Little Help in Mendoza
 

Just arrived in Mendoza and need to take care of some "housekeeping".

Anyone know:

-the best place in town to buy Conti TKC 80's,
-a shop that can weld a crack in my aluminum pannier
-and hopefully a shop space that will allow me to change oil, etc (for a small fee of course)

and, of course, anybody around up for a beer?

Thanks,
Mike

I don't have direct answers to your questions, but there are two motorcycle sales, parts and repairs areas in Mendoza, on opposite sides of the main north--south road east of the center. To find them, ask any motorcyclist you see where to buy parts. Then go into any shop and ask where to buy tires or whatever: some people are totally unhelpful, but by and large they're excited to meet an overlander and will tell you what you need to know. Sometimes they'll take you there, introduce you around, translate for you, make phone calls, etc. They all seem to know each other, and they all know the same mechanics as well.

Hope that helps.

Mark

Hi Mike, 'Top Moto' calle San Juan 570 will sort out the tyre problem and almost certainly the other 2 problems as well. To get the tyre fitted, back up the road and right is GENGO the BMW agents on Moran 27 y San Martin, they did it for me and I am sure they will do it for you. One of the suits their speaks excellent English and the lassies are friendly. Top Moto is also very helpful but here is where your Spanish lessons will come in handy. Ride safe.

As I recall, TKCs are like hen's teeth in South America, and none too cheap. There were none available when we were there: I mean no Continentals, never mind a Continental TKC. We had to wait till Santiago and it was expensive (150 rear: about £140 at the time)! This was 2006, so things may have changed after the Dakar rally.

The easiest alternative are Michelins, which are very common (I can't emember the Dual Sport tyre that was recommended Sirac?, T63?). The only reason we did not buy a set of those was that they did not have our sizes and we had to move on...

So perhaps investigate those options too and you may find for a similar price of a TKC rear you can get a matching set of Michelins!!

Good luck!

hey mike,
i dont know if my information is too late for you, but there is a store in godoy Cruz - nearby Mendoza (3 km1):
S 32 55,778
W 068 50,991
good prices and they have a lot.
also around there are a lot of motorcycle shops (honda, suzuki, bmw and
ktm ( KTM Mendoza - Perito Moreno 1900, Godoy Cruz)
greetings
henning