QuiQue - because our GoldWing had spoked wheels and not a comstar which I assume yours has, I spoked a Volkswagon rim for the rear wheel knowing I could pick up these anywhere in SA. My suggestion is stick with the tyres you have – our front tyre never gave us any trouble whatsoever. We had an onboard compressor that I fitted S&W rear air shocks to and also had air caps on the front forks, but this was in the early eighties and I’m sure there’s better gear available these days.
In response to the poster whose suggestion against taking an expensive bike & trailer because it leaves you vulnerable to thieves, is that in my experience of three years on the road was only a pair of sunglasses left on the bike seat one time disappeared. And yes people ask questions, “what’s the bike worth, how old are you, where are you from, where are you going, do you like our country” – that’s called curiosity.
I have to confess that as well as the kitchen sink (quite literally), we had a tank carrying 30 litres of water fitted under the trailer, along with a 12 volt refrigerator, and on top an EM500 Honda generator, 2 jerry cans with 40 litres of spare fuel, spare front & rear tyres, an awning that made our camper trailer into a 12ft x 9ft 2 roomed tent. The camper had a double bed always set up. I suspect many of you will think I was totally daft hauling bike and equipment that weighed all up ¾ ton, but we were planning on being on the road for years, rather than weeks, so comfort above all else was our criteria.
My point is, there is no right or wrong way to travel. I’m now on a much lighter bike, have a fraction of the gear, but it’s a totally different experience. It’s not half as comfortable for a start. I have fabulous memories of my GoldWing & trailer adventure all those years ago, including that we were the first motorcyclists to travel the newly opened Carraterra Austral in Chile. QuiQue, you sound like a guy who is well prepared and open to the challenge of whatever South America has to offer. Buena suerte amigo!