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Should I change tyres before leaving Uk?? Should I change tyres before leaving Uk??
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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon



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  #1  
Old 17 Mar 2009
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Should I change tyres before leaving Uk??
Hi I will be leaving Uk end of june towards Australia. Now I am in dilemma about tyres my stock GS tyres has done about 6000 miles .

I am trying to figure out how far I can get with these tyres before having to change them on route. The idea is to bring a set of TCK80 with me .

Now the question:

1) should I just change to a set of new tyres before leaving and bring another pair with me and save my self the headache.

2) Se how far my existing tyres will take me and change to a set of new ones on the route (in Almaty) .

My existing tyres looks fine even though they have done 6000miles.

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  #2  
Old 17 Mar 2009
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Hi, I would suggest changing to your new tyres, and carry your old ones as spares, that way you'll only be buying one set for the time being.

And you'll have one less thing to worry about on your long haul.

I haven't done a major trip yet, other than 2700km in 6 days. (Does that count???)

Have a good one.
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  #3  
Old 17 Mar 2009
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Thanks that sounds easier and will probably save me a few quid .

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Old 17 Mar 2009
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I'd carry your new tyres with you then change them en-route when your old ones wear out. (Unless you think you can buy a replavcement set on the road). This way you spend the minimum amount of time lugging around a spare set of tyres, which are a very heavy and bulky item on a bike.

Personally I wouldn't carry spares with me, I'd buy en route.

Matt
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Old 17 Mar 2009
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You're right Matt, I didn't think of that.
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Old 17 Mar 2009
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Well now I am confused hehehe. My main fear is to push it to far end up in the middle of nomanlands in Kazakhstan with nowere to change the tyres ?

or am I to paranoid???
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  #7  
Old 17 Mar 2009
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Buy your replacements on the way, but do a bit of research as to the furthest place you can get to with a reliable tyre dealership. Certainly buy them before entering Khazakstan or they'll cost a bomb having them UPS'd to ya.

Enjoy the ride
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Old 18 Mar 2009
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Carrying spare tires
There is one more factor involved in this dilemma. The hardcore overlander status you get with a pair of tires strapped on top of all your gear. This was a great talking point, you are not going to avoid drawing a crowd whereever you are, so you might as well make the most of it. I used a steel wire loop and padlock to secure the tires, no problems. The idea to set out on used tires, and change on tour is smart. If you have to have rubber sent out by courier, that is expensive, and there will probably be some import duties and/or baksheesh, and a lot of time wasted in offices. I plasticstripped the tires together, and used the inside of the tube for storing small stuff, raintrousers etc. I have never had such a practical storage space for bananas on a bike before, though this is probably not the most important reason for carrying 10 kilos of rubber on top of your load, which must have a negative effect on handling.
Whatever you do, safe journey.
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Old 18 Mar 2009
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When I rode from the UK to South Africa I set off on my Tourance tyres and changed to TKC80s in Turkey, at a shop found for me by the local community guys. Give them a shout. Ride safe.

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  #10  
Old 18 Mar 2009
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Tyre-d
Have you looked at other tyres besides the conties?
I ran some Heidenau k60's on a GS and 6-8 k miles would be what you'd get out of them.
A mate on a GS wore tkc's out in under 3k.
Mind you, I have seen a few posts where folks say otherwise about the life of the conti!!
Tyre Report.....Heidenau K60 Tyres on R1200GS | BMW Motorcycle Club Cape
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Old 19 Mar 2009
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Hi Kebabtomten - If you're riding all the way to Australia then you're going to need more than one set of new tyres anyway, so even if you buy a spare set now, you're still going to have to find another set somewhere down the line?

Personally I would ride across Europe on what you've got (unless you're planning of doing a lot of off-road riding in Europe too), then buy and fit some TKCs in an EU country before you hit the boonies... then replace them with whatever you can get, whenever those wear out... sure if you get a good price on the TKCs in southern/eastern Europe it might be worth taking a second set across the 'Stans with you, but I would say it's unnecessary weight and bulk - particularly on this first (European) leg?

xxx
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Old 19 Mar 2009
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Thanks for the great tips guys. I have decided to ride out on new set of tkc80 ,keep my old ones at home and take a spare with me . If I manage on on set of tyres from Uk to Pakistan or India I will be delighted.

As this is my first crazy trip I want to be to safe then to sorry .

cheers guys
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Old 19 Mar 2009
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For info, I got a little over 5000 miles from a rear TKC80, used almost exclusively on tarmac... for mixed riding I'd say it would be shot by around 4000 miles...

(this is on a Yamaha Tenere with a cush-drive rear hub)

Not sure how they fair on a big BMW, but it seems a waste to half wear out your new tyres on the (presumably tarmac) leg across Europe?

xxx
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Old 19 Mar 2009
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Well that is true , Ideally I would like to drive on my existing stock GS and change them in Ukraine or Russia . But I have searched everywere but can not find a thread about a repair shop in eihter country.

BMW supposed to have a shop in Ukraine but have not figured out were probably in kiev ?? This would be ideal then I would spare the Offroad tyres and have brand spanking new tyres for kazakstan.

So if any one knows about a shop in unkraine or russin between Volgograd oand Astrakan let me now . But meanwhile I am back to zero as I have found about a new set of Tyres MEtzler Tourance , will chekc that out .

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Old 19 Mar 2009
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Your keeping the bike after the trip right ????

Change them just before you go and then buy new ones on route.. Carrying tyres is a NIGHTMARE !

You can then use the ones you got now at a later date when you get home.
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