Yet another tire availability question
 

Hi all,

I am planning on heading south through Central and South America this fall on a Ural. My bike uses 4.00x19 or 110/90/19 tires, which aren't the easiest to find here in the USA. Do any of y'all have any idea if I'll be able to find tires in this size on my trip or should I plan on packing in all the tires I'll need?

Thanks,

Matt

I dont think any bike shop in the world would stock 19" tyres.

Maybe your best getting a stockpile while you can and forward them to places where you know you can visit.

Not sure about Central America, but 19" 110/90 can be found in South America. In Quito, Ecuador contact Ricardo Rocco at
aroundforpeace@yahoo.com or Albert at the Turtle's Head Bar (in Lonely Planet) for moto shops with tires. In Santiago, Chile, go to Lira Street. The first 5-6 blocks on the northern end of this road are full of motorcycle shops. You can find 110/90 19 tires with little problem. Peru, seems to be none available, but contact Jeff at the Norton Rat's Pub in Cusco. He tried to find one for me via contacts in Lima, but had no luck at the time, but may have better luck when you are there. In Argentina, go to DakarMotos in Buenos Aires. Javier has a few tires in stock and I am sure he can get a hold on others. All three of these guys can be found right here on HU. All are great guys and true Moto ambassadors.

For a 110/90 tire expect to pay a premium. twice if not triple what we pay here in the USA. Even though 19" tires are available, I ended up going for a 100/80 19" Pirelli MT60's because they are a lot cheaper and more easily found. If memory serves me, I paid approx. $60 in La Paz. My riding partner, paid big bucks for a Metzler tourance in Santiago, but they are good tires and he found it worth the extra dinero.

The big tip though is to contact the local HU communities (links on the left of this page) of the regions you will be traveling through. This is what I did and they were invaluable.

Don't worry about the tires to much. Just plan ahead while on the road.

Have fun!

Ryan

ps - if you need a tire when nearing Quito and want a specific tire contact Racing Parts(if memory serves me well they are located at the south end of the international airports runway) Ricardo or Albert should be able to get their contact info. They can order most tires for you, but they will need at least 3 weeks notice for delivery and most likely a credit card. Again, you will pay a premium for these.

BMW dealers that stock front tires.
Also dealers of the latest dirt bikes, rear tires are 19".

I tried this to no avail
 

I can't say for all South American BMW dealerships, but the one in Quito and Santiago did not stock tires. They had to order them and they would've been the most expensive route and take a minimum of 3 weeks for delivery. It is a good option only as a last resort.

You can carry a lot of stuff on a Ural.
Why not just haul some tires along with you...

You'll find tires somewhere. They always pop up one way or another. SM Motos in Rio Gallegos, right before you cross into Tierra del Fuego, had tires for my 1200GSA an F650GS and a Dakar. Also, the police in Cordoba have Ural sidecars, so someone must supply them with tires.

Thank you all for the feedback, it's reassuring to know that the tires are out there if I need them. I'm planning on carrying two spare tires but Urals eat through pushers very quickly so I was a little worried. In my own searching I also found a place in Buenos Aires that carries tires for MGs, which would also work for me in a pinch.

I wasn't planning on going to Cordoba before but now that I know they've got Ural police bikes I'll have to see about adding it into the plan.

Thanks again,

Matt

Tires that don't wear so quickly
 

I personaly think it would be worth while to see about relacing your rear rim to some readily available size (and compound) that would give better life. Say a fat 16 or 17. I have taken sidecar trips where I was changing tires every day! That was fast pavement and I was scrounging for any tire used or new. When I rode up the dempster I was riding a homebuilt rig with sidecar and rear bike the same wheel and tire and I carried a spare. Do you know a lady named Keen who has a Ural in chicago? I realize there a millions of people in the area but sidecar folks are kind of special.

Unfortunately, on a Ural there is very little clearance between the rear tire and the drive shaft so about the widest I could go would be 4.25." I could drop down to an 18" rim and run 3.75x18 tires but anything smaller and I'd start to have ground clearance issues.

I haven't met a lady named Keen, but I'm also kinda out of the loop in the local Ural community. My schedule gives me lots of Mondays and Tuesdays off but I work every weekend, so I miss all the group rides.

19" tyres
 

saw them today in a big bike shop in Quito. cAnnot find the address but I was given the address of the best repair shop and enduro biker professionals in Cuenca (south Ecuador) (Accroding to my friend!) . I will order my tyres to them as I will need off road tyres for Bolivia.

Their email is:motorcyc at az.pro.ec
address gonzales suarez 2-23 y JJ Olmedo - Cuenca
tel (07) 280 7129 - 2862405 or 2868127

An argentinian friend who had lived in Quito for many years advised me to contact them for repairs or tyres. They are specilised Enduro but check for the tyres you need. You might be pleansantly surprised. My Argy friend also drive a Russian bike (not a Ural, never heard of it before and I dont remember the name!) Good luck,
Maria