Am riding UK - NZ next year through Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and was wondering if anyone had any idea where tyres for big bikes are available along the way? - I imagine they are as rare as hens teeth as are large motor bikes.

__________________
Rich
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/richardandlisa
www.youtube.com/richparkie

Hi ;

I am planning the be in the same route next March ( up to Nepal ) so i made some research on the subject.

The results were ;

IRAN
They are new tyres of an Iranian brand, enduro profile (dual purpose I'd say), fresh rubber, looks and feels good quality. They are even cheap : Front costs 88.500 rials (12.3 Euro); rear costs 94.500 rials (13.2 Euro) - at the time of writing = May 2002. Location : YAZD - between Amin Money Exchange and Beheshti Square on Eman Khomeini Street, same side as Amin Money Exchange. The small motorbike tyre shop bears a signpost "Ralleigh" (in Latin script). The owner doesn't speak one word of English, but is friendly as usual in Iran.

PAKISTAN
Kawasaki Centre - 10 Kashmir Road - Rawalpindi - (near Kamran Market) . The guy to ask for is Kashif Malik - mobile 0300 510.72.00 or his friend (don't know his name) at omer7779@hotmail.com The tyres are two rear tyres, Mitas/Barum E-07, dual purpose type, size 130/80-17". We have ridden 13.500 kms on them, NO PUNCTURES or any other messed up parts on them, and my guess is that they can be used for another 3-5.000 kms easily. They have 2 to 3 mms left in the middle, and much more on the nobbs on the sides. We sold them for 550 Rs a piece, but we've heard from other overlanders that the prices for used tyres of these sizes can be high. We saw a totally knackered and sliced rear Metzeler Enduro 3, bought for 25 U$ also in Pakistan.

Here you can find some tires but i think they will be used and wont take far. So its only in case of desparation. Also i received info from Islamabad only couple of days ago that 140/80-18 and 90/90-21 ( my tires ) are not avaliable.

INDIA
Bachoo is a shop where they really have "big bike's"... and can get part's. But it may take some time. Bachoo Motorcycles, Accessoiries & Spares 1/1, Suryodaya Estate Tardeo Mumbai - 400 034 phone 494 4956 mobile 98206 26 246.

And some services that i found but didnt have time to check if they are still valid or of any use.

1. Alfa instruments (p) Limited / A-15/h, / Nehru Ground / New Industrial town
Faridabad, Haryana 121001 / India
+91 129-425092
+91 129-415502
+91 129-412596/413599 Fax

2. Allibhai Premji Tyrewalla / 205, Dr. D. Bhadkamkar (Lamington) Road, Grant Road (E), / Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007 / India
+91-(22)-3099313
+91-(22)-3099417
+91-(22)-3092469

3. Kapil International C5A/26 / Janak Puri / New Delhi 110058 / India

4. MAHIRAN / Molavi st. 4rah Amiriye, No 7 / Tehran 11967 / IRAN / 5383893 5386989

5. Premjis Two Wheeler Super-Market / Tyre Terrace, / 205, Dr. D. Bhadkamkar (Lamington) Road, / Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007 / India
+91-(22)-3099313
+91-(22)-3099417
+91-(22)-3068844

6. Rajesh Bike Works / 227 E. I. Lines, Dawood Pota Road / Sindh 74500 Pakistan

7. Royal Enfield Motors / Tiruvottiyur High Road / Tiruvottiyur Chennai 600019
India

+91 44 5734249
+91 44 5733300

8. Solomon Exports (India) / 501/A-8, Western Avenue / Sainik Farms / New Delhi 110062 / INDIA
+91-11-6859694
+91-11-6859644

If you get some information about the subject please let me know.

Thanks for the info. If anyone else comes up with good sources for tyres through Asia please post them here.

__________________
Rich
www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/richardandlisa
www.youtube.com/richparkie