Buy a new tire in Lima; or Cuzco, or La Paz Bolivia?

[arooni]

Hi folks:

Writing to you from Lima, Peru. I'm trying to decide whether to replace my rear tire here in Lima, Cuzco, or La Paz. There is a Shinko 705 for my Strom here for 326 soles = $125 available here in Lima.

Notes:
* I haven't hit the wear bars yet, but I'm close. Had this bad boy on the bike since Antigua, Guatemala.
* 1-2mm at the most worn sections.... 6-7mm at the least worn sections.
* If I go to Cuzco, it's another 1100km
* If I go to La Paz, it's another 1100km + 672km = 1872km
* Here are some photos of the tire:




Would you:
1) Replace the tire here in Lima?
2) Head to Cuzco and try to find a tire there?
3) Same for La Paz?
4) Other idea?

Many thanks in advance. I have only replaced the tires twice in my bike in San Diego and in Guatemala, and I'm eager for good rules of thumb for when a tire needs to be replaced, especially considering the difficulties of finding the right sized tire in other countries. I'm thinking the Shinko 705 should be a good choice for Bolivia... it served me pretty well through Guatemala.

[GastonUSAChile]

In Cusco you are not going to find nothing, just for very small bikes . My recomendation is buy it in Lima if you can. La Paz probably! since they import all kind of used bikes and someone must be providing some tires and parts.
Bolivian roads are really bad and I would not risk the trip after seeing those pictures.

[markharf]

Fer godssakes buy the tire. If you don't want to mount it now, carry it and mount it in Cuzco. You might or might not be able to find a tire in Ica (I did), Cuzco (I did) or elsewhere, but there's no upside to testing your dumb luck. Buy the tire.

Mark

Edit to add: Gaston, I'm not sure why you like to post about stuff you don't know (for example, the availability of tires in large sizes in Cuzco), but you might want to think about stopping.

[moto-treks]

Buy the tire in Lima. I'd get it mounted there too as its no fun carrying one on the bike. You may or may not find a tire in Cuzco or La Paz but why take the chance?

[MAXVERT]

Originally Posted by GastonUSAChile

In Cusco you are not going to find nothing, just for very small bikes . My recomendation is buy it in Lima if you can. La Paz probably! since they import all kind of used bikes and someone must be providing some tires and parts.
Bolivian roads are really bad and I would not risk the trip after seeing those pictures.

What he said.

I've been through the area a few times.
Lima has good options for buying tires.
I'd get them while you can.

Keep us update with what you find and where.
I'll be through there again in a couple of months.

Max

[crashmaster]

FWIW, I had no issues finding tires for my KTM in Bolivia and its odd for SA 18 x 140, or 150. I had to wait a couple of days for it to come from La Paz but not a big deal.

What does the Strom use a 17 x 140? Found plenty of those in big cities in Bolivia. I also saw 17 x 140's in Cuzco but I just stumbled onto them. Since I nneded an 18, the 17's were naturally jumping out at me all over the place. But, like anything, it can be hit or miss.

However......Latin America golden rule: when you find something you need or might need shortly, dont wait hoping you can find it somewhere else, buy it! Man you even found the brand and model that you want? That's a huge bonus, you got serious miles out of that tire, buy it!

Its one less thing to worry about, might save you a ride in a pickup and a few days waiting or searching further down the road. Carrying tires sucks but if you want to squeeze the last bit out of your present tire you can always do that for a week or so, or until it becomes too much of a PITA then spoon on the new one.

I thought the paved roads and many dirt roads in Bolivia were fine, no worse than anywhere else in Northern SA. The SW altiplano though is a different story and that will be some of the best riding of your trip.

[Airhead Wrangler]

Originally Posted by crashmaster

Latin America golden rule: when you find something you need or might need shortly, dont wait hoping you can find it somewhere else, buy it! Man you even found the brand and model that you want? That's a huge bonus, you got serious miles out of that tire, buy it!

YES. Don't pass by something you'll obviously need soon assuming you'll be able to find it in smaller cities farther down the road at which point you'll desperately need it. If you want to stretch what you've got, then just buy the new tire in Lima and carry it until your rear is really gone.. It's not THAT big a pain in the ass to carry a tire.

[bush pilot]

Definately buy the tire in Lima. Prices are pretty good there. I just bought a set of nice Brazilian Pirelli Scorpions for my KLR at the Desert sport Honda dealer, good price too..
Depending on your route south, figure on wearing some rubber out. Also bear in mind you can get a bunch more miles past the wear markers if you aren,t terribly fussy. The further south you get the more scarce spare parts become, especially in Argentina.
I changed out a tire in Colombia that was just hitting the wear markers because I was tired of carrying it. Hindsight I wished I,d run that tire down to the cord.
Punta Arenas is the place to get stuff like tires, if you can nurse the tires down that far. Avoid the dealer in Rio Gallegos like the plague. If you ride Ruta 40 through AR you will chew through some tire on that nasty bit gravel.

[SS in Vzla.]

Originally Posted by crashmaster

.Latin America golden rule: when you find something you need or might need shortly, dont wait hoping you can find it somewhere else, buy it! Man you even found the brand and model that you want? That's a huge bonus, you got serious miles out of that tire, buy it!.

+2
Probably late and you already left Lima, but if you didn't buy the tire, turn a round and go buy it

[arooni]

Hey everyone; thanks for your advice! I took your advice and bought the tire at Barbacci Motors and have been carrying it on the road to Cusco since. First time carrying a tire in addition to my regular gear. These things don't pack very well at all! But I do feel way better knowing I can replace the tire anytime I like.

Thanks again!

PS: Does anyone know a shop recommendation on where to get a tire BALANCED and mounted (the mounting part is easy to find, but I've found not a lot of places offer balancing services).

Best,
David

[Lone Rider]

Originally Posted by arooni

Hey everyone; thanks for your advice! I took your advice and bought the tire at Barbacci Motors and have been carrying it on the road to Cusco since. First time carrying a tire in addition to my regular gear. These things don't pack very well at all! But I do feel way better knowing I can replace the tire anytime I like.

Thanks again!

PS: Does anyone know a shop recommendation on where to get a tire BALANCED and mounted (the mounting part is easy to find, but I've found not a lot of places offer balancing services).

Best,
David

Dude...

All you need to do is prop one end of axle on a post or railing, and just spin it. You can then play with the weights already on the wheel, and move them around as needed. Get other weights, if needed.
You do not need a fancy shop for this.