'm close. Had this bad boy on the bike since Antigua, Guatemala.
* 1-2mm at the most worn sections.... 6-7mm at the least worn sections.
* If I go to Cuzco, it's another 1100km
* If I go to La Paz, it's another 1100km + 672km = 1872km
* Here are some photos of the tire:

http://i.imgur.com/J0mo5.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/k7xSV.jpg

Would you:
1) Replace the tire here in Lima?
2) Head to Cuzco and try to find a tire there?
3) Same for La Paz?
4) Other idea?

Many thanks in advance. I have only replaced the tires twice in my bike in San Diego and in Guatemala, and I'm eager for good rules of thumb for when a tire needs to be replaced, especially considering the difficulties of finding the right sized tire in other countries. I'm thinking the Shinko 705 should be a good choice for Bolivia... it served me pretty well through Guatemala.

You should be able to get a rear tyre at any BMW shop, if they have them in stock, they are the same size both front and back.

A tyre in the hand is worth two in the bush, change it now as the roads get worse in some parts down south, just my 2 cents worth

Cheers
TS

Hi!

I would't bet on the BMW dealer in La Paz! No Chance to get gearbox or engine oil there 4 month ago..

Buy a tyre in Lima if possible and carry it until you need it..

We carry 4 tyres since Cali and will carry them at least to Cusco.


Werner and Claudia from Trujillo:scooter:

I would recommend the same, just replaced mine in Santiago, Chile with a Tourance, but they also sell michelin there. On this trip I'm doing one front tyre to every two back, Am down to my last pack of UltraSeal. Has anyone seen that down here. Only seen Slime.

The Suzuki dealer in Lima is first rate. I would not wait for the other places. Dave

Hey everyone; thanks for your advice! I took your advice and bought the tire at Barbacci Motors and have been carrying it on the road to Cusco since. First time carrying a tire in addition to my regular gear. These things don't pack very well at all! But I do feel way better knowing I can replace the tire anytime I like.

Thanks again!

Tires for BMW F800GS & R1200GS in Lima Peru
 

Just to update the information on this thread I was able to pick up two 150/70-17 tires from Barbacci Motors in Lima. The tires were in stock and reasonably priced at $115 each for Shinko. They had premium brands too but more street bias. The tires are the same as the Vstrom so they stock them.

Good people and fair pricing. The store is in a good area of town too with bike parking in front of the store.

Barbacci - Los especialistas de la Moto.

Address: Av. Petit Thouars 4324 - Miraflores, Peru