17 inch Tyre availability?

[Steverino]

Thinking about a CA/SA ride and wondering if 17 inch rear tyres were difficult to find. My DRZ400S runs 18's but I planning on a 650 but the DR uses 17's. Thoughts on 17/18 availability?

Cheers Steve

[albert crutcher]

Shouldn,t be any problem in most countries,just been round all the bike shops in Panama city,they,re virtually non existant but they did have a fair selection of tyres and I actually live in Quito Ecuador and they have a good selection of tyres for most bikes,So go for it my old son!!!

[rhinoculips]

Currently in Quito at Ricardo Rocco's Moto Casa and have spent the last 3 days searching for a 150/70 R 17. A 17" this wide seems to be hard to comeby. MT60 Pirelli's upto a 140/80(approx. $103 with mounting) seem readily available and come highly recommended by Ricardo. Not sure about 18" availibility. If you need a new tire in Quito, talk to Ricardo he or his employees, Paul or German will bend over backwards to help you find what you need. They have a book full of contacts. His first suggestion for me was Tye Die, a shop that wont screw you over, but unfort. they didn't have the size I need. Talk to the owner Diego. He can usually give you a slightly better deal than usual. Another option is Racing Parts on NE corner of Av. Amazonas and 10 de Agosto(S 00*09.400', W 078*29.090). They are apparently the only option for me to get the correct OEM size 150, even if it's a Trailwing at $260! Hope to pick it up manana.

One tip, Don't think about it, DO! SA is amazing.

Rhino

PS - Go to Colombia! Its one of my fav's of the trip so far.

[albert crutcher]

You need to try Hi-performance,avenida de la prensa y Papallacta ask for the boss Tommy the Korean guy he should have that size as it,s the same size as the tyre on the back of my super moto and he said he had them a couple of months ago,give it a try!!!

[petefromberkeley]

What worked for me was contacting the HU communities and asking them where to get what you need. I got tires in Lima and Osorno, Chile this way.

[MikeS]

My BMW GS1150 has a 17" rear and the only tires I seem to be able to get are Pirelli MT60s, the last one wore out in 2000k miles.

Cheers

[motomech]

Here in Central America, one usually needs to look in the big cities to find the 17' tires for the big bikes(ie; BMW's, etc.), but with the DR you have more options. They should be available almost anywhere.

[Steverino]

Thanks everyone for your advice. Doesn't sound too difficult to source a 17 incher. Beemer 650's and the KLR would or could use the same rubber?

Cheers Steve

[MAXVERT]

We just arrived in Ushuaia after riding down from Idaho and found that 17"
rear tires for my KTM 950 were not hard to find in most major cities in
South America. Bogota, Quito, Cuenca, Lima, Santiago, Mendoza and Buenos
Aires all had tires available. We fitted Donlop D 606 s in Quito and in Mendoza
Metzler Tourance rear with a Karoo 2 front for Ruta 40. Most people wear
out their brake pads quicker than they expect so I would carry a spare set!

GO!!!!!!! MAX