Hi, myself and two friends are currently in Hovd, Mongolia en route to UB. Our next stop is in Altay and then we plan a southerly route through to UB. Would it be possible to keep our bikes there if necessary??? Also, i need some rear brake pads for a 97 XTZ 660. though i doubt very much they are available there would it be possible to get some sent from the UK via royal mail to your address?? The ones i have are pretty low so shall need some at UB.

As for tyres in Mongolia. From the Russian border to Olgi and through to Hovd we have seen about 20km of tarmac, and these are in the towns. I suppose you could make it through on road tyres but it would be quite intersting to say the least, and it may take a while. Were all on knobblies and would reccomend it too. We bumped into 3 German guys at the Russia/Mongolia border one of whome was on a road going BMW with road tryres. we passed them yesterday on the way through to Hovd going back the way they had come. Though some of this was to do with the weather, i dont think his road tyres would have been upto the job as it is very rough with very sharp stones and some very deep sand at times.

If anyone knows of some XTZ 660 rear pads in UB please let me know otherwise i shall get some sent out there ready for when we arrive in about 10 - 14 days.

Thanks