Traffic in Quito
 

It's looking like I won't get the parts I need to fix my bike in Lima before my TVIP expires next week so I will have to continue northwards without a front brake and the clutch connected to the front brake lever. The clutch is a little awkward but the lack of a front brake is a problem and drastically reduces the stopping distance so I'm looking for the safest route to Bogota with the least traffic.

Any suggestions about the safest routes without a front brake and can someone let me know if the traffic in Quito (just passing through) is as bad as Lima? Thanks[

Totally different, Lima is far worse, Quito is fine

Moiuntina roads...
 

Except for the roads leading to the beach, I found Lima to be largely flat. Quito on the other hand is in the mountains and has lots of steep hills. If you stick to the roads that run through the center you can avoid the hills in town...but there is no avoiding steep mountain roads that you will travel to get to Quito and then Bogota.

I highly recommend getting your brakes sorted out a.s.a.p. You can delay oil changes, but riding without a front brake in South America, over mountain roads? Really?

If you choose to press on to Quito, know that there is a string of motorcycle shops just east of the airport. I rode some truly steep hills leaving Quito on the road north of town. It was towards sunset when clouds and pea soup thick fog rolled in making navigation extremely difficult. The trucks and bus drivers knowing ever turn of the road kept right on rolling. Motorcycles are low on the food chain in South America. On a good day, trucks and buses swinging into your lane on a hair pin turn and they expect you to stop in time or in some fashion get out of their way. Think hard before attempting to ride from Lima to Bogota without a full braking system in place.

BMW Lima
 

Your profile says you are riding a R1100. If that is the bike you are on now, can't the BMW dealer in Lima fix your brakes? They took care of me when I passed through in April 2013.

Unfortunately, it needs a new master cylinder and the dealer says it will take three weeks to get it. The TVIP had less than two weeks before it expired so I had to exit Peru. In I'm Valcabamba, Ecuador now and the brake hasn't been a huge issue yet, I just slow down and keep a distance hoping no animals or vehicles get in the way

Rain and wet roads is quite worrisome though..

Quito BMW dealer
 

There is a BMW dealer in Quito. They were pretty well supplied when I stopped by. They are on highway 35, just east of the airport....

If you haven't contacted them:

Álvarez Barba S.A.

Importación exclusiva

BMW Ecuador

Quito - Ecuador

Sala de ventas y Estación de servicio

Av. 10 de Agosto N51-97 y Algarrobos.
Quito - Ecuador
Tel.: 593-2 2410760/2402535
Fax 593-2 2408022
Email: autos@alvarezbarba.com.ec
Atención Ventas: Lunes a Viernes de 9h00 a18h00
Sábados de 10h00 a 13h00
Atención Partes y Servicio: Lunes a Viernes de 8h30 a 17h45

Presidente: Pedro Alvarez V.
Gerencia General: Jacqeline Cevallos
Gerencia de Comercial: Diego Galindo
Gerencia Posventa: Humberto Sandoval

Guayaquil - Ecuador

Ecuavia S.A.

Ave. De las Américas No. 500 y calle 7
Tel: 593-4 2283888/2880555
Fax: 593-4 2280 928
E mail: contactenos@ecuavia.com
Atención Ventas: Lunes a viernes de 9h00 a 13h30 / 15h00 a 18h30
Atención Partes y Servicio: Lunes a viernes de 8h30 a 17h30

Presidente: Carlos Estrada
Gerente General: Jaime Cucalón
Gerente de Ventas: Carlos Javier Estrada
Gerente de Posventa: José Ojeda

Thanks Peter, I'll email them now. I'm currently in Cuenca, Ecuador working my way north.