Hello, I just received info, that my friend, who´s currently on a trip from Argentina to the US, is having problems with the final drive of his R1200GS 2004-model. The bike has now been taken to Cartagena on a truck, and he´s booked some freighting to get the bike to Panama, to where it should be leaving in about 3-4 days.

The message wasn´t very specific about the parts that he´ll need, but mentions either all bearings and gaskets to the final drive, or possibly even a full replacement unit to the final drive (I´m hoping he´ll be okay with the bearings & gaskets, because that one must be expensive!)

He´s currently under the impression, that such parts will not be available in Panama City without a long wait. I don´t know, if he´s now trying to get them from Colombia.

Anyone have any info about places in either Panama City or Cartagena, that he should ask from?

And a further question: there could be a possibility to send him some parts from Finland with DHL (and if he leaves Colombia as planned, then those would probably have to go to some yet unknown address in Panama City)... any experiences about sending parts to Panama, and how did it work out with the customs (... like should you put the value of the goods quite low, or should you even make them look like used parts)?? He also mentioned ordering parts from the US, but I´m not sure, if that would work out well, because he probably doesn´t know anyone there. Parts are probably a bit cheaper there than in Europe, though.

I know it really sucks to have something like this happen when you´re in the middle of a big trip, so now trying to help him out any way I can. Thanks a lot for any help in advance!

If it is really a final drive issue, then easier would be to use a 2nd hand final drive from ebay and send this to him.

__________________
www.whereishemuli.eu
Riding round the World

Facebook:WhereIsHemuli

Hi I live in David which is quite a way from Panama City but if help is needed I will do what I can.
There is a BMW dealer in PC but not likely to have a large stock of parts.
I will be back in David next week as I am on the way back from Guatemala.
There is also the possibility of looking for parts in Costa Rica.
I use a forwarding company for parts to Panama based in Miami but if the parts are heavy it will be fairly costly, they deal with all the taxes so if a low used parts value is on the package the taxes will not be too bad but it will be about 7 -10 days from arrival in Miami to get to Panama.
Send me an email if tere is anything I can do, bikers are always welcome to crash a couple of days at my place regardless.
Norm
normanonthehill@yahoo.com

There's an American fella who lives in panama with his wife who goes by the name of Halfthrottle. A thoroughly decent chap, I'm sure if you asked, he'd do what he could to help you out. Here is his blog and here his YouTube channel. He's a fellow adventure rider... his Panamanian steed is a KLR but rides an R1200GS when in the USA. Hope this help?

__________________
www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

Frankly if it was me I would head to the BMW shop in Medellin known as Ruta 40. Dave

Well, since he´s heading to Central America, the bike is unrideable at the moment, and he´s already booked some freight to get it to Panama, and leaving in just a few days, I don´t think he´ll want to do that right now.... But thanks for the tip anyway!

And thanks for everyone else for your valuable advice, too! I´m not 100% sure, what he wants to do now, but I guess he will try to sort it out in Panama City. Good thing is, that he´s got some time, so probably won´t be a catastrophe, if he´ll have to wait a bit to get some parts.

Hi

This Maybe too late but in all honesty your best bet would be to leave the boat and go to Medellin to Ruta 40 & go see either David or Carlos(superb guys). they can get you the parts ... may even have them in stock if not they get parts in about five days from the USA.

the BMW dealer in Panama City dosent even stock tires for bikes they are really just a car dealer with ability to sell moto's. it will be cheaper in Colombia too.

hope this helps.

James
also Medellin is one of the most awsome places i have been, just left about a month ago heading south.