Best Tyres for S America?
 

'88 R100GS, 2 up, fully loaded.

Planning a 6 month tour of S America and would like some advice on best tyres. First trip like this so not too sure what to expect terrain wise.

I understand you can stick to fairly decent roads but I would like the capability to go off road (as much as you can fully loaded & 2 up), as off the beaten track appeals.

I only intend to take one pair of tyres (i.e. no spares)

Anybody got any tips.

Thanks in advance.

Nick

I am in South America now with a 650 Dakar on TKC80. They are perfect for the long ripio stretches of the south and good on tarmac. Not sure how long they will last !

On a long trip you will have to change tyres and then its a case of beggars can't be choosers. LOts of Brasil made Pirellis around. I decided to start on a decent set and take it as it comes.

So, TKC80 definately. Search here and you will get other recomendations like T66 and Trailwings.

Good luck

Dave

I've always just run a street touring tire on the back, works fine and lasts twice as long as a "universal" tire. Metzeler ME88 has worked well and is what we've run from 1987 to date. Conti Tour on an R100GS paralever will also work well.

You really don't need off-road type traction two up loaded - the bike weighs so much it makes it's own tracks...

A universal style on the front can be good for off-road though, and just about anything works well and lasts about as long as the rear street tire.

There's plenty of discussion here about this. Probably search on ME88 and get lots of hits/discussions!

------------------
Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

TKC 80's are the way to go if riding some of the off road sections and buying new tyres before you go. Tubeless tyres not easy to find in south america outside of places like santiago or buenos aires (especially 90/90x21). We used local/brazilian Pirelli MT21's on our 80gs's, using a 190 section tyre on the rear which lasts longer than the usual 180 section. It rubs ever so slightly on the swingarm and possibly on the spring when caked in mud. I never bothered cutting off the side knobs as they never rubbed enough to worry me. Take some big tyre levers and use the sidestand to break the tyre bead if you get a puncture as local tyres require innertubes. If you are using the sidestand to break the bead on the rear tyre , tie the centre stand to the front wheel or you might find the bike rolls off the centre stand when you have it leaned over to push the sidestand onto the tyre edge.Not good, and dont ask how I know!! Local pirelli MT60 (more road orientated) and MT21 are cheap compared to European prices.
PS. Front MT21 wears a bit strange on a beemer, when half worn,turn it around, its not a directional tyre.

Currently in Argentina, two up for a short spell with my sister, and running Metz Tourances. They were new in Quito, and they will make Ushuaia without difficulty. I have cheap MT21 ´s waiting at the post office there for the solo trip back north.
Cheers, rene
www.renedian.com

I ran Metzeler Tourance tyres on my old F650 (tubed) and my friend's R1100GS (tubeless) and they were really excellent on-road, surprisingly good on rough stuff too. I got about 12,000 miles out of them but could have ridden another 2,000 miles or so without a problem.

Picked up a new pair in Guatemala city from the BMW dealer for the trip home.

Thanks for all the advice.

Not sure about the centre stand stuff, I've got a touratech one with a big plate on it - I assume you take it off & use it for leverage?

further to my earlier reply.....
what I meant to say was a 130/90 pirelli mt21 tyre rather than a 130/80 mt21 tyre is more ruggedly constructed and lasts longer.
The centre stand stuff .....basically the bike will be on the centre stand whilst you have the punctured wheel off the bike for repair. Lie the punctured wheel on the floor and pull out the sidestand , placing the end of the sidestand on the tyre bead at the edge of the rim. Now hold the handlebar and rear grab rail and pull the bike carefully towards you, the weight of the bike will push the tyre bead down into the centre of the rim , breaking the seal between tyre and rim. Like I say, if you dont make sure that the centrestand cannot retract then you may find that you end up with the front or more likely the back of the bike on the ground. If the back of the bike is on the ground, simply push the bike on its side and refit the wheel with the bike on its side. Dont forget to turn off the fuel and make sure that the rear brake lever on the bevel drive doesnt get bent as the bike is lowered to the ground.
Hope this is clear and sorry for the confusion.