Hi,

I am traveling around the world on a 2011 KLR650 with my girlfriend. I have just completed Canada, Alaska and the USA 16,000 miles.

In the next few weeks I will be entering Mexico down baja and then traveling down central America to Argentina.

I know the bike will be getting old as we travel so can I buy KLR650 parts in these countries? Can I get tires like the trailmaster and anakee2?

If I am unable to get parts I will have to ship them to a post office but I am worried about shipping times.

Any other travel advice would also be great.

My girlfriend and I are also Canadain and we were hoping to go to Cuba from Mexico by boat for a few months. This could be with our without the bike. Any advice?

Thanks
Alex

Change the oil. Regularly.

Check and adjust the valves at the specified intervals. Before you leave the States, suggest buy shims one or two sizes down from those you currently have and carry them with you.

Do the doo.

Lube and check/adjust the chain daily.

If you don't skimp on your servicing, your bike likely won't let you down.

Parts can be DHL'd from the States/Canada anywhere in the world pretty quickly but worth carrying a couple of oil filters and a cleanable air filter as well as spare cables - clutch and throttle, brake pads front and rear and wheel and steering head bearings plus the tools to change them. Sounds like a lot but really isn't in terms of weight/volume.

Just came out of Mexico, in Guate working on the bike. Tires are available, even if selection isn't massive. I found a Heidenau Scout for $160US so not too shabby.

Looking for brake rotors and speedo cable is proving to be interesting...
We'll see how it progresses!

The dealerships in Mexico (Kawi) all told me 20 days to get any parts shipped in when I was looking for new fork seals. Turns out I didn't need them, make sure you're familiarized with the milk jug fork seal cleaner before heading out - them roads are dusty n dirty!

__________________
Lost on the way to the End of the World - Adventures of a vagabond photographer and his tRusty steed

Rocky mountain atc mc says they can ship a tire and some small parts to La Paz mexico where we are staying for $60. This is the best I could find for ordering parts online in the USA and shipping to La Paz Mexico. Anyone one else have any other options? Is there a cheap Motorcycle part Mexico website?

no worries, got all KLR 650 parts in Antigua Guatemala

cheers

Taz

You should get your tires, chain, sprockets, battery ... BEFORE you leave the USA ... unless you like burning money??

Shinko 244 Dual Sport Front - Rear Tire - Motorcycle Superstore
The Shinko 244 is best value on the market. They last very well, work fabulous off road and good on paved roads too. At $60 USD, hard to beat.

For a more road oriented tire check out the Shinko E705. It's compares favorably with the Anakee and Distanzia. (I've used them ALL and the Shinko's are by far best value)
Shinko 705 Series Dual Sport Rear Tire - Motorcycle Superstore

I see lots of guys head South on half worn out chain and sprockets. Amateur mistake. You can't get quality chain/sprockets in Latin America. Buy a NEW DID X Ring chain in USA and NEW OEM Kawasaki sprockets. Bring along two spare front sprockets. The fronts wear fast and will kill your chain ... the rear will last until Colombia or further.

The idea for you guys is to make it to Colombia where the BEST tires and parts are available at most reasonable prices.

But if you start with BRAND NEW tires, NEW battery, NEW chain (quality DID X Ring) and Sprockets, pack the extra sprockets and one spare rear tire on the bike. The front tire will make it to Colombia. Don't forget to stock up on the high quality TUBES that sell CHEAP in USA. MSR HD tubes are great!
I pack 3 on the road. Only crap tubes down South.

In Colombia (and elsewhere) there are a few broke down KLR"s that are selling off parts. so consider that before ordering from USA and paying Import duty and shipping.
(it will kill you! ... even in La Paz, BC)

Good luck, safe travels!

Great advice. On the over loaded KLR650 I always used Shinko 705. With 2 people and gear the bike was 300lb over weight so we went through a lot of tires.

The homemade solar thermal car hot oil pump works? In this video I run the pump and show how it works. I also measure the flow rate (which is about 15 litres per minute) and discover that this pump is powerful enough to circulate the oil for the 24 food long solar thermal car mirror.

http://youtu.be/tS3Vq4ybEdA