Tires!!
 

Hello,
I am a Newbie when it comes to this website. In a couple of years here My girlfriend and i will be headed south from minnesota. i am running heidenau tires on my 800 gs right now. I have heard that the are a big pain to change on you own because of the sidewall strength. is that tire a good one to use to go through central and south america? What tires do they offer down there. is it easy to get them?

Thanks!

Hi pk800gs!
If you're talking about the k60 scout, you'll find many ppl like them for long distance travel with lesser roads on the way. I'm one of them. My first set lasted almost 20.000km (Europe to Mongolia) and the second set (Mongolia - Japan) a bit less. The sidewall stiffness can make it a bit more difficult to get it off, but imo not relevant compared to the long lasting thread and 50/50 capabilities.. i had on my 30.000km trip not one flattie.. obv luck and heavy duty inner tires were involved as well. My only remark is the cracks both of my sets developped. Real cm long cracks in between the knobs which made me change my last rear long before the thread was done.. It is said this is related to riding with low pressure, but i never did on my second set and still it was super bad. I'd check the DOT code on the sidewall to make sure you don't install an old tire..
I'd go for them. No clue on what they have in southern America..
Enjoy the planning, but don't plan it all :-) especially keep your dates as flexible as possible.. my 2cents..

If its any help - I've just done 13000 miles (21000km) ona Heidenau K73 "wet" front tyre from the UK to Vladivostok over the alps, through snow, across Kazakhstan, sun baked tarmac, off road tracks and it did it all.

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Oh getting it off the rim was no big deal.. certainly no wore than any other tyre that has been on a wheel for while